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Tag: deserves

  • Military deserves our prayers, support, says Dickson

    Military deserves our prayers, support, says Dickson

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday called on Nigerians to pray for the military and the security forces to enforce the law dispassionately.

    Dickson said that security forces did not have to be politically correct to carry out their sensitive responsibility of law enforcement in the society.

    A statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted him as saying that the critical issue of law enforcement should not be subjected to political sentiments.

    Dickson spoke at an Armed Forces Remembrance interdenominational service in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and also urged Nigerians to also pray for protection of the security forces in the performance of their duties.

    He said: “I advise all to continue to pray for God to protect and guide our men and women in uniform, and also for God to give them the courage to do what is right and not to be politically correct because this is a case, mainly, of law and order.

    “There is nothing partisan, there is nothing political about it. Crime is crime, a criminal is a criminal and a killer is a killer.

    “Our position in the state is very well known: that in this government under me, there is no tolerance for lawlessness, brigandage or violence or criminality.

    “And so we pray for courage, for our men and women to do what is right”.

    The governor also said that it was necessary to pray to for some misguided elements and their political leaders who sponsor them and provide them with the arms to wreak havoc on innocent citizens and communities, to have a change of mind.

    The governor noted that some criminal elements were involved in attempts to distort the foundation for peace, stability and development which his administration had labored over the years to establish in Bayelsa.

    The governor, who also called for prayers for the families of the late heroes and and their counterparts in active service demanded improved attention for the welfare of the ex-service personnel in the country

    Dickson restated his zero tolerance policy of his Administration “for lawlessness, brigandage or violence or criminality.”

  • Rivers, more than any other state, deserves declaration of emergency,says Ortom

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State hit back yesterday at his Rivers State counterpart,Nyesom Wike ,for advocating  a state of emergency in Benue.

    Wike,receiving  members of the governing council of the University of Port Harcourt in his office ,said his opinion was based on killings resulting from Fulani herdsmen’s  incessant attacks in  Benue.

    But responding to the taunt from the Rivers governor yesterday,Ortom  said there is more insecurity in Rivers than in Benue and should  therefore be slammed with emergency rule.

    He spoke in an interview in Makurdi.

    “It is laughable and unfortunate because if you talk about declaring state of emergency because of killings I am aware that there are more killings in Rivers than Benue State,” Ortom said.

    “Here we know the rules while in Rivers State there is no rule of law. When you do things as if there is no leadership, you take laws into your hands, we don’t do that here and I will not subscribe to taking laws into my hands or anybody taking laws into his hands in Benue State.

    “One thing I know is that we are on top of the situation we have found ourselves in. The issue of herdsmen we have brought it under control. The issue of criminality we have brought it under control.

    “I inherited a state that was ravaged by criminality, killings, terror, assassinations and kidnappings. When did you hear last that somebody was kidnapped in Benue State?

    “When did you hear last armed robbery took place in Benue State?

    “If you talk about rivalry between herdsmen and farmers it is not just peculiar to Benue State and we have come very strong.”

    The Governor also spoke on wanted terrorist Terwaze Akwazza (a.k.a Gana), and vowed that the long arm of the law would catch him sooner or later.

    “We are ready to take on him. I am in touch with the Inspector General of Police, I am in touch with the Chief of Army Staff, the Commandant of Civil Defence, the DSS Director General and security men have been provided for Benue State and equipment.

    “We are going to have him. We are on top of our situation.

    “ If Wike wants state of emergency he should first of all declare his own state of emergency in Rivers State, not in Benue State.

    “I pray for Wike. I pray that God will help him succeed as a leader. But leaders should not come out to make such statements.

    “ I have inherited a state that is difficult and everyone knows. The whole country knows. I have inherited a state that is in deficit of over a hundred billion naira.”

    Asked if he had any personal problem with Wike,Ortom said: “The first one I took it that it was political. He said it because I was on the delegation that was nominated by my party to solicit the support of the people in Rivers to win election. Is that a crime?

    “Have I committed a crime by going to support my party men to win election? I wasn’t the only one that went there. You can imagine a colleague lost a commissioner in Plateau state while he was jogging and you can imagine the sarcastic statement he has made about that.

    “ It is not fair. We shouldn’t as leaders begin to make such statements. It doesn’t give us anything good. But I leave Wike to his conscience.”

    He denied that soldiers deployed to the state have been taking sides.

    He said: “ I am not aware of that. The soldiers are not taking sides as far as I am concerned. The soldiers I have here in Benue State as far as I know are very patriotic and they are civil. They have accepted the fact that we have a civilian government in place.

    “ If not, what happened in Agatu would have resulted into another massacre. How can you kill a soldier on his duty post? This was done but yet due to the professionalism and the human face soldiers that we have here led by Colonel Inuwa they were able to calm nerves and there was no riot. There was no outburst.”

    Wike had claimed that that Ortom “has lost control. That is why there is an immediate need to declare a state of emergency for the restoration of security and protection of the people.

    “If you are from Benue State, I apologise. But when Rivers State had security challenges, Governor Ortom of Benue State was among the APC governors, who plotted the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.”

  • ‘Why Al-Makura deserves second term’

    ‘Why Al-Makura deserves second term’

    In this piece, Yakubu Lamai reflects on the achievements of Nasarawa State Governor Tanko al-Makura and justifications for his second term bid.

    For many Nigerians, our most fervent prayer in 2015 is that the political campaigns and elections should be hinged on issues rather than insults and violence. A quick flashback will remind us that the 2011 election in Nasarawa State, which brought Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to power, had the trappings of a revolution.

    Remarkably, it proceeded without any form of violence. Once upon a time the ordinary folk of Nasarawa were seen as docile, weak and without voice by the political elite but then in 2011, they rose against all odds to cast, escort and defend their votes thereby burying what they rightly felt was “the politics of false promises!” At that time, the will of the people was that change must come to Nasarawa State and they were resolute in their choice of Umaru Tanko Al-Makura who offered himself as the candidate who had broken away from the status quo to lead the march to positive change in the state. The masses believed and propelled him to send packing a sitting Governor in the person of Aliyu Akwe Doma. Till date, the flight of Umaru Tanko Almakura to victory in 2011 has remained as jolting as it was revolutionary.  A day after INEC announced him as Governor, on Tuesday 27th April 2011, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura declared: “May I use this opportunity to thank my fellow contestants, most especially Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma OON, Madaucin Doma, for a very interesting and vibrant contest. There are no losers in this victory. It is a victory for the entire people of Nasarawa State!”

    From 2010, when he threw his hat into the ring to wrest Nasarawa State from stagnation, there was an evident sense of mission about Umaru Tanko Al-Makura. As at 2011 there was a corrosive level of infrastructural decay in the state and the near absence of facilities in urban and rural areas. There was no single asphalt road in Lafia. Some popularly referred to the capital city as a glorified village. Streets were locked in sand and no traffic light existed in the entire state. At the time of Al-Makura’s coming, doctors were on strike and teachers in the state polytechnic and Nasarawa state university were also on industrial action and inspite of the fact that the state was mired in staggering financial debt; the new minimum wage had not been implemented. The electoral victory of Al-Makura became a symbolic expression of the courage and sacrifices of struggling people who were tired of being tired and the explosive spill-over of the pent up frustration of disaffected young men and women who were dissatisfied with the lacklustre performance of government in Nasarawa State.

    Undaunted by the task ahead, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura noted in his inaugural speech that Nasarawa state since its creation “has been held hostage to the excesses and folly of its rulers” and his ascendance represented “a decent burial to the politics of pettiness, division and false promises” that had plagued the body politic of the State. Consequently in the three and a half years of stewardship that has since followed, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura took a clear stand to which he made no apology: the old order and the vested interests that sustained it had to be swept aside for the sake of conducting a people oriented style of governance where leadership must move decisively to change the face of Nasarawa State! This stance put Tanko Al-Makura in direct firing line and confrontation with the elite, who were used to partaking in the spoils of power.

    Since its creation in 1976, the laws of Nasarawa State have not been compiled and documented until Al-Makura came. With the administration’s hands-on approach, the state government procured and distributed earth-moving equipment to each of the three senatorial zones, for the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads. To boost the morale of workers Governor Al-Makura was among the first to fully adopt and implement the national minimum wage of (N18, 900) and ensure that no child pays school fees in public schools, while government also took on the added responsibility to pay for NECO exams on behalf of all graduating students in secondary schools. Al-Makura has also revived the moribund policy of paying scholarship allowance to all students of Nasarawa State origin in Tertiary institutions and made medicine available to the poor through the long dead initiative of drug revolving scheme. Under the sterling leadership of Al-Makura, Nasarawa State has continued to set the pace by being the first to fully digitize its state owned broadcast organization, the first to employ its youth in a state owned security outfit christened NAYES and the first in a wide array of landmark achievements attained by his administration. In summary, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has within three-and-a half years changed the discourse about the flourishing of worthy political leadership in Nasarawa State. He has lifted the bar for development and set a new standard to which others who aspire to become governor cannot fall below. He has exposed the lie that government does not have enough money, means and resources to develop her state and better the lives of people. Without being a magician and without borrowing loans, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has applied the most stringent economic approach to manage the little resources at his disposal and has affected a turnaround that will be permanently etched in the annals of history.

    2011 is gone and now we are at the doorstep of another cycle of elections in 2015 and as the storms gather; observers have paused to see if 2015 will turn out to become the second chapter in the “Umaru Tanko Al-Makura Revolution”, or has fatigue gradually chipped away and eroded the revolutionary turncoat of ordinary people in Nasarawa state? One thing is certain though, Nasarawa State will be a hot spot during the 2015 elections for the singular reason that Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has exceeded every index of development and surpassed the performance of every other administration since the creation of the state, and since there is nothing to fault about the quality of his performance; the opposition will hammer on the twin facts that Al-Makura did not share the state’s money among the political elite and point out that the spate of ethno-religious and communal conflicts as well as politically orchestrated violence increased during his tenure.

    With such an enviable bill of health, those who are determined to uproot Al-Makura will seek to avoid campaign on the basis of “issues,” but hinge their mudslinging and attack on the slippery slopes of religion and ethnic sentiment. Their game-plan will be to inflame passions so as to sway constructive logic and becloud the truth of the matter. This strategy they believe will detract the attention of electorates from evaluating and focusing on the exemplary performance of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, but instead they will be swayed to vote on the basis of religion and ethnic sentiment. To achieve this goal these power mongers will put at risk, the fragile peace which the people of Nasarawa have fought so hard to keep. On the altar of political ambition, they will take for granted the lessons of history that good and bad events occur and violence may erupt but peace is not the product of a victory or a command. Peace building has no finishing line, no final deadline, and no fixed definition of achievement. Peace is a never-ending process, the work of many decisions and unless they as leaders of society set aside the coloration of their political parties and reach across the aisle to engage in a campaign that is issued based and centred on development, rather than mired in sentiment; then Nasarawa like many other parts of Nigeria is likely to breakup into permanent divisions and ranks of hatred.

    The philosopher Avishai Margalit who wrote the book: “On Compromise and Rotten Compromises” reflected deeply upon human values and described compromise to mean a meeting of the minds, striking a balance, finding a happy medium between two extremes, or meeting someone halfway. In political life, compromise is often used in the context of furthering one’s goals. But knowing when to negotiate, when to be accommodating, and when to resist can have far-reaching consequences. However a rotten compromise is a compromise one should not sign under any circumstances.

  • Abiola: Ifako/Ijaye deserves better representation

    Abiola: Ifako/Ijaye deserves better representation

     Josiah Abiola, a journalist, is vying for the House of Representatives in Ifako/Ijaiye Constituency, Lagos State, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC. He spoke with REMI ADELOWO  on his ambition and plans for his constituency.

    Why are you in politics?

    I am in politics for the sake  of humanity and to promote the interest of the masses. I want equal distribution of wealth for the haves and have-nots. The less-privileged should be  taken care of.

     What are your political beliefs and philosophy?

    I am a profound and unrepentant student of the Awoist philosophy of welfarism. I also believe in social justice as a politician with absolute respect for the rule of law.

    Do you believe the APC has what it takes to defeat the PDP next year?

    The APC is waxing stronger every day. What happened in Osun State recently is part of the new re-awakening of the electorate. The PDP governors are coming into the APC, while very credible people are joining the APC daily. At the grassroots, there are reports that PDP members are trooping to the APC daily. APC is strategically out to dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come 2015, and you can quote me on this.

    Nigerians are fed up with the poor performance of the PDP-led Federal Government. They have failed in various areas like supply and power generation, education, roads construction, health, youth empowerment and employment.

    Who are your mentors in politics?

    I look up to people like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and my indefatigable leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Asiwaju, is a quintessential visionary, a leader of men, shrewd politician and an astute professional administrator. He is a dogged fighter; it is on record that perhaps, after Awolowo and Abiola, no other individual has invested in the Yoruba cause than the Jagaban Borgu. Asiwaju is a charitable, kind, compassionate and understanding man; that is why he keeps receiving accolades from everywhere.

    You are a journalist; in what way has journalism helped you in your sojourn in politics?

    Apart from being a political editor for years, I have been in the political terrain since 1999. I actually cut my political teeth from Tinubu. I was once an image maker for Chief Bisi Akande, the immediate Interim National Chairman of the APC. I was the Deputy Director, Media and Publicity under the group called Independent Campaign Group (ICG) in 2007 on the road to Governor Fashola’s first term in office and I am still relevant in the industry.

    How deep is your pocket to fund your campaign?

    In the Nigerian politics of today, people vote for credible personalities, who can represent them well. Of course, one would spend money, but, once you have the people’s support, they will always support you materially and give you their votes when it comes to the party primaries and the general election. The issue of money is secondary.

     How do you intend to defeat the incumbent lawmaker, who is seeking re-election?

    From what I know and have heard from our National leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there will be primaries to pick our party’s candidate. By the grace of God, I believe that I’m the aspirant to beat at the primaries.

    Why do you think you are the best man for this job?

    I live out and out in Ifako-Ijaiye and I am not new there; I know the terrain. I am a grassroots politician, vibrant and ready to deliver. Our people are not happy with the present representation at the House of Reps because they are not getting the much needed dividends of democracy like other federal constituencies in the state. People see me as an alternative choice and that is why I succumbed to the pressure to run in 2015. Our people are yearning for good representation.

    Let’s talk about your legislative agenda..

    For me, the attraction to public office is the desire to deploy governance into serving the utmost good for the vast majority of the citizens. This means a sacred social contract to which genuine political leaders must subscribe to in democratic governance. As a member of the Federal House of Representatives, the people will be at the centre of my policies and actions. I would embark on a periodical program ward roundtable that will draw participation from representatives of community opinion leaders, traditional institutions, religious groups, youths, the physically challenged, professionals, students and non-state actors in each of the wards in Ifako-Ijaiye federal constituency.

    The purpose of the ward roundtable is to conduct critical need assessments in each of the wards that make up the constituency, wide mapping problems, issues and demands that require the attention of government.

  • ‘Balanga deserves better representation’

    ‘Balanga deserves better representation’

    Alhaji Ali Isa is a House of Representatives aspirant in Balanga/Billiri Constituency, Gombe State. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain spoke with VINCENT OHONBAMU on his ambition, the struggle for power between the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and people’s expectation about next year’s elections. 

    Why do you want to represent Balanga/Billiri Constituency in the House of Representatives?

    There are lots of reasons. First, I am experienced and I know the National Assembly very well, having worked there as a civil servant for over 10 years. From my vast knowledge of most of the activities of the National Assembly, I always find it difficult to compare my representative to those of  other states. The main reason why you go to the National Assembly is to represent your people; make sure your constituents gain a lot; make sure their share of Federal Government allocations is given to your own area. But, unfortunately, most of our people who go to the National Assembly always forget why they are there. So, I find it necessary to rescue my people. I didn’t just take the decision at home, I consulted. A lot of people from my area – as you can see today the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Muslim leaders of my area, traditional institution, party leaders and the elected representatives and some of political appointees from Balanga/Billiri have shown me their concern and love. The trust they have in me motivated them to encourage me to run for the House of Representative.

    Why are you trying to disparage  the federal legislator, despite being from your party?

    He is from my party. He is a member of the PDP. But, the issue at hand is not the PDP membership. We need a committed member that can deliver. We need somebody that would represent the people well; somebody that will fight for his community, not somebody that will go and represent himself. A lot of people have recognised that the present occupant of the seat has failed in his duties. That is why  they are now clamouring for change. And they believe I can make a difference. That is one of the major reason that encouraged me to vie for the seat. When I contested with him at the primaries of 2011, I know what happened. with the result declared but I accepted it. I personally was among the people that led his campaign team to victory. But, his representation is making not only me; a lot of the members of the society feel unsatisfied.

    What difference do you intend to make, if elected as a legislator?

    I have been making a lot of efforts towards encouraging the youths. I have a skill Acquisition Centre which is run through one Ali Isa JC Foundation. I assist individuals – either sponsoring them in schools or to further their education or in other ways. I have on several occasions used my hard earned resources to grade the roads to sosme communities. I bought new transformers for some communities; one of them lived in the dark for six months because their transformer blew up..

    What is the assurance that you will fulfill your campaign promises?

    My records in the past will speak for me; whether I can deliver or not. Though I’ve never held an elective position, but representation can be through other means. If you have any opportunity as a leader, no matter how small, the way you handle it will determine whether you can handle another one at a higher level.

    Why are you campaigning for the governor’s re-election?

    It is because, in the history of Gombe State and to the best of my knowledge, no governor has performed like the present one. Let me give you an example only in the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals): before the present governor came into power, my village and almost every local community in Gombe State did not know of MDGs or what it is about. But, because of his prudence and accountability as well as commitment to the society they thought he introduced it. To my knowledge, MDGs has constructed more than 150 health facilities in Gombe state, constructed more than 150 blocks of classrooms, more than 100 hand pumps boreholes, more than 50 solar powered boreholes etc. Just log on to MDGs website, check Gombe state from 2012 to date and count the projects. Gombe state government received more than One Billion Naira each in 2007, in 2008 and 2009 for MDGs with nothing much to show. So, the Federal Government refused to give Gombe state its 2010 counterpart fund.

  • ‘Chibuke deserves new contract’

    ‘Chibuke deserves new contract’

    Mikko Perälä, the agent of Francis Chibuike, is delighted that Finland’s topflight team KuPS have extended the contract of the striker until the end of the 2014 season.

    The former Midtjylland Academy player arrived for a second stint in Scandinavia last May, penning a short-team agreement which ran out on July 31.

    The five-time Veikkausliiga champions have not ruled out the option of offering the 21-year-old fresh terms at the end of this year, having inserted a clause that permits the club to prolong his stay for at least one more season.

    ”His contract was extended because he has shown good form on the pitch and he is still young.

    “Strikers with good speed and mentally strong character are always hard to find,” says Mikko Perälä to SL10.ng.

    ”He signed until end of the season. Then the club’s option for the next two contracts, one year at a time.”

    The CEO of TopSpot went on to talk about the latest regarding the physical condition of Francis Chibuike, who had to be substituted after 24 minutes in Sunday’s game against RoPS after suffering a knock.

    ”He played a bit in the last match but was forced out in the first half. I don’t know when he’ll be fully fit. Maybe in a couple of weeks.”

    The KuPS number 30 has found the back of the net 3 times in 13 matches.

  • Yobo deserves honour, says Chukwu

    Yobo deserves honour, says Chukwu

    Former Super Eagles chief coach, Christian Chukwu believes retired national team captain, Joseph Yobo should be celebrated for becoming the first Nigerian player to join FIFA’s exclusive list of Centurions.

    In Chukwu’s opinion, Yobo should be properly ‘pulled out of the national team’. His words: “I have been waiting to hear the plans being put in place to honour Yobo and I have heard none. We should learn to honour our ex-internationals. This was a boy that made 100 caps. It is not easy. We have to celebrate him so as to encourage others to put in their best for the national team.”

    He has a suggestion: “I suggest that he should be invited for our next home match where we will formerly bid him farewell from the national team. That will be the avenue to officially honour him for making 100 caps.”

    Chukwu acknowledges he has a lot in common with Yobo.

    “He played in the central defence like me. And like me, he also won the AFCON as a captain. He joined the long list of central defenders like Dan Anyiam, Achebe, Victor Oduah, Dominic Ezeani, my humble self and Stephen Keshi who captained the national team.

    “He was a stand-in captain when I was the national team coach. He was very respectful, obeyed camp rules and enjoyed the respect of his team mates. He is the type of player every coach would want to have as a captain. In fact, he was born a captain. He should be a role model to the new generation of players”, Chukwu added.

  • ‘Keshi deserves N20m monthly salary’

    ‘Keshi deserves N20m monthly salary’

    President of 36 Lion, Alhaji Gafar Liameed, has thrown his weight behind the idea of paying Super Eagles handler, Stephen Keshi, a monthly salary of N20 million when his contract is finally renewed.

    Liameed, who also manages the football matters of Al Arabi new recruit, Imoh Ezekiel, said Keshi had a gerat performance in his first stint as Eagles boss and surpassed the achievements of expatriate coaches such as Beri Vogts and Lars Lagerback, so the Nigerian gaffer deserved to earn more.

    “Well, I don’t see anything bad in the Nigerian Football Federation paying Stephen Keshi the N20 million he (Keshi) is asking for,” Liameed began.

    “He has done so much for the Super Eagles since he took over and if the NFF wants him to achieve more he has to be paid more money like his counterparts abroad or in places like South Africa, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and the rest.”

    Liameed also frowned at a situation where the NFF would be searching for a new coach all over again.

    “The good thing about continuity is that it gives room for correction and at the end of the day good results would start pouring in,” said he.

    “Keshi knows where he got it wrong at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, so, he has the experience to correct such mistakes in subsequent matches and competitions.

    “This time around he will be able to employ the needed tactics and the needed players to execute his game plans.

    “So, I subscribe to the NFF leadership extending his contract and improving it greatly for him to succeed and surpass the records he has set in his first stint as Eagles handler.

    “I wholeheartedly support and subscribe to Keshi being paid a monthly salary of N20 million that I heard he is requesting for,” the 36 Lion Football Club boss told SportingLife yesterday.

  • ‘Aregbesola deserves re-election’

    ‘Aregbesola deserves re-election’

    A group, Eko United Association, has said Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola deserves re-election.

    It said the electorate should vote for him to enable him continue his good programmes.

    The association’s chairman, Alhaji Taofeek Ariyo Osuolale, who spoke at a special prayer organised for Aregbesola, said they decided to pray because the governor deserved re-election.

    He said the prayer was organised to coincide with the end of the Ramadan fast, adding that having fasted, they believed God would answer their prayers.

    The Missioner of As-Abul Nuhu Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Alhaji Kamaldeen Salmon Alawiye, hailed the group for praying for Aregbesola.

    A member, Sadiq Odusoga, thanked his colleagues for defying the rain to pray for Aregbesola’s re-election.

  • Nembe deserves Glo League recall — Aranka

    Nembe deserves Glo League recall — Aranka

    Chief Coach of Nembe City, John Aranka has said they deserved their recall to participate in the Nigeria Professional Football League after being thrown out by the League Management Company(LMC) for not meeting the required registration criteria for the 2013-14 season.

    Aranka revealed to SportingLife that it was good for the club to be back to participate in the League that is barely three weeks old. “Its a good one,it’s our right. We deserve to be back.”

    Nembe City are yet to participate in the league this season with three matches played.

    On his thought about the three weeks old League, he said: “It is too early to make any comment.

    “But if we continue like this with away draws, I think it’s a sign of good things to come but as I said it’s too early to start judging the league. Nembe City will begin its campaign in the league on Match Day 4.