The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Council

  • Council chief sensitises residents on flood

    The chairman of Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Yahaya Garba has called on residents of the council to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse, especially in drainage systems. This, he said, is to prevent the area being flooded during the rainy season.

    Garba, who gave this advice at a sensitisation and enlightenment programme to educate residents on prevention of flood during rainy season, said the call became necessary as the council is making frantic efforts to reduce the menace of flooding in the council area.

    While declaring the programme open, the council chief the sensitisation became essential in view of recent cases of flood in some parts of the country where several lives were lost and property worth millions of Naira destroyed.

    “I wish to urge residents of the council to be cautious of recent flooding that has displaced hundreds of people.  I want to challenge everyone not to build around riverside areas.

    “I also believe that if residents desist from the habit of dumping refuse in drainage, there will never be threat of flood in Abaji. We should not allow our farms to be too close to riverside so that water can flow freely,” he said.

  • Council lifts indigent pupils

    Council lifts indigent pupils

    To rescue indigent youths and improve the standard education in his domain, the Chairman, Apapa Local Government, Hon. Ayodeji Joseph, has donated 100 General Certificate of Education (GCE) forms to beneficiaries in the area.

    At the presentation, Joseph, who distributed the forms to beneficiaries from the five wards in the council area, urged them to make use of the opportunity.

    He also admonished the pupils to concentrate on their academic pursuits, stressing that “the only anti-dote to poverty is education.”

    The council boss added: “A good name is better than silver and gold. Nothing can be achieved without education. Illegal acts such as cultism, absenteeism, truancy and lack of concentration are factors hampering the educational development in our nation.”

    Urging the beneficiaries to attend the tutorial classes organised by the council, Joseph expressed optimism that the effort would yield good results in their academic endeavours.

    The council chairman also warned them to eschew acts that are inimical to their personal living and the advancement of a sane society, noting that they have roles to play in ensuring a healthy environment.

  • Council of State seeks December end to terror

    Council of State seeks December end to terror

    The National Council of State (NCS) brainstormed yesterday on how to end terror attacks in the country before December.

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu addressed reporters at the end of the meeting at the Aso Villa.

    He was accompanied by Governors Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Sullivan Chime (Enugu) and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.)

    The meeting, which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, was attended by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar and Chief Enerst Shonekan, all former leaders.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari were not at the emergency meeting. Senate President David Mark was also absent.

    Also in attendance were: former Chief Justices Muhammed Uwais and Alfa Belgore.

    Other governors at the meeting included Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Sullivan Chime (Enugu).

    Also present were: Seriake Dickso (Bayelsa), Abdufatah Ahmed (Kwara), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Willy Obiano (Anambra) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Abubakar Yari (Zamfara), Ibrahim Shettima (Borno) and Adamawa State Acting Governor Umaru Fintri.

    Aliyu said the council resolved that all hands must be on deck to end insurgency by December.

    According to him, efforts will be made to ensure that the predictions that Nigeria will cease to exist as a united body by 2015 will remain a wishful thinking.

    The governor said the council noted that leaders, particularly politicians, were the only threats to the country and its democracy. A committee to address the issue of indigenes was set up.

    Aliyu said: “…You may recall that in some states, they even give contract appointment to some people who are not from their states.

    “In some states, there are some discriminatory school fees. If you’re not a so-called indigene, you pay higher than the indigenes. In fact, the very concept of indigeneship came to the fore.

    “Those are some of the issues that the committee will look into. But more fundamental is the issue of the buck stopping with the leadership. In fact, it came to the fore that if there is any threat to either the state or democracy, probably the threat is coming from politicians and from leaders of the country. We must understand the boundaries of leadership and the responsibilities that are involved. Leadership is not about beauty contest. In leadership, you must take difficult decisions and really go about implementing them.

    “So, all the things came to the fore at the meeting. Subsequently, each of us made it a deliberate resolution to all bi-partisan or non-partisan to support the President to make sure that we get rid of insurgency, suggesting that it be done before December.”

    Akpabio said the council resolved that all the moves in some states to register non-indigenes or their deportation should be stopped immediately.

    The governor said the committee would identify discriminatory practices in some states in order to end to them.

    He said: “Whether we need to go to the National Assembly or not, then we will go to National Assembly. Maybe we need to do so through policies at federal, state or local government levels, just to make sure that the country is totally united and all those discriminatory practices are brought to an end so that Nigerians can truly feel free and safe to work in any part of the country without hindrance.”

    According to him, the committee comprises six governors, one from each of the the geo-political zones of the country.

    Akpabio said: “We have the governors of Niger, Sokoto, Enugu, Gombe, Akwa Ibom and Ondo states. The governors were selected from each zone of the country to sit together, invite people to make contributions and then look at all practices in this country that we may term discriminatory.

    “One of such was the idea of some people in some states complaining that they are unable to get certificate of occupancy to build mosques or churches.

    “Another thing that looked very mundane, that because of the religion you belong, on your death, you are expected to be taken somewhere else to be buried because they don’t have cemetery provided for people of certain religions. Such things do not augur well for the country.”

    Dasuki said: “Last week, there was a security council meeting and you were told, after that meeting, of our concern. This was what led to the Council of State being summoned. In particular, we were very troubled. This idea of registering people and the counter thing. There was a group that came out in the North and said that all Southerners should leave.

    “And then, there were comments that followed that. Then, there was a statement issued by MASSOB that all Southerners should also leave the North.

    “The danger, as we saw it, will only lead to when one misguided person will feel that all these things are too much for him, and he goes home. That is the beginning of the divisions of this country.

    “Those of us who were around will remember very well that that was how the civil war started. We saw the danger. We said there is need for everybody to be sensitised on this.”

    He added: “It looks very innocent now to say: ‘I have security concerns. I can register anybody who is not from here.’ But you don’t think that you have some people on the other side. What will you feel if they have the same concerns and decide to register everybody who is not from there? That is not the way the framers of the constitution envisaged that the constitution should be operated.

    “That is why this meeting was held. I’m very happy that there was a lot of commitment. The governors, who are the main operators, who are the leaders at that level, are committed that this issue is resolved.  There is a lot of commitment and support across party lines by those who attended.”

    The NSA said the council discussed the attacks on General Muhammadu Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.

    According to him, the government was not responsible for the attacks.

    Dasuki said: “We said something about the attacks on Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi . There was a threat as far back as February, issued by Shekau (Boko Haram leader) calling them infidels by name and position. They said  those eminent Nigerians were in trouble and they were going to see.

    “Well, the government was not responsible. If you say that the government was responsible in the case of General Buhari, why don’t you say the same in the case of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi?”

  • Tension in Delta council over poll

    Tension in Delta council over poll

    There were indications yesterday in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State that the reign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is under threat, as the battle for the control of the party between old members and those who recently defected to it rages.

    The tussle for the soul of the party has been intensified by power brokers in the local government in preparation for the forthcoming council election.

    Sources in the political class in Udu told The Nation yesterday that the brewing crisis takes root in the desire of the member representing Udu/Ughelli North/Ughelli South Federal Constituency, Mr. Austin Ogbaburhon, to take over control of the party structure in the council. He is a founding member of the PDP, but he once defected to the  Democratic People’s Party (DPP) and returned to the PDP last year.

    According to sources, Ogbaburhon, at a recent meeting he convened with other aligned PDP leaders at his Orhuwhorun home, showed readiness to displace the Sam Ughwujohwovwo chaired Udu PDP executive council as a step to dictate the party’s chairmanship and councillorship slots in the coming council polls in Udu.

    Responding to the development, the Udu PDP Chairman, Ugwujohwovwo, said: “It is quite unfortunate, but to shout too much of it is like selling my local government out. For people to convene a PDP stakeholders’ meeting without the knowledge of the party chairman beats my imagination. I don’t know what they are up to. But we are watching.”

    Defending the House of Representatives member, Israel Macauley, a member of the Ogbaburhon camp, said: “There is no plan by Ogbaburhon and co to unseat the Udu PDP chairman. The meeting convened by the lawmaker was to find a solution to the internal problems facing the Udu PDP.”

  • Council chief honoured

    The Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government in Lagos State, Comrade Ayodele Adewale has received an award as the “Best Executive Chairman Amuwo Odofin Local Government Ever Had.”

    The honoured was conferred on him by the Festival Town Residents Association Community 2, at its last general meeting and the election of new executives to pilot its affairs.

    The chairman of the association, Comrade Jola Ogunlusi, noted that the award to the council chief is in recognition of his developmental policies that have been transforming the council area positively.

    Adewale thanked the association for recognising hard work and promised to continue to make Amuwo an enviable brand.

  • Council distributes free school uniforms, books

    The Chairman of Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State, Maj. Olafimihan Akerejola (rtd.), has distributed free school uniforms, over 70, 000 textbooks and other instructional materials to pupils and other students across the area.

    During the presentation, which coincided with a thank you visit to the area by the Kogi State Governor Idris Wada, Akerejola also announced the commencement of payment of bursary to students in tertiary institutions in the area.

    Students studying engineering, law and medicine received N10, 000 each, while N5, 000 each is given to students in other disciplines.

    During the occasion, which had in attendance former Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria and Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, Akerejola said the importance his administration attached to education informed its decision to embark on the gesture.

    His words: “Education from time immemorial has been the industry our people are known for. The prowess of our people in the field of education is universally acknowledged judging by the high number of intellectuals and academics from the local government area scattered around the globe. This is the more reason we cannot afford to toil with the sector.

    “Also, we undertook the renovation of 12-classroom and the administrative block at the Community Comprehensive High School, Ogori, to create a more conducive teaching and learning atmosphere in the school.”

    Wada, who performed the official tape cutting of the building, called on the council not to relent in its efforts at ensuring a better future for children of school age.

     

  • Council chief seeks increased allocation

    The Chairman of Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Yahaya Garba, has reiterated the need for the Federal Government to increase the revenue allocations to the area council to enable it improve the lives of the residents of the council.

    Garba, who made the appeal during his administration’s one-year anniversary in Abaji, said despite the financial challenges that the council has been experiencing, it had impact positively on the lives of the people.

    According to the council chief, they have been able to meet some of the people’s expectations that have direct bearing to their lives through the provision of access roads, potable water supply in communities and scholarship to indigent people in rural areas.

    “The people should expect more infrastructural development as the financial situation in the council improves because it is our desire to see how we are going to improve on infrastructural development and provision of basic amenities for our people.

    “What we have done in the past one year is not good enough. We need to do more. That is why we are appealing to the Federal Government to increase the area council’s allocation in order for us to provide more dividends of democracy for our people,” he said.

    The immediate past chairman of the council, Hon. Yahaya Mohammed, who expressed satisfaction over the performance of the present chairman, urged him to pursue all projects with vigour so that the people would benefit more.

  • Imo monarchs battle over council chair

    Imo monarchs battle over council chair

    Scramble for political appointments is no longer restricted to politicians. Traditional rulers have joined the fight for juicy appointments. The case in Imo State amply proves this.

    Two royal fathers are locked in a fierce legal battle over the Chairmanship of the Imo State Traditional Rulers’ Council, a situation that has polarized and demystified the revered traditional institution in the state.

    The Contenders, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, the Obi of Obinugu and Eze Agunwa Ohiri the Obi of Orodo have continued to lay claim to the exalted office.

    Trouble started between the two powerful traditional rulers when the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha sacked Eze Ilomuanya, as  the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council and appointed Eze Ohiri as the Chairman of the Council in 2011.

    It was gathered that the Governor truncated the tenure of Eze Ilomuanaya because he was a staunch supporter of his predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim and was alleged to have done everything possible to frustrate the Governor’s ambition.

    Although several courts, including the State High Court and the Court of Appeal, had reinstated the sacked monarch, the state government refused to obey the Court judgments.

    The crisis however took a more serious dimension when the embattled Eze Ilomuanya secured the approval of the Court to execute the Appeal Court judgment that had reinstated him as the legitimate Chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers until the expiration of his tenure.

    Based on the order, armed policemen ejected the incumbent Chairman of the Council, also known as ‘Eze Imo’, Eze Agunwa Ohiri from the Council’s secretariat and reinstated Ilomuanya in line with the Court judgment.

    The reinstated monarch immediately resumed office amidst tight security, while Ohiri and members of his staff relocated to another government facility from where he continued to run a parallel Council.

    Addressing Newsmen shortly after he resumed office with the few traditional rulers who were loyal to him,  Ilomuanya, said that his removal from office in the first place by the Governor was illegal and contravened the constitution of the Traditional Rulers’ Council, adding that his victory in the Court will restore the dignity of the traditional institution in the state.

    he said that, “in June 2011 shortly after the governor  assumed office, he asked me to convene a meeting of the traditional rulers as the chairman, which I did successfully but that same evening I was shocked to hear the Governor announce the dissolution of the Council.

    “The following morning I met him and appealed to him to rescind his action that if he didn’t want to walk with me, he should have asked me to resign but he did not heed my advice. It was then that I showed him our constitution, which clearly stipulates that the Chairman of the Council can only vacate office in the event of death or resignation”.

    He stated further that, “I am happy that justice has prevailed at last. What I did was to protect the traditional institution, we deserve some honour and respect as traditional rulers. But then I hold nothing against the Governor, I have forgiven him and I am willing to work with him”.

    However in a counter move that has drawn widespread criticism, the state government quickly withdrew Eze Ilomuanya’s Staff of Office and Certificate of recognition.

    In a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Anthony Anwuka, Ilomuanya who is also the Chairman of Southeast Traditional Rulers’ Council, ceases to be recognized as the traditional ruler of Obinugwu community.

    “In accordance with sections 11 and 14 of the Imo State Traditional Rulers Autonomous Communities Law No 6 of 2006, His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has approved the withdrawal of the Certificates of Recognition and Staff of Office of Eze Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya, the Traditional Ruler of Obinugu autonomouys community in Orlu Local Government Area of the State”, the letter read in part.

    But the state government had since debunked the insinuation that the dethronement of the embattled traditional ruler was connected to his reinstatement by the Court.

    Governor Okorocha explained that the dethronement of Eze Cletus Ilomuanya  and Eze Cosmas Onyeneke was in line with the resolution of the State House of Assembly which recommended that they should be removed as traditional rulers.

    The governor in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the action was not personal matter but a discharge of his constitutional obligations under the Traditional Rulers, Autonomous Communities and Allied Matters in Imo State Law No. 6 of 2006.

    He stated further that, “following series of serious petitions to the state House of Assembly against the traditional rulers by the indigenes of the affected communities, the state Assembly constituted a-five man committee which investigated the petitions and indicted the traditional rulers.

    “As a responsible government, we appreciate the fact that the two people involved are indigenes of the state. So we won’t go the whole hog to discuss the findings of the committee. But at the end of the investigations, the committee passed  resolutions 376 and 377 that the governor should without delay, remove the duo as traditional rulers”.

    According to the governor’s aide, “ but the government kept the resolutions of the Assembly in abeyance and did not dethrone the monarchs as recommended but before then Ilomuanya had stopped attending state functions in breach of section 14 of the Imo State Traditional Rulers, Autonomous Communities Law and had since three years ago relocated to Abuja where he functioned more as a politician.

    “It is also important to state categorically too that by the virtue of the removal of Ilomuanya as both the traditional ruler and state Council of Traditional Rulers, he can no longer parade himself as such because to do so tantamount to impersonation”.

    Meanwhile the embattled traditional rulers had defied the order of the state government, insisting that they remain monarchs of their respective communities.

    In a press statement signed by Eze Ilomuanya, who is also the Chairman South East Council of Traditional Rulers, the announcement  by  the Imo state Government purporting to have withdrawn his certificate of recognition as the Monarch of Obinugwu as ridiculous and laughable.

    The statement read, “barely few hours after my resumption of duties,the Secretary to the Imo state Government, Mr Anthony Anwukah, issued a contemptuous press release purportedly conveying Governor Rochas Okorocha’s Withdrawal of my Certificate of Recognition as a traditional ruler without any reason at all. My offence was that I obeyed court judgements and orders in a state where disobedience to court orders is glorified.

  • Council elections and constitutional amendment

    Council elections and constitutional amendment

    The local government system in Nigeria had a jerk under the Muritala/Obasanjo’s regime, from 1976 to 1979. Before the military intervention in 1966 the nature and type of administration was the choice of the regions. It was however under the Muritala/Obasanjo’s military government that a unified system of local council administration was created. General Obasanjo who as General Muritala’s deputy took over as head of state when he was violently killed in a putsch in 1976, finally entrenched this uniformity in the 1979 constitution.

    For many a unified council administration was a surreptitious attempt, albeit a half measure, to resurrect the 1966 unification decree for which General Aguiyi-Ironsi paid the supreme price. Since decreeing a common council system into existence, its administration has suffered intemperate measures whether under the military or civilian regimes up till the present. While the 1999 constitution, which came into existence twenty years after that of 1979, provides for a similar council administration across the country, it clearly manifested the prevailing confusion whether local councils have been elevated to a third-tier of government, or remains an administrative system under the states of the federation.

    The ongoing attempt to further amend the 1999 constitution is providing another opportunity to tinker with the council administration. Notably most political interests operating at the federal level seem to prefer institutionalizing council administration as a third-tier of government. Of course I am referring to the presidency and the federal legislators. Conversely the governors and the state legislators seem to prefer the local councils to be under their control. Indeed up till now, many state governors in defiance of the constitution refuse to conduct the council elections, because of the potential that adverse parties may win enough ground to torpedo the state administration’s game plan. Where elections are allowed to go on, the political parties of the state governors usually ensure they win all the available places.

    These incongruous political results have resulted now in the clamour for a further alienation of the councils from the governors/states’ control. One of the recommended measures is for the abolition of state electoral commissions, so that the national electoral commission takes over the conduct of the council elections. According to press reports, one of the recommendations of the constitutional review conferences conducted by the House of Representatives across the federal constituencies was the abolition of the state electoral commissions. No doubt, the results of the patently manipulated council elections across the states are untenable for the sustenance of democracy; but I strongly doubt whether the answer lies with handing over the electoral opportunities to the national electoral commission.

    I use the word electoral opportunities advisedly, because the condemnable manipulation that happens at the local council elections is not different from the manipulation that takes place at the national level. What will merely happen if the amendment becomes law is that the election manipulation opportunities will be handed over to the federal institutions and their beneficiaries. While I abhor totally state governors’ monarchical tendencies in clear breach of the constitution in dealing with local councils, I guess it will be unbearable for many and discomforting for a total stranger to be gifted the opportunity and the dubious privilege to determine local council elections.

    Should the national electoral commission take over the ace in determining the candidates of local council elections, I have no doubt that it will precipitate a crisis that will further weaken our tenuous democracy. This is because our electoral experience has shown that primary elections to determine the party’s candidates are in several cases more keen that the general elections where as some pundits have argued, the electorate have been abolished. So in such cases the choice of who will become the local government chairman or councilor could on the basis of the authority of the electoral body to determine who is the authentic candidate of a political party be made in Abuja, by strangers and partisan for pecuniary interests.

    As I have humbly argued on his page with regards to local government administration, it is untenable, politically, socially and economically to run our local governments as a third-tier of government based on the current principles of governance in Nigeria. This is primarily because other exigencies of a federal system of government are not allowed by the constitution. So we have quasi-federal states, and if the plans materialize, we will in addition have quasi-local councils tied inexorably and inextricably on the apron strings of a centralized political economy; and made worse by a command structure manned by dubious and criminal political elites bent on gang raping the country to death.

    With a strong context for power between the federal and state governments sometimes over heating the system as they prefer to call it; I am worried that several war fronts will be created across the nooks and crannies of the country as the local councils will provide the federal authorities satellite war fronts as they contend with the states. The chances are that the Presidents and his apparatchik may for instance seek to manipulate the national electoral commission to have their candidates put on the ballot and declared winners of the elections; in search of influence in opposition areas and even to teach a recalcitrant Governor from the same party some form of political lessons.

    The way out in my humble view is to federalize the political and economic structure of the country; rather than over-centralizing it. That way the council will be encouraged and strengthened to grow its own economy and political influence. In the meantime, state governors can definitely do better than the wholesale shooing of election results in favour of their parties in the name of local government elections.

     

    This article, previously published on this page, is repeated.

  • Council promises people-oriented programmes

    Council promises people-oriented programmes

    Mindful of the need to further enhance both social and health needs of residents of his council area, Chairman, Oriade Local Council Development Area, Hon. Ibrahim Babatunde Sanusi has said the focus of his administration this fiscal year is to ensure that policies and programmes that would touch the lives of the people in more rewarding ways are evolved.

    He also promised that his administration will complete all ongoing projects both at the riverside and upland areas of the council before the end of the year.

    Hon. Sanusi made the promises after he and Leader of the council’s Legislative arm, Hon. Akeem Agbelega signed the 2014 budget proposal of N2,290,000,000 into law at the council’s secretariat.

    He said his administration remains committed to improving the well-being of the people, adding that the council will embark on more people-oriented projects this fiscal year. “Any part of the council that never benefited from our development drives would get one development project or the other,” he said.

    Expressing his happiness over the successful signing into law the budget proposal, Hon. Sanusi thanked members of the legislative arm for their speedy and critical approach to the budget proposal by the executive arm, saying it was an indication of their individual and collective commitment to the progress of the council.

    He said, the budget estimate comprises capital expenditure of 55 per cent and recurrent expenditure of 45 per cent, noting that his administration is committed to completing all ongoing infrastructural projects before the end of this tenure.

    On implementation of the budget estimate, the council chief noted that the council recorded about 95 per cent success in implementing last year’s budget, even as he promised that his administration intends to surpass that record this fiscal year.

    He said that as the level of government that is closest to the people, the local government system strives towards improving the well-being of the people. The local government, he said, takes care of the needs of the people at the grassroots by providing the much-needed necessities of life, emphasising that “all efforts made by the council are geared towards improving the lot of the people.”

    “We have to provide good and motorable roads, healthcare centres, water, rural electricity, schools and well equipped libraries and welfare for the senior and retired citizens.

    “Our commitment to the health of the people, especially those of women and children, is such that the council has decided to site primary healthcare centres in each of the wards in the council. We are determined to achieve this because the tenure of this administration is about coming to an end. We have established such in six out of the seven wards in the council. Before we leave office, the seventh one will be established. This administration will ensure that by May, all the primary health centres must be functional,” he said.

    Commenting on the budget estimate, the Leader of the Legislative arm of the council, Hon. Agbelega thanked the executive arm for proposing a non-cumbersome budget as, he said, the executive had in mind the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

    “As their representatives, our duty is to give them the best which has been captured in every aspect of the budget presented to the legislative arm by the executive for scrutiny. I, therefore, advise that the budget estimate should be judiciously implemented so that at the end of our tenure, we will be proud to say we have all done our best for our communities,” he said.