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Tag: declaration

  • Wanted: Open assets declaration model

    Wanted: Open assets declaration model

    In providing a framework for guiding public
    officers to carry out proper public behaviour, means are used. Value falls under the means as they are to encourage public officer to the ideals of the public service and irreproachable behaviour. The code of conduct for public officers outlines desirable values and spells out the consequences of not complying.

    One of these values is an assets declaration exercise contained in both theConstitution of Nigeria 1999 and Code of Conduct Bureau Tribunal Act of 1990. There is Freedom of Information Act 2011, which pushes the Code of Conduct Bureau under a legal obligation to make public the assets declared       by a public officer. These laws require public officers to declare both their assets and liabilities on assumption of office and every four years after the initial declaration.

    Assets declaration is a globally trusted standard, which not only lifts the ban on public trust, but decreases the incidence of corruption. It also restores hope and confidence of the public towards their servants because a public officer is a public delegate and a trustee of the commonwealth of the people. With assets declaration, it is relatively easy to identify corrupt public officers, making a comparative analysis of assets declared on assumption of office and on exit, so as to observe or detect ostentatious accumulation. This cannot be identified where the public officer declares an asset that is unidentifiable like an unidentified or missing land.

    Assets declaration is a traditional exercise in public service and the page we are now in our democratic experiment is assets publication. The Freedom of Information Act 2011 (FOIA) compels the disclosure of records in the custody of the Bureau to any interested party. The FOIA creates a duty on the part of the Bureau to maintain public register of assets disclosures of public officers to enable public access on application.

    The content of a declaration with the bureau is a public document and should be accessible to members of the public on payment of reasonable fees. Assets publication is part of stewardship to the public for the authority held on their behalf. It might be the most difficult case under a privacy exemption, since there is not only a strong right of privacy involved, but sturdy public need to know what material possession is owned by public officers before commencement of duty and some moment thereafter. Privacy of personal information of public officers in all commanding heights of leadership yawns at globally acclaimed open public administration sustained by Nigeria public law. Assets declaration devoid of publication has no relevance for the citizens and declaration without verification on the part of the bureau is a constitutional breach.

    The omnibus privity in the declaration and litigation process encourages the bureau to bureaucratize the process of investigation cum publication by effectively frustratingthird party intervention. Good enough, where applicants can establish public interest in their request, by the provision of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, access may be allowed to assets declared.

    The refusal of public officers to publish assets is far more injustice than privacy invasion. An effective assets declaration must be reduced to periodic publication. In a ubiquitous search for good leadership, the government must guarantee freedom to examine the record of officials, encourage investigation and make public a report or comments. On the part of the governed, they must ensure that they complement the government in verification of assets declared and also ensure that trustee lives within a genuine means of livelihood as required by law so as to enhance the overall development of the state.

    For assets declaration to be accessed easily it must be codified in digital form. This means that information can be accessed not just on manual record but also on digital or electronic templatewith unique identifying number. Officers of iniquity are ahead of the analogue assets declaration mechanism.

    By section 2 of Freedom of Information Act 2011, public institutions are to maintain information about public officials working with them. Files are sometimes lost in the registry of the code of conduct bureau and staff may find it cumbersome to sort out files in their custody for verification. The reporting system is the starting point for a case of breach of the code and the procedure needs to be simplified. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is required to regulate assets declaration for easy publication. Electronic declaration of assets will effortlessly aid request.

    This will enable the assets of public officers to be posted on the Bureau’s website. Critics may suggest that applicants can handle files without even knowing the address or visiting the bureau, meaning assets publication may compromise confidentiality of information. There may also be the threat of creating phony e-declarations. ICT goes with its attendant benefits in time and money alongside the threat of manipulation. The threats can be overpowered, after all, a record of accounts and payroll for various public officers are managed on the computer. Electronic declaration of assets may be the best highlight for assets publication because it will assist complainant reporting system which is the starting point for a case of breach of the code.

    The bureau is under a constitutional duty to release contents of assets declaration formsof public officers’ including the one of the new sheriff in town without a prior authourisation of the declarant. In the year 2011, the constitutional Tribunal of Peru expanded public access to the assets declaration of government officials. The court stated that upon request by the public, assets declaration should be disclosed.

    The court added that any person in a public office has lost his right to privacy in transit. Similarly, the timing of disclosure is immediately the declaration is made and when the bureau or the public officer deems fit. In the United States for instance, public gets access to the document of declaration within 30 days of receipt of the declaration.

    In Latvia, all information about high ranking officials including the chief judge, speaker is published in the official gazette without request. Taking a cue from other countries where public access to assets declaration is allowed on fulfilling some conditions like paying a reasonable fee in processing or a reproduction of the report or for mailing it. Assets declaration should be published voluntarily in national dailies, especially as regards the assets of senior members of the executive, legislative and the Judiciary.

    The overriding allegation of corruption should pacify the definition of public interest. There should be an official mandate to invade privacy of an official tainted with corruption. Public officers must give account to the people. The peoples’ assessment is on service above self. The nexus is adopting an ethical process in an official decision-making circle of governance.

    A private individual that has a service or representative contract with the government has a moral and legal duty to publish his asset profile for the benefit of the public. No public officer is paid to act of his/her personal agenda. The court as a public institution must assist public interest to outweigh mere courtesy.

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal should be renamed Anti-Corruption Court and upgraded to the status of a superior court of record with the responsibility of handling only corruption cases from the proposed merger of investigative bodies like EFCC, ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau. There is a need for a special court to try all forms of financial crimes. The remedy for fiscal sanity is in the bowel of a specialized court and procedure. This will promote knowledge, timeousness, training and coherence.

    The case of a special court to expedite proceedings and attain the ends of justice is unassailable. The challenge before the proposed special court would be to define the boundaries of corruption related offences to be brought before it. Corruption is too specialized to be handled by an unspecialized court or tribunal. An effort to foist a distinct judicial arm to pronounce on the plethora of anti -graft legislations will produce overt patriotic fervor. Special court can fortify the moral conscience of majority of public officers. Venality can be lost on every public officer if the court is deciphered along the sentiment of jurisdictional gerrymandering.

    Much effort has been made by the Governments to make laws aimed at regulating the people, rather than involving the people during the making of the laws. For the fight against corruption to be won, the government must embrace the wishes and desire of the people in formulating policies. The culture of corruption is so established that existing provisions of the law need not only be enforced, but also demand constant decision of creative means of reshaping people to confirm to collective means and  morals. The pleas that have made progress in assets disclosure models have done so because the checks and balances of social contracts are operated to the hilt.

    Assets declaration is only worthwhile were Code of Conduct Bureau is empowered to probe peoples’ claim diligently. The bureau is a consequence of decades of deliberate weakening to enable acts of corruption to proceed unhindered.It will surprise everyone that the only court that can address breach of the code is the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the complainant can only be made by the bureau. So when the bureau is mute the breach continues and this accounts for the towering rate of venality, conflict of interest, cultism, private business in public service.

    In this new administration, the bureau must be all out to check this unwholesome act of ambulatory declaration by energizing the verification department of the organization. Assets Marshalls should be deployed to investigate declarations made before it is approved. National Orientation Agency should lead the sensitization unit of the proposed open assets declaration model.

    The standards under which disclosure will be granted is made clear in Freedom of Information Act 2011. The bureau must stop loose criteria in the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and disclose voluntarily when requested to so do. This inadvertently will reduce expensive law suits to secure disclosure.

    The code partially prohibits public officers from engaging in private business or trade. There is a window of opportunity in farming and it is unequivocally allowed in the code. Farming by a public officer should be encouraged as a way of augmenting the officers’ wages and should attract compulsory agricultural loan for public officers. Public officers that excel in farming should also be awarded.

    It is surprising that many low rank public officers collect pittance monthly and yet have enormous properties that cannot be justified. The result is the drain of public fund by public officers and the only way the state can tame it is by a genuine declaration, publication and verification of assets. Assets publication will reduce the incidence of corruption and this will in turn prevent the citizens from the neighborhood noise of generators that absence of the good supply of electricity forces us to endure.

    Continual publication of assets will undoubtedly strengthen the defence against domestic corruption and meltdown conflict of interest as secrecy of public officers diminishes dividend accrue to the public and also creates an impression that something is wrong. Assets publication is material for accurate public scrutiny of any public officer. This is the only available avenue to place remuneration side by side with properties acquired or inherited to review the credibility of public officers

    It takes more than a surgery to separate public officers from corruption. The media can complement the NOA in sensitising the public of the expected level of responsibility and accountability. But first, the media must itself have a good grasp of the code of media practice and the implication of each item to the conduct of government business. The guiding framework for conduct in public office is only the starting point of influencing the behavior of public officers.

    Community based organisations (CBO) should come up with an annual evaluation of compliance with the code of conduct in the country, but first must enrich public understanding of how assets publication will tame graft and develop new policy ideas and advocacy strategy to building a new public service. A new sense of public service that speaks about how public officers should conduct themselves and contribute to the making of a good society, a new public service where value and honesty is spelt out as a guidepost to service and performance. A new public service that remains green even when the officers are gone.

    The CBO’s must stimulate probing conversations in various communities on ethical goals and clear focus on public officers’ ethics. This should be embedded into peoples’ orientation strategy for the fight against venality since many corruption perception studies persistently show a high degree of mistrust by the public of their government. Adoption ofopen assets declaration model explains leadership that saw his trust sliding into the grave of self- annihilation on the account of corruption and tried to do something about it.

  • Governors and public assets declaration

    When President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice-president, Yomi Osibanjo, declared their assets to the public, many Nigerians expect governors should follow suit.

    The constitution of this country expects all political appointees to declare their assets before taking the mantle of leadership.

    Nigerians have been keen on seeing their state governors emulate President Buhari in publicly declaring their assets to the very populace that elected them into offices.

    The inability of state governors to declare their assets to the public has sent wrong signal to the society that they would find it difficult to key into President Buhari’s fight against corruption in the country, hence their shying away in declaring their wealth they accrued before coming into office as elected officers in the country.

    One of the governors in the northern part of the country, when asked why he did not declare his assets, hid under the suit he instituted against one newspaper in the country for character assassination, hence his inability to publicly declare his assets.

    The refusal of the governors in the country to declare their assets shows how they are relenting in fighting corruption in their states, which many Nigerian would not take them seriously.

    The need for them to emulate the president of the country in making their assets public would go a long way to show to the world that Nigeria now is operating on the different and clear opposite to past government on issues of tackling the menace of corruption that has bedevilled the country’s image around the globe.

    Nigerians expect governors across the country would deem it necessary to ensure the early declaration of their assets publically to clear the minds of ordinary Nigerian on the kind of leaders they elect to pilot theirs affairs in this present dispensation of change. That Nigerians are desperately and eager to cooperate to see a new dawn in their political, social and economic well being.

    We hope the governors would do the needful in their own interest and the entire country by emulating President Buhari and Vice-President Osibanjo to declare their assets so as to assure citizens of their transparency.

    • By Bala Nayashi, Lokoja.

  • Asset declaration and best practices

    Nigerians on  September 3, 2015 woke up to new realities as details of the assets of the President and Vice President, Buhari and Osinbajo were unveiled to the public through public declaration of their assets. The assets are as declared before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on assumption of office on May, 29.  The development implies that the two officials took a step higher than what the law prescribes in causing publication of assets already declared to be made in the newspapers.

    Buhari
    Buhari

    According to the report, details of the President’s assets declared publicly include: Less than N30m cash; one Union Bank account; shares in Berger Paints, Union Bank and Skye Bank; five homes in Daura, Kaduna and Abuja; two plots of land in Kano and Port Harcourt; Farms, an orchard and a ranch; 270 head of cattle, 25 sheep, five horses, birds, trees; Cars, two of which he bought from his savings and the others supplied to him by the Federal Government in his capacity as former Head of State.

     

    Osinbajo
    Osinbajo

    The Vice President’s assets include: N94 million and $900,000 in his bank accounts; 4-bedroom residence at Victoria Garden City, Lagos and a 3-bedroom flat at 2 Mosley Road, Ikoyi, a 2-bedroom flat at Redemption Cam and a 2-bedroom mortgaged property in Bedford, England; Law firm, known as SimmonsCooper; Shares I Octogenerium Ltd., Windsor Grant Ltd., Tarapolsa, Vistorion Ltd., Aviva Ltd., MTN; Infinity SUV, Mercedes Benz and a Prado Jeep.

    The public declaration of assets by the President and the Vice President is significant for several reasons.  First, having made the issue a subject matter of campaign during the build up to the last presidential elections, the gesture may have been an indication of promise kept.  I recall that in an interview I granted to The Guardian on Tuesday June 9 2015 tittled: “Buhari, Osinbajo will make asset declaration public” I responded to anxieties about the prospects of the President and the Vice President declaring their assets this way.

    “We must proceed from the premise of what the law stipulates, which is to the effect that they are expected to declare their assets.  The law did not stipulate that those assets should be publicised, the assumption being that once declared, it is in the public domain.  Whoever is interested should go and apply for a certified trued copy from the code of conduct bureau.  But in the light of the present circumstance, on the strength of the integrity and antecedent of Mr. President and his vice who rode to power on the integrity ticket, with the well-known incorruptible posturing of both men who have zero-tolerance for corruption, my expectation is that they should take a step further by causing their asset declaration to be made public.  My view is that they are going to do that.  I am 100 percent optimistic that they would cause the asset declared to be published.  My optimism arises from my knowledge of the personalities involved, particularly the vice president, who has a record of integrity in public service and values his reputation.  I would implore the civil society organisations to be patient with the new leadership because they are just settling down and there are a lot of issues to be grappled with.  Let us see what is going to happen in their first 100 days, because they have said within this period, they are going to make their asset declaration public.  I think we should not stampede them and invest faith in their credibility and integrity.  They have done what is required of them, legally speaking.  They cannot publicly declare such assets without complying with the formalities prescribed by law, which is what they have done now.  Having declared and submitted their forms to the code of conduct bureau, let us wait for further policy pronouncements of what they intend to do.  I believe it is rather premature to think that they are trying to shy away from declaring their assets publicly.  I  happened to be in a public function, where the vice president assured that beyond what the law stipulates, such asset declarations would be published in major national newspapers.  I know he is a man of his words.  So, those criticising them should keep their gun powder dry and let’s wait for few more weeks”.

    Wahab Shittu
    Wahab Shittu

    On a personal level, I feel fulfilled that the two topmost public officials in the country have kept their promises, meaning that the optimism that some of us expressed have not been betrayed.  The word of a gentleman ought to be a bond.

    Beyond keeping of promises, the gesture must also be considered and analysed against the background of international experience of asset declarations with a view to determining whether our country can also draw useful experiences from best practices in other climes.

    Undoubtedly, asset and interest disclosure has become a key global anti-corruption issue.  In the light of the clear agenda of Mr. President on the basis of which he rode to power, this public declaration of asset is one clear signal that this administration is really serious and committed to its anti-corruption campaign.  If the number one and number two citizens have declared their assets publicly, what prevents any other public official from not following this worthy example?  It is also important that this declaration is coming before the appointment and constitution of the cabinet ministers. My expectation is that all appointed ministers and other categories of public officials now have heavy moral and legal responsibilities to publicly declare their assets.  There can be no excuses for non-compliance.  Indirectly, the President and Vice President may have started the war against corruption on a very solid and bright foundation.

    The understanding is that the asset declaration represents a veritable tool for transparency in governance – an important hallmark of the democratic tradition.

    The international community considers asset declarations as a tool for transparency. This is evidence by its inclusion in the UN Convention against Corruption, which notes that:

    “Each State Party shall endeavour, where appropriate and in accordance with the fundamental principles of its domestic law, to establish measures and systems requiring public officials to make declarations to appropriate authorities regarding, inter alia, their outside activities, employment, investments, assets and substantial gifts or benefits from which a conflict of interest may result with respect to their functions as public officials”

    The understanding is that “regulations concerning the disclosure of assets and interests can help prevent conflicts of interest among public office holders. Disclosure of information on private interests increases the transparency of decision-making processes, and thereby lays the foundations for the accountability of office holders for their actions. The disclosure of assets helps to provide a baseline and thus means for comparison to identify assets that may have been corruptly acquired and that a public official may legitimately be asked to account for. A good disclosure system can, further, be the basis for successfully enforcing criminal and other legal anti-corruption provisions”.

     

    Best Practices – Country Examples

    International best practices on asset declaration vary from country to country depending on the legal regime and the emphases placed on combating corruption by the authorities.  While some countries prefer to restrict the disclosure requirement to senior office holders or those in sensitive positions, others require the declaration of interests of less senior public officials more generally, with some also requiring information about the assets of public officials’ spouses. Few countries, however, require asset disclosure of public officials at all levels. Examples of countries in this category include: Belarus, Brunei Darrussalam, Colombia, Egypt, Greece, Guatemala, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon and Malaysia.

    This underscores the seriousness of asset declaration. Nigeria’s latest example is a clear indication that our country is ready to implement the international code of conduct for public officials – a commitment which has long been established as the main objective of UNESCO Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice which publishes a yearly report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the international code of conduct for public officials. One clear recommendation to be made is the need to comply with international best practices. A few examples of how some countries have addressed this challenge would make the point being made clearer.

    Albania

    In Albania there is a Revised Asset Disclosure Law approved by the parliament on the strength of the agitation by the Albania Coalition against Corruption.  It took over one and a half years to convince the government that drafting a new law was a necessary element to the reduction of corruption in public finance.  The model may be useful in reforming our law in this area particularly areas that would streamline remuneration packages available to our parliamentarians with a view to ensuring reduction in the cost of governance – a popular clamour in our society today.  The Albanian experience was informed by research findings indicating the lack of transparency of financial disclosures by public officials.  The Albania’s law recognises that all declaration be made public; a reduction of the number of senior officials and the family members required to declare assets from 11,000 people to 3,500.  The legislation also expects members of families of public officials to also declare their assets particularly those who have access to public funds.The law is enforce by an independent body call the High Inspectorate, responsible for the enforcement of the law.Is Nigeria ready for such a model?

     

    Liberia

    In Liberia there is a model for combating political corruption through asset disclosure which shows how effective asset disclosure can lead to public accountability the National Election Commission (NEC) in Liberia is actively involved.  This means political parties and candidates contesting elections publicly declared their assets.  These declarations were made available for public scrutiny via the NEC website and written about widely in the press. The electorate thus had an opportunity to make more informed decisions at the polls and to hold the winning candidate accountable in the future.

    Papua New Guinea and Taiwan

    In Papua New Guinea and Taiwan the role of Ombudsmen in monitoring asset declaration is emphasized.  These are two countries where the ombudsman can review and monitor declarations of income and assets made by senior public officials.  The ombudsman is an office independent of government with the investigative capacities to examine the contents of financial declarations.  This model can avoid the necessity for establishing other independent mechanisms specifically for monitoring financial assets.  Is Nigeria looking in the direction of creating the office of the ombudsman?

     

    Tanzania

    In Tanzania, “the Tanzania Governance Notice board collates and presents information that is useful for the strengthening of accountability, transparency and integrity in Tanzania. Key statistics, including budget data, audits and other governance related indicators, have been gathered in the TGN database. Though the noticeboard doesn’t explicitly collect information resulting from asset/wealth disclosures, it is interesting as an example of an IT platform sharing a range of financial information to enhance transparency and accountability”.  The Tanzanian model emphasises the use of data compiled through means of notice board.  Can we share this experience?

     

    Useful Lessons 

    Our parliamentarians can borrow from the UK experience.  In the UK the house of commons has set up a register of interest in May 1974 maintained by the parliamentary Commissioner for Standards as laid out in the House of Commons Standing Order No. 150.  “The purpose of the register is to encourage transparency and accountability. It is “to provide information of any pecuniary interest or other material benefit which a member receives which might reasonably be thought by others to influence his or her actions, speeches or votes in parliament, or actions taken in the capacity of a Member of Parliament”3. The register is not intended to be an indicator of a member of parliament’s personal wealth, nor is registration an indication that a member is at fault”.

     

    Transparency

    Transparency is also promoted by the obligation on members to declare in parliamentary debates or proceedings and dealings with other members, ministers or public servants, all interests, whether registrable or not and including indirect, past and future interests which are relevant to the business in hand. While the obligation to register outside employment, sponsorship, property and shareholdings is absolute, in respect of other gifts and benefits the requirement is only to register those interests which in any way arise out of membership of the House of Commons. In line with this principle, the interests of spouses, partners and dependent children are registrable only if they arise out of their relative’s position as a member, or if they are held jointly with, or by, the member. The interests which are to be registered are set out in the “Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members”.

    Interests are registered under the following 10 categories:  Remunerated directorships;  Remunerated employment, office, profession etc; Clients;  Sponsorship or financial or material support;  Gifts, benefits and hospitality (U.K.);  Overseas visits; Overseas benefits and gifts;  Land and property;  Registrable shareholdings and Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests

     

    Senate and House of Representatives

    Our Senate and House of Representatives can draw useful experience from the model and compliment the Buhari administration’s resolve to fight corruption through transparency and accountabilities.

     

    United States of America

    In the USA there is a window established by the Centre for Responsive Politics emphasising personal Financial Disclosures Database.  “The Centre for Responsive Politics is a non-partisan, non-profit research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics, and its effect on elections and public policy. The centre conducts computer-based research on campaign finance issues for the news media, academics, activists, and the public at large. The centre’s work is aimed at creating a more educated voter, an involved citizenry, and a more responsive government…the centre has devised an innovative way of communicating information via the internet on the assets of political representatives – a searchable, online database that can be sorted by various categories”.

     

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, there is need for Nigeria to embrace international best practices on asset declaration by our public officials.  Drawing specific examples from Albania, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea and Taiwan, Liberia, UK and United States among others the following measures may be considered:  1.      Extending asset declaration to members of families of public officials  2. Instituting a code of conduct on asset declaration for our parliamentarians   3. Setting up the office of the ombudsman to monitor and enforce compliance 4. Creating a register of interests to be rigourously enforced by our parliamentarians 5.  Other measures depending on the model being adopted.

    Next to public declaration of assets is the need to insist on code of conduct for public officials.  Whether for parliamentarians or public officials, codes of conduct help to build an atmosphere of ethics. For government officials, they offer a clear, concise frame of reference for an institution’s ethical principles in a single document.

     

     

     

     

     

    Within a government, codes of conduct strive to decrease corruption and increase accountability among public officials – whether elected or appointed. The aim of these codes, which may be voluntary norms or legally enforced, is to make sure that the public’s interest is protected. When designed well, codes of conduct offer clear ethical standards and a reference point which citizens and governments can use to assess the behaviour of public officials. Codes of conduct typically are combined with sets of penalties and other punishments for public officials found to be in violation of them.

    No doubt asset declaration by our President and Vice President is a step in the right direction.  We can now say that the war against corruption has actually started.

     

     

  • Peterside hails Buhari, Osinbajo on assets declaration

    Peterside hails Buhari, Osinbajo on assets declaration

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State Dr. Dakuku Peterside has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice PresidentYemi Osinbajo for declaring their assets in public.

    Peterside, who spoke in Abuja, said the president and the Vice President’s actions were consistent with the philosophy of their party.

    The former lawmaker also praised the duo for setting worthy examples that are not only unprecedented but also definitive of their agenda in public office.

    “These are indeed interesting times in Nigeria. In just one hundred days in office, we are already seeing signs and manifestations of better days ahead.

    “This asset declaration, certainly has rekindled hope, even in the minds of some of our country men and women who had lost hope in government and its officials. It is therefore gratifying to note that Nigerians across zones, class, age and even political affiliations have commended this move. This asset declaration, no doubt, has set the tone in very unmistakable terms, on what to expect in the coming years.

    ‘I am very confident that the APC government will not disappoint Nigerians who voted massively for the on-going change that is sweeping across the nation. Those who voted against impunity, corruption and incompetence are already seeing in very concrete terms, the dividends of their votes at the last general elections.

    “I therefore wish to use this medium to call on Nigerians to continue to lend their support to this government as it continues to demonstrate accountability and vision in its match towards a new Nigeria”.

  • Asset declaration is official, EKSU workers told

    A Members of staff of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) have been told they are required by law to declare their assets.

    The state Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Mr. F. Feyisola, stated this at an orientation seminar organised by the university in collaboration with the bureau.

    He said the law covers all workers in public institutions as against the belief that it only affects political office holders like the president, governors and legislators.

    In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina, represented by the Provost, College of Post Graduate Studies, Prof. Dipo Ogunleye, said the university would cooperate with government officials on all genuine and obligatory responsibilities required by law.

    Aina described workers of the university as honest, hardworking and responsible members of the community who earn legitimate means of livelihood.

     

  • Prophetic declaration

    Prophetic declaration

    Life is a challenge; confront it, the maxim aptly advises. To live life in the illusion that there would not be challenges is as good as assuming that life can go on without oxygen. But confronting life’s challenges without adequate divine inspiration may lead to frustration and despondency. Make no mistake about it; inspiration is the backbone of any confrontation that would bring result.

    In his characteristic manner of being on-point in his writings, Ayodeji Ayopo’s new book titled ‘The spring of inspiration’ is timely and re-assuring, moreso when the dwindling economic situation of the country is making the heart of many to be ‘feverish’ and ‘low’.

    Stylishingly packaged with accompanying book divider ribbon, the book might be mistaken for the Holy Bible from a distance. The 366-page hard cover pocket size book takes readers through 365 days of any year with nugget and insightful prophetic declaration that stand as motivation in the face of whatever challenge each day of the year might birth.

    Though not encumbered with Biblical references, but one cannot miss the point that the writer is clear with the fact that God remains the ultimate source of strength in the face of challenges of life. Expectedly, the book affirms the supremacy of almighty God, and is explicit enough as to the fact that God is able to lift man beyond and above challenges that might be confronting him. Undoubtedly, the writer in a subtle manner crusade the position that light must come at the end of every tunnel.

    Each chapter is dedicated to each day of the year. And the general concern of man in his frantic effort to succeed is carefully taken care of. Is there any man, overtly and covertly, who is not concerned about breakthrough, success, fear of failure, storms of life, purpose, helper, sustenance, fulfillment, God’s presence, limitation, protection, tomorrow, guidance etc? These inner cries of many hearts are well addressed with prophetic insight.

    It is said language is the vehicle of thought. Though ability to wave thoughts into words is not common, but Ayodeji was able to articulate and convey his thoughts in fluid and flowing manner. His diction is simple enough to engage and connect with all strata of literate minds. Equally, they are flowery, descriptive and call to action. The writer’s ability to craft word must have been informed by his background in Business Communication and Strategy as well as Public Relations, the fields he has chosen to practice as a seasoned professional.

    The book is worth taking space in a serious library. It is more or less a daily companion that should actually form the content of any hand bag, be it male or female.

     

  • Fisticuffs at Jonathan’s declaration

    It is unclear whether it was for the love of the President or the money they hoped to get. Whatever the case, people came to blows right under the white mobile canopy at the Eagle Square where President Goodluck Jonathan said he would seek reelection.

    If not for Providence, your correspondent would have left the venue with red or swollen eyes as blows were freely exchanged over my head where I sat near the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contingent from Abia State.

    To digress a bit, I had to take refuge at the Abia stand to rest my legs before the event started around 11.00a.m., as almost every seat at the venue was already taken up as early as 8.45 am. No area or stand was earmarked for journalists as they were just a part of the crowd.

    Trouble first started at the Abia stand where the Abia women in green wrappers, green headgear and green blouses were already seated under the canopy in white plastic mobile chairs.

    The party men from Imo State wearing white T-shirts, who were seated on the right side of the Abia delegates, looked for trouble by trying to take the unoccupied seats in the Abia people’s space.

    The Abia women tried hard to explain to them that the seats were reserved for their colleagues who had gone to dance round the venue. But the explanation fell on deaf ears as the Imo men helped themselves to the unoccupied seats.

    The Abia women, who reminded me of the Aba women’s riot of 1929, rushed forward with great strength and grabbed the Imo men to prevent them from taking the seats.

    The struggle between the two sides, which lasted for almost six minutes, was prevented from degenerating into a free-for-all by the policemen standing by the canopy.

    Just as the dust was settling, party men from Cross River State in white T-shirts seated on the left side of the Abia women also started another commotion with another group of Abia men and women in orange- coloured T-shirts seated on their left side.

    The Abia men tried to take some unoccupied seats in the Cross Rivers people’s space and that resulted in exchange of blows between two men from the two sides. It again took the intervention of the policemen and civil defence officers around to bring sanity to the area.

    The next commotion took place in the front of the pavilion where the Abia women and the Cross Rivers party men were seated. A Northerner carrying some PDP booklets was rushed by some people in attempt to get a copy of the booklet. The man had no choice than to throw the booklets on the floor to save his head.

    Another bigger commotion ensued again at the stand hosting the  Abia women in green wrapper, green headgear, and green blouse attire.

    When they returned from dancing round the venue, they found that their seats, which they kept in the custody of some boys have been taken by another Abia group.

    Some of the women first scrambled among themselves for the remaining few empty seats, while others had to face the intruders.

    After much shouting in Igbo language, the intruders had to leave the area for the women in green attire.

    Few minutes after the group settled down, another commotion started when it was time to share bottled water. They left their seats, pushing one another to get the water. Not all of them were lucky as they returned to their seats empty-handed.

    When it was the turn of the Cross Rivers state group sitting by the Abia women to dance round the venue, they folded all their chairs together in order to secure them. In the process, open space was created in their area.

    Before they returned back, some Abia state group have occupied the space by bringing seats from other areas to the open space. This caused another commotion when the Cross Rivers people returned from dancing round the venue.

    An Abia man in orange T-shirt sharing bottled water to his people was rushed by some Cross River state neighbours. This caused another exchange of blows

    Similar scenerio played out when minerals like Coke, Sprite, Fanta and food were shared in many areas under the white giant mobile canopy spanning over 100 meters.

    The people scrambled for anything in sight even before the programme commenced as they see it as part of the national cake.

    But there was much decorum at the permanent structures offering shelter and  immovable seats from the left and right sides of the state box.

    Another occasion when the true calibre of some of the people who masqueraded as party supporters was exposed was just before the end of the declaration ceremony.

    Just as the national anthem was been rendered to close the ceremony, the party supporters started to scramble for almost everything.

    They tore down and took away all the green, red and white coloured umbrellas used to decorate the podium.

    Most part of the red rug placed on the floor from the state box to the podium, which is about 50 meters, were fought for and taken away by the supporters.

    The rug with the seal of the president was not spared as the PDP ‘supporters’ made away with it.

    The red and white silk fabrics used for the decoration of the podium arena were also not spared. The supporters brought out razor to cut a sizeable portion for themselves.

    Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema, who did not get into the bus that brought him and other governors in the President’s convoy on time, was momentarily held hostage by the party ‘supporters’ along with the remaining dignitaries in the state box. The supporters rushed in as soon as the president and the security details left the venue.

    But it could not be ascertained if Shema and others parted with any belongings to secure their freedom.

     

  • Mark mourns as TUC seeks declaration of state of emergency

    Mark mourns as TUC seeks declaration of state of emergency

    Senate President David Mark yesterday lamented the gruesome murder of the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chinwike Asadu in Enugu last weekend.

    Mark, in a message of condolence to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, bemoaned Asadu’s assassination and said the late police chief served the nation meritoriously.

    He decried the renewed violence in some parts of the country and called on security operatives to rise up to the challenge.

    In the statement by his media aide Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark said: “The continued loss of lives to violence crimes attracts the condemnation of all right thinking members of the society.

    “The assassination of Kwara State Commissioner of Police is to say the least regrettable and an affront.

    “We suddenly find ourselves in a society where life has become so cheap and almost meaningless. We must do all we can within the ambits of the law to halt these menace.

    “That is the only way we can guarantee that the late police commissioner did not die in vain.”

    He sympathised with the Nigerian Police and the immediate family of the deceased, praying God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Also yesterday, the Rivers State Chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said the assassination called for the declaration of a state of emergency on security by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Union Chairman Chika Onuegbu who spoke in Port Harcourt, described as unfortunate, the assassination of Asadu in Enugu, his home state, He also said it was very sad that the police boss’ orderly and driver were severely shot.

    He noted that the assassination of the police chief, at a time Boko Haram suicide bombers and other fundamentalists were killing innocent people and destroying valuable property, called for serious concern.

    Onuegbu said: “It will not be out of place for President Jonathan to declare a state of emergency on security in Nigeria. Imagine the assassination of a commissioner of police by hoodlums, who were bold enough to make away with his injured orderly’s rifle!

    “Innocent people are being wasted in Nigeria on a daily basis. Kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, sea pirates, suicide bombers and other criminals have been let loose. Those at the helm of affairs should not appear helpless and clueless.

    “The protection of lives and property is the essence of governance. Criminals should not be allowed to continue to have a field day and make it to appear as if nobody is in charge. It is quite pathetic. Urgent action must be taken, to stop the dastardly acts forthwith.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • CCB vows to investigate Orubebe over asset declaration

    The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Sam Saba, yesterday vowed to investigate the allegation of non-full disclosure of assets made against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe.

    The anti-graft agency also threatened that the minister would be brought before the Tribunal, if the allegations against him are true.

    Saba spoke when the Anti-Corruption Network, led by its Executive Secretary, Dino Melaye, submitted a petition against the minister in Abuja.

    The chairman said: “I have not even read the petition and so cannot tell you what to expect.

    “I can see the pictures in the petition and pictures do not lie.

    “If what Melaye has given us is genuine, then we are going to work with it.

    “Ours is to verify it and if we find out that he (Orubebe) has not declared his assets, we will find out why he did not declare it and we will also find out from the Registry why he has not done that.

    “There are avenues to find out and when we find out, it will be taken to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the last court of adjudication.

    “Once, we finish, we will communicate.”

    Saba lauded the Anti-Corruption Network for the courage to come up with facts to assist the agency in the discharge of its duties.

    He bemoaned a situation where it had been difficult to fight corruption because of the failure of the people to avail the agency with necessary information.

    “If you are asking what has been our constraints, it is the failure of Nigerians to come out and give us information.

    “I’m commending Melaye for coming out with facts which we are now going to verify.

    “If we have credible organisations like yours doing what we are doing, I think the fight against corruption is going to be active, virile and enforceable.”

    In the petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC), the group accused the minister of violation of Public Procurement Act in the awards of contracts.