The Nation Newspaper

Tag: berates

  • Boko Haram: Presidency berates Shehu Sani, Ahmed

    Boko Haram: Presidency berates Shehu Sani, Ahmed

    THE Presidency broke its silence on the withdrawal of two members – activist Shehu Sani and Islamic cleric Datti Ahmed – from the 26-member Presidential Committee on the North’s security. It said the withdrawal of the duo was shameful.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication, Dr Doyin Okupe, who spoke in Lagos, accused Sani and Ahmed of being selfish for engaging in acts unbecoming of patriots.

    Okupe spoke even as Presidency said there was no going back on its amnesty plan for Boko Haram.

    He said: “I feel that their influence has been reduced. They wanted to do it alone and take personal glory. But with the committee in place now, they decided to pull out.

    “Withdrawing from that committee is shameful. If the government invited you, you should feel free and happy to serve.”

    It was learnt that the Presidency might adopt an “open” approach by mandating the amnesty committee to “begin dialogue with willing Boko Haram leaders and factions”.

    Besides, the Federal Government is banking on prominent Emirs, political leaders and clerics to assist in seeing the amnesty programme through.

    The fate of Boko Haram detainees, their wives and children will depend on the recommendation of the amnesty panel.

    Sani, who is the President of the Civil Rights Congress (CRC), yesterday declined entreaties from prominent leaders of the North to take another look at his withdrawal from the amnesty panel as he said there is “no change of mind” in his decision. President Goodluck Jonathan had on Wednesday named a 26-man Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North.

    A top government source told The Nation: “While the government is leaving a window for those with direct link to Boko Haram leaders to have a rethink, it is going ahead with the amnesty plan.

    “The fact is that not all Boko Haram leaders are opposed to dialogue or amnesty. The committee might start its dialogue with some leaders of the sect who have offered to cease fire. There are also some leaders in detention who can offer recipe on the way forward.

    “Do not forget that Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, had opened discussion with 11 key commanders of Boko Haram in May last year, including one of the top leaders of the sect, like Sheikh Asheku.

    “Although the meeting was at the instance of the governor, others who participated were a representative of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, the Borno

    State Director of State Security Service (SSS), the state’s Commissioner of Police, an intelligence officer from the military along with the state deputy governor, Mustapha Umar Zannah.

    “What I am saying is that already there are some platforms in place to open dialogue with Boko Haram by the amnesty committee. The tone of dialogue or amnesty may serve as impetus to the spiritual leader of the sect, Imam Abubakar Shekau and other commanders declared wanted.

    “The ultimate discussion and reconciliation with Shekau would serve as the icing on the cake.”

    Another source said: “The government is also depending on some Emirs and leaders in the North to facilitate dialogue with the leadership of the sect led by Shekau.

    “Some Northern leaders and clerics are begging Shehu Sani and Dr. Datti Ahmed to change their mind to serve on the dialogue committee.

    “We are hopeful that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.”

    When asked if he has had a rethink, Sani said: “I have no change of mind at all.”

  • ASUU boss berates Fed Govt for failing to tackle insecurity

    The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan (UI) chapter, Dr. Olusegun Ajiboye, has berated the Federal Government for failing to tackle insecurity.

    Ajiboye, who challenged the government to tackle insecurity, poverty, hunger and youth unemployment, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to forget the centenary celebration.

    He spoke during a private radio station programme, tagged: Voices.

    Dr. Ajiboye described the celebration as unnecessary, saying it was another avenue by public officials to loot public treasury.

    The ASUU boss said it was senseless for the government to set up committees for the centenary celebration when many Nigerians were mourning over the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He faulted Prof Tekena Tamuna’s call for the change of Nigeria’s name to Commonwealth of Nigeria, saying it was diversionary and uncalled for.

    Said Ajiboye: ”The nation is facing fundamental challenges that require urgent attention by the government. Nigerians are living under excruciating conditions and many are killed daily due to the Boko Haram insurgency.

    “This is not the time to be making frivolous calls for a needless change of name.”

  • NYSC DG berates corps members

    The level of academic deficiency among corps members has increased as some of them cannot communicate in English language, the Director-General (DG) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia, has said.

    He said NYSC intends to report institutions whose graduates are deficient, to the regulatory bodies for sanction.

    Okore-Affia spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the 2013 Batch ‘A’ pre-mobilisation workshop. The theme of the workshop is: “Generating credible data for a perfect mobilisation process.”

    He said: “Henceforth, the NYSC management will take cognisance of the approved admission quota of each corps producing-institutions before processing their master lists.”

  • Senate berates NDLEA boss, others for victimising staff

    Senate berates NDLEA boss, others for victimising staff

    The Senate yesterday berated the leadership of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for alleged victimisation, intimidation and frustration of personnel of the agency.

    This followed the adoption of the report of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition on the alleged wrongful termination of the appointment of Mr. Adamu Magaji, a worker with the agency.

    Magaji was said to have been victimised and his appointment terminated for refusing to compromise official responsibility.

    A Superintendent of Narcotics, Magaji served in the Owerri, Imo State command and was appointed the officer in charge of the “Strike Force” before his appointment was terminated.

    He sent a petition to the Senate detailing the circumstances that led to the termination of his appointment.

    Magaji alleged that his refusal to release Obi Okorie, a drug baron he arrested, as demanded by his superior officer, Mr. Abdul Momodu, led to the termination of his appointment.

    The NDLEA was said to have based its action to terminate Magaji’s appointment on an unsubstantiated claim that Magaji was fraternising with and receiving money from Okorie.

    But Magaji insisted that because he refused to obey the directive of Momodu, the Assistant State Commander, he threatened to deal with him.

    The Senator Ayo Akinyelure-led committee, in its report, deplored the manner the NDLEA leadership treated Magaji.

    The committee wondered why the appointment of an officer, who should have received commendation for diligence and commitment to duty, was terminated.

    The committee noted: “From the investigations carried out by the committee, it was not obvious that Magaji’s relationship with Okorie and his wife was for any reason other than the interest of the job but, prejudicial to the agency and given that Okorie was arrested by Magaji, mere assertions are not enough to sustain the termination of his appointment.”

    The committee recommended that the termination of Magaji’s appointment should be nullified and his appointment reinstated, “since there was no evidence to warrant his termination.”

    It recommended that NDLEA should pay Magaji his entitlements to date.

    Senators rebuked the leadership of NDLEA for discouraging commitment to duty.

    The lawmakers said besides reinstating Magaji, those behind his travail should be fished out and punished.

  • Wada berates Kogi PDP elders over allegations, criticisms

    The Kogi State Government yesterday berated elders of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for writing a petition against Governor Idris Wada.

    The government expressed gratitude to another group, led by Gen. Salihu Ibrahim, for allegedly renouncing the party’s elders and backing the Wada administration.

    In a statement yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Richard Elesho, the government said: “We are glad that the real Elders’ Forum of the PDP, led by respected Gen. Salihu Ibrahim, has come out, not only to deny the group but to also expressed confidence in Governor Wada and his team.

    “It is doubtful if this disenchanted group is not just weeping emotional sentiment on the altar of cheap political cleavage.

    “The Wada administration is not going to look back on its avowed mission of transforming Kogi and bringing the good life to the people.

    “The government will not stop its free health services to both urban and rural dwellers. It will not suspend the construction of roads it initiated.”

  • Olanipekun berates Fed Govt on poor funding of UI

    The Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Chief Wole Olanipekun, has faulted the Federal Government over what he described as “poor funding of UI and other universities.”

    He noted that in terms of global ranking, Nigerian universities have been lagging behind.

    Olanipekun spoke at the weekend at the 2012 convocation and foundation day ceremony of the university held at the International Conference Centre.

    He said: “UI is being underfunded. The amount released for capital and recurrent projects are inadequate. The institution is not just any other university and should not be so treated, bearing in mind that it is Nigeria’s first and pride.”

    The Pro-Chancellor said the standard of education in Nigeria is falling because government does not give the education sector its due.

    He added:” Our ranking with the UNESCO’s education for all development index is low and poor.”

    Highlighting the areas in need of urgent attention in the university, he said they include investment in human capital, library and information communication technology, infrastructural development at Ajibode and the postgraduate school, among others.

    Olanipekun appealed to the government at various levels to fund education, as any amount budgeted for it is an investment.

    In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to give attention to the institution in form of special rehabilitation fund that may run for about five years to enable it compete with top institutions in the world as was the case years ago.

    Two hundred and sixty-two candidates spread over 11 faculties and two institutes were awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

    The institution conferred honourary degrees on four Nigerians. They are, Prof. Adetoun Ogunsheye, the first female professor in any Nigerian university, Prof. Jacob Ade-Ajayi, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo, foremost educationist and Professor of Economics and Prof. Umaru Shehu, former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos and Bayero University.

    The Visitor to the university, President Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquayyatu Rufai, congratulated the recipients of the honourary degrees. He commended the VC for the extension of Ajibode community.

  • ACN chieftain berates don over comments on judiciary

    ACN chieftain berates don over comments on judiciary

    A chietain of Edo State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), Mr. Kenneth Amana has berated a University of Benin don, Professor Tony Afejuku for attempting to denigrate the judiciary and forcing his views on it, when the judicial process instituted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer in the July 14, 2012 election, Rtd Gen. Charles Airhiavbere is still pending.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Benin City, Amana said Afejuku was trying to intimidate the judiciary. He said as a columnist with The Nigerian Tribune, Afejuku had titled a piece: Edo Election Tribunal and Nigeria’s Judiciary-less Judiciary, in which he deviated from scholarly issues to those he has no knowledge or competence in, saying this was regrettable.

    Amana said while he would not join issues with Afejuku or trade insults with him, it must be stated unequivocally that the falsehood, misrepresentations and the maligning of the state governor shall not go unreplied.

    “If men of good conscience fold their arms and watch the ugly and nefarious agenda of anti democratic forces in the state, there is the likelihood of institutional failure and thereby slowing the governor’s pace of work.

    “The people of the state is hereby put on notice that some person have perfected plans against their collective mandate given to the governor during the election. Since they were rejected at the polls by the people of Edo, they advanced to embarrass the peoples choice by raising issues such as certificate forgery and educational qualification.

    “They went ahead to the courts to see how they could secure black market injunctions before the elections and after. Sensing the integrity of the judiciary and their possible failure, they went to the Tribunal to challenge the best election ever conducted in the history of Nigeria in any state. Not stopping at nothing, they recruited some fifth columnists to denigrate the judiciary.

    “I have no doubt that the governor would overcome this dastardly plans. I also believe that tough times do not last but tough people do, Oshiomhole needs our collective support and prayers, if he must succeed with his developmental agenda in his second term in office”.

    Airhiavbere had approached the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal challenging Oshiomhole’s academic qualifications as well as his victory in the election. But on September 27, the tribunal struck out Airhiavbere’s case against Oshiomhole’s qualification for the election and assumed jurisdiction on the case against alleged corrupt practices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

    Besides, Airhiavbere has gone to the Court of Appeal to express his dissatisfaction with the decision of the tribunal striking out the aspect of his petition contesting Oshiomhole’s academic qualifications.

    It would be recalled that the tribunal had ruled that it was not vested with the powers to hear the issue of qualification of candidates, as that was within the competence of the Federal High Court. And that the issue of qualification was a pre-election matter and the petitioner should have gone to the Federal High Court and if there was any merit in the allegation, the court would have disqualified the candidate from contesting the election.