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  • Tai Solarin’s widow Sheila dies at 88

    Tai Solarin’s widow Sheila dies at 88

    Humanist and co-founder of Mayflower School in Ikenne, Ogun State, Mrs Sheila Solarin, died yesterday. She was 88.

    The wife of the late educationist and activist, Dr. Tai Solarin, passed on at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ilisan, Ogun State of osteoporosis (weak bone).

    She co-founded the famous school with her husband in 1956.

    Last July, the late Mrs Solarin underwent a surgery at the hospital, following a domestic accident that left her with a broken hip.

    “She fell down in her room in July and suffered a broken hip. She was then taken to the teaching hospital where she was diagnosed with osteoporosis . She died at exactly 4:30pm and her remains have been taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).”

    The late Dr. Solarin’s twin brother’s daughter, Mrs Alake Sobo, confirmed the late Mrs Solarin’s death. She said her two children were at her bedside before she breathed as last.

    Mrs. Sobo said: “Despite the fact that Mrs. Solarin was not a Nigerian by birth, she remained committed to the country and always wished that a day would come when every child of school age will have free access to quality education.

    “We will greatly miss her. I wish she stayed longer but God knows best.”

    Chairman of Tai and Sheila Hospital, Dr. Wale Omole, said but for the late Solarins, he would not have achieved his dream of becoming a medical doctor.

    “Honestly I feel pained. We celebrated her 88th birthday some months ago and she was healthy. Mrs. Solarin was a woman with a great heart, who left the comfort of her country.

    “Even at 88, Mrs Solarin was still teaching at her school. She taught English Language and marked students’ essays and letter writings, until she was admitted at the hospital.

    “There is no better way to serve humanity. Nigeria and Africa took the best out of this mother and teacher of teachers. She will be greatly missed,” he said.

    Born in England on May 31, 1924, to the Tuer family, the late Mrs. Solarin got married to her husband in 1951 in England and came to Nigeria in 1954.

    They established the Mayflower School in 1956.

    In 2011, Mrs. Solarin was invited to the popular “who wants to be a millionaire” television show and she won N2 million. The money, she said, was meant to establish a modern laboratory for the pupils.

    During her 88th birthday which was marked for her by the old and current students of the school, Madam Sheila shocked some of the guests in her modest sitting room last May 31 when she told The Nation that making it to 88 in Nigeria was a thing of “surprise” to her.

    Asked to explain, she said given her “busy life” in the country for over three decades, and all devoted to educating people, she never thought of living long.

    “It is a surprise to me that I’m still alive. Honestly, I didn’t expect to live long. I have had a busy life here. There is plenty of work to do in the areas of education,” she told The Nation.

    The late Mrs Solarin was described by her students – both old and young – as an “enigma”.

    One of her bitter regrets which will now accompany her to the grave. is inability and unwillingness of Nigerian governments to ensure that a good number of the citizens of school age have access to qualitative and affordable education.

    She said mass education of the people could not be attained because of the growing culture of corruption, laziness and indiscipline in the country.

    “Over 10 million Nigerians of school age are not in school. Many children never had a chance to be educated. Governments and individuals have a lot of work to do in that direction. If you don’t educate them, you are looking for trouble,” she said.

    The late Mrs Solarin’s daughter, Corin, said she would be unable to capture her late mother’s times and life in words.

    “I cannot summarise her life and times in words. She was a good, kind-hearted and humane personality.

    “She played the role of mother to thousands of people across the world. Her love and service to humanity were exemplary and legendary.”

    Senator Gbenga Kaka (Ogun East) said: “ Madam Solarin in her life times sacrificed all she had for the sake of her husband. She kept the flag flying at Mayflower School, Ikenne. She remained an epitome of good womanhood.

    “ She was caring, not only to her children, but all that passed through her husband. She will be missed just like we are missing her husband. She was a hard working, diligent and straight-forward person.”

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun mourned the passing of Mrs Solarin.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, Amosun described Mrs Solarin’s death as most painful and a great loss to Ogun State and Nigeria.

    “Mama Solarin was a foremost educationist, a great teacher and disciplinarian who rendered an immeasurable service to the people of Ogun State and Nigeria through the Mayflower School. The school, founded in 1956, became one of the best schools in the country and has produced many of the leading lights in our nation.

    “Mama Solarin personified the common humanity we share, “not just by marrying our own revered Dr Tai Solarin, but choosing to live in Nigeria and making it her true home.”

    “Mrs Solarin was an example of that much-needed global spirit that sees beyond colour, race and religion in inter-relationships among peoples, nations and continents of the world,” he said.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola also mourned Mrs. Solarin.

    A statement by Aregbesola’s Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Aregbesola as saying:

    “She was a quintessential teacher. A moulder of men who devoted her life to the service of humanity, through the singular efforts of the Solarins, the Mayflower School, Ikenne, became a reference point in how to run educational institutions.

    “One can confidently say that the school, through the hardwork, dedication and honesty of the founders, set the pace for other educational institutions that would later come after it.”

  • We’re studying the result, say ACN, PDP

    We’re studying the result, say ACN, PDP

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State chapter, said yesterday they were studying the result of the governorship election.

    The ACN, in a statement by its National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, yesterday.

    “I have just been told the final results of the Ondo State governorship election. As a party of democrats, we in the Action Congress of Nigeria have always known that the choice of who governs has always been that of the people in situations where the electoral process is transparent and credible. Therefore, all politicians worthy of their salt must always expect victory or defeat. We recognize that it is the sovereign right of the people to decide what kind of government they want. This is the challenge of democracy. Our party believes that there was and still is need for change in Ondo State. Thus, our party will study carefully the general details of the results with a view to taking a final position.

    “Our party has always been and remains proud of our candidate, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and this election has reinforced our confidence in his ability to lead and stimulate life back into the Action Congress of Nigeria in Ondo State. Through him, our party will continue to express gratitude to the leadership and general members of our party and to the electorate of Ondo State in general.

    “We are glad that they performed that brilliantly in spite of many challenges, glaring lapses in the system and institutional inefficiency in the conduct of Ondo state governorship election.

    “I must congratulate our teeming members in Ondo State for their hard work at resuscitating the party and putting it in a position of reckoning in such a short time.

    “Our party will continue this post mortem analysis of the lapses in all the institutions involved in the conduct of the Ondo election.”

    The PDP in Ondo State in a statement by its spokesman Ayo Fadaka, said: “We have taken due cognisance of the results of the October 20 elections and as our immediate reaction is that the Party will set up a team of professional investigators to understudy the conduct of the elections and make their reports available within 15 days after which the party will now take a decision on its next line of action.

    “We take serious exception to the fact that election was not conducted in two wards in Ilaje Local Government and other areas across the state.

    “This unlawful disenfranchisement of voters through the negligence of INEC is most inexcusable. This is aside the curious cancellation of results in 42 polling units in Ilaje and the manner votes were calculated in several local governments to arrive at the figures INEC gave as its final results.

    “Provisionally, we declare that this election is marred by irregularities and if after our findings we discover that the extent is massive, we will certainly seek redress at the Election Petition Tribunal”.

    The ACN running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure, rejected the outcome of the election.

    Speaking to The Nation on the telephone, Akintelure said “the result is totally rejected”.

    He said: “I want to assure the citizenry that truth will prevail on the outcome of this election. What happened is a calculated attempt to present ACN as unpopular in Ondo State, but majority of the people know we are on the ground.”

    The ACN deputy governorship candidate urged the party supporters to remain calm and await further action from the party.

  • Army parades suspected UNIPORT students’ killers

    Army parades suspected UNIPORT students’ killers

    The Nigerian Army has arrested three men suspected to be members of the six-man syndicate that shot dead two students of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Spokesman of 2 Brigade/Sector Two Joint Task Force, Maj. Mike Etete, spoke while parading the suspects before reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt.

    Maj. Etete said the suspects had also been fingered as those who assassinated a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, believed to be serving in the state.

    He said that the suspects, (names withheld), were arrested after a stop and search operation was carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Task Force at Rumuochara Village in Choba, near Aluu Community in the state.

    “Following the killing of three persons at Rumuochara Village in Choba on Oct. 18, a manhunt was launched for the arrest of the gunmen.

    “At about 1:45 a.m. (yesterday), troops of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Joint Task Force intercepted four gunmen at Choba Junction.

    “An exchange of gunfire ensued between the soldiers and gunmen; consequently, one of the gunmen was killed instantly, one was injured and two others escaped with injuries.

    “Our soldiers did not sustain any injury in the course of this operation,” he said.

    Maj. Etete said after the gun duel with the four suspects, soldiers cordoned-off the area and apprehended two other suspects who allegedly came to support their gang members.

    He said the suspects were quickly arrested while investigation revealed that the two suspects were supplying arms and ammunition to reinforce their gang members.

    The spokesman said that three AK 47 rifles, 272 rounds of 7.2mm live ammunition and 16 magazines were recovered from the suspects.

    He named other items recovered from the suspects as an ash coloured Toyota Avalon car with registration numbers Kano AG 320 MDG, four Nokia phones, one Blackberry phone and identification cards.

    Maj. Etete called on the public and hospitals to report persons with gunshot wounds to security agencies in the state.

    He, however, declined attempt by reporters to speak with the suspects, saying that such move could jeopardise investigations being carried out to arrest two other suspects who escaped.

  • SSS invites Senator over suspected Boko Haram commander

    SSS invites Senator over suspected Boko Haram commander

    The State Security Service (SSS) has invited Senator, Alhaji Ahmed Khalifa Zanna, in connection with the arrest of a suspected Boko Haram Commander, Shuaib Mohammed Bama.

    But the Senator said although the suspect is his nephew, he has no link with the sect in any way.

    He said the house where the suspect was arrested belongs to a former Governor of Borno State, Senator Modu Ali Sheriff, whom he defeated to win Borno Central Senatorial seat in the Senate.

    He accused the JTF of burning 300 houses in the last one and a half months and killing 500 people.

    Zanna, who spoke on his experience in Abuja, said he suspected an attempt to frame him up by the JTF.

    He said: “Since my house was searched and the JTF made the announcement, I have not been contacted by security agencies. But it was only this morning (Sunday), I saw a text that the SSS DG will want to see me on Monday. I will honour the invitation .What I am suspecting is that they want to frame me up.”

    On his relationship with the Boko Haram suspect, Zanna said: “Yes, he is my sister’s son.

    “As for his behaviour, he is a … He beats up my children; he abuses my friends. He came to my house, so I sent him away. That was about a year ago. And for whatever reason I don’t know, he came to my house last week and I said he should leave the house.

    “Sometime ago, he even threatened to kill his mother. So, the mother was not even feeling comfortable living with him. And he narrated that to me. That is why I also do not want him to be near me.

    “I don’t know him to be a Boko Haram member. Never, never, I do not know him to be a member of Boko Haram.”

    The Senator gave an insight into how the JTF raided his house last Thursday.

    He said: “On Thursday, they went to my house. I was in Warri at that time; I went for an oversight function. My wife called me; she said the army people were at our gate. Actually, they went with four armoured vehicles and about 40 of them came to my house.

    “They searched all the rooms and when they went to the children’s room, they broke all their cabinets and searched everywhere. When they could not found anything, then they assembled all the boys in my building, took them out and put them under the scorching sun. Actually, before doing that, they beat them up. We had to take them to hospital later.

    “Under this traumatized condition, they asked them whether they know one Shuaib Bama. They said, of course, they know when they see him.

    “One of them was asked to go and show them where he is living. As they were going, when they were about to reach the house, they stopped. In fact, they blindfolded the boy. And one of the officers asked one of the personnel to come down so that they should follow him to the house without the boy telling them where the house is.

    “So, as they started going, the other officer sitting down asked him: ‘If you know the house, then why should we pick this boy?’ And after some arguments, they went to the house and arrested the boy.”

    He added: “Contrary to the claim of the JTF, the boy was arrested in Rabi Street, off Damboa Road. And the, the house belongs to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Before, the house belonged to one Abba Mala, a Cameroonian. And later, he sold it to late Tijjani Banki and Sheriff bought from Tijjani Banki.

    “I reacted because they said they arrested the boy in the house of a serving Senator along Damboa Road and I am the one living along Damboa Road.

    “I really do not understand why they did all these. I am confused. If they want to frame me up, they have failed in that one because they did not get that boy in my house. I have nothing to do with it. Let them go and ask the person where the boy was staying. So, they should not have mentioned my house.”

    Zanna explained that the JTF went after him because he demanded withdrawal of soldiers from Maiduguri during an interview with BBC.

    He said: “This story emanating from the JTF is actually as a result of an interview which I carried out(granted) in BBC last week – asking for their withdrawal from the state because they are not working according to the rules of engagement.

    “I noticed that they are just killing innocent people, killing them unnecessarily, harassing their families, extorting money. All these have been going on and I became so concerned.

    Particularly, the killing and burning of houses became the order of the day.

    “At least, 300 houses were burnt within the last one and a half months. And it will not be an exaggeration for me to say that up to 500 people have been killed by the bullets of the JTF.

    “I called for their withdrawal because even Boko Haram cannot do more than that. If they have come to protect us, they are not supposed to eliminate our young ones. Most of the people affected are young ones.

    “According to the information I got yesterday, they have started even killing old men. Somebody who was about 70 years old was killed. He was sitting down, listening to a radio and a JTF man came and he said: ‘Baba come’. They just took him to a certain distance and shot him. This is the type of things happening. So, my people are helpless. This warranted me to react.”

  • Tales of woe from Dana crash victims

    Tales of woe from Dana crash victims

    Dana Air paints them as liars. The airline says it has not abandoned them. But, four months after its aircraft crashed into their homes in Iju-Isaga,a Lagos suburb, they are yet to be compensated. The disaster claimed over 200 lives and any moment from now, Dana flights will take to the sky again. It has already done a test flight.

    The victims, including old widows and young parents with many children, have cried out to both the Federal and Lagos State governments to come to their aid and ensure that what is left of their lives is not shattered.

    Like a whirlwind, the ill fated Dana aircraft rammed into some buildings at Popoola and Olaniyi streets in Iju Ishaga, rendering no fewer than seven families homeless. A host of others had part of their properties destroyed.

    Miscreants took advantage of the emergency to cart away valuables of those who ran for safety. They vandalised shops and other buildings that were not directly affected by the crash.

    Although the airline had on several occasions announced that it had begun compensating families of those who died and those displaced, none of the displaced has been contacted by Dana Air after the airline gave some ‘meagre’ assistance to some to secure accommodation.

    The Nation gathered that most of the victims had, through their lawyers, written the airline but got no reply.

    Worst hit by the disaster is Pastor Daniel Omowunmi and his family, who lost properties valued over N500 million.

    Others are Mr. Adoroja, whose two- storey building was razed down, the familes of Odika Daniel, Chima Iloka, Mr./Mrs. Ogbonnaya Mr./Mrs. Eweh, Mr./Mrs. Okafor and Daniel Obasi.

    Also affected are two old widows, Mrs. Adekunle Abike of 7, Popola Street and Hajia Ramota Akinwusi of 11, Popoola Street.

    Mrs. Akinwusi said Omowunmi was a good man who assisted a lot of the people in the neighbourhood with employment and cash.

    She said: “I am a Muslim, but I can tell you that there is hardly anyone who went to the pastor for assistance that did not get same.

    “He was a very good man and does not deserve to be abandoned. He gave a lot of people jobs and always assisted those who had financial problems. I am begging the government to build his properties for him so that he will not suffer.”

    On the extent of damage on her property, Mrs. Akinwusi said part of her boys’ quarters was affected as well as her toilet facility, which was destroyed.

    She said miscreants, who took advantage of the situation, looted her shop and carted away tubers of yams, recharge cards and money. They also damaged part of her fence and roofing.

    Mrs. Akinwusi said the looters also burgled the shop of one of her tenants, which forced the tenant to abandon the shop since the incident.

    “Things have not been the same since that incident occurred. The tenants I used to get rents from have all packed out. They said they cannot stay in a compound without toilet. So, as an old woman, I am just trying to see how I can reconstruct my soak-away and buy the equipment for the toilet.

    “It has not been easy because the major customers I had were those who were seriously affected. Since that time, business has been grounded; many people have packed out of the area because of the bad omen.

    “Dana came here for inspection when the crash occurred and they promised to come back and repair our buildings but since then I have not seen anyone.

    “I know that my own case is not so serious like those people who lost their houses and properties worth millions but they should also remember to come and repair my building for me.

    “I am doing the little I can because I am old. I do not know the exact value of the things I lost and I do not want to lie. So, they should come and repair my property for me.”

    Mrs. Adekunle is disappointed that the airline is yet to settle her former neighbours who lost their entire belongings to the disaster.

    “I have not seen them. I heard they came here some time ago for inspection and promised to come and attend to us after they had finished settling those who died as well as those who were rendered homeless. But till today, I have neither seen them nor received anything from them.

    “Please, whoever is responsible should come and repair my house for me. My boys’ quarters is almost collapsing and even the roofs of my main building have gone bad.”

    Pastor Omowunmi, who said he has through his solicitors, Dele Adesina &Co., written series of letters to the airline and the law firm representing Dana’s insurer, Yomi Oshikoya &Co., told The Nation that he was disappointed that the airline has shown no concern towards his plight.

    He said: “I am really disappointed and wonder the kind of people the management of Dana Air and those representing them are. They must be satanic people, else they should not be comfortable having done nothing these past months to even show some concern for the lives they have destroyed.

    “The only thing Dana has done has been to put me through stress. The property of the person that imported those books is now at risk. The documents, including those of the kitchen utensils, were sent to Dana, but till today, they have not said anything.

    “The management of Dana is made of satanic people. From the day I rejected their N500, 000 offer till date, they have not bothered to know what has happened to us. They have not contacted anyone of the displaced persons.

    “My family and I have been squatting in the church premises. I thank God for the grace of life and I know that God who has brought us this far, will not abandon us.

    “If Dana says they have contacted us, they are lying. As I talk with you, even the other people who lost their properties have not been contacted. I am in touch with the others and if Dana had contacted anyone of them, I will know.

    “They are only interested in reopening their business to make money without recourse to innocent Nigerians they have ruined.”

    Omowunmi said the crash destroyed everything he had worked for over the years and also destroyed other people’s property he had in his warehouse.

    “I own the property on 8/10 Popoola/Olaniyi Streets. It is a four plot of land that housed my warehouse, furniture factory, my residential building and my fish pond, among others.

    “After writing several letters, including those from my lawyer to Dana and their insurance company’s law firm, without reply, I wrote a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan and copied the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Minister for Aviation, the Inspector General of Police, the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission and the Director General, NCAA on September 26.

    “I also wrote the Senate President, who I must commend for his prompt response, Speaker, House of Representatives, Lagos State Governor and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, among other persons,” he said.

    Omowunmi lamented that some days after he submitted his claims to the airline, he discovered that Yomi Oshikoya &Co., are the local correspondent to Dana’s underwriters.

    “On July 23, I attended a meeting tagged ‘preliminary meeting’ alongside my solicitors at the office of Yomi Oshikoya &Co., where the managing partner, Otunba Yomi Oshikoya sarcastically noted that I was claiming N500 million for a mere building.

    “His statement was evidence that my claims dated June 20, more than one month after, had not been read as at July 23; else he would have discovered that I was not claiming N500 million for the building alone but for other goods/stocks stored in the warehouse as well as my furniture factory.”

    The pastor alleged that after the preliminary meeting, his lawyers were requested to supply documents to prove his claim. The documents were forwarded on July 24 to Oshikoya’s firm.

    He said efforts had been made by his lawyers to secure another meeting with both Dana and their insurance company’s representative to no avail.

    The schedule of claims sent to the airline shows that Omowunmi’s premises had a six-bedroom duplex (ensuite) with a penthouse, four bedroom bungalow with two large sitting rooms, two standard warehouse and four fish ponds (fully stocked).

    It further stated that the warehouse accommodated his furniture factory which housed 447 panel doors, imported educational materials, imported kitchen utensils as well as other items either warehoused for various clients or for his use at the furniture factory.

    For the building structures, factory equipment, plants and machines, electronics/appliances, furniture, fixtures and fittings, personal effects, livestock as well as cost of resettlement for a period of two years, Omowunmi wants the airline to pay N224.1 million.

    He said the educational books that were imported from Malaysia by Thursmay Educational Services and were being warehoused in his premises was valued at N250.1 million, adding that necessary documents and contacts for verification were made available to the airline for confirmation.

    Omowunmi said the kitchen utensils which were also imported by Nike Odupitan and warehoused at his premises is worth N40, million, adding that necessary documents were also forwarded to the airline and its representatives.

    The compensation being demanded for losses suffered by the pastor is N514.176 million as well as N10 million per month for loss of earnings from the date of the incident till when the redevelopment of his damaged properties would be concluded.

    He urged the government to compel the airline to fulfill its responsibility to the affected persons, saying he believes that Dana intends to push him to the wall and force him to seek redress from the court so that it can exploit the attendant delays associated with the nation’s court system.

    “I have series of coordinated activities to undertake but I do not want to unfold them yet. It appears Dana people want to force me to go to court. We only know when a court process starts, no one can tell how long it will last and so, I am still trying to exhaust other options since I have been out of business and homeless.

    “I expect the government to use their good offices to pressurise Dana to compensate me and others affected on the ground.”

    Okafor, who also decried the alleged nonchalance of the management of the airline to their plight, said he has written Dana through his solicitors and forwarded his claims to them but have not received any reply from the airline.

    He said he has tried to move on but the trauma and pains have been made worst by the airline’s negligence.

    Okafor said: “It is very devastated for someone to, all of a sudden, lose all he has, and it is made even worse because the people responsible seem not to be bothered about the whole issue.

    “But for the N200, 000 and some food stuff I received from them when the crash occurred, I have not heard anything from them. They have not even looked for us or replied to acknowledge our letters.”

    Also lamenting the negligence he and his family have suffered, Iloka said it was cruel for the airline to have acted the way they did.

    He said: “It shows how unreasonable and heartless they are. But God is watching us all and I am sure everyone shall be held accountable for their actions.”

    Spokesman of ‘seriously affected victims’ Chike Okwuosa said they have not heard from Dana Air, except when some of them got N200, 000 from the airline as a temporary measure to help them secure accommodation.

    He said: “Dana said they were coming to compensate those that were affected but till now, nothing has been done.

    “People who are at the camp are those we call moderately affected. All those that were seriously affected rejected the camp because that place to start with is far. Moreover, it was difficult for them to go about their daily activities and to come down to Ishaga to make their collections.

    “We are appealing to the government to hold Dana airline responsible. Imagine Pastor Daniel that lost his entire investments, till date he is squatting in a church.

    “That pastor does not deserve to be neglected. We all live in this community and can testify that he gave so many people hope. There was hardly anyone who will approach him for help that he will not assist. Government should return all that he lost to him, and let others who were affected be compensated.”

    Dana spokesman Mr. Tony Usidame, however, debunked the allegations that the airline has not been in contact with the affected persons.

    He said: “Persons with free mind will attest that we have been in touch with them because we acknowledge and recognise the traumas they must have gone through.

    “Claims are being processed and benefits will soon be paid to the affected persons in accordance to the law.

    “Our insurers are handling the process and I am positive that compensation shall be paid soon to the affected persons in accordance to the law.”

    Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Ade Ipaye said government was working towards bringing the management of Dana Air and Omowunmi to a round table.

    He said the petition written by Omowunmi got to them and a committee has been set up to address the issues and see how the matter between both parties can be resolved without litigation.

    “Yes, we received a letter from him and we have resolved to choose a date within the week so that both the victim and management of Dana will come for a meeting to enable us settle the issue.

    “He made some claims which I do not know if Dana has looked into, so by the time they come for the meeting, we will hear from both sides and know where the problems lie.”

    The way things stand now, the struggle continues for the victims. Is victory certain?

  • Election not free and fair, says Ilori

    Election not free and fair, says Ilori

    The Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Environmental and Sanitation, Bola Ilori, yesterday alleged that the just-concluded governorship election in Ondo State was not free and fair.

    He alleged that the soldiers were biased and molested members of the opposition on the election day.

    He said in a statement that he would continue to champion good governance in the state.

    The statement reads: “For me, the election has been won and lost. It was not a perfect poll because it was not free and fair. However, life must continue. I will stress the need for us to develop Ondo State, irrespective of the party in power. I congratulate the indigenes of the state for the passion shown and sacrifices made. One must not fail to condemn those who perpetrated violence during the campaigns and election.

    “While the police and the State Security Service (SSS) were impartial, the soldiers were biased. INEC would need to be more transparent in the conduct of elections and prevent a situation that was recorded during the poll when people were arrested a day before the election thumb- printing ballot papers for the Labour Party (LP).

    “INEC workers were also arrested and arraigned for selling voter cards to the LP. ACN agents were not supplied tags and there were few tags. That was the modernised rigging introduced into the election, as the majority of ACN agents were denied participation on this technical ground.

    “I am using this medium to draw the attention of Nigerians to these anomalies. On the whole, winning is good if it doesn’t get to the head, and losing is not too bad if it doesn’t affect the brain. A winner is one who remains focused even when the going gets tough. Therefore, I congratulate the people, I congratulate the parties and I congratulate the winner.”

  • Mixed reactions in Akure, Ondo

    Mixed reactions in Akure, Ondo

    Mixed reactions yesterday trailed the Ondo State governorship election results announced by the Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, Akure.

    At 12.26 pm, Daramola; the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure declared Governor Olusegun Mimiko winner of the poll, saying he polled the majority of the votes cast by the electorate.

    There was jubilation in Akure and Ondo by Labour Party (LP) supporters who danced round the cities.

    The LP agent at the final collation centre, Dr. Ben. Enikuomehin, said the results reflected the views, wishes and expectations of the voters.

    However, his Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) counterpart, Mr. Idowu Otetubi, disagreed with Enikuomehin, saying the election was marred by irregularities in some local governments.

    He did not give details of the irregularities and the affected councils, saying he would submit a comprehensive report to the party leadership on his findings. Otetubi said: “The results have been presented. But we have detected some irregularities in the poll. I will present my report to the leadership of the party for consideration and decision.”

    Enikuomehin, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defector to the LP, hailed the election, saying it was free and fair.

    He praised the INEC and security agencies for their patriotism, adding that democratic elections have become a reality in Nigeria.

    Enikuomehin said: “The poll was transparent, credible, free and fair. It reflected the true wishes of the people. It is an affirmation that they preferred the governor and LP. The task before the governor is to continue to work for the people of Ondo State. There is a lot of work to be done.”

    Addressing a crowd of supporters who visited him at the Government House, Alagbaka in Akure, Governor Mimiko thanked the people for re-electing him.

    He hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for fulfilling his promise to encourage free and fair elections in the country.

    Mimiko dedicated his victory to the “democracy-loving people of the state”, promising to serve them better in the second term.

    He added: “The election was free, fair and credible. It reflected the wishes of the Ondo State people for continuity. I appeal to my co-contestants to join me in the task of building the state and taking it to a greater height. I will break the jinx of non-performing second term governors.”

  • Akintelure decries cancellation of poll by army officer

    Akintelure decries cancellation of poll by army officer

    THE running mate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) standard bearer in last Saturday’s governorship election, Dr. Paul Akintelure, has decried the cancellation of Polling Unit 7 election in Igbotako Ward 2 by an army officer.

    The poll of another unit was cancelled because the ballot box was snatched and Dr. Akintelure “faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for lack of preparedness in terms of security.”

    He said: “I don’t see any reason why 24 hours to the election, security officers were everywhere, but on the election day, they just vanished. We are yet to understand the reason for this.”

    Akintelure said some of the security officers played into the hands of the government. He said election was cancelled in Polling Unit 7 due to the fault of no one but the INEC officials.

    During accreditation, the polling officers reportedly made a mistake while counting the number of accredited voters. They counted 244.

    While voting was ongoing, a polling officer discovered that some people came for accreditation, had their thumbs marked, but their names were not ticked on the list, meaning the number of accredited voters was under-reported.

    This mistake was reported to the three party agents, who agreed that voting should continue. At the end of voting, 254 people voted. The Labour Party (LP) agent flared up, insisting the votes must be cancelled. He denied ever being informed of any mistake.

    The presiding officer said the votes should be counted, while any complaints should be written on the form provided for party agents. All entreaties by law enforcement agents and two other party agents to allow the votes to be counted were refused.

    An Army officer declared the votes void when threats of violence were increasing, a decision that drew chants from the LP supporters. Consequently, the results from other polling units were not announced as expected.

    “Is it the duty of a security officer to declare an election null and void? We shall seek legal redress over some anomalies observed from the security officers. We cannot joke with about 200 votes.

    “Apart from talking about improving electoral process, we should be talking also about punitive measures for some offences,” Akintelure said, adding that “the LP somehow connived with the security officers to cancel the votes there.”

    “I’m aware we could have got nothing less than 200 votes there. To the Labour Party, the cancellation was a glory because they were trailing us by just 20 or 30 votes,” he said.

    Akintelure also called for the cancellation of the election at the King’s Palace at Okitipupa where it was reported that “the PDP, in connivance with INEC officials, brought in fake voter cards, which were used by faces not known in the community.”

    However, PDP spokesman Ayo Fadaka said the party “did not pursue any rigging plan anywhere in the state because we believe we can win a free and fair election.”

    He said the result of the poll surprised his party because “it does not show the expectation of my party,” adding that PDP will study the election properly and go to court if there is need.

    He accused the LP of rigging the election.

    Attempts to get LP’s reaction did not succeed as calls made to Senator Kunlere, the party’s foremost leader in Ondo South, did not go through.

  • Controversy over status of General Aviation Terminal

    Controversy over status of General Aviation Terminal

    The aviation sector is set for yet another round of controversy as the Federal Government today inaugurates the remodelled General Aviation Terminal (GAT) in the old domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Ikeja, Lagos raising fresh concerns over the control of the terminal in the concession agreement the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) signed with Bi- Courtney Aviation Services Limited, managers of the MMA 2, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Stakeholders in the sector including Mr. Olu Ohunayo, Head of Research, Zenith Travels, who spoke on the development, explained that until issues bordering on the clarity of public private partnerships are clear in Nigeria, it will be difficult to attract the right investors.

    He said it is time government sorted out the issues concerning any vexed agreement or it’s content, so that the industry could be put on a sound footing for airlines to thrive.

    Another expert, an airline operator, who pleaded not to be named, said the taking over of the General Aviation Terminal by the government through remodelling, expansion and ultimate completion will be a great disservice to the spirit of public private partnership in Nigeria.

    He said his position is predicated on the shabby implantation of the concession agreement between government and the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, as it affects their concession of the domestic terminals of the Lagos Airport.

    The airline operator expressed concerns over the disregard of court orders by the government and its agents on the issue, which gave right to the concessionaire to manage both terminals.

    Another industry player, who declined to give his name, described the take over of the old domestic terminal from the concessionaire as an evidence of power play, as it would put the concessionaire of the new terminal, MMA2, in a tight position to recover its investment before handing over the facility to the government, even as the tenure of the concession is still in dispute.

    There is, however, anxiety that some of the existing domestic carriers may want to relocate to the remodelled General Aviation Terminal.

    The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, said yesterday that the General Aviation Terminal does not belong to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited.

    Speaking through her media assistant, Mr. Joe Obi, the minister said: “Information at our disposal indicates that Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd, the Concessionaire to MM2, is apparently threatened by the imminent opening of the newly-reconstructed and remodelled GAT, Lagos.

    “To be sure, the area where GAT is located has never been part of the area concessioned to Bi-Courtney Ltd. The agreement with Bi-courtney has a survey plan clearly marked in square metres and the area of the GAT was never contemplated to be part of the area leased to Bi-Courtney.

    “Nigerians can recall the dilapidated and decrepit state of the nation’s airports, including GAT, prior to the assumption of office of the current minister. Today, 11 airports, including the GAT, are an elegant testimony of the desire and determination of the minister to give Nigerians what they truly deserve-airports of their dreams that compare to any such facility anywhere in the world.

    “It is inconceivable that anyone would not only contemplate, but also hold fast to the jaundiced belief that a nation as big and great as Nigeria ought not to progress beyond having a terminal like MM2.”

    Oduah further said: “Regarding allegations that there are subsisting court orders restraining anybody, including FAAN, which is the landlord of all federal airports in Nigeria from further development of the GAT, we need to stress that the cases are still ongoing. In fact, our case is before the Supreme Court, challenging the orders being referred to mainly, but not limited to the fact that in several of these cases, FAAN, as a principal interested party, was never fully represented.

  • Plot to expel Echocho from PDP fails

    Plot to expel Echocho from PDP fails

    A Plot to expel the winner of the January 9, 2011 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries in Kogi State, Jibrin Isa Echocho, from the party failed at the weekend, it was learnt.

    Echocho’s supporters have pointed accusing fingers at Kogi State Governor Idris Wada for masterminding the foiled plot.

    Wada denied the allegation, saying he only attended a zonal meeting of the party held at the Kogi East Zonal headquarters of the PDP in Anyigba on Saturday as “the leader of the party in the state and a loyal party man.”

    Echocho is still in court seeking to validate his governorship mandate.

    It was further learnt that the leadership of the Kogi East Zone of the PDP has vowed to ensure the recall of four members of the House of Assembly from the area, should they continue to stick out their necks for the ‘sacked’ Speaker of the House, Abdullahi Bello.

    One of the members who spoke in confidence to our correspondent said the affected lawmakers included Musa Idoko – Idah State Constituency, Abdullahi Zekeri, Deputy Chief Whip – Ankpa II Constituency, Emma Omedije – Okura/Dekina Constituency and

    Yakubu Yunusa, Majority Leader from Ofu State Constituency.

    Investigations revealed that the plan to allegedly expel Echocho from the PDP failed, following the presence of his supporters at the meeting.

    It was gathered that when Echocho’s supporters became aware of the move, they mobilised en masse and stormed the secretariat from the local governments in Kogi East Senatorial District.

    A highly-placed party source said it was believed that Wada attended the meeting to give official blessing to Echocho’s removal.

    The source said the presence of the supporters wearing T-Shirts with Echocho’s photograph made the party leaders to have a rethink.

    According to him, “the leaders of the party capitulated when they saw the charged atmosphere.”

    The source added that the planned expulsion of Echocho was a follow up to the earlier suspension of another PDP chieftain in the state from Mopa Muro Local Government, Oyebode Makinde.

    He said Makinde was suspended for challenging Wada’s swearing-in as governor by the President of the Customary Court of Appeal at a Federal High Court in Lokoja.

    The party leaders were said to have appealed to Wada for funds to enable them carry out the activities of the party in the zone during the meeting.

    The source said Wada told the leaders to channel their request to the local government liaison officers, as the state is not in a position to help.

    He said the governor bemoaned the several crises and challenges his administration was facing and called on the leaders to pray for God’s intervention.

    The source said: “After his meeting with the zonal party executive, they complained that they didn’t have funds and that they were hungry.

    “The governor said the state has no money now because the cases in court against his government have drained the state’s resources and that he is short of funds.

    “Wada appealed to the PDP members for prayers because of the crisis.

    “He promised that he will help them when his administration stabilises.”

    Echocho’s spokesman, Phrank Shuaibu, attributed the plot to the attempt by the governor to blackmail the judiciary.

    He noted that the purported plan is a “clear indication of the clout Echocho maintains among party members as well as the people of Kogi State.”

    Shuaibu said: “We are not disturbed by their unholy machinations because my boss is a loyal and committed member of the PDP who is in court against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and not the PDP.

    “The PDP voluntarily sought to join the suit and they were so joined by the court.

    “In view of the desperation and brazen impunity associated with the characters leading this current plot, we urge well- meaning Nigerians to call these desperadoes to order as their comments and actions convey a more sinister intention of seeking to blackmail the judiciary on a matter that is before a court of competent jurisdiction. “We have repeatedly stated that our mandate is of God and freely given to us by PDP members in Kogi State.

    “It is the same mandate that we have put before the judiciary based on the rule of law.

    “We have neither resorted to self help nor attempted to circumvent the process by arm-twisting the judiciary.

    “Why is it so difficult for these men and their fellow travellers to follow this time tested route?

    “The other day, they compelled the President of a Customary Court of Appeal to swear in a governor, while there is a subsisting Chief Judge in Kogi State.