The Nation Newspaper

Tag: battle

  • Lagos enlists military in anti-domestic violence battle

    Lagos State government has enlisted the military to help in tackling domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, child abuse, maltreatment and neglect.

    Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) Coordinator  Mrs  Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, at a session with officers at the 9 Division, Nigerian Army Headquarters; 149 Battalion, Ojo; and 174 Battalion, Ikorodu, said there was need for collaboration to end domestic violence.

    The philosophy of rape, being an act of violence and not a crime of passion, she said, had been thrashed out, adding that the myth that a woman’s dressing is a determinant factor was debunked with scientific data.

    She said the Prevention Against Domestic Violence Law 2007 applied to all Nigerians, advising the officers to engage children in command schools on their right. This, Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi said, could be done through information, education and communication materials, in the form of Safeguarding The Rights of A Child textbook as well as posters, pamphlets and fliers.

    She said DSVRT would take concrete steps to advance sensitisation including engaging the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, the Navy, Air Force and Nigeria Security of Civil Defence Corps (NSSDC).

  • Buhari shuns lobbyists in battle for Magu’s job

    Buhari shuns lobbyists in battle for Magu’s job

    Sagay Committee advises Presidency to keep Acting EFCC chair

    Governors have joined the desperate lobby to nominate the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Also pushing for their  preferred men are former governors, former ministers and influential political leaders, a Presidency source told The Nation yesterday.

    But President Muhammadu Buhari has shunned them all, preferring to decide who occupies the seat.

    The lobbyists, according to the source, visited the Villa on Saturday.

    Amid the lobby, the Presidential Committee Against Corruption (PCAC) has advised the Presidency to  keep  Acting Chairman  Ibrahim Magu, whose nomination was rejected last Thursday by the Senate, which cited a security report for its action.

    The committee, which is headed by revered legal expert Prof. Itse Sagay, has faulted the report of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon which Magu was rejected.

    It said it was not surprised by the Senate’s action because about 10-15 per cent of the senators were being investigated by the EFCC.

    PCAC has written an advisory to the Presidency to re-nominate Magu.

    A source said: “PCAC has sent an advisory to the Presidency on the DSS report, the implications of the decision of the Senate and the need to renominate Magu.

    “In the advisory, PCAC has contrary opinions on the report of the DSS. It made it clear that the allegations against Magu by the DSS were ‘very weak and very spurious’. There is no substance in the allegations that can withstand a legal test.

    “Members of PCAC saw the conspiracy against Magu coming because some people have been desperate to frustrate the anti-corruption agenda of the government.”

    The source also buttressed the advisory with statistics which indicated that about 10-15 per cent of the nation’s 109 senators are under probe.

    Another source added: “PCAC believes that the decision of the Senate was political because about 10-15 %of 109 senators under investigation or trial by EFCC. There was no way these senators will want Magu confirmed.

    “The list of these senators is available with the EFCC. Some of them are already on trial to the knowledge of the public.

    “We have written formally to the government on the politics which beclouded the rejection of Magu by the Senate. Some fifth columnists  are at work. They want the anti-corruption campaign to fail. We feel that Magu’s name should be re-submitted with unambiguous security clearance.

    “ We also expect the Presidency to come up with a position on Magu this week. So far, Buhari has a wide range of opinions to choose from.”

    On Magu’s fate, the source said: he would remain in office as acting chairman of EFCC “because Senate’s decision does not amount to automatic vacation of the office”.

    “In fact, he can serve in acting capacity for up to three years and the President will not be committing any infractions,” the source said.

    President Buhari on Saturday allegedly shocked some influential people who came with a list of likely successors to Magu.

    Some of the forces are pushing for the engagement of retired Commissioner of Police Zakari Biu, Comptroller-General of Customs Col. Hamid Ali (retd.), retired AIG Amodu Ali and pioneer EFCC chairman Nuhu Ribadu, among others.

    They cited the report on Magu by the DSS, but they failed, another source told The Nation.

    “The President  demanded for more cogent reasons on why he should sack Magu. He said they should bring more convincing reasons beyond the DSS report,” the source said, pleading not to be named because of what he described as the “sensitivity” of the matter.

     

  • Re: Varsity applicants battle institute for results

    Permit me a space in your widely read newspaper to respond to the above story which appeared on page 23 of Thursday, October 6, 2016 edition of The Nation written by one Abdulsalam Mahmud who though, for reasons best known to him, is used to writing frivolous and unsubstantiated stories about the institute. The said story is characterised by subjective and unverified claims by the writer as against objectivity which is an important tenet of journalism. The institute therefore felt the need to put the records straight in order to correct the possible erroneous impressions that may have been created in the minds of the public by the story in question.

    First, the story is dominated by subjective claims, statements and opinions because of the writer’s failure to indicate his sources. Some of the subjective claims made include among others: that “the fate of thousands of diploma graduates of the Fati Lami Abubakar Institute of Legal and Administrative Studies (FLAILAS) in Minna…” when in reality the total number of graduating students (i.e. if all are successful) is less than 1,500 and the number that indicated that they have registered for Direct Entry (D.E) admission into Universities is less than 300. Also, the claim that “the applicants have been shuttling between their homes and the institute since their graduation in June” and that “Majority of them travel from Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi and other distant places to the institution weekly to check their results” are both untrue and only intended to create unnecessary alarming impressions.

    Let it be known that no institution would ever ask its fresh graduates to come for results immediately after examinations are written and if the majority of the students of a state-owned institution are from distant places what then is the comparative population of its indigenes, the minority?. These and many more are instances of the frivolous claims by the writer. It is important to note that results usually go through several processes that include marking by lecturers; submission to the Deans of schools for computation; presentation of the results to the Academic Committee for verification; and finally to the Academic Board for moderation and approval. These explain the reasons for the assumed delay. Besides, the results were released in the week of the publication. It is therefore assumed that the writer did not verify his claims before going to the press.

    Again, the story is dominated by the use of vague and unspecified sources such that even where he mentioned names such names are suspected to be fictitious. Instances of the use of vague and unspecified sources include ‘a top academic staff member of the institute’, ‘another lecturer’, ’a top administrative staff member of the school’, ‘parents who spoke to me’ e.t.c. It is also surprising that the writer has mentioned names and claimed that they are names of parents and could not state clearly when and where he met with the parents. Was it in the institute or outside of it? If some of these questions amongst others are not answered in the story lines then, it can be assumed that the writer chose to write along fantasy lines.

    It is unfortunate that the writer of the article did not verify his claims/information when he claimed that the institute’s management asked interested applicants to pay N6,000 for the D. E form when the institute is neither JAMB nor  an agent of JAMB.  Also, the claim that the school invited an on-line registration expert to register the final year students is not true as the school did not send an invitation to any on-line registration expert to do D. E. registration as claimed by the writer of the article. Similarly, the parents that he claimed to have expressed their ‘frustrations over the delay in releasing the diploma results’ and accused ‘the school management of “gross incompetence” saying it was unfair to collect N6,000 from students to put in for D.E…’ did not verify their claims as the management did not at any time tell or compel students to pay any amount of money to it for DE registration. It is again common knowledge that D.E registration by JAMB was never done for free.

    Above all, the assumed students that the writer claims are accusing or battling the institute for delay in releasing results meant to be used by them for Direct Entry admission into the universities have failed to realise that the academic calendar of tertiary institutions in Nigeria do not usually rhyme. Therefore, it would be quite unfair for students who have not been issued with their results to presume that such results must be made ready for them to meet up with the calendar of other institutions the issuing institution has no control over.

    The management and staff of the institute have always been sensitive to the objective for which the institute was established. In the like manner, it has always been doing all that is humanly possible to ensure that its students get what is rightly due to them in terms of the obligations it has to the students. While doing all of these, it also holds dearly its responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the institute. Consequently, we call on the general public to disregard the claims made by the writer of that article as they are frivolous, malicious and unfounded. We equally wish to advise the publisher of this widely circulated newspaper to always encourage their reporters who may not want to stick to the tenets of journalism profession to always do so and be objective in their reportage.

    Signed: Babadoko is Dean, Student Affairs, FLAILAS.

  • Varsity applicants battle institute for results

    Varsity applicants battle institute for results

    Universities have started screening prospective students to meet the November 30 deadline of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for admissions. But for the Diploma graduates of the Fati Lami Abubakar Institute of Legal and Administrative Studies (FLAILAS) in Minna, the Niger State capital, their dreams of going to the university may remain just that. Reason: the institute’s alleged failure to release their results. They are worried that they may lose their admission if the institution does not release their results before the expiration of JAMB deadline, reports ABDULSALAM MAHMUD.

    They bought the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Direct Entry (DE) forms some months ago, in their quest to further their studies after completing their diploma courses. But except for divine  intervention, their dreams to become university undergraduates may be dashed. Reason: their final results are yet to be computed.

    This is the fate of thousands of diploma graduates of the Fati Lami Abubakar Institute of Legal and Administrative Studies (FLAILAS) in Minna, the Niger State capital, who have been battling the school management over their results. Admission and screening are ongoing in many universities, but their hope of gaining admission this year for degree courses is faint, months after they submitted their forms.

    The applicants, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, have been shuttling between their homes and the institute since their graduation in June.  Majority of them, our correspondent learnt, travel from Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi and other distant places to the insitution weekly to check their results.

    They flock their lecturers’offices to know when their results will be released. But, no one is ready to give them an answer, heightening their anxiety.

    Findings by CAMPUSLIFE revealed that most of the FLAILAS graduates, who applied to study in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Federal University, Gusau (FUG), Zamfara State, Kaduna State University (KSU) and Umar Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU) in Katsina State, were barred from partaking in screenings because they could not produce their diploma results.

    But, some of them who applied to study at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State, University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) and Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) may be allowed to undergo screening, if they upload or present their diploma results before the screening window closes.

    An affected student, Idris Ismail, who applied to study at ABU, expressed disappointment over the “unnecessary delay” in computing and releasing their final results, saying he was annoyed after spending several hours in school to inquire about his result.

    He said: “The insensitivity being displayed by the institute management towards many of us who purchased DE forms can only be imagined. If we had known our results would not be released on time, many of us would not have purchased the N6,000 form. Only some of us who sat for the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) have hope to be admitted this year. Many rely on the diploma results. The school management should know that we are terribly discontented, to say the least.’’

    Idris added that he had been going to the school for his result, but usually returned home frustrated. He pleaded with the school management to compel their coordinators and Heads of Departments to release the diploma results in the students’interest.

    Khadija Ahmed, another DE applicant, said travelling on “death-trap” roads from Kaduna to Minna without information about her diploma result has compounded her agony.

    “I travelled to Minna on several occasions to get my results. Unfortunately, my complaints and appeals to lecturers and my HOD did not yield positive result. Even if it would take them a year to release the results, I have already missed a university screening. Honestly, I am so dejected and even regretted applying at the first instance,” she said.

    Khadija, who applied to study for Sociology at UMYU, said some were not sure if they would not get extra year at the institute because of the delay.

    A diploma graduate, who simply identified himself as Usman, wondered why it is taking the departments time to release the results.

    Another diploma graduate, Mrs Salamatu Ibrahim, who hopes to undergo online screening of IBBU, said management needed to take proactive actions to help the affected applicants.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the institute management asked interested applicants to pay N6,000 for the DE forms. The school invited an on-line registration expert to register the then final year students. The method, according to source, is to save the applicants the stress of going to queue for long hours in banks and JAMB offices.

    Reacting, a top academic staff member of the institute, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE,  said there were reasons for the delay in releasing the graduating students’ results.

    He said: “It is offensive to say lecturers are insensitive to the plight of the affected students. Even though we empathised with the students, we want to assure them that very soon their results will be released. Some factors that caused the delay include the workers’ strike last July and the on-going Niger State’s labour screening. Besides, there are many exam scripts to be marked.”

    Another lecturer, who also pledged not to be named, said the diploma graduates should forget using the results for admission this year. He said: “It is only wise and appropriate for graduating students to be patient, collect their results before applying for a direct entry. This way, they can be sure of any university’s admission.’’

    A top administrative staff member of the school said the management was not unaware of the development. He maintained that the management was making frantic effort to resolve the matter.

    His words: “Let the graduating students know that the school management is genuinely addressing the matter and will not do anything that will affect future engagement of the students. The fact that their results are still pending is highly regretted. However, we want to assure them that there is painstaking effort to resolve the issue.”

    Parents who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE expressed frustrations over the delay in releasing the diploma results. They accused the school management of “gross incompetence”, saying it was unfair to collect N6,000 from students to put in for DE without ensuring their results are released for the purpose.

    Mallam Tijjani Abdurrahman, a civil servant, said the school had no reason for not enrolling the diploma students for DE programme. He said many of the applicants would lose admission because of the school’s ineptitude.

    Another parent, Mrs Rabi Adamu, who was upset said: “It is disturbing to learn that our children’s results are not ready about four months after their graduation. This is not a good image for a school that should be an example for excellence.’’

  • Battle of governing council chiefs

    Battle of governing council chiefs

    Did the immediate past governing council of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) squander N1.5billion? Yes, says the council chairman, Prof Tunde Samuel, who claims to have inherited an empty treasury. No, says his predecessor Prince Abiodun Ogunleye who is asking Samuel for details of the ‘mismanagement’,. The council has since sacked some top officials of the Ogunleye administration over the matter. ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA reports 

    For a college of education with infrastructure challenge, the money at stake is huge. About N1.5 billion was said to have been squandered by the immediate past governing council of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED). The council chairman, Prof Tunde Samuel, is locked in a war of words with his predecessor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, also a former deputy governor of the state, over the cash.

    Some workers have gone with the crisis.

    Early this month, some principal officers in the immediate past administration were sacked for their involvement  in the ‘deal’.

    Ogunleye has challenged Samuel to prove his allegations. According to him, the figure being bandied in the media by the Council is not true. But Samuel dismisses his claim, saying the councul’s investigation was through, asking the aggrieved to go to court.

    Those sacked are the immediate past provost and registrar. Bashorun Wasiu Olalekan and Bola Disu. Others are the immediate past bursar, Mr Fatai Ipaye, current registrar, Coker Charles Olumuyiwa and bursar Oyewolu Sunday Babatunde.

    Although a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar (Information) Odunayo Adebowale, described the step as a “part of restructuring” of the institution, The Nation can reveal that it may not  be unconnected with the ‘scandal’.

    Some of the affected officers, Disu and Coker and a clerical officer Adekunle Ahmed Arinle, are geering up for a legal battle with the management.

    They claimed that the process leading to their termination was skewed in favour of those accusing them of mismanagement. Their accusers, they asked, were also members of the panel that investigated them.

    Last April during the probe, Samuel released the  report of an audit by Lagos State University (LASU) Audit Unit. The affected officers are challenging the veracity of the report.

    Three weeks ago, Arinle petitioned the government,  accusing the council of bias and pleading for his reinstatement. Arinle, who gave his petition to reporters, claimed that some workers who committed more grievous offences such as rape, plagiarism,  going on sabbatical and collecting salaries in more than two institutions, among others, were either pardoned or given a slap on the wrist because they are “the untouchables”.

    But Samuel punctured Arinle’s claims. He told our reporter how  the council took its decision.

    On the rape and plagiarism allegation, Samuel recalled that the matter had been settled before the Ogunleye-led council was dissolved in June, last year, adding that his council, which took over last October ratified the recommendation of its predecessor.

    But, Ogunleye dismissed Samuel’s defence. He said there was need to correct some misconceptions to preserve his reputation.

    The College of Education Academic Staff (COEASU) and Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SUCCOEN)  of AOCOED which spearheaded the case, have pitched their tent with the Council.

    COEASU Chairman Michael Avosetinyen said the principal officers’ punishment was light, compared to what they did.

    On the punishment for rape, he  said management’s action smacked of incompetence, and that it was “premeditated”.

    He said: “Rape is a criminal matter and the union will not condone criminality. “We understand the lady (victim) in question claimed to have been raped about 8pm that day and she later made a complaint to the college security unit; but why was she not taken to the school clinic or any hospital around for examination immediately after the incident? So, if management is saying there was an allegation of rape, that simply means they are incompetent.

    “As a union, we are being lenient with management, otherwise we would have actually taken up this case because it is premeditated against our member; but we felt let sleeping dogs lie.

    Avosentiyen also debunked the rumours that certain workers were being treated as untouchables at the expense of others.

    “As far as I know, COEASU is one and all the talk about factionalisation is not true,” he added

    “My role as chairman is to protect our members’ interest.’’

    Bashorun, in a phone interview, said the time was not ripe for him to talk.

    “I know a lot of people have been saying a lot of things (about mismanagement) and asking me to talk. I have made consultations and I realised it is not yet the best time for me yet.

    “Under my tenure, and for the first time in the history of this institution, AOCOED was ranked the best college of education nationwide. The record is still there. No one can contest it. At the appropriate time, the truth will come out. I have so much to say but when the time comes, I will.”

    The college’s Provost Dr Ladele Aina, told our reporter on phone that the allegations were true,  adding that investigation began before her appointment last January.

    “The case occurred and investigation started last year. I assumed the leadership of this college in January,” she said in response to a question on why management did not immediately conduct a medical test on the said rape victim.

    “The case was referred to Council’s Disciplinary Committee, which deliberated on the matter and had made its recommendations,” the provost said.

    For Arinle, there is no going back on his seeking redress in court.

    “Initially before council commenced investigation, we objected to the inclusion of the chairmen of COEASU and SUCCOEN on the committee because they cannot be the accuser and the judge at the same time. Besides, the manner the investigation ran shows that they (council) were acting out a script by some superior hands,” he said.

     

  • The battle for glory

    Meanwhile the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone II, Abdulmajid Ali, the Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni and his Ogun counterpart, Ahmed Ilyasu said the kidnappers bowed to superior pressure.

    According to them, the pressure from police special forces were much that the kidnappers gave in by freeing the victims.

    CP Ilyasu said: “We are committed to our responsibilities. There was so much pressure on the kidnappers that they had no option than to give in. The victims were released by midnight. There are a lot of tactical and covert deployments going on and a police post has been erected in the area.”

    Seperate statements issued by the zonal spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi,  on behalf of the AIG, and the Lagos Command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, the police claimed the victims were rescued within two days of deployment of special forces. The police added that no ransom was paid.

    Badmos said: “The pressure and the heat mounted on the kidnappers by the command in partnership with its Ogun state counterpart made the criminals abandoned their mission and release their victims. Manhunt for the hoodlums is ongoing.”

    Muyiwa stated: “The AIG has reassured the residents of the area of adequate security as he has deployed large number of police operatives from Lagos,Ogun and zonal headquarters Onikan, to fortify its security.

    “He had earlier met with the leaders of the communities and approved the immediate construction of a police station(with the help of the communities) in the area for adequate protection of lives and property of more than 100,000 residents in the affected communities. He promised them of necessary steps to dislodge and suppress the hoodlums (kidnappers), who terrorise innocent Nigerians in the riverine areas within the zone.”

  • Battle to bring Edo back to N/Delta fold

    There is too much at stake for Adams Oshiomhole in the coming September 28 Edo election. As if his life depends on its outcome, he has embarked on a vigorous campaign across the state dancing, jumping and advertising his achievements. He says his is a battle for continuity against return to the Igbinedion and PDP years of the locust.  The governor’s battle unfortunately is not just against the entrenched interests in Edo State but against all those with a sense of entitlement in the Delta region  beginning with the militants,  their sponsors, who Ken Saro-Wiwa described as ‘vultures’,  who after impoverishing their people by converting the commonwealth to private use, move over to the courts to secure  perpetual injunctions as a shield against prosecution in a region where successive leaders since 1966 believe  ‘stealing is not corruption’.

    The recent shift in date of the election has led to fierce attack and intensification of hostility between the combatants. But if you asked me if Oshiomhole and his party are vulnerable in spite of his sterling performance, my answer will be in the affirmative. Beyond the bravado and shout of “PDP is dead in Edo and we are waiting for its burial”, Oshiomhole knows the outcome of electoral contest has never been decided on the basis of outstanding  performance or faithful implementation of party manifesto since rigging was introduced by ‘mainstreamers’ to the Western Region in 1964.

    Detailing how that election was rigged, Mr. Esua, ex oficio chairman of the western regional electoral commission in a letter to Governor Fadahunsi dated November 20, 1965 enumerated the strategies: “Refusal of electoral officers to accept nomination papers or failure to report for duty; announcements of candidates ‘elected unopposed’ without the commission’s prior clearance;  revocation of the appointments  and replacement of electoral officers; leakages of voting slips; refusal of returning officers to read the certificates of votes  counted at the place of counting”.  Akintola refused to back down when he, along with Akinloye, Ayo Rosiji, Akinjide and Fani Kayode met with Sardauna over the massive rigging insisting “what happened in his region was not different from what happened in other regions”. The method was improved upon by NPN to sweep away high performing UPN governors in 1983.  Obasanjo further modified it to sweep away ANPP and AD governors in 2003. Jonathan modernized it with an injection of $1.4b.

    Besides ex- President Jonathan whose ego was bruised by Oshiomhole’s refusal to demonstrate his loyalty by acting in the manners of Obi and Mimiko, the governor has also stepped on powerful toes in and outside Edo State. Starting from his Edo base, he has Chief Tony Anenih, ‘Mr. Fixer’, to contend with. Here is a man who was already an ‘institution’ long before Adams Oshiomhole manoeuvred his way into the textile unions where he made a living by shouting ‘aluta’.  He was by 1983, Edo State chairman of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and took credit for helping Chief Samuel Ogbemudia take power from a very resourceful Professor Ambrose Alli in the days of NPN’s curious “land slide and sea slide’ victories in opponents strongholds.  By 1993, he was the chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) which secured victory for MKO Abiola, a victory Anenih later traded away. He was Obasanjo’s Minister of Works accused by political enemies of expending over N300b budget for roads on the 2003 election during which PDP defeated ANPP and AD in their strongholds. He recently admitted to EFCC the disbursement of N260m from Office of National Security Adviser on behalf of President Jonathan to groups and individuals to influence the 2015 election. I present before you fellow compatriots, a great Edo man of ‘timber and calibre’, Oshiomhole has consistently taunted since President Jonathan in his magnanimity reined in his militants and allowed him win the 2013 election. Now with Anenih and Jonathan, a man who hardly forgives, joining forces, Oshiomhole knows the day of reckoning has finally come.

    Oshiomhole also has Chief Tom Ikimi, a former chairman of NRC, who rather than concede defeat of his party settled for General Abacha’s foreign minister as another home based  formidable foe.   He recently moved back to PDP from APC which he helped to put together when he lost the contest for the chairmanship of the party to Chief Oyegun. Ikimi saw the hand of Oshiomhole in his defeat.

    Another sworn enemy of Oshiomhole in Edo is High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, a media mogul and a former business partner of the late MKO Abiola and late General Shehu Yar’Adua (President Yar’Adua’s elder brother). He and his Daar Holding and Investment Limited has since  December 9, 2015 been charged to court for partaking in the sharing of money budgeted for weapons procurement for the Nigerian military but allegedly diverted by Dasuki Sambo, the then National Security Adviser, to Dokpesi’s Daar Holding and Investment Limited. Someone has to pay for the humiliation of one of the Edo untouchables. And the only person that fits that bill is Oshiomhole, the face of APC in Edo.

    Of course Oshiomhole’s greatest foe in Edo is Lucky Igbinedion who he had accused of stealing from the people. Although he merely addressed him by his new status of a convict, conferred on him by the court, his supporters even at that think Oshiomhole who made a living shouting “aluta’ before becoming governor should have some respect for an untouchable Benin ‘icon’.  Matters are not helped when Oshiomhole went on to boast about his recovery of over 200,000 hectares of land illegally dashed out to Chief Gabriel Igbinedion by his son, Lucky when he was governor. Oshiomhole has climbed the cliff. Civil society groups have demonstrated in Benin insisting Oshiomhole who has brought such a dishonor to a revered Benin family must be replaced by Ize-Iyamu who was Igbinedion’s Chief of Staff when Benin City looked like a war-ravaged city as a minimum condition for a truce.

    As if these are not enough domestic problems plaguing one small man of slight build, whose weapon is his caustic tongue, from the larger Delta came other formidable adversaries such as Princess Stella Oduah  and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala  both at the receiving end of Oshiomhole endless diatribes on corruption and incompetence.  Both women of means and influence are feverishly working to ensure Oshiomhole is roundly defeated on September 28 if only to teach him a lesson that ‘no man ever wins a woman’s war.’

    Ifeanyi Okowa and  Nyesom Wike, Oshiomhole’s Niger Delta brother governors,  both of whom he had advised to pay arrears of workers’ salaries in their states instead of mobilizing N2b to support Ize-Iyamu or sponsoring 8,000 militants to destabilise his state during the elections  are not amused. But they are resolved on one thing: Edo State must be brought back into the Niger Delta fold. This is a task that must be accomplished even if it involves applying the “Amaechi treatment’ which forced his supporters to run for their lives instead of coming out to vote for Dakuku Peterside, his candidate. All is fair in war. The objective is to ensure Ize-Iyamu rides into power even if it means on the blood of the people as Wike, according to Itse Sagay, did in Rivers.

    The battle line is drawn between  vultures, militants, men as ‘institutions’ and one small man of light build who arrogantly calls himself a ‘giant killer’, swearing by the lives he has touched and communities he has served diligently for eight years. The epic battle is set for September 28. The umpire and the security personnel, we hope will provide a level playing ground by guarding against the repeat of chaos and anarchy that accompanied the Port Harcourt war wrongly described as election.

  • Esperance battle Sfaxien for Obaje

    Esperance battle Sfaxien for Obaje

    Esperance of Tunisia have joined rivals CSS Sfaxien in the battle for the top scorer in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Godwin Obaje of Wikki Tourist.

    Obaje extended his top scorer lead with his 18th of the season in his team 1-2 loss to Enyimba in a rescheduled game, which has put their title aspirations in doubt.

    However, the 19-year-old who has remained consistent all through the season has done enough to suggest he won’t remain with the Bauchi based team next season.

    The younger brother to former Black Leopards of South Africa forward Joshua Obaje told Owngoalnigeria.com in a chat last month, that he is aware of interest from Sfaxien and two teams from Israel.

    “Esperance of Tunisia contacted us through an agent just like Sfaxien, but the decision is entirely up to the lad, the interest is not a problem he has helped himself that much,” an official of Wikki Tourist told Owngoalnigeria.com.

  • Battle of two SANs

    Battle of two SANs

    Two legal luminaries are battling for governor in Ondo State. On November 26, the electorate will decide the fate of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Who wears the crown? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the struggle for power in the Sunshine state.

    Eyitayo Jegede and Rotimi Akeredolu have some things in common. They are senior colleagues who have paid their dues in the bar. Both of them are men of impeccable character. The two lawyers have risen to the pinnacle of their legal profession as Senior Advocates of Nigeria. At different times, Akeredolu and Jegede had served Ondo State as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    On November 26, the two lawyers will be on the weighing scale. They will test their popularity at the governorship election, which many observers believe will shape the future of the 40 year-old state. Jegede is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is itching to retain power. Eyes will also be on Akeredolu, who is contesting for the second time. In 2012, the Owo-born lawyer and former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) was defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) flag bearer. He came third, training Governor Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP) and Olusola Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). At the weekend, he emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a keenly contested primary in Akure, the state capital. The exercise was supervised by Jigawa State Governor Badaru Abubakar.

    Akeredolu emerged as the flag bearer with 669 votes, beating Segun Abraham (635), Olusola Oke (576) and Ajayi Boroffice (471). Some party officials said scores of aspirants from Owo decided to step down for him so that the ancient town would not lose out. Generally, the shadow poll was free, fair, transparent and credible.

    Jegede and Akeredolu are struggling for power at a time their parties are facing serious challenges. The Ondo State PDP appears fragmented. Two factions, led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Senator Modu Sheriff, are fighting for the soul of the chapter. Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised Jegede as the authentic candidate, the factional candidate, Jimoh Ibrahim, who is backed by Sheriff, is kicking against his candidature. However, it appears that Governor Olusegun Mimiko is in charge of the party, although there are protests against his style of party management. Since he defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the PDP, old members of the party have raised allegations of politics of exclusion. They said this style has made the challenge of harmonisation more difficult.  The governor succeeded in averting a rancorous primary. Only two aspirants-Jegede and Saka Lawal-were contenders. In the faction, no eye brow was raised against the exercise.

    The election, according to analysts, is more important to Mimiko, fondly called Iroko by his admirers. In fact, some people believe that Mimiko is still the main issue, although Jegede is the candidate. The former Attorney-General is not a politician. He became the anointed candidate, based on his competence and track record as a commissioner. But, Mimiko, sources said, is jealously guarding his political base so that, after leaving office, he can still remain the undisputed political leader of the state.

    Besides, the PDP Governors’ Forum has an unfinished business. The governors want to enlarge the coast of the party. Party sources said a Southsouth PDP governor is coordinating the mobilisation of support for the Ondo PDP in its bid to checkmate the APC.  An Akure-based PDP chieftain, who said the poll is critical to Mimiko’s career, added: “Mimiko and Akeredolu are political foes. If Akeredolu succeeds him, a searchlight will be beamed on his government. This election, for both of them, is also about ego. Like typical Ondo people, the two of them are strong willed. Outsiders will say they are stubborn politicians.”

    For Akeredolu, the governorship election is more important than the primary. While he relied on his structure to win more delegates to his side, he would need the entire party to succeed at the poll. The first post-primary step, therefore, is reconciliation. Ahead of the poll, the APC should put its house in order. Despite the transparent primary, some aspirants may still be bitter over its outcome. Some top party leaders were also enraged that the certain aspirants were overwhelmed by emotion few days to the primary when they passed insults to leaders who drafted them into the race in the past.

    The challenge of reconciliation may have been compounded by the acrimony within the Ondo State APC executive committee. Some officials are up in arms against the chairman, Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke. But, giving hints about how to resolve the logjam, the Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, said party officials who have links with the PDP should give way so that they will not be able to act as moles during the election.

    Some chieftains also believe that Akeredolu will have to court his rivals at the primary. The outcome of the exercise showed that the  Ondo APC has four prominent leaders-Akeredolu, Abraham, Oke and Borofffice. “The four of them and other leaders should work together at this time that Ondo is expecting change,” said Adesanya. Working together entails setting up an all-inclusive campaign machinery that gives the aspirants and members a sense of participation and belonging.

    A former legislator, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, who stepped down from the race, few days to the contest, put the challenges more succinctly. He said: “Three challenges are confronting our party after the primary. The first is that of ensuring unity and cohesion in the party. The second is the healing of wounds because of what happened in the few weeks preceding the primary. The third is that we must sell Akeredolu to the people and re-assure them that he will do well. This is necessary in view of the growing popularity of the Akure candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, and the perception of the Akure about the election.”

    Events in the APC may have necessitated a change of strategy by the PDP. Despite the participation of contestants from the three districts at the APC primary, the party appeared disposed to zoning to the Ondo North. That may have been the main reason why the district had the highest number of aspirants. Unlike the APC, the PDP has been silent on zoning. Thus, it has picked its candidate from Ondo Centre, where the governor hails from. The major beneficiary of the decision is Akure, which is reputed for its numerical strength and periodic bloc voting.

    A major challenge for the PDP and the APC is the choice of running mates. Since the PDP has picked its candidate from Akure, some  APC chieftains have been pressing for the zoning of the deputy governorship to the state capital. A source said the PDP is considering picking Jegede’s running mate from the South or North District.

    Ondo State has two options. The two candidates are almost on the same pedestal. They are technocrats. They are conversant with the peoples’ expectations. At 60, Akeredolu is still a bundle of energy. At 53, Jegede is full of vigour and zest. Akeredolu seems to have an edge in terms of field experience, having mounted the rostrum four years ago. During that period, he has been oiling his political machinery and learning the ropes. Jegede has been one of the key aides of the governor in the last seven and half years; experienced, very efficient at work and highly dependable.

    Akeredolu and Jegede are struggling to succeed Mimiko at a difficult time. The state has a lean purse. The federal allocation is dwindling. Yet, the demand for more dividends of democracy is increasing. “Challenging times need extraordinary measures,” Jegede said, stressing that he is up to the task. He rejected the label of a lackey or stooge, saying that he is eminently qualified to rule the state, based on his pedigree, integrity and competence. He acknowledged his Akure root, but he quickly clarified that he is prepared to be governor of Ondo State, and not Akure alone. In the past, Jegede was drafted to the senatorial race. He declined, saying that he was only interested in governorship. The candidate promised to build on the achievements of Mimiko across the sectors.

    Since 2012, Akeredolu has been preaching the gospel of change in Ondo. In his view, the state is blessed with enormous human and material resources, lamenting that its people are still poor in the midst of plenty. He promised reforms in the critical sectors. In addition, he promised to run an efficient, open and transparent government.

    There are other candidates on the platforms of smaller parties. During the poll, they will be spectators. Who wins between the two legal giants? Time will tell.

  • Battle Of The Year to hold at UNILAG

    Preparations are in top gear for Nigerian break dancers to come and do battle against one another as this year’s edition of the Battle of the Year Nigeria Break Dance Championship which on the 17th and 18th of September at the Indoors Hall of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.

    Activities on Saturday will begin with a One on One Battle session by 10am and the main event holds the next day by 1pm.

    According to organisers, the event will feature battles from the best B-boys, B-boy crews, Popping, Locking, and Krump style dancers in Nigeria. And the winner of the B-boy crew Battle will represent Nigeria at the International Battle of the Year in Germany. There are also cash prizes to be won.

    While the event will be hosted by Rapmania Tha X and PG Blao, on hand to provide the break beats will be DJ Ozee, DJ Mekzy and DJ Teckzilla, with special guest appearances by Illbliss, Mode 9, Terry Tha Rapman, Uzikwendo, AQ, Feco Th MC, Rezzi of Rap Culture on Rhythm 93.7fm and The Space Unlimited Bboy crew.