The Nation Newspaper

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  • Mimiko’s profligacy and ACN’s broom revolution

    Mimiko’s profligacy and ACN’s broom revolution

    The recent mammoth crowd of the diehard supporters of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN at Ikare-Akoko, Ondo and Ore venues for the party’s campaign train to sell the candidature of Barrister Rotimi Akeredolu’s gubernatorial ambition signifies one thing-CHANGE. The pendulum of political power is about to swing in the acclaimed Sunshine State, away from Mimiko’s Labour Party to the ACN. But why? That is the million naira question. The answer, I dare say, is not farfetched to the long-suffering indigenes and those who care to pay an unbiased visit to Ondo State.

    In spite of the media hoopla that has trailed the phantom achievements of the incumbent governor, Dr.Olusegun Mimiko, the bare facts on ground point to the gross lack of value for the whopping sum of N660 billion he has so far collected on behalf of the oil-rich state from the Federation Account. Add this to the N38 billion the Dr Olusegun Agagu-led administration left in the state’s coffers and the N20 billion so far advanced from the N50 billion borrowed from the Capital Market and the picture of wanton waste seems complete. Almost.

    Simply put, Ondo people have been short changed in the socio-economic spectrum of the vast country. The bitter truth is that the current administration has not justified the state’s huge economic potentials for three and a half years. Come October 20, 2012, the good people of Ondo State, South-West Nigeria, will have the great opportunity to file out to the polls and make a choice of the man who would pilot their affairs for another four years. It would be a monumental disaster to pitch tent with the LP that has pauparised them, handing out tokens such as boreholes and market stalls in the name of development.

    As the much-respected ACN national party leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has rightly pointed out, Mimiko has “failed to deliver on roads, education, health care, water and job creation.” The rural communities are groaning, stewed in utter negligence by a governor who, at inception, boasted that he needed only one term to wave the magic wand of true transformation. Therefore, he” lacks the credibility to seek continuity in office.”

    Taken sectorially, Governor Mimiko has a lot of questions to answer. Let us begin with the critical issue of infrastructure which should be the engine room to catalyse any meaningful industrial revolution. First, there is the huge N65 billion OSOPADEC Fund meant for the opening up of the oil-producing but largely neglected Ilaje Community and other Riverine areas now a subject of investigation by the EFCC. Many roads across the length and breadth of the state are decrepit. Amongst these are the failed road dualisation projects of Ondo, Arakale and the five-kilometre stretch in Owo town. The promised Igbokoda township road from Ugbo junction to the jetty is left unfulfilled. So is the N178 million reportedly spent for a 90 -metre Owo-Ogbese road.

    In a similar vein, is the criminal neglect of adequate water supply both in the urban and rural areas. The multi-million naira Owena Dam project at Ondo is still comatose. The promised water project in Akure remains a pip-dream even as the governor has metaphorically asked the people to drink the wasteful water fountain!

    Honestly, were these roads and water projects similarly neglected at the rural and urban areas in good shape, the dream of the founding fathers to make Ondo State an industrial hub for the entire country would have long seen the light of day. It has arguably become the raw materials base of several much-needed minerals and agricultural materials any state would require for sustainable economic development. These would inadvertently elicit job and wealth creation. Name them, limestone, shale, gypsum, silica sand and bitumen are all waiting to be tapped. So also are cocoa, cassava, kolanut, cashew, cowpea and coffee. Others include cash crops and food crops such as rubber, oil palm, timber, soya beans, plantain and yams, all of which could be cultivated on an industrial scale. Unfortunately, Mimiko’s self-serving administration never thought in this direction.

     

    Ajanaku is director of Media and Publicity, Akeredolu

    Campaign Organisation.

     

  • Amaechi assures flood victims of support

    THE Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has promised to provide relief materials for victims of Omoku and Ahoada flood disaster.

    He spoke yesterday at Okwuzi, one of the flooded communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area.

    Apart from Obrikom, Ebocha and Okwuzi communities, which the governor visited, other villages ravaged by the flood are Egbema, Kala and Opuogbogolo in Ahoada West local government area.

    Amaechi assured urgent and drastic steps will be taken to provide shelter, food and healthcare services for the displaced victims.

    According to him: “By Monday, we expect the executive council committee to take over. They will come with mattresses, clean potable water, food and medical items. Where we have primary schools those people that are displaced should take over.

    “We will get doctors to come and see if there are water-borne diseases, we will see what we can do to assist them.”

    Amaechi called on the federal government to come to the rescue of the state.

    “We never knew that the flood affected Rivers State until some few days ago. And it is bad, very bad. What I saw today is a monumental national disaster,” he stated.

  • Stopping a running tummy

    Stopping a running tummy

    HAVING an upset stomach is not only uncomfortable, it can also be downright embarrassing. With the stressful lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits and rising trend in patronising fast food eateries, many are faced with the challenge of resisting a running stomach.

    As the rainy season draws to a dramatic end, with its unending downpour and resulting floods in most parts of the country, it is observed that the contamination of food from water sources is on the increase.

    This in turn gives bacteria direct access to the stomachs of its victims through the foods they ingest. However, this health condition can be averted if people would be a bit more cautious and cleaner.

    According to Dr. Charity Onabolu, “Stomach upsets is an issue that a lot of people have to deal with on a regular basis in our part of the world because of the poor health habits some Nigerians practice. The quality of meat we buy from the market is sometimes filled with all kinds of worms because it is always exposed to flies and dust and the people who buy the meat do not wash it as properly as they should. In the long run, people fall ill.”

    In cases where very high hygiene standards are practised, the culprit can be as simple as eating too much too fast or an unexplainable case called the irritable bowel syndrome according to experts.

    While the discomfort from a stomach upset can be agonising, Dr. Onabolu states that it is important for the right symptom to be identified to avoid wrong drug prescription: “When we address stomach upset cases, there can be a wide range of causative factors. Most times, each causative factor might present a similar symptom and if care is not taken, the patient might end up ingesting a drug that will worsen the condition or do absolutely nothing to solve the problem.

    “We regularly see this kind of scenario in places where people want to self-medicate. The feel funny in their belly for a while and they jump to the nearest chemist to buy an over the counter drug like Flagyl or Thalazole when sometimes all they need is sugar solution or a glass of mint tea and some rest.”

    Where nausea, vomiting containing blood, unintentional weight loss, paleness and fatigue are experienced, Dr. Charity insists that the patient is immediately rushed to the hospital for intense medical check-up and treatment.

    Some foods that have been identified to worsen stomach problems by health practitioners are coffee, citrus fruits, fatty foods, onions, alcohol and chocolate.

    The most common causes of sudden, severe abdominal pain include:

    a perforated peptic ulcer an open sore that develops on the inside lining of your stomach that has broken through the lining gallstones small stones that form in the gallbladder appendicitis- this is a medical emergency where the pain will be agonising and your appendix may need to be removed an infection of the stomach and bowel most people get better without treatment after a few days

    kidney stones small stones may be passed out in your urine, but larger stones may block the kidney tubes and you will need to go to hospital to have these broken up irritable bowel syndrome a common condition where the muscle in the bowel wall tends to go into spasm and tightens but the pain is often relieved when you go to the toilet a urinary tract infection that keeps returning- the patient usually feels a burning sensation when they urinate a long-term peptic ulcer an open sore that develops on the inside lining of the stomach constipation heartburn and acid reflux stomach acid leaks from the stomach and up into the oesophagus, the tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach.

    Tips for a healthy tummy

    EAT healthily and regularly. It is easy to spend our working lives gulping down food between meetings and then sitting in front of the TV with a takeaway in the evenings, but eating this way can cause problems with your digestive system.

    Stop smoking. Smoking can weaken the muscle that controls the lower end of the oesophagus (gullet), causing heartburn and acid reflux.

    Lose excess weight and exercise regularly. If you are overweight, your tummy fat puts pressure on your stomach and can cause heartburn.

    Do not binge drink. This increases acid production in your stomach and can cause heartburn, as well as making other digestive disorders worse.

    Beat stress. Anxiety and worry can upset the delicate balance of digestion and worsen digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

    Homemade tummy upset remedies

    AT some point or another it seems that everyone has experienced an upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea.

    Whether a side effect of a medical treatment or medication-or a symptom of an illness or virus, stomach upset and gastrointestinal distress stops you in your tracks. Stocking a cupboard with a few home remedies for nausea can get you and your tummy back on track and back into your busy schedule.

    Give ginger a try to alleviate nausea.

    Ginger has been used for centuries for the treatment of a number of ailments ranging from nausea and vomiting to congestion. For those suffering from an upset stomach, ginger is a favourite at-home treatment.

    Making a ginger tea from the natural root is a more direct, soothing method of treatment. Simply combine two inches of ginger root, cut into thin slices, with 4-6 cups of boiling water and allow the tea to simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Strain out the ginger pieces, sweeten with lemon and honey if desired and sip slowly.

    Mints offer upset stomach relief.

    The power of mint as a digestion aid is well known. The aroma alone seems to settle a queasy stomach. Peppermint is often more commonly recommended but, milder mints such as spearmint may be less pungent and overpowering for younger tummies. Sweeten mint teas with a little honey if desired for taste.

    Chamomile tea soothes the tummy.

    For centuries, teas of chamomile have been used to treat ailments ranging from stress and anxiety to digestive ailments and even rheumatoid arthritis. While the many medicinal claims are not easy to prove, the use of chamomile to soothe and calm is widely accepted and those soothing effects seem to extend to the digestive system.

    Either purchasing a pre-packaged herbal chamomile tea or making your own from steeping leaves, serves to help a tensed nausea patient relax-which may contribute to the stomach easing properties of the herb.

    Charcoal

    Although it sounds odd, charcoal may play a role in soothing an upset stomach.

    Manage your diet well during times of digestive issue.

    If vomiting or diarrhea is intense, it is important to stay hydrated with the proper liquids. Try sipping clear, liquid which is high in sodium to replenish that electrolyte.

    Once the diarrhea or vomiting has subsided, it is wise to begin solid foods with Bananas, Rice, Apples, and Toast bread as a diet to offer the body some much needed fiber and nutrients while keeping the flavours bland. Nibbling on high fibre foods helps rebuild energy levels, restore balance in the digestive system and gets you back on your feet.

  • ‘Declare Anambra a flood disaster area’

    THE Anambra State Elders Council has called on the Federal Government to declare Anambra flood disaster area. The Council made the call after a meeting with Governor Peter Obi at the Governor’s Lodge.

    The Chairman of the Council, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, lamented that six out of the 21 local government areas of the state have already been submerged in water.

    While commending the sustained efforts of Governor Obi and prompt intervention in the affected areas, Ikedife noted that the devastation has gone beyond the capability of the local and state governments. He appealed for immediate intervention of the federal government and organisations to bring succor to the flood victims. He also observed that most of the industries recently commissioned by the President have all gone under the water.

    A former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife also called on the National Emergency Management Agency–NEMA-to establish a visible presence in the state while requesting churches to continue to assist the victims.

    The Archbishop of the Niger Province, Most Reverend Christian Efobi, called for prayers and collective efforts of all stakeholders to cushion the effect of the devastation.

    Also speaking, the Anglican Bishop of Awka, Right Reverend Alexander Ibezim, regretted that huge resources have already been lost to the menace and people’s suffering have continued to increase.

    In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Aguleri, Igwe Christopher Idigo, appealed to people who are still in the flood area to vacate immediately to avoid loss of life.

     

  • Akeredolu seeks removal of SSS director

    Akeredolu seeks removal of SSS director

    The Akeredolu Campaign organization (ACO) has called on the Director General of the State Security Services to immediately transfer, Mrs Betty Adokie, the Director, State Security Services(SSS) Ondo Command.

    It accused her of being “a tool in the hand of Governor Olusegun Mimiko in his campaign effort in Ondo State”, and accused her of actions which were unbecoming of an occupant of such a high office in a reputable organisation like the SSS.

    According to ACO “Mrs Adokie has devised a gimmick of arresting members of the PDP, ACN and LP while cleverly releasing the LP members and holding the PDP and ACN members in detention on spurious charges.”

    It called on the SSS authorities to transfer her from the state because she has “become a clog in the wheel capable of drawing the good name of the institution (SSS) in the mud. We also want to warn that if she continues in office with the same attitude the members of PDP and ACN may have no choice than to resort into self help which will not augur well for the peace of the state. Hence this call for her immediate removal which we believe the Director General will not take lightly.”

    The campaign organisation also denied allegation by the Labour Party (LP) that ACN is planning to bring Tokyo, the embattled former NURTW chairman of Oyo State to Ondo State to foment trouble describing it as a product panic and hallucination on the part of the LP.

    The organisation also called on the people of Ondo State to challenge the Labour Party to explain why it has commissioned agents to acquire unclaimed voters card from the Independent National Electoral Commission Ondo State.

    In a statement by Idowu Ajanaku, Director Media, Publicity and Strategy of ACO, he said a couple Mr and Mrs Ola Olu Oladapo form Ondo West has been arrested by the police with more than 2000 voters’ card and are in the custody of the police at the state headquarters in Akure. The man under arrest has confessed that these cards are unclaimed voters cards which he got from the INEC office.

    “We call on the Inspector General of Police to investigate this matter and not allow Mimiko working hand in glove with the Ondo State Police to sweep this under the carpet. We also want the people of Ondo State to see through the deception that the LP represents, especially with their public grand style which is contrary to what they are doing in secret. They say one thing and mean another but their evil deed will no longer be covered. God will continue to expose them.”

  • Security: we have achieved a lot, says Sambo

    Security: we have achieved a lot, says Sambo

    Vice President Namadi Sambo said in Kaduna yesterday that efforts by the federal government at addressing the security challenges in the country are beginning to yield results.

    Speaking at a reception for sons and daughters of Kaduna State occupying various positions in the country, he said the government can achieve more with the full support of all.

    He said, “the various security agencies’ efforts have also yielded positive results as they have drastically reduced the potency of the aggressors. We can achieve more successes only if we have the full support of all and sundry and I call all citizens of the state and the country in general to partner and participate in fighting this menace.”

    He said that the desire of the government to transform the country is paramount and can only be achieved through the concerted efforts of all Nigerians in reviving and developing the nation’s infrastructure to meet the yearning and expectations of Nigerians.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Philanthropist donates to Anambra flood victims

    A popular philanthropist, Chief Willie Obiano, has donated relief materials to flood victims in Anambra State.

    He called on public-spirited organisations and individuals to come to the rescue of the victims.

    Obiano described the flood that ravaged several communities in Anambra as unprecedented while praising the state government for alleviating the suffering of the victims.

    He spoke last week while donating relief materials to victims in Aguleri, Umuleri and Anam rehabilitation camps.

    Some of the items include food items, sleeping materials and beverages.

    He also offered one of his family houses to accommodate 16 homeless families.

     

  • I’ll use Police N5m for prison reforms, says Ugolor

    The Executive Director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Rev. David Ugolor, has promised to use the N5million compensation awarded to him by the court against the Nigerian Police Force as “seed money for prison and police reforms.”

    Ugolor was arrested and remanded in Oko prison after a suspect in accused him of sponsoring the murder of the Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde.

    He was granted bail by an Edo State Criminal High Court and awarded N5million damages by Justice Esther Edigin.

    Ugolor, in a chat with our correspondent, said his experience during the period exposed him to the treatment inmates suffer in Nigeria prisons.

    He said his interaction with inmates at the prison showed that more than 90 percent of them were awaiting trial while many of them are innocent of crimes they were accused of.

    According to him: “What people are going through in Oko prison will make you lose confidence in the Nigeria project.

    “The way people are treated in Oko prison even animals will not be treated that way. The kinds of food given to inmates are not worth it.”

    He added: “It is a bitter experience. I would rather not see this experience as a bad one because it provides me an enormous opportunity to do more work.

    “We are now going to expand our work to fight for more prison reform and police reform. It is now increasingly clear that in Edo State, public interest litigation process needs real focus by the civil society.”

    On the N5million awarded to him by the court, the activist said it will be put in public litigation programme.

    His words: “I have nothing to do with that money. I will use that money to support initiatives for setting innocent prisoners free. “Police will have to pay the money. They cannot go around it. The money will be the seed money we will use to establish the public litigation programme for prison and police reform campaign in Nigeria and we are starting from Edo State.”

    He described the late Olaitan as a fantastic friend, stating his family will be consoled only when the police fish out his killers.

  • Akungba mayhem: NANS cautions Mimiko

    Akungba mayhem: NANS cautions Mimiko

    ReactionS continue to trail last Wednesday crisis among Labour Party (LP) supporters in Akungba Town of Ondo State. Two youths allegedly lost their lives in the fracas that followed a visit to the town by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    The latest comment on the matter came from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D. The studdent body while decrying the incident, called on the governor of the state to be careful with the way he carries out his electioneering campaign.

    In a statement signed by Olufemi Metufo, the Director of Publicity for Zone D NANS, the organisation condemned any type of political campaign that will lead youths to attack one another for whatever reason.

    The student body said it is more worrisome because report had it that the youngsters were fighting over a large sum of money allegedly doled out to them by Mimiko after his campaign speeches.

    “For us at NANS Zone D, it is no longer comfortable to fold our arms while some politicians plan to burn down the region. The incident that happened in Akungba on Wednesday is indeed a sad commentary of the relationship between politicians and youths.

    We wonder what mannner of campaign should lead to youth to attack one another with dangerous weapons. When you consider the information that the crisis was over a large sum of money doled out to these youths by the governor after his speech, then it becomes more worrisome.

    The incident is a confirmation of our earlier position that the government in Ondo State is not youth friendly. A government that has refused to empower the young ones now give them money to act as political thugs. It is a shame and we want it to stop,” Metufo said.

    NANS also told Governor Mimiko to ensure that such incidents do not happen during his campaign again.

    “Be that as it may, it is our position that the governor of Ondo should henceforth prevent the killing and maiming of youths in the name of election campaigns. We refuse to sit down and watch lives being wasted by politicians,” the statment said.

    Metufo said the association will not shy away from the need to take action against the governor and his party in the event of any other bloody occurence anywhere in the state.

    “In the event of any other bloody occurence at Mimiko’s campaign location anywhere in the state, NANS will not hesitate to take necessary and immediate action against the governor and his party,” he said.

  • US, UK, France oppose review of ICJ judgement on Bakassi

    US, UK, France oppose review of ICJ judgement on Bakassi

    • Send solidarity messages to Cameroun

    • Pro-review groups yet to submit fresh documents

     

    Three world powers- the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and France are in solidarity with Cameroun on the Bakasi issue amidst pressure on the Federal Government by some interest groups to appeal against the ceding of the Bakasi Peninsula to Yaounde.

    The three countries, according to diplomatic sources, have assured Cameroun of their continued support on the decision of the International Court of Justice (IJC) on the peninsula and their commitment to the Green Tree Agreement.

    The US, UK and France ambassadors in Cameroun, it was gathered, met that country’s Minister of External Affairs at the weekend to express their strong opposition to any attempt by Nigeria to initiate a review of the ICJ ruling.

    The Western nations are all members of the influential Security Council of the United Nations.

    One source said: “We have got diplomatic report of the closed-door session between the ambassadors of the three countries and the Minister of External Affairs of Cameroun.

    “We are aware that they insisted on the Green Tree Agreement at the meeting. This has justified our decision to weigh all options on the latest demand for a review of the judgment.

    “Beyond sentiments, we are looking at the diplomatic implications especially the likelihood of sanctions on Nigeria by the UN Security Council if we seek a review of the judgment.

    “We have a challenge of not being trusted as a nation that respects agreements or treaties. These are all the sides to the matter.”

    There were indications last night that the government has finally foreclosed filing an application for a review of the IJC ruling because there are no fresh facts or documents to support such.

    Nigeria has up till October 10 to file an appeal based on fresh facts.

    Although President Goodluck Jonathan had said government would not appeal the decision of the IJC, scores of groups and individuals have been piling pressure on government to reconsider its position.

    The President, apparently bowing to the pressure, last Wednesday constituted an eight man committee to strategise on the possibility of an appeal by Nigeria.

    But none of the pro-appeal groups or individuals including the Cross River State government has so far volunteered fresh information or document to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation/Justice Minister as directed by the committee.

    At a session on Thursday night at the residence of the Senate Leader, Mr. Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), the Federal Government committee mandated Cross River State and others canvassing for review to make new facts or documents available to it.

    Members of the committee are the AGF, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, the DG of the National Boundary Commission, Senator Ndoma-Egba, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, two members of the House (Ahmed Ali and Nnenna Ukeje) and another Senator.

    Sources close to the meeting said: “Contrary to reports, the meeting was held at Ndoma-Egba’s residence and not at the Office of the Attorney-General as being insinuated. Only the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was absent at the session.

    “When we asked for documents to support new argument for a review of the ICJ judgment, the counsel hired by the Cross River State Government, Mrs. Nella Andem-Rabana (SAN) and the AGF of the state came to make verbal submissions.

    “Mrs. Andem-Rabana even told the committee that the review is being sought based on four factors. But she could only discuss three factors with her argument based mainly on the Anglo-German Treaty Agreement of 1913. It was the same Treaty she had canvassed as a member of the Federal Government Team at ICJ in The Hague in 2002.

    “When asked if the ceding of Bakassi was not caused by negligence, they had nothing to say.

    “We asked them to get all relevant documents and submit these particulars for evaluation by the AGF in line with Article 61 of the ICJ statute.

    “We have been waiting all day for new pleadings and documents without anything from pro-review side.”

    Asked what would become of the agitation, the source said: “It is apparent that the Federal Government will not seek a review of the ICJ judgment because we formally handed over the territory in 2008.

    “It is laughable that nine years, 11 months and 26 days after the ICJ judgment, we are seeking a review. And those agitating for it have not been able to come up with documents to meet the conditions stated in Article 61 of the ICJ statute.

    “What we have is a situation where they are running helter-skelter at the last minute looking for documents.

    “We have also mandated the aggrieved state and groups to come up with a compilation of alleged violations of human rights of Nigerians resident in Bakassi Peninsula.

    “If these violations are established by the committee, we can forward the list to the UN Committee on Human Rights to consider. Yet, they have not given the committee any example.

    “Most members of the committee felt disappointed that there have been noise all over without documents to back up the agitation. We cannot make ourselves a laughing stock before the international community.”

    Article 61 says: “An application for revision of a judgment may be made only when it is based upon the discovery of some fact of such a nature as to be a decisive factor, which fact was, when the judgment was given, unknown to the Court and also to the party claiming revision, always provided that such ignorance was not due to negligence.

    “The proceedings for revision shall be opened by a judgment of the Court expressly recording the existence of the new fact, recognizing that it has such a character as to lay the case open to revision, and declaring the application admissible on this ground.

    “The Court may require previous compliance with the terms of the judgment before it admits proceedings in revision. The application for revision must be made within six months of the discovery of the new fact.

    “No application for revision may be made after the lapse of ten years from the date of the judgment.”

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government was shocked that barely 72 hours after inaugurating the eight-man committee some highly-placed people have personalized the Bakassi issue by sponsoring attacks on the AGF, who is the chairman of the committee.

    A source said: “The President made the AGF the chairman of the committee because the matter involved is directly under his portfolio.

    “Government is surprised to read about personal attacks on the AGF on a matter being looked into with transparency. Members of the National Assembly are in the committee and the AGF has not imposed his views on any person or group so far.

    “We hope that those behind these attacks will allow the committee to do its work without distraction.”