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Tag: Activists

  • Lawyers, social activists, others mourn Aturu

    Lawyers, social activists, others mourn Aturu

    Lawyers, social activists, oth
    ers sympathisers have been
    visiting the  residence/chambers of activist and Lagos lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, 49, who died last Wednesday to commiserate with his wife.

    Until his death, Aturu was a leading human rights, labour and pro-democracy activist.

    Among those who called at the deceased’s residence are the former Attorney-General of Ogun State, Mr. Wemimo Ogunde (SAN); eminent Professor of Law,  Itse Sagay; Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Prof. Tunde Babawale; Professor of Entomology,  Olukayode Bamgbose of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUAAB), Chairman, Agege Local Government, Hon. Jubreel  Abdulkareem; Dirctor Centre for Free Speech, Richard Akinola;  activist, Wale  Ogunade; Coordinator, International Press Centre and former Lagos State Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lanre Arogundade and Segun Aka-Basorun.

    They paid tributes to the fallen lawyer.

     

    Femi Adesina

    President, The Nigerian Guild of Editor, Femi Adesina expressed  shock over the untimely death of the radical lawyer.  Adesina in Lagos described the deceased as an activist par excellence who sacrificed his all for justice to the oppressed an downtrodden in the society.

    He said the late lawyer will be remembered as a fearless activist who stood against military dictatorship and fought for the restoration of good governance and corrupt free society in the country.

    “He was an activist par excellence. Somebody who has been in the public glare since his university days and who kept faith in what he believed in to have just passed on like that is quite sad. It is even very sad because he passed on at the age of 49”.

    “He will be remembered for his landmark strides the country especially in standing up for the rights of the downtrodden and oppressed in the society.  He will also be remembered as an activist who voiced out his opinion against bad leadership and the entrenchment of good governance in Nigeria, His vital and incisive contributions to burning national issues can never be forgotten.

    “We pray that God will comfort his family and colleagues and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss” he said.

     

    Mrs. Funke Adekoya(SAN)

    Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN) described the death of rights activist, Mr. Bamidele Aturu as shocking and unbelievable.

    Adekoya said in a statement by Mr. Emeka Nwadioke, the Director of Publicity, Funke Adekoya Campaign Directorate, that Aturu’s passing is a huge loss to Nigerians.

    “I received with shock and disbelief the passing of Mr. Bamidele Aturu,” said Adekoya.

    “He was a foremost advocate for the rights of the common man.  Aturu has not been afraid to take a position on anything that affects the rights of the Nigerian citizen. He has stood steadfastly against any encroachment on people’s or citizens rights. It is a loss not just to the human rights community; it is a loss to the civil society organisations; it is a loss to the Nigeria people.”

     

    Dele Adesina (san)

    adesiona said: “I have just received with shock information that a shining light of our progressive bar in the person of Bamidele Francis Aturu  passed on in Lagos. I beseech all members of the Bar to remember his family in prayers. This loss is irreplaceable. I am short of words for now. May God console his family and the Nigerian Bar Association. Amen.”

     

    Augustine Alegeh(SAN)

    The sudden demise of our learned colleague Bamidele Aturu is shocking and sad. He was a vibrant lawyer who never wavered in his commitment to serve the oppressed. I join in praying for the repose of his soul and for God to comfort his family during this difficult time.

     

    Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan(SAN)

    Former Attorney General, Edo State,  Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan (SAN) said the sudden death of Bamidele Aturu “is shocking, to say the least. He was a good lawyer that should have been a SAN. His was a credible voice that was never primed for self vending. He was honest to a fault and demonstrated uncommon courage whenever events called for it. His death is such a sad loss to a country that sorely needs honest discerning minds like that of the forgone Aturu. My heart goes out to his family”.

     

    Tayo Oyetibo (SAN)

    The premature death of Bamidele Aturu is a big loss to the Bar in particular and the nation in general. Aturu was very active in the human rights front as well as in the civil society. He was committed to the defence of the rights of workers in Nigeria and played a prominent role in the fight for the return to democratic governance in Nigeria. If he died from complications arising from high blood pressure, then lawyers in Nigeria should take a cue from the incident and pay close attention to their health.

     

    Monday Ubani

    His death is of monumental proportion to the human rights community in particular and to the country as a whole. He was a perfect gentleman, a  zealous patriot and a change agent. He has been in the forefront of the fight against corruption and ineptitude of Nigerian leadership over the years. These fights and the Nigerian pathetic situation may have taken a toll on his health.  His death is a cruel one and he will be greatly missed by many Nigerians young and old. We pray for the family for strength and absolute peace with God to bear this great loss. May his humble and gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

     

    Nurudeen Ogbara

    “Verily, with ALLAH alone is the knowledge of the Hour…”Qur’an 31:34.”To Allah we belong,and to HIM is our return.”Qur’an 2:156.I lost a brother,friend and comrade – Bamidele Francis Aturu. Kindly pray for him,his aged parents,wife and children.BF, RIP!

     

    Ikechukwu  Ikeji

    Activist, Ikechukwu Ikeji  said Aturu”was a colossus that bestrode the landscape of justice in Nigeria. He was an iroko among the trees of the forest of the battle for the soul of of a better Nigeria. He was a General in the human rights community. He tried his best to add impetus to the fight against injustice and oppression. He died too young, leaving us all with mouths agape. I feel saddened by this irreplaceable loss, I feel helpless and overwhelmed by the reality of the fruitlesslessness of our stressful existence, an existence that holds nothing but a deep question of what happens to us all in the hereafter. Aturu’s death is a reminder that we should all mend fences with ourselves and God so that, in the event we have any account to give after death, there will be no condemnation waiting for us. I feel for his family as I pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss while I pray for a repose of his soul.”

     

    Adegbamigbe Omole

    Former chairman, Nigerian Bar Associatin (NBA), Ikeja Adegbamigbe Omole said the death of Aturu “came to me as a rude shock I still cannot believe that BF is no more. I have known him for a period spanning over two decades when we met at Ife he had never looked sickly. He was a committed and an uncompromising activist defending the rights of the less privilege. He was a brilliant advocate always on the side of the truth. Now that the reality has done on us that BF has departed this sinful world we pray that the almighty God will give the family and the human rights community he left behind the fortitude to bear this great loss”.

     

     Tunde Babawale

    Babawale described the late Aturu as “a man of the people, committed advocate of social justice, relentless fighter of the oppressed, a brilliant, humble and caring individual. Adieu, Bamidele

    The news of the death of Bamidele Aturu came as a rude shock and unbelievable. The Legal profession, no doubt, has lost a rare breed that may be difficult to replace.  BF, as we fondly called him, was a very committed member of our branch, the NBA Ikeja Branch. He has served the branch in so many capacities. He was two years the Chairman of our Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture and he did so well – he spent his enormous time and money for the success of the programme and he used his Uncorrupted influences all over the federation to gather the who is who of this country to attend the event.

    BF was equally a consultant to our branch on legal issues and he has taken up an appeal at the Court Appeal, Abuja on behalf of the branch without taken a dime. Not only did he not charged us, he bore the flight and the hotel bills on his own.

    As for the NBA Ikeja Branch, which I currently lead, we will immortalise BF for his numerous contributions to the continuous growth of his worthy branch. He was our son and we are proud of him.

    Beyond these, Nigeria and Nigerians had lost one of the truest Human Right Activists this Country ever produced. BF could be the only man standing like Gani Fawehinmi. You will recall he declined the offer to serve in the CONFAB with the attendant lost of over N10million whereas some instigated protest(s) to be nominated. How many Nigerians can be that principled?

    The legal profession has  lost a rare breed that may be difficult to replace. His humility has no equal.

    Adieu “The Man Of The People”

     Prof. Sagay, who fought back tears when he visited wrote in the condolence register, “Nigerian light has gone. God knows better”.                                                                                                

    Prof. Bamgbose wrote, “God must have a reason for doing this. It is well.

     Ogunde(SAN) wrote, “Dele, this is a big loss your departure has brought. Till we meet in the bosom of the Lord.”

     Hon. Jubreel  Abdulkareem                                                                                                                  

     Hon. Jebreel wrote: “I pray to almighty Allah to forgive you and reward all your efforts, especially to have.”

     Wale Ogunade

    Activist Ogunade wrote: “You have done your bit. We shall keep the flag flying

  • Don cautions activists on child marriage

    Lagos State University (LASU) Senior Lecturer Prof Ishaq Akintola, has cautioned some feminists and activists to stop heating the polity on the review of the Nigerian constitution concerning child marriage.

    He accused the groups of exploiting their protection of the Muslim female child to lampoon Muslims and their institution of marriage.

    According to him, age is not part of the conditions which must be met before marriage can be solemnised in Islam.

    Where the bride is a ‘minor’, he said, Islam prescribes protective solemnisation of marriage without consummation.

    “This means that the girl who is deemed to be of tender age, is left untouched by the man until she attains puberty. Another major condition for child marriage is that the girl herself has the right to repudiate the marriage when she attains maturity if she does not like her ‘spouse’,” he said.

    “MURIC believes that a honourable and dignifying child marriage is better than child prostitution, which is rampant in Nigerian cities and red light zones. In comparison, globalisation and promotion of homosexualism, lesbianism and same-sex marriage is a direct challenge of God’s divine order. Whereas child marriage involves two proud and happy families, prostitution drives families of the two parties underground, embarrassed and emotionally-devastated,” he stated.

    Akintola, director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), appealed to lawmakers “not to allow self-acclaimed constitutional ideologues to railroad them into tampering with the Allah-given and fundamental rights of Muslims. Nigeria’s constitution must take into consideration the various ethnic and religious groups to create a symphony. Any constitution that does not take the people’s cultures and religions into consideration is not only draconian but designed to fail from the outset.

    “For instance, the Nigerian matrimonial law, which stipulates marriage to only one woman is designed to cater for Christians. Legislators must leave alone those clauses which cater for Muslim marriage, otherwise they will be unfair to Muslims. We must all remember that justice is the soul of peace.”

    Akintola appealed to Nigerians to learn tolerance.

    His words: “We must learn to live with one another without attempting to bend any particular group towards a particular mindset. Let us learn to respect our differences. There can be no social cohesion unless we learn to accept Muslims as Muslims and respect their way of life. In the interest of peaceful co-existence, we advise Nigerians to resist further attempt to stereotype and stigmatise Muslims.

    “It is paradoxical that some feminists and activists now claim to be defending the rights of the Muslim girl-child. Where were they when millions of Muslim women were disallowed from registering for votes in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and other states in the South on account of their wearing of hijab during the 2007 and 2011 general elections? Why have they remained silent since the Lagos female pupil was given 43 lashes of the cane by a heartless school headteacher? Is that not child abuse? Why did they leave the Muslims alone to clamour for redress?

    “People should stop poking their nose in the affairs of Muslims. Who wants his own daughter to suffer? These people should stop shedding crocodile tears. Nobody can love our daughters, our wives and our mothers more than us. Why are they crying more than the bereaved? We know that the rat should be careful when the cat starts performing ablution.”

  • Activists petition NJC over Okeke’s allegation

    A HUMAN rights group, the Access to Justice (AJ), has sent a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), urging it to investigate the allegation made by a former judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Okechukwu Okeke that a Supreme Court Justice, Clara Ogunbiyi, extra-judicially attempted to influence the outcome of a case pending before him.

    He made the allegation during a valedictory court session in his honour on May 27. The NJC is yet to react publicly to the issue.

    AJ, in the petition signed by its Director, Joseph Otteh, said the allegations raise very troubling concerns for the independence and integrity of the administration of justice in Nigeria and need to be thoroughly, promptly and credibly investigated.

    It said: “Please recall that not too long ago, a sitting President of the Court of Appeal made somewhat similar allegations against an incumbent Chief Justice of Nigeria and the events which followed thereafter brought considerable embarrassment and ridicule to the Nigerian Judiciary from which it is yet to recover.

    “We acknowledge your efforts as Chief Justice of Nigeria to reform the administration of justice landscape, hold judges accountable for their conduct and rebuild public confidence in the judiciary and salute this commitment.

    “We bring this petition also because of our civic responsibility to help you succeed in the daunting task of transforming public perceptions of the judiciary by strengthening the independence and integrity of justice delivery in Nigeria.

    “We urge the NJC to investigate whether the allegations…are founded and true or not and whether there has been conduct that violates the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers (CCJO). Rule 1 and 1.1 of the CCJO provides as follows: “A Judicial Officer should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all his activities. A Judicial Officer should respect and comply with the laws of the land and should conduct himself at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary.

    “While we hold the honourable Justice of the Supreme Court who has been named in these allegations in high esteem, we think it is absolutely necessary in this circumstance that the allegations be properly investigated and that she be given an opportunity to refute or state her position in relation to the claims made.”

     

  • Politicians, activists, clerics hail U.S. over $23m bounty on terrorists

    Politicians, activists, clerics hail U.S. over $23m bounty on terrorists

    Politicians, activists and clerics yesterday lauded the United States (U.S.) for its efforts at ridding Nigeria of terrorism.

    The National Chairman, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr Boniface Aniebonam, praised its $23 million bounty on leaders of militant groups accused of spreading terror in West Africa.

    Aniebonam said such assistance, including placing rewards on the heads of five leaders of militant groups in West Africa, would help to track them down.

    The highest reward of $7 million was offered for the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, who last week called on Islamists in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to join the bloody fight to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.

    Aniebonam said:“Nothing is wrong in the U.S. wanting to assist Nigeria in the fight against terrorism. Terrorism is a worldwide evil that is condemnable. The U.S. bounty is part of its efforts to rid the world of terrorists because human life remains sacrosanct to all countries.’’

    The Lagos State Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Mr Ehi Omokhuale, said Nigeria should cooperate more with the American Government and any other super powers willing to help eradicate terrorism in the country.

    “This is why we supported the state of emergency by the Federal Government. Terrorism is not something that should be handled with kid gloves,’’ he told NAN.

    According to him, the only way to handle terrorism is to match force with force.

    “Our mantra remains never to negotiate with terrorists,’’ he said.

    The CLO chairman urged Nigerians to volunteer information on the Boko Haram sect.

    “What is important is to rid the country and indeed the world of terrorists,’’ Omokhuale said.

    Human rights lawyer Mr Bamidele Aturu said what was important was an onslaught on terrorism.

    “Every country has a right to choose how it wants to fight insurgency. Nigeria, therefore, should also develop a home-grown approach that will yield more results in the fight against insurgency,’’ he said.

    A cleric, Femi Asiwaju, Vice President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), said it was commendable for the U.S. to come to Nigeria’s rescue, adding that the new initiative against terrorism was a move in the right direction.

    “The world is paying attention to what is happening in the country and we thank God for that. We appreciate the U.S. for coming out because what we have in our hands is not a domestic issue. ‘Placing such a huge amount on them is to tell terrorist organisations worldwide that the U.S. is interested in what is going on in the country. Whatever steps they are taking to put a stop to the mess, the better for all of us.’’

    Another cleric, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, said the action was a signal that the U.S. meant business.

    He noted that America’s move was part of its own strategy for fighting terrorism, adding that it is in its interest to stop terrorists.

    “America is not a Father Christmas government and nothing goes for nothing; for them to place such amount of money on terrorists in our zone, they must know more than we know about them and they mean business too.They do it all over and often see beyond what we are seeing,’’ Osu said.

    Osu said the action was also a challenge to Nigeria to do more in the anti-terrorism fight.

    The Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Mr Taiwo Taiwo, said the prize would help to track down Shekau and other leaders of Al-qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, spreading terror in Nigeria and other West African countries.

    Taiwo said rewarding informants on the whereabouts of the suspected terrorists could help in reducing their attacks across the world.

    “You must know that the issue of terrorism is a global phenomenon and the U.S. has been at the receiving end of the onslaught by terrorists.

    “So, they have their reasons for putting cash rewards on the heads of those they suspect to be terrorists or having links with terrorist organisations,” he said.

    The NBA chairman lauded the cooperation among many countries of the world in the fight against terrorism.

    T he President of the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans (CANAN), Dr James Fadele, described the news as great and an encouraging.

    “We want to commend the new U.S. Secretary of State Senator John Kerry for this decision. This move is an indication of greater forthrightness in dealing with the bane of terrorism in Nigeria and the West African sub-region,” Fadele said.

    Fadele heads CANAN, an association of U.S-based Nigerian pastors and top professionals which alongside other American groups have together been piling pressure on the U.S government to designate Boko Haram an FTO.

    “This decision by the State Department is in line with what CANAN has been clamouring for since September last year when the association was formed,” Fadele added.

    He said: “Boko Haram is a band of brutal terrorists who should be dealt with seriously, promptly and effectively to preserve the peace and stability of the West African sub-region.

    “And also secure the freedom of worship of Nigerian Christians.’’

  • Activists urge govt to save 14 Nigerians on death row in Indonesia

    Nigeria’s rights groups at the weekend petitioned the National Assembly over alleged maltreatment of Nigerians in Indonesia.

    The groups said about 14 Nigerians are awaiting death by execution in prisons. Others have been killed in the Asian country.

    They urged the Senate to mount pressure on the Presidency to intervene in the matter and ensure that the liberty and lives of those Nigerians are secured.

    Addressing reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital, President of World Alliance Against Terrorism (WAAT) and Violence and Inhuman Treatment (VITA), Mr Anthony Orunkoya, noted that the failure of the Presidency to wade into the matter might destroy the nation’s pride.

    Orunkoya explained that besides the 14 Nigerians on death row, 31 others were serving various jail terms in different prisons in Indonesia for various offences, including drug peddling.

    The activist said investigation by his organisation showed that of the 16 condemned Nigerians, two of them – Samuel Iwuchukwu Okoye and Hassan Anthony Nwolisa – were executed on June 28, 2008. Augustine Ogbonna died in a mysterious circumstance in prison custody in September 2008.

    He also listed the names of 14 Nigerians awaiting death. They are: Martins Anderson (aka Bello), from Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State; Kingsley Okonkwo, from Onitsha in Anambra State; Obinna Nwajagu, a native of Ufuma in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State; Silvester Nwolisa, Idemmili, Anambra State; Humphery Ejike, Isuku Ato in Abia State and a man simply identified as Usman, Ihiala in Anambra State.

    Others are: Emmanuel Ihenjirika (Ebonyi State); Daniel Enemuo, (Udin in Enugu State) and Michael Titus, Okwudili Ayataeze, Oziazi Sibamda, all from Idemmili.

    There are also: Eugene Ape, (Nsukka in Enugu State) as well as Fredric Luther and Denis Anumona, (Anambra State).

    A copy of the petition has been submitted to the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

  • Activists lament constitutional aberration in Taraba

    The Coalition of Civil Society Group for Transparency and Good Governance has urged the Taraba State executive council to put in place a team of medical experts to undertake a verification visit abroad to ascertain the health status of Governor Danbaba Suntai.

    Controversy has been trailing the heath status of Suntai since his involvement in a plane crash last year.

    The coalition, in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Ali Abacha, Secretary-General, Mr. Muhammad N. Bn-Ahmad and National Publicity Secretary, Babanagari Suleiman, regretted what it called the “hydra-headed culture of impunity” threatening the present democratic dispensation.

    According to the group, there was need to stop the ongoing trend whereby indisposed office holders refused to follow the dictate of the constitution by handing over to their deputies.

    It said: “You will recall the intrigues that surrounded the succession drama when the late President Umaru Yar’Adua became ill and could not perform state functions as the President due to a complicated health situation and the cabal syndrome that trailed the event.

    “A similar situation is currently playing out in Taraba as was the case in Cross River and Enugu states, whose governors for one health reason or the other, stayed abroad for long, leaving their deputies in dual roles of acting and deputy governors, making governance difficult.

    “While it is a fact that official responsibilities derive authority from the constitution, the extent to which such official conduct is inconsistent with constitutional provisions makes it null and void.”

    The group expressed concern on the inability of the Executive Councils and the Houses of Assembly of the concerned states “to follow the steps of the National Assembly by invoking the relevant sections of the constitution and confirming the Acting-Governors substantive powers to move the states forward.”

    “In the case of Taraba State, we find it imperative to call on the Executive Council to constitute a team of medical experts to undertake a verification trip to ascertain the health status of Governor Suntai, as provided for by the law to pave the way for necessary legislative/judicial procedures in an event that there is need to substitute the state leadership.

    “We believe at this point that the state must move beyond primordial sentiments to put the interest of the people first and end the current constitutional aberration. In this regard, the state assembly must realise that continuing inaction on their part is not only denying the people of the state the needed development due to lack of full authority by the Acting Governor to perform fully, it also constitutes a mockery of our democracy as a nation and the whole world is watching.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Activists to protest high fuel prices

    Activists to protest high fuel prices

    The Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) has vowed to launch protests, should the government fail to address unregulated fuel pump prices across the country.

    The Chairman of CSNAC, Mr. Olarewaju Suraju, who spoke in Lagos yesterday, said other groups had been put on the alert, in case the Federal Government removes fuel subsidy.

    Besides, he declared December 9, which is the International Anti-Corruption Day, as the “Yellow Flag Day Against Corruption in Nigeria.

    The CSNAC is a coalition of over 150 anti-corruption organisations whose aim is to combat corruption and monitor the anti-graft agencies.

    Suraju decried scarcity of petroleum products across the country for about two months with no explanation from the government, adding that it is a conspiracy to force another price hike on Nigerians.

    Mr. Suraju said: “In several filling stations across the country, the pump prices of petrol are higher than the official pump price, without any explanation by the government. The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), under the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, is responsible for inspection and control of filling stations, but it has not acted against the increases by marketers.

    “For CSNAC, this indicates a conspiracy on the part of the government to force another price hike on the people, which will increase hardship.

    “We are for this reason, beginning strategic network with stakeholders to mark the anniversary of the January 2012 uprising, with a repeat of civil disobedience, if the trend of fuel scarcity and arbitrary price fixing is not reversed by the government.

    “An x-ray of the oil and gas sector has shown the level of scandalous, monumental and shameful corruption in the sector. The culture of impunity and conspiracy, which this present administration displays, provides the added impetus for perpetuating the graft that has become the trade mark of the sector.”

    The group, which also x-rayed the judiciary and other sectors, noted that corruption remains a major hindrance to development in the country, adding that the problem of corruption lies inside ‘Aso Rock’ and with the cronies or associates of those in power across the three tiers of government.

     

     

     

     

     

    CSNAC, which admitted that corruption was deeply rooted in the Nigerian society and needed an urgent solution, expressed worry over the increasing ownership of private jets and speed boats by individuals without any justifiable source of income.

    The group, which objected the recommendation of death penalty for those convicted of corruption, said it was a human rights violation, even as it suggested a life imprisonment without an option of fine for convicted individuals.

    Suraju said: “No penalty can be considered too severe for those convicted of corruption and corrupt practices. As human rights advocates, we are opposed to death penalty for those convicted of corruption. Life imprisonment with community service without an option of fine or prerogative of mercy will act as a deterrent.

    “The National Assembly should partner anti-corruption agencies in realising their mandate of zero tolerance for corruption by passing the Civil Forfeiture Bill.

    “There should be further synergy and coordination between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Code of Conduct Bureau, Nigeria Police and other anti-corruption entities in the country, even as there is need to promote and sustain public education and enlightenment on the negative effect of corruption in our daily lives.”

     

  • Flood: Probe dredging of River Niger, activists tell FG

    Former Secretary-General of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Mr. Udengs Eradiri, has called on the Federal Government to probe the dredging of the River Niger following the ravaging floods that has left thousands of people homeless along the bank of the river and other parts of the country.

    Eradiri, who made the call while handing over relief materials to some displaced persons in Bayelsa State, said the probe has become necessary because the reasons given for the dredging of the river have been defeated by the floods.

    “Owing to the floods that are ravaging Nigeria, one begins to wonder if there was need to dredge the River Niger in the first place. The reasons they cited then were the excess sand in the river, navigational purposes and mostly to forestal flooding that could damage lives and properties of those living along the bank of the river.

    “That was why over N3 billion was earmarked for the project. But the question now is: where is the 10 cubit metres of sand expected to have come out from the dredging exercise?” he asked.

    He said the “contractors discharged the very sand they were supposed to dredge out back into the river. They deceived Nigerians and I am calling on the National Assembly to swing into action just like they did in the fuel subsidy regime.”

    In his reaction to the flooding in Bayelsa State and the rest of the country, Comrade Wilfred Frank Agbatobo, a member of CPC Renewal Committee, said the disaster is an indication that “there is much to be desired in the way and manner we have managed our part of the earth and like in the days of Noah, the emptiness, wastage and corruption in our humanity have come to the fore.”

    He called on the governments and people of Nigeria to use the unfortunate development as an opportunity for deep reflection.

    On Bayelsa State, Frank Agbatobo regretted that the state has remained stagnant because of what he described as divisive tendencies since 1999.

    Eradiri on his part called on lawmakers to monitor funds approved by the Federal Government to be used for the states affected by the flood, saying they may end up in private pockets. “Those who sit in cossy offices in Abuja cannot feel the pains of the people displaced by the floods and I guarantee you that 90 per cent of the fund released by the government will go into private pockets,” he said.

    Eradiri also called for the revocation of the contract for the construction of the East-West road, alleging that the contractor is yet to achieve up to 10 per cent of the job.

    He said: “We are bitter as a people because the Ministry of Works keeps on saying that it has spent over N25 billion on road repairs. They should show us the roads and the President should stop using helicopters to his village. He should drive through the roads and feel the pains of the Niger Delta people. He should also stop relying on pseudo security reports aimed at extorting money from him. Hundreds of our people have lost their lives on that road.”

  • Child rights’ activists call for sex education

    ex education is necessary for the prevention of sexual molestation of children, child rights’ advocates have said.

    They called for the enlightenment of children on how to resist undue attention from others, especially adults.

    The activists spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

    The forum, organised by the Child Protection Network (CPN) with OPD, saw members of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community leaders, and government agencies deliberating on issues and actions that would protect children in the state.

    OPD representative Mrs Folashade Bossman said: “Society has a duty to look out for young people and be at alert against child molestation.

    “We have a duty to identify traits of mental imbalance in a child from the cradle because he/she may grow up to become a menace to the society.”

    Child rights’ advocate Taiwo Akinlami, said children become vulnerable if their parents and guardians do not pay attention to them.

    CPN chairperson Mrs Ngozi Ekwerike-Okoro called for sex education to be extended to schools the grassroots.

  • Activists threaten mass action over ‘fuel price’

    A human rights group, the Joint Action Front (JAF), yesterday urged the Federal Government to restore adequate supply of petroleum products at N97 or face mass action.

    In a statement by its Chairperson Dr Dipo Fashina and Secretary Comrade Abiodun Aremu, JAF also demanded immediate relief to flood victims, urging Nigerians to resist what it called policies of privatisation, deregulation and food crisis.

    The group said Nigerians should be alerted to a surreptitious plot by the Federal Government and oil marketers to impose a new price regime for petroleum products, thereby artificially inducing and encouraging scarcity of petrol, kerosene and diesel and its attendant hike in prices across the country.

    It said filling stations, including Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) branded outlets sell petrol at N110 to N140 per litre instead of the official price of N97, while kerosene is sold at N120 – N150 a litre instead of N50.