The Nation Newspaper

Tag: break

  • No World Cup break for Enyimba

    No World Cup break for Enyimba

    Enyimba will not grant their players a break during the World Cup so as to prepare for both the Federation Cup and the second round of the league campaign.

    The Aba club have warned that any player who fails to meet today’s deadline will not be paid his June salary.

    Enyimba won last year’s Federation Cup and are fifth on the table with 29 points from 19 matches.

    “We don’t have a break, we are to resume on Monday (today). We have a Federation Cup game. It’s our job, so no room for any complaints,” Femi Thomas told AfricanFootball.com.

  • What can break Nigeria?

    Fears and predictions grow worldwide that Nigeria could soon break up. In the light of that, the National Conference has become phenomenally important – important as a forum where we Nigerians could critically and carefully look around and inside us to see what, in fact, could make our country break up soon, and try very sincerely to fix it.

    One factor that threatens Nigeria is growing poverty among us Nigerians. In terms of natural resources, we are by no means a poor country; in fact, we are one of the very richest countries on earth. Our natural resources are a solid base upon which we could have built one of the world’s richest and most powerful countries. Poverty is not in the making of our country; we are poor today because we have chosen to be poor. The men and women who have managed the affairs of our country since independence have, step by step, succeeded in turning us, the citizens of one of the naturally richest countries in the world, into a huge mass of paupers and beggars – paupers and beggars who must be crooks to survive, paupers and beggars increasingly driven by anger, hate, and an urge to violence.

    We have reached the point at which this situation must change.

    Apart from growing poverty, researchers and writers are talking more and more of what they call Nigeria’s “fault-lines”. By that they mean the differences inherent in the fact that Nigeria is not a nation, but a country of many nations. Yes, we are a country of many nations – each nation with its own history, culture, worldview, desires, expectations, ways of doing things, etc. Making one coherent country out of this intense diversity cannot be easy, even with the best of intentions and commitments. In fact, there is an additional reality that makes the task harder – namely, the fact that the three largest Black nations on earth (Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani and Igbo) are part of the Nigerian plurality. These three nations should never have been brought together into one country. Each of them is too big a fish to be swallowed. The manifest destiny of each of these three giants – in a Black Africa consisting almost entirely of very small nations – is to belong to the forefront of Black Africa’s development in the modern world, and to show Black Africans the path to prosperity. Huddling them together in one country inhibits the development of each of them, and distorts its proper vision of itself and of its duty in modern history. Are there, in the world in our times, many other nations of the size of the Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani or Igbo, each of which is subject to the sovereignty of an entity above itself? In our trying to contain these three giants together in our country, have we Nigerians, perhaps, been attempting to accomplish the impossible?

    It is true that, even in spite of these almost daunting ethnic national realities, the desire of Nigerians to preserve Nigeria has been, on the whole, considerable. It was against that desire that the Igbo nation’s Biafran venture of 1967-70 failed. However, since then, especially since the 1990s, various ethnic nationalist movements and “self-determination” groups have been springing up in all parts of Nigeria – and, altogether, these have today become a force that Nigeria can only ignore at its own peril.

    Meanwhile, a powerful factor has entered into the Nigerian equation. Most Nigerians are no longer ignorant about the cause of the terrible poverty under which they live – the poverty that makes their lives insecure from crimes, various species of conflicts, terrorism, etc. The root of the poverty is simply this: when the people who controlled most of the power over Nigeria chose to pull all power, all funding and resource control of the country together in the federal centre, they gradually destroyed the ability of Nigeria to generate economic growth, economic innovations, productivity, and wealth. The explanation for that is that it is the states in a federation, plus the local governments – the agencies that are nearest to the lives of the people – that generate most of economic growth and innovation in a federation.  Cast your mind back to the 1950s, the years of Nigeria’s growing prosperity, the years of our prosperous cocoa, groundnuts and palm produce export industries, the years of the development of a cobweb of standard roads across the face of our country, the years of the Regional Development Boards and of our first public industries, the years of the proliferation of primary and secondary schools all over our country, etc,and you will find that our regional and local governments were the engines generating almost all the prosperity. In that kind of setting, the coming of petroleum money since about 1970 would have benefited Nigeria unbelievably. When the controllers of our country down-graded our state and local governments, and turned them into impotent zombies incapable of acting strongly, authoritatively and creatively in their states and local areas, they set the stage for vicious poverty for us the masses of Nigerians. Nigerians now know these things.

    And the consequence is that the two strains in the popular response to the Nigerian situation–namely, assertive ethnic nationalism, and assertive rejection of poverty and deprivation and its effects – have now concatenated. That is why the demand for a National Conference – any sort of National Conference – has become so popular. And that is why Nigerians are accepting President Jonathan’s offer of a National Conference so avidly. Those partisan political opponents of President Jonathan who are casting doubts on his sincerity about a National Conference, or about his ability to run an effective National Conference, and who are suggesting that we should wait for more dependable leaders to give us a really productive National Conference, may have a point. But Nigerians are not in the mood to consider such a point. Nigerians are in a hurry to gather at a conference and restructure their federation and thereby strengthen their ability to fight their way out of poverty.

    Without doubt, most Nigerians sitting at the National Conference have high hopes –hopes of bursting the door wide open to a better Nigeria, a Nigeria of open politics, of level political and economic fields, of stability, and of greater opportunities for all. In the atmosphere of such high expectations, therefore, the following things can suddenly break up Nigeria. First, any attempt, in the conference, by those who have been controlling most power in Nigeria, to resist the restructuring and the change, and to insist on the preservation of the status quo. Second, any show by the federal government of lack of sincerity or seriousness to manage the conference effectively so as to enable it to achieve the restructuring and the change.

    Therefore, the  question whether Nigeria will survive and go on to prosper, or whetherit will break into a number of separate countries, is entirely in the hands of two groups today – the group that has, since independence, controlled most power over Nigeria; and President Jonathan and his men who today control the federal government. History is watching.

  • Can Dickson break second term jinx in Bayelsa?

    Can Dickson break second term jinx in Bayelsa?

    Bayelsa State stakeholders are divided over Governor Seriake Dickson’s re-election bid. None of his predecessors completed a second term, owing to some circumstances. Will the governor break the jinx? Correspondent MIKE ODIMEGWU examines the battle for second term in the oil-rich state.

    The next governorship election in Bayelsa State may hold in 2016. But, the battle for the seat of government has already begun.

    Before the Governor Seriake Dickson came into office, the state had produced three governors-Dr. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who is now the President, and Chief Timipre Sylva. None of them completed their second term.

    The first governor, Alamiyeseigha, was impeached after the was re-elected. His successor, Dr. Jonathan, became the Vice President in 2007. The second term ambition of Sylva crumbled because there powerful forces stood on his way.

    Dickson is not unaware of the fate that befell Alamieyeseigha and Sylva. Since he assumed office, he has demonstrated a commitment to develop the state. He has introduced some reforms, which are yielding results. He has also embarked on some developmental projects. In the view of his supporters, he has lived up to expectation.

    However, critics are against his second term ambition. In Bayelsa State, performance is not the only criterion for re-election. The state has undisputed kingmakers, who should be courted to achieve political goals. Since 2003, it has been the practice for the kingmakers to initiate a conspiracy to depose a leader. Then, the kingmakers would seek the support of the Federal Government to execute the plan. That was how Sylva became a victim of political vendetta and raw power play.

    Dickson is not insulated from the antics of these kingmakers. In Bayelsa, the storm is gathering. A source disclosed that the forces against the governor’s second term bid enjoy the tacit support of President Jonathan’s wife, Dame Patience. The first lady, the source said, is backing the Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Matters, Dr. Wariponmowei Dudafa, for governorship.

    Dudafa served as a commissioner and special adviser under former Governors Alamieyeseigha, Jonathan and Sylva. He is very close to Mrs. Jonathan. In fact, he is perceived as the unofficial personal assistant to the first lady. Initially, it was speculated that Dudafa was being positioned as the running mate to Dr. Azubabu Eruani, another loyalist of the former Commissioner for Health, who is also Mrs. Jonathan’s loyalist. In fact, when some persons circulated the text messages on Eruani/Dudafa ticket, it caused ripples in the state last year.

    But Eruani, who is a businessman, promptly denied nursing an ambition. He immediately declared his support for Dickson, describing him as a performer. The business tycoon disclaimed those behind the text messages. He said they were sowing seeds of discord between him and the governor. He added: “I am not interested in any governorship or deputy governorship contest. The people spreading such claims are fickle minded and their plan is to distract the state governor. I have assured him of my total support and loyalty.”

    However, Dudafa appears to be keenly interested in the number one seat.

    Although he has not publicly declared his ambition, he is believed to be closely associated wit the new political movement, the New Dawn Development Initiative (NDDI), which has allegedly called for power shift. The group has a link with the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) of the Supervising Minister for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, in Rivers State. NDDI has set structures in the eight local government areas. At its first rally, it claimed that its mission was to drum support for President Jonathan’s second term bid. Jonathan’s second term bid. Many PDP chieftains are identifying with the group and its influence is growing in the state.

    The governor’s camp is worried by the turn of events. One of his aides, who spoke on the condition of annonymity, said: “If not because of the character and maturity of the governor, what will be happening in the state now will be more serious than Rivers State. But, the governor has been handling the matter with the President’s interest uppermost in his heart. The governor believes he cannot afford to have crisis in the home of the President at this momentous time”.

    However, Dickson, who has been described as a dogged fighter, is planning for a second term. His body language speaks volumes. Recently, he sacked seven commissioners from his cabinet. These are Mr. Francis Egele, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Mr Ayakeme Massa, Trade, Investment and Industry and Dr Anapurere Michael Awoli, Health, were booted out of the cabinet. Others are Mr. Nelson Belief, Tourism Development; Mr Gesiye Isowo, Special Duties (Federal Projects); Mr. Parkinson Macmanuel, Science, Technology and Manpower Development and Dr. Sylvanus Abila, Environment. The governor also scrapped the Ministry of Capital City Development and split the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, and the Ministry of Energy. Following the scrapping, the governor relieved the Commissioner for Capital City Development, Mr. Zuwa Konuga, and his Local Government and Community Development counterpart, Mr. James Dugo, of their appointment.

    Dickson explained that the re-organisation was meant to reposition his restoration government for optimal performance. He said: “The ongoing efforts are to re-organise and reposition Ministries, Departments and Agencies for optimal performance and delivery of the restoration agenda of the Bayelsa Government.”

    However, sources said that the commissioners were sacked because of poor performance, their 2015 ambitions and loyalty to Dudafa. Therefore, it became obvious that the governor wanted to purge his cabinet of Dudafa’s influence. Ahead of the next election, Dickson is now building independent structures.

    A party source disclosed that the sacking of some commissioners may backfire. For example, many have raised eyebrow over Dugo’s sack. He was the acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who rejected entreaties to team up with Sylva. He supported Dickson during the turbulent period. When Dickson became the governor, he was prevailed upon by party leaders to serve in his cabinet. Reflecting on his ordeal in the State Executive Council, he said: “For the two years, l didn’t have any budget released to me. In 2012, no budget released; 2013 no budget released and l was still arrested by the police and taken to Ekeki Police station. I was accused of perpetrating fraud with local government money and that a special adviser was asked to audit my ministry. The Auditor-General always audit our ministry. Why will the special adviser come to audit my ministry?”

    On the allegation that he is supporting Dudafa for governorship, he saod: “Whatever God does not give to you, you won’t get it. The thing there is that they said there were rumours that l am Dudafa’s boy. They said Dudafa is having an ambition but the time l was working for him, I wasnt Dudafa’s boy.”

    In Dickson’s view, the kingmakers’ influence may have been exaggerated. He said that he deserves a second term because of his impressive performance. He also said that his future is in the hand of God. He chided his detractors, saying that they were trying to create division in the state. The governor charged the new commissioners to be loyal and dedicated to the state.

    Dickson challenged his critics to a duel. He warned those eyeing his job to threat softly. He said the state would not surrender to vultures and buccaneers. He added: “The restoration and revolution that we have started in this state, we will take it to the end and never again will this state be on offer to the highest bidder.

    “This state, that is, the only homogenous state of the Ijaw people, will not surrender to vultures and buccaneers. This state will continue to be in the hands of those who understand why this state was created and why our people fought and died over the years to have this state to stand up as a beacon of hope for the Ijaw man.

    “I assure you, we will continue to work and mobilize support in this state behind me and therefore, behind the President. This state will continue to grow from strength to strength.”

     

     

     

  • What can break Nigeria

    Tears and predictions grow worldwide that Nigeria could soon break up. In the light of that, the coming national conference has become phenomenally important – important as a forum where we Nigerians could critically and carefully look around and inside us to see what, in fact, could make our country break up soon, and try very sincerely to fix it.

    One factor that threatens Nigeria is growing poverty among us Nigerians. In terms of natural resources, we are by no means a poor country; in fact, we are one of the very richest countries on earth. Our natural resources are a solid base upon which we could have built one of the world’s richest and most powerful countries. Poverty is not in the making of our country; we are poor today because we have chosen to be poor. The men and women who have managed the affairs of our country since independence have, step by step, succeeded in turning us, the citizens of one of the naturally richest countries in the world, into a huge mass of paupers and beggars – paupers and beggars who must be crooks to survive, paupers and beggars increasingly driven by anger, hate, and an urge to violence. We have reached the point at which this situation must change.

    Apart from growing poverty, researchers and writers are talking more and more of what they call Nigeria’s “fault-lines”. By that they mean the differences inherent in the fact that Nigeria is not a nation, but a country of many nations. Yes, we are a country of many nations – each nation with its own history, culture, worldview, desires, expectations, ways of doing things, etc. Making one coherent country out of this intense diversity cannot be easy, even with the best of intentions and commitments. In fact, there is an additional reality that makes the task harder – namely, the fact that the three largest Black nations on earth (Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani and Igbo) are part of the Nigerian plurality. These three nations should never have been brought together into one country. Each of them is too big a fish to be swallowed. The manifest destiny of each of these three giants – in a Black Africa consisting almost entirely of very small nations – is to belong to the forefront of Black Africa’s development in the modern world, and to show Black Africans the path to prosperity. Huddling them together in one country inhibits the development of each of them, and distorts its proper vision of itself and of its duty in modern history. Are there, in the world in our times, many other nations of the size of the Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani or Igbo, each of which is subject to the sovereignty of an entity above itself? In our trying to contain these three giants together in our country, have we Nigerians, perhaps, been attempting to accomplish the impossible?

    It is true that, even in spite of these almost daunting ethnic national realities, the desire of Nigerians to preserve Nigeria has been, on the whole, considerable. It was against that desire that the Igbo nation’s Biafran venture of 1967-70 failed. However, since then, especially since the 1990s, various ethnic nationalist movements and “self-determination” groups have been springing up in all parts of Nigeria – and, altogether, these have today become a force that Nigeria can only ignore at its own peril.

    Meanwhile, a powerful factor has entered into the Nigerian equation. Most Nigerians are no longer ignorant about the cause of the terrible poverty under which they live – the poverty that makes their lives insecure from crimes, various species of conflicts, terrorism, etc. The root of the poverty is simply this: when the people who controlled most of the power over Nigeria chose to pull all power, all funding and resource control of the country together in the federal centre, they gradually destroyed the ability of Nigeria to generate economic growth, economic innovations, productivity, and wealth. The explanation for that is that it is the states in a federation, plus the local governments – the agencies that are nearest to the lives of the people – that generate most of economic growth and innovation in a federation. Cast your mind back to the 1950s, the years of Nigeria’s growing prosperity, the years of our prosperous cocoa, groundnuts and palm produce export industries, the years of the development of a cobweb of standard roads across the face of our country, the years of the Regional Development Boards and of our first public industries, the years of the proliferation of primary and secondary schools all over our country, etc, and you will find that our regional and local governments were the engines generating almost all the prosperity. In that kind of setting, the coming of petroleum money since about 1970 would have benefited Nigeria unbelievably. When the controllers of our country down-graded our state and local governments, and turned them into impotent zombies incapable of acting strongly, authoritatively and creatively in their states and local areas, they set the stage for vicious poverty for us the masses of Nigerians. Nigerians now know these things.

    And the consequence is that the two strains in the popular response to the Nigerian situation–namely, assertive ethnic nationalism, and assertive rejection of poverty and deprivation and its effects – have now concatenated. That is why the demand for a national conference – any sort of national conference – has become so popular. And that is why Nigerians are accepting President Jonathan’s offer of a national conference so avidly. Those partisan political opponents of President Jonathan who are casting doubts on his sincerity about a national conference, or about his ability to run an effective national conference, and who are suggesting that we should wait for more dependable leaders to give us a really productive national conference, may have a point. But Nigerians are not in the mood to consider such a point. Nigerians are in a hurry to gather at a conference and restructure their federation and thereby strengthen their ability to fight their way out of poverty.

    Without doubt, most Nigerians who will have the privilege of sitting at the national conference are going there with high hopes –hopes of bursting the door wide open to a better Nigeria, a Nigeria of open politics, of level political and economic fields, of stability, and of greater opportunities for all. In the atmosphere of such high expectations, therefore, the following things can suddenly break up Nigeria. First, any attempt, in the conference, by those who have been controlling most power in Nigeria, to resist the restructuring and the change, and to insist on the preservation of the status quo. Second, any show by the federal government of lack of sincerity or seriousness to manage the conference effectively so as to enable it to achieve the restructuring and the change.

    Therefore, the question whether Nigeria will survive and go on to prosper, or whether it will break into a number of separate countries, is entirely in the hands of two groups today – the group that has, since independence, controlled most power over Nigeria; and President Jonathan and his men who today control the federal government. History is watching.

     

  • Ahead of 2013/14 Season: Bayelsa United begin two weeks’ break

    Ahead of 2013/14 Season: Bayelsa United begin two weeks’ break

    After an impressive run in the 2012/13 league season, coaches and players of Bayelsa United October 21st, commenced a well deserved two weeks’ break to enable them regain lost energy ahead of next premier season on one hand and their continental campaign on the other.

    The club’s spokesman George Ameli who disclosed this to SportingLife, informed that the leave will end on November 1. He expressed satisfaction with the effort of the club in the just ended season which saw Pillars retaining their title to earn a Champions League ticket alongside two-time Champions League heroes Enyimba. Bayelsa who finished third on the league table will however be campaigning in the Confederation Cup. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is however yet to issue a statement on who should join Bayelsa in the second slot of the Confederation Cup campaign between El-Kanemi Warriors who finished 4th on the league table and Warri Wolves who finished as runners up to Enyimba in this year’s Federation Cup decided at the Teslim Balogun stadium with the Peoples’ Elephants emerging victorious.

  • Gombe Utd go on two weeks break

    Gombe Utd go on two weeks break

    Gombe United management has freed its players and coaching crew to embark on a two-week break after ending the 2012/13 season on the 7th spot of the Globacom Premier League log.

    Head media to the Savannah Scorpions, Tanimu Umar disclosed to SportingLife: “After the hetic season that came to a close last week with a victory over Bayelsa United, the management then decided to give the coaching crew and players two weeks to go and rest.

    “The break started Wednesday, so we expect that the players arrive camp before the mid-night of November 6 to begin pre-season camping.

    “However, there will not be any special camping for the team as they will only train in Gombe.”

    Speaking further, Umar said that there were no plans to place any players on the transfer market.

    “I can’t comment on that for now,” he said.

  • ABS FC goes on two weeks break

    ABS FC goes on two weeks break

    Players and officials of ABS FC have been given two weeks break, ahead of the preparation for their campaign in the Nigeria National League competition.

    While addressing the players and officials at the club’s secretariat on Monday, the General Manager, Alloy Chukwuemeka commended the chairman and proprietor of the club, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki for the opportunity given the players and officials to participate in the league, even as he thanked him for his support always.

    Chukwuemeka also praised the players and officials for their sacrifice, patience and understanding, describing the relegation of the club as a development beyond their control.

    He charged those that will be leaving the club to continue to be disciplined wherever they go, and be good ambassadors of the club.

    The Administrator cum journalist also told those that will still remain with the club to prepare for battle in the NNL.

    Chukwuemeka commended the supporters club of the team, stakeholders, especially those who have contributed to the team positively.

  • Visual sensation: A break from the past

    Visual sensation: A break from the past

    The visual art sub-sector in recent times, has taken a new dimension, as new movements and forms continue to emerge. These have also resulted in a new burst of creativity and enthusiasm from many artists.

    Keeping breast on these developments is Aladegbongbe Aderinsoye, an artist and Head of Department, Visual Art, Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, (YABATECH), Lagos who said it is only by moving forward and experimenting that an artist can continue to truly create new concept.

    Aderinsoye will exhibit about 62 artworks featuring paintings, metal foils and wood; titled: Visual sensation, in two locations starting on Saturday at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos; while the second opens at the YABATECH on September 30.

    “Visual sensation is a presentation of collections of five different bodies of work that have been of intrigue to me presently, these works I hope expose a paradigm shift from my previous approach to solo or group exhibitions which are sets of works on experimentation, a way far from the normal paintings I do. Theme and titles of the works reflect socio-cultural and economic activities in the nation,” he said.

    Aderinsoye’s new experiment with new medium has led him to become more versatile, making it possible for him to break even further out of the restriction he found with painting thus giving his works a new perception, something entirely different from his previous exhibition, Water and Reflection. “I have decided to move out from my usual painting to other medium,” he confessed.

    “Aesthetics is a sensational appeal created through visual perception of works of art, in the case of these works, they are from nature and natural objects. In comparison to what I have previously been occupied by, this show is a door to new sets of experiment going on in the studio presently.

    My purpose is to draw attention to the uniqueness and spontaneity celebrated in exploration of materials and methods used in this production,” he said.

    The works that will be on display include paintings, metal foil, sliced blocks of wood with engraving, decorated trucks of tree backs, burnt wood of various sizes. Some of the works are; Elders’ Forum, Royal Discourse, Ethnic Dignity, New-yam Festival to mention but a few.

    “The sets of works done in metal foil are evidentiary of my interest in printmaking. My present experimentation employs the use of simple lines and curves in a reaction to the socio-economic activities going on in my immediate environment.”

    One important aspect of his works is the sliced wood that buttressed his view about deforestation which he said is one of the major causes of global warming. Elders’ Forum is not just another piece of artwork it serves as instrument to warn people on the implication and dangers of deforestation. The messages in the work which is in series will make people to think twice before cutting down any tree or burning it down.

    “I have this style of painting, my works are not realistic; they are abstract paintings. By the time you look at the paintings, they are not as real as expected and the form are only represented by the details of the body. I liquidize my colour, I then paint with brush to create form, what you see has to do with what you have in mind.

    His opinion on if art is profitable in Nigeria, he said: “The pricing of artwork today in Nigeria has to do with the artist, how constant the artists is, is the artist known, how many exhibition an artist is putting up, is the artist known in the scene of art, the contribution the artist has made and the impact the artist has made in the Nigerian art sector.” Adding that, “If sealing of work is the vision of the artist, it will be difficult for the artist to create new ideas.”

    He obtained Ordinary National (OND) General Art in 1989 and Higher National Diploma (HND) Fine Art (Painting) in 1992 from YABATECH.

    In 2008, he bagged a Masters in Fine Art MFA (Painting) from the University of Benin. So far, he has featured in various solo and group exhibitions.

     

  • 300,000 Lagos pupils break world-record

    History was made yesterday in Lagos as 300,000 pupils from across 600 public schools broke the tooth-brushing record in an attempt to enter into the Guinness Book of Records.

    The pupils achieved the feat by brushing their teeth simultaneously for one minute across 326 locations in the state.

    The world record before now was set by India with 117,000 brushing their teeth at the same time.

    At the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, which served as the centre point of the challenge, about 20,000 pupils gathered to take part in the event.

    At 2.15pm, the Founder of HEIT Solutions, Dr. Lawal Bakare, convener of the tooth-brushing challenge project, signalled on the pupils to begin brushing and told them to stop at 2.16pm.

    The pupils were each given a tooth brush and toothpaste provided by Unilever Nigeria Limited, one of the event sponsors.

    He said the new record is subject to verification by officials of the Guinness Book of Records after the report from the locations are collated.

    Bakare said pupils were chosen for the project because they were still at a stage they could embrace new behaviour and attitude.

    He said: “You are the essence of this challenge. We gather here because we believe you are supposed to have better oral health. Most of you do not know that when you don’t have your teeth, you would not grow as you ought to. So we are trying to make you remember three things- brush twice a day, brush using the appropriate technique and visit the dentist regularly.”

    Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, congratulated the pupils for being part of the feat. She said it was historic for their generation.

    Brand Manager, Unilever (Close Up), Mr. Kester Abiola, noted that less than 50 per cent of Nigerians brush their teeth twice a day. He said that was not good enough.

  • Can Ajimobi break one term jinx?

    Can Ajimobi break one term jinx?

    In the history of Oyo State, no governor has been re-elected for a second term. Can Governor Abiola Ajimobi become an exception? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the governor’s push for continuity and the impediments on the way.

    Since the Second Republic, no governor has been re-elected in Oyo State. Although the governors tried their luck, certain forces aborted their dream. Will Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who has been endorsed by his party and other stakeholders for a second term, make a difference in 2015?

    Oyo State is a politically conscious and sophisticated state. Its capital, Ibadan, which doubles as the political headquarter of the Southwest, is also a politically volatile city. The political actors there are not associated with long-term politics of affection. That apparently explains why no governor has been elected twice in the Pace setter State.

    The first civilian governor, the late Chief Bola Ige, was elected on the platform of the banned Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). That was in 1979. However, his second term ambition crumbled in 1983, following the split in the ruling party and the defection of key associates, including his deputy, the late Chief Sunday Afolabi, and the late Chief Busari Adelakun, to the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which fielded Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, to challenge him. Olunloyo, who hails from Ibadan, was declared the winner in a controversial circumstance by the proscribed Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO).

    However, the NPN stalwart spent barely three months in the office. On December 31, 1063, he was sacked by the soldiers during the fifth military coup. The displacement of the legitimate authorities did not permit Olunloyo to nurse a second term ambition.

    In the aborted Third Republic, the late Chief Kolapo Ishola was elected as the governor under the banned Social Democratic Party (SDP). It was a turbulent period when the former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, foisted diarchy on the country. When he annulled the historic presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola, tension enveloped the polity. Babangida bowed out, following the setting up of the interim contraption headed by Chief Ernest Sonekan. In November 1993, Gen. Sani Abacha toppled the transitional government and declared himself as the Head of State. The Isola’s tenure ended on that note.

    In this dispensation, Oyo State has produced three governors before Ajimobi assumed the reins. Although they were interested in the second term, their ambitions were dashed. Former Governor Lamidi Adesina, who was elected on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999 failed at the poll in 2003. In that election, which result was disputed, the Independent Nigeria Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Senator Rashidi Ladoja of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner. Thus, Adesina’s second term dream was aborted. But Ladoja later faced the same predicament. He initially lost power for 11 months, following his impeachment, in error, by the legislators instigated by his benefactor-turned foe, the late Chief Lamidi Adedibu.

    When he regained his lost seat, after a protracted legal battle, he was hopeful. In fact, he went to Akure, Ondo State capital, where the flags were presented to the Southwest PDP governorship candidates by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. To Ladoja’s consternation, the Oyo State ticket was given to his estranged deputy, Adebayo Alao-Akala. Thus, his second term hope was dashed.

    Alao-Akala, who ruled the state between 2007 and 2011, was basking in the euphoria of incumbency. But that incumbency power collapsed on poll day in 2011 when voters dumped him and elected Ajimobi as the governor.

    Before the mantle of leadership fell on him, Ajimobi was a long distance runner. In 2003 and 2007, he had vied for the position, but without success. But since he took the oath of office, his camp has been gazing at the future. The political development in the neighbouring state of Ondo, where Governor Segun Mimiko, seemed to have broken the one term jinx, may have energised them.

    The Oyo State governor is conscious of the volatile situation in his state, especially during electioneering. He is aware that his native Ibadan holds the ace. Many also agree that, if Ibadan decides to back a candidate, victory is sure.

    However, the city and state have been in pains in the past eight years. Before Ajimobi became the governor, Ibadan was living on its old glory- first stadium, first television in Africa, first sky scrapper (Cocoa House), and first university in Nigeria. The governor inherited a metropolis in ruins; with collapsed infrastructure, filth and violent thugs.

    Ajimobi rose to the occasion. Today, his insurance against future electoral loss is his performance. His first assignment was to stop the sharing of money in the State House. Gone were the acts of profligacy, theft and graft and misuse of public funds. Although detractors who could not adjust to the shift from the ‘amala politics’ to the politics of transformation and development fuelled the sentiment that government’s impact has not been felt.

    The deputy governor, Pa Alake Adeyemo, who listed the achievements of the governor, gave the administrationna pass mark. He explained that, since 2011, peace had returned to Oyo State. The clash of rival road transport union leaders has been nipped in the bud, thereby liberating the city from tension.

    Ajimobi may have also compared notes with Lagos State. Now, more than 100 buses have been acquired to replace the old rickety intra- and inter-city buses. There are free buses for workers in the civil service. Recently, the government commenced the state’s version of the Lagos BRT. Also, tricycles, popularly known as ‘Keke Ajumose,’ have been distributed to thousands of people. Hailing the government, a stakeholder, Moroof Adegbile, said it was a right step in the right direction. He advised the governor to spread the dividends of democracy to other parts of the state. “I think the government is kicking off on a good note in the area of providing befitting means of transportation for the populace, but more needs to be done so that this can reach the nooks and crannies of the state. Don’t forget that this is a very big state with huge population in the hinterlands who needs to also feel the impact of this government in the area of public transportation”, Adegbile added.

    Ajimobi has also been applauded for his urban renewal. The administration has rehabilitated over 199 roads and bridges across the state. It has also constructed the new billion flyover at Mokola, worth N2.1 billion. It is a novel project, which previous administrations have avoided. Other steps taken by Ajomobi included the clearing of over 120 blocked drains in Ibadan metropolis, dredging of 43 rivers and streams across the state, the on-going beautification of ‘Trunk A’ roads, and the institutionalisation of weekly environmental sanitation.

    Reviewing the activities of his government, Ajimobi said: “In the last two years, we have provided infrastructural facilities that are unprecedented in the history of our state. We have constructed/rehabilitated over 260 roads and several bridges across the state. Right now, we are dualizing the major roads in the capital city of Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Iseyin and Oyo”.

    His distant predecessor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, has commended him for the feats. The former governor said: “Rebuilding or even mere renovation often involves demolition of existing structures, be they standard buildings, shanties or slums; once they stand in the way of a new vision of what the place should look like. The work of the governor is therefore, necessary, valuable, and commendable repair of the facade of Ibadan.”

    During his visit to the state, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) chieftain, Senator Solomon Ewuga, applauded the governor. He said: “I want to use this opportunity to commend you on the work you are doing on infrastructure. We have gone round and we have seen the work you are doing; you need to be commended and please, don’t give up, that is the spirit of change that the new party, APC, is going to bring to Nigeria.”

    In the education sector, Ajimobi is not relenting in his efforts. Apart from building new classroom blocks and prompt payment of teachers’ salaries, efforts are also been made to provide adequate learning facilities. This may have led to the improvement recorded in the students’ results.

    The governor is also committed to the new Technical University project. The goal is to produce self-dependent youths who will not be running after the few jobs in the civil service. Other achievements include the constant training of teachers, the re-introduction of Science and Home Economics in secondary schools and the successful accreditation of courses at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, and College of Agriculture, Igboora.

    Another stakeholder, Kole Ajidahun, however, said: “The government will need to do more, if it is serious in bringing back the good, old days of the Action Group government in the West.” Also a social critic, Abel Makinde, urged the governor to promote the culture of prudence. He said only a governor who can erect lasting legacies would be remembered by the future generations.

    One of the factors that will shape the nomination process in 2015 is the performance of the governor. An acclaimed opposition leader in Oyo State, Ladoja, has described Ajimobi’s feats as cosmetic achievements. “It is window dressing”, he said, dismissing the urban renewal project as retrogresive. To the former governor, the programme lacks human face, adding that many people have been displaced and deprived of their means of livelihood.

    Ladoja has a motive. Since crisis broke out between him and the governor, he has been attracting to himself the governor’s political foes, with the aim of stopping his second term ambition. Recently, Ajimobi sacked Ladoja’s men in the administration. The Oyo State government has also written to President Goodluck Jonathan, alleging that Ladoja was creating security problems in the state.

    Today, the marriage between the ACN and Accord Party (AP) has been dissolved. Ladoja is involved in a new alliance with Alao-Akala, who supplanted him during the protracted crisis between him and the late Adedibu.

    The leadership of ACN in the state has described the new romance as the return of the gladiator to his vomit. But analysts said that it is in the nature of politics; there is no permanent friend, but permanent interest.

    The PDP is also plotting Ajimobi’s downfall. Sources said that pressures are being mounted on Ladoja to return to the PDP, where he is being promised the position of the National Secretary. “The calculation is that, if PDP and AP team together and they raise an Ibadan man as governor in 2015, they will shake Ajimobi”, said the source. However, a section of the AP is suspicious of Alao-Akala, judging by the role he played in the impeachment plot against Ladoja in the past. “Those who were dropped in Ajimobi’s cabinet are not all that happy with Ladoja. They feel that it is better to have dealings with Ajimobi than Alao-Akala and the PDP. They doubt the PDP’s sincerrity”, added the source.