Tag: Featured

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has inaugurated the board of the Ikemba Ojukwu Centre which has Professor George Obiozor as chairman and Prof. Fabian Osuji as Director-General and Chief Executive.

While inaugurating the board at the Centre in Owerri, the state capital, Governor Okorocha urged the members to revive Igbo cultural values and language.

He said the Igbo have been misunderstood by people of other ethnic nationalities by associating them with negative values. He added that the Igbo remain good people who are peaceful, non-violent who are found all over the world contributing to economic, political and social developments of the countries they reside in.

Okorocha further challenged the board to promote Igbo unity and ensure the welfare and economic development of Ndigbo by building a cultural bridge between the Igbo and other nations of the world, as well as defend and promote Igbo image which has been erroneously misinterpreted in the past.

Okorocha said the Ikemba Ojukwu Centre was conceived during the first few months of his administration with the component of Ikemba Ojukwu Multi-purpose Hall as a showcase of the lifestyle and pictures of Ikemba Ojukwu for use during functions that relate to Igbo affairs.

The administrative block will house the DG’s office and administrative staff and also provide offices and conference room for members of the board. He siad the Centre was conceived in such a way as to eflect the the status of the Ikemba and showcase his evergreen expressions, among other things.

In his speech, the DG of the centre Prof. Osuji said the centre is a place of excellence for research on Igbo studies and promotion of Igbo language and culture.

He further explained that members of the board were chosen from the seven Igbo-speaking states based on their excellent achievements and track records.

In his contribution, the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice B.A Njemanze, said that members of the board were an assemblage of best Igbo scholars called to study the Enigma called Ikemba Ojukwu, a man he described as one who saw and acted tomorrow.

Speaker, Imo State House Of Assembly Hon. Benjamin Uwajimogu, noted that the centre was a vision of Governor Okorocha but created by the law of Imo State House of Assembly to promote Igbo culture, history, language and to propagate Igbo renaissance.

He further said that the law provides for a two-year renewable tenure for members of the board and for the state to provide funds for the running of the centre. It also provides for what is called “Imo Award” which is meant to recognise and honour Imo citizens who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavour.

The son of the Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu Jnr., thanked the governor and Imo people for immortalising his father.

He said that his father was an Igbo man, a Nigerian, a black African and citizen of the world, even as he advised members of the board to promote the man bearing that in mind.

In his acceptance speech, the chairman of the governing board, Prof. George Obiozor thanked the governor for giving him and other members the opportunity to serve the people. He promised that they would do their best to justify the confidence reposed in them.

In its bid to complement the effort of Anambra State government in providing adequate healthcare for the people, a United States-based medical team which comprises medical experts who are indigenous to the state, has given free eye treatment to no fewer than 5, 000 people.

Disclosing this to journalists in Awka recently, the coordinator of the medical mission Dr John Obegolu said the beneficiaries included those who had major eye surgeries.

He further said that the group is non-political and non-profit making whose focus is providing charity to the less-privileged people in the society.

Those treated in various communities the organisation visited were those who had dire cases.

Some of the communities visited were Nri, Nibo, Nnokwa, Eziowelle, and Abba, among others.

Obegolu further disclosed to Newsextra that the mission brought doctors who are specialists in eye problems, even as he stated that surgical experts on traumatic cases are among those in the state; including Dr Neeru Agarwal of Eden Medical Centre Castro Villa California, USA.

He said: “The medical team is made up of seven general doctors, four pharmacists and two surgeons who will ensure that people are adequately attended to on daily basis.”

Furthermore, he announced that the team brought about 2,000 eye glasses and eye drops to assist the state Ministry of Health in its health delivery services to the people.

He, however, commended the state government and other people who, he said, had made their trip worthwhile.

Also speaking, the eye specialist, Agarwal described their mission as noteworthy since arrival in the state, having successfully operated on 10 people.

She expressed gratitude to the nurses and doctors at the University Teaching Hospital, Awka, where the eye surgeries were performed, for their cooperation.

Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Deborah Ike from Agulu –Ezechukwu and Mr. Peter Nzewife from Adazi-Enu expressed gratitude to the medical team.

N100m for school libraries Principals, sudents laud policy

 

Infrastructural upgrade is continuing apace in Anambra State, with the government providing N100m for library rehabilitation in schools. Roads are reworked, new ones built, just as health facilities are enjoying a new lease of life. The library cash is for 200 secondary schools, each getting N500,000 for restocking their libraries. Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha got N20m from the state government for various projects.

Governor Peter Obi, an old boy of the school, announced this during a visit to the popular CKC, where he was given a rousing reception by staff and students of the college. He said the money was to facilitate the take­off of a science laboratory in fulfillment of his earlier promise.

The Principal of CKC, Onitsha, Rev. Fr Charles Okwunmuo, thanked the governor for promoting education and infrastructural development in the state.

Obi presented a new 18-seater bus and 10 sets of computers with accessories to Holy Child Convent, Amichi. He extended the same gesture to St. Michaels Boys Secondary School, Eziora Ozubulu and Mother of Mercy Girls Secondary School, Nnewi.

He said computers encourage students to key into Information Communication Technology, explaining that his visit to schools enables his administration to identify their problems with a view to providing solutions.

He pointed out that the computers were part of his last year’s birthday gifts from well-wishers, which he had no need for and decided to distribute to schools.

The Bishop of Amichi Anglican Diocese, owners of Holy Child Convent, Amichi, Rt. Rev. Ephraim Ikeakor, thanked Obi for giving schools a lift and showing a determination to make a difference in governance.

The principal of the school, Mrs. Ijeoma Nnueche said the governor’s visit and empowerment remained indelible in the life and history of the school.

At Mother of Mercy Girls Secondary School, Nnewi, the Vicar General, Nnewi Catholic Diocese, Reverend Father Patrick Ezeabata, praised the governor’s commitment to learning in the state.

At Our Lady High School Nkpor, Governor Obi donated a brand new 20-seater bus and 10 computers to the school. He said the gesture was in line with the government’s policy of supporting public and private schools in order to  achieve  quality education in the state.

He stressed the need for strong moral values and discipline in teaching and learning, urging the students to work hard to achieve their full potentials and live fulfilled lives.

At Carol Standard Convent, Ichi, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anglican Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Right Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala said the governor has continued to demonstrate his education-friendly disposition across the state, just as he is distinguishing himself in inspiring children to learn.

The Bishop commended Obi’s  courage in returning schools to the church and providing funds and logistics to rebuild them, something previous administrations lacked the courage to do.  He also said that the  provision of buses to schools had enhanced movement and academic activities in schools.

“Our commitment to education is total and we must continue to assist our schools,” said the governor while presenting cheques to principals of the different schools at the Women Development Centre, Awka.

“Any school which already has a library, we want it upgraded; those without, we want them to have one. We want education sector to return to what it used to be before schools were taken over from the missionaries.”

Obi observed that most secondary schools in the state lack functional libraries which he said is a setback.

He called on traditional rulers, President Generals of town unions and other stakeholders to ensure that schools in their communities benefitted from the fund, adding that his administration will assist in developing education in the state.

The governor announced that more computers would be given to more schools regardless of whether they are public or private, noting that education remained the most important tool for development.

Obi also said that Shell Petroleum Development Company would soon build an E-library in Awka which would complement the one the state government is putting up in Awka, the state capital.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr Mrs Ngozi Ezeike, emphasized the importance of libraries in schools, saying that they serve as information centres and promote reading culture in children, in addition to acting as a storehouse of knowledge to teachers and students.

Dr Ezike said the state government has made a remarkable impact in the education sector, providing new buses for over 150 schools, two motorised boats for inspection in riverside schools, 30 KVA generating sets for over 125 secondary schools, recruiting 2000 teachers and support staff, among other things.

“Every community in the state has felt the impact of this administration especially the unprecedented transformation in our secondary, primary and technical secondary schools as well as in the tertiary institutions,” she said.

The principal, Merchant of Light Secondary School, Oba, Idemili South, Mr Bartram Chibueze, said the establishment of the school library will improve quality of education and improve standards.

The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has urged Ondo State residents to be wary of the falsehood being spread by the ruling Labour Party (LP) to cover up its misdeeds.

In a statement in Akure, the state capital, by its spokesman, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, the organisation said the ruling party was using the tactics to discredit other parties.

The statement reads: “You will recall that we raised the alarm that the Labour Party had moved thugs and rented a crowd to Owo for the flag-off of the governor’s rally.

“We have it on good record that a member of the Labour Party was yesterday arrested with a pistol in the home of an Ose Local Government top official. He has since been transferred to the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) office in Akure. The LP is making frantic effort to secure the release of the suspect at all cost. This is a confirmation of our earlier claim that the government is desperate and has resorted to using thugs to shore up its dwindling fortune.

“We are appalled to hear that the Mimiko Campaign Organisation (MCO) has been spreading false reports when it is their thugs who have even gone to destroy the home of the father of the ACN standard bearer in Owo, after they had destroyed the party’s secretariat in the town.

“But they have hurriedly gone to the press with false claims to mislead the people and cover up their atrocious act. This government can no longer be trusted, having seen that Mimiko himself is a serial liar.”

Ghana’s ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) yesterday gave an overwhelming endorsement to President John Dramani Mahama as its presidential candidate in the December presidential election.

At a special delegates’ conference held at the Baba Yara Sports stadium, 2,871 delegates (99.5 per cent) cast a “yes” vote for President Mahama.

The Deputy Chairman (Operations) of the Electoral Commission, Kwadwo Sarfo-Kantanka, said there were 11 rejected ballots while 14 delegates voted “no”.

“The battle for victory 2012 continues from here,”an excited chairman of the NDC, Dr Kwabena Adjei, said after the results were announced.

The process became necessary following the sudden death on July 24 of president John Evans Atta Mills, who was the presidential candidate for the December 7 polls.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NDC nominated President Mahama as the sole candidate, as there was no time to open nominations for primaries to be held before the submission of nomination forms for the election.

However, NEC’s nomination needed the endorsement of majority of delegates from across the country.

In an address before voting commenced, President Mahama acknowledged the presence of former president Jerry John Rawlings, who is the founder of the NDC but its most bitter critic, saying this did not mean that the party’s divisions were over.

He noted that after their victory at the 2008 general elections, the party had not done well to manage disagreements that had cropped up.

“We have not managed our disagreements in a manner that shows appreciation for God’s favour.”

He admitted that while there are bound to be disagreements in any organisation, the NDC had failed to manage them as expected, stressing, “It is how we manage those disagreements that will determine whether an organisation is successful or not.

“In the past, we have not managed those disagreements the way we should.”

Rawlings called on President Mahama and the hierarchy of the (NDC) to weed out “bad nuts”from the rank and file of the party.

Rawlings called on President Mahama to deal with all members and government officials who have cast a slur on the reputation of the party.

“Let us show some civility towards each other with the hope that he would be able to correct some of the past mistakes,”he said.

Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu, are said to be behind a breakaway faction of the NDC.

The group has now formed the National Democratic Party (NDP).

Nana Konadu had challenged the late president Mills for the NDC’s presidential candidate but won less than 4per cent of the votes.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday  said it would forge ahead with the introduction of the N5,000 note next year.

The apex bank also  said it has resolved to stop the production of polymer currency notes.

Its  Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ugochukwu Okoroafor,  spoke with reporters in Abuja.

He said the apex bank would sensitise the public on the introduction of N5,000 note into the economy.

According to the CBN spokesman, “people the world over thought polymer will be a great replacement for paper currency but it has not turned out the way it was planned”.

Polymer notes, he said, are “difficult to destroy, incinerating old currency notes through briquetting was difficult in the case of polymer notes in an environmentally friendly way.”

In addition, he said polymer currency  “is produced by just one company in the world, an Australian company called Securrency.”

The CBN, he said, has tried  using polymer currency notes “and decided that polymer is not the way to go. It is time to move in the right direction than to continue in a direction that may not be favourable; it was a decision that didn’t quite turn out well, the whole world experimented with polymer and people thought that polymer was okay until they learnt otherwise.”

This move to do away with polymer notes he said is consistent with the CBN position of changing with times and technology, saying that  “we must move forward and that is why the currency review is important”.

He said: “We are about to carry out sensitisation campaign on the introduction of N5000 note and the restructuring of the nation’s other currencies. Everything will not take off at the first quarter of next year. We are starting with a particular currency in the first quarter of next year, there will still be currency and coins for the denominations that will be coined like N5, N10 and N20 so that both will be operational side by side.”

Okoroafor said it would be cheaper to print and issue N5000 note.

Traders, who move money around, he said, would appreciate the need for the issuance of N5000 note while those at the low end of the transaction chain would also benefit from the new currency restructuring initiative.

He said the apex bank has started talking to relevant authorities,  including members of the National Assembly on the currency restructuring initiative.

The restructuring exercise, he said, is within the mandate of the CBN.

Okoroafor said the president  has given approval for the campaign to begin.

He said: “We want to be among the top 20 largest economy in 2020; we believe in it. What we should do is pray for Nigeria to have a financial system that can support one of the world’s largest economies. We cannot do it, if we don’t have the right framework.

“We want to ensure that life is made a lot easier for Nigerians and will continue to improve the system.”

Okoroafor saidthe report that N40 billion would be spent to print the N5000 note is false, saying the cost is  in the CBN annual report.

The Yoruba General Assembly yesterday called for regional autonomy for the Southwest in an atmosphere of true federalism in Nigeria.

The group dismissed the thinking that regional autonomy will undermine or subvert national unity, stressing that it could only solidify national cohesion and harmony.

The assembly, which held a one-day conference in Ibadan, the political headquarters of the Southwest, also canvassed state police, return to parliamentary system, abolition of the Land Use Decree, regional constitutions and role for traditional rulers.

Highlights of the conference included a historical presentation by a member of the planning committee, Mr. Dipo Famakinwa, who traced the tragedy of the Yoruba nation from the colonial period to the present day Nigeria, goodwill messages from delegates and passing of resolutions on the national question.

The General Assembly resolved to set up the Southwest Constitutional Commission “for the purpose of coordinating memoranda from citizens and groups in the region towards a federal constitution for the country and of producing a constitutional framework for the region as a unit of the Nigerian federation”.

The meeting also listed the demand of the Yoruba, including the adoption of a parliamentary system, regional and state police, establishment of a Constitutional Court with jurisdiction over inter-governmental cases and petitions from elections to the National Assembly, open ballot system, Yoruba anthem and flag.

The Itsekiri nation, represented by Chief Fred Agbeyegbe, said that there would be no hope for Nigeria, unless a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) is convened to discuss the basis for peaceful co-existence among the ethnic nationalities in the country.

Another Itsekiri leader, Isaac Jemide, urged the Yoruba to assist to frustrate Ijaw’s bid for a separate state as a means of further oppressing Itsekiri on their land. He said the Itsekiri had suffered unjust deprivation, enjoining the ethnic nationalities to advance the cause of a national conference to boost their demand for self-determination.

The representative of the Yoruba in Kwara and Kogi states, Ayo Abereoran, demanded the creation of a separate state for the Yoruba in the two states to accommodate 14 Yoruba council areas in Kwara and Kogi states. He said the new state should be part of the Southwest geo-political zone, following the restructuring of the polity.

He added: “Grouping with the North has separated Yoruba in Kwara and Kogi from their kith and kin in the Southwest and this has retarded the progress and development of Yoruba in those states.  State creation has made Okun Yoruba in Kogi and Yoruba in Kwara to become more weakened, despite the fact that Yoruba occupy 12 councils and have the largest population in Kwara State.

“Willinkson Committee recommended that the people of Kabba and Ilorin Provinces can decide whether they can remain in the North or become part of the Southwest. They said they wanted to become part of the west, but it was not implemented. We want self-determination and correction to the geographical imbalance and erroneous boundaries created by Lord Lugard.”

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who spke on behalf of Southwest governors,  put the national question on the front burner, saying that state police, restructuring of the polity and decentralisation of the railway are priorities. He said the fears expressed about state police were unfounded, adding that it would only foster security in the states.

The Convener, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, said the meeting, which was devoid of political and religious sentiments, was summoned to deliberate on the future of the Yoruba under the lopsided federal arrangement in the interest of future generations.

He rejected the notion that certain issues are not negotiable in Nigeria. Gen. Akinrinade said: “All matters, including the unity of Nigeria, are negotiable.”

The former apostles of non-negotiability in the defunct Yugoslavia and Rwanda are today either in jail or facing criminal trials, Gen. Akinrinade added.

He stressed: “We need to examine the structure of the polity together and make recommendations on how to facilitate the overall economic development of the country and the Southwest zone, in particular. We need to brainstorm about how to make sure that the architecture of governance is designed to strengthen the unity of the country through a constitutional system that favours restoration of regional autonomy that made it possible for our region to create the largest pool of manpower in sub-Sahara Africa half a century ago.”

Gen. Akinrinade said the Yoruba have a nostalgic feeling for the glorious Awolowo era, noting that the unprecedented developments recorded by the late sage and first Premier of the region were possible because Nigeria before independence practised true federalism.

The former Chief of Defence Staff said: “ Only a proper constitutional and political agreement, enhanced by a consensus among Yoruba to press for the restructuring and creation of a truly federal constitution, can help resolve the current constitutional and structural logjam in the country.

“This Assembly is convened to start the process of restoring true federalism, with its cornerstone of regional autonomy in our country. This could be achieved the same way Scotland has, through a peaceful constitutional process, demanded home rule within the framework of the United Kingdom. Today’s Assembly is a family meeting aimed at starting the formal process of demanding a restructuring of the Nigerian federation.

“It is the structural problem thrown up against our security, general wellbeing and future of our children that motivated me to convene this family meeting. We should raise issues with a system that daily traumatises, improverishes and completely degrades our people. We must not continue to be indifferent to a political structure and constitution which continue to deny us our place in the sun as it completely rubbishes our freedom to develop at our own pace as eloquently demonstrated in the days of Awolowo and his team.”

The one-day conference, which, held at the historic Oyo State House of Assembly, was attended by Yoruba from Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara and Kogi states. Delegates also came from Yoruba in the Diaspora. Traditional rulers, foremost politicians, technocrats, professionals, top government officials, youths and students thronged the historic building, where the developmental projects of the late Premier Awolowo received the approval of the pioneer Southwest legislators.

At the meeting were Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, Ogun State Deputy Governor Segun Adesegun, Oyo State Deputy Governor Chief Alake Adeyemo, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, his Ekiti State counterpart, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Gen. Olufemi Olutoye (rtd) and his wife, Prof. Olutoye, Gen. David Jemibewon, former Ondo State Deputy Governor Musa Ayeni, Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Chief Wumi Adegbonmire, Chief Dele Ajomale, Pa Adebayo Faleti and Senators Olorunnimbe Mamora, Babafemi Ojudu and Mudashiru Hussein.

Also there were Ondo ACN governorship candidate Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Pa Olola Kasunmu, Dr. Amos Akingba, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo,  Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) and Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The event was also witnessed by the founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) Dr Frederick Fasehun, Dr. Dejo Raimi, representative of Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd), Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Femi Omirin, his Oyo State counterpart, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu,  Mr. Francis Ojo,  Mr. Olawale Oshun, Mr. Rotimi Obadofin, Prof. Ropo Sekoni, Mr. Femi Orebe, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye,  Mrs. Ronke Okunsanya,  Chief Yemi Falade, secretary of Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE);  Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Mrs. Ritalori Ogbebor,  Pa Baba Omojola, Prof. Aderibigbe,  Mr. Biodun Akin-Fasae, Mr. Niyi Afuye, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, Chief Dele Falusi, Chief Jide Awe, Mojeeb Alabi, Chief Pius Akinyelure,  Dr. Ishiak Kolawole, representative of Alhaji Lam Adesina, Prince Olu Adegboro, Mrs. Bola Doherty, Peter Fakorede, Babatunde Oduyoye, Lowo Adebiyi, Mr. Sunday Akere, Mr. Bimbo Awofeso, Rev. Tunji Adebiyi, Mrs. Bisi Abiola, Mrs. Kemi Nelson and Mr. Bisi Adegbuyi.

There was also: Prof. Patrick Aina, Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Akinola Awodeyi-Akinsehinwa, Mr. Popoola Ajayi, Nelson Ekunjumi, Chief Tunde Odanye,   Ayo Afolabi, Toke Benson, Biodun Sowumi and Ademola Oyinlola.

Traditional rulers at the meeting included Whenu Aholu Menu Toyi, Oba Babatunde Akran of Badagry, Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, Owa Ajero of Ijero, Oba Adebayo Adewole, Elekole of Ikole, Oba Fashiku, and Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, Oba Idowu Faboro.

Gen. Akinrinade revisited the national question, saying that Yoruba, which traditionally organised its polity along the model of federation since pre-colonial period, should canvass true federalism because it is most suitable for a country of diverse nations like Nigeria.

He lamented the backwardness in Yorubaland, pointing out that most Yoruba children growing up in the Southwest from the 80s have come to see life as an experience to endure, rather than enjoy.

He said between 1952 and 1966, when Nigeria operated a federal system, Yoruba enjoyed free education, established the University of Ife, created the first television station in Africa and developed the best civil service in Africa, led by the late Chief Simeon Adebo.

Akinrinade recalled that the Yoruba were the first to officially recognise opposition in governance, which underscored their philosophical commitment to plurality of perspectives as a necessary aspect of democratic governance.

He added: “The cruel irony is that the region is now almost fully dependent on revenue from oil and handouts from Abuja. At independence in 1960, the Federal Government was taking loans of substantial amounts from the government of Western Nigeria. Unfortunately today, the truth is that, apart from Lagos State, our region has become a mendicant region that waits for limited droppings from the table of the Federal Government in Abuja.

“A distant Federal Government has become an overlord that has unnecessarily attracted to itself the charges of marginalisation from constituent nationalities. Knowing where we were coming from, it is crystal clear that the absence of functional federalism in the country has exacerbated the decline of Yorubaland.”

Gen. Akinrinade allayed the fears of people who think that a Sovereign National Conference would lead to war. He said a national conference would re-examine the heavy value added tax and punitive duty on imported alcohol collected by the Federal Government for distribution to all states, including those that banned alcohol, using some dubious calculus.

He said amid the battle for restructuring, the Yoruba should strive to preserve their language and culture as a means of fast-tracking knowledge and development.

Gen. Akinrinade also enjoined the Yoruba political class to remove the brigandage that accompanies elections in the Southwest to avoid the destruction of lives and property.

To Olusi, who endorsed the position of the General Assembly, a national conference is inevitable because, according to him, the current federal structure has failed. He assured that Yoruba in Lagos would always support the feelings and position of other Yoruba states on the national question.

Olusi added: “Those of us from Lagos are from Ile-Ife. Lagos will always follow the Southwest. Oba Adeniji-Adele said Lagos state belongs to the west. We will always belong to Yoruba. Yoruba has an agenda. The federal structure is oppressing other component units. Yoruba can truly develop under a truly federal Nigeria. That was how Awolowo was able to bring progress to the Southwest”.

Mamora reiterated his call for functional federalism, adding that the current National Assembly lacks the power to make a new constitution for Nigeria. He said a separate Constituent Assembly made up of representatives of the people should be saddled with the responsibility.

Akintola (SAN), who described himself as a Yoruba and Ibadan irredentist) said: “We must return to the Omoluabi concept. It is no more in existence in Yorubaland. It must be revived. A Yoruba was President, but he deferred to nobody. He did not succed. The marginalisation of Yoruba is real.

The Yoruba have lost out in the banking and power sectors. What is happening today could not have happened in the days of Ajasin and Bola Ige. How many Yoruba are in the Court of Appeal. Our governors are sleeping. They should ask for statistics. Balarabe Musa and Shehu Sani even cried out that Yoruba are marginalised.

“Yoruba must not see Yoruba as job but vocation to serve Yorubaland. We need to encourage people like Gani Adams. We need them. On Constitution review, we must insist that derivation and Value Added Tax  must be revisited. As we prepare for Constitution review, we must also know that our states in Yorubaland have diversities and different needs.

“States in the Southwest should have synergy. They should put heads together to construct the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, Benin/Ore road”.

Bankole supported regional economic integration in the Southwest, assuring that it will not lead to the disintegration of Nigeria. But he cautioned against state police, saying that those in government at the state level are not like the men of the old order who exhibited maturity in their days.

Mrs. Laoye-Tomori said: “We have neglected agriculture in the Southwest. That is why the North is threatening not to bring food to the Southwest. We must return to the farm.”

Oba Fashiku said: “Southwest governors should have Southwest Governors Forum. Enugu was capital of Eastern Region when Ibadan was capital of Western Region. Enugu is now a state. Why is Ibadan not a state? Ibadan should be a state.”

Adegbuyi, a lawyer, said: “What Yoruba need is self-determination. When Yoruba was president, did he reconstruct Lagos/Ibadan Expressway? Nigeria must revert to the structures at independence, with minor modifications.

“Awolowo succeeded because of the constitutional framework. We want derivation, state police, autonomy. If some people say they don’t want state police, those of us who want it should have it.”

Gen. Olutoye said: “Yoruba need to have a strong leader. He may be old or young. We also need unity. we should not destroy ourselves.”

Prof. Sekoni said: “We should take position on the Yoruba Agenda. We should pass resolution on it and pass it to the committee that will work on the constitution.”

Akingba, who read the resolutions, observed that Nigeria is at a crossroads, noting that critical issues that constitute the national question, have not been resolved.

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan spoke yesterday on why former Power Minister Barth Nnaji threw in the towel.

Dr. Jonathan said in Onitsha, Anambra State: “Barth Nnaji has not committed any offence. He is a very competent and seasoned professional.”

Addressing Anambra people during a town hall meeting at the Governor’s Lodge, Onitsha after inaugurating the Onitsha Inland River Port Complex and the Governor’s Lodge as well as some private sector companies, Dr Jonathan said he would replace Nnaji with another competent Igbo man.

He said because some privatisation done in the past failed , he was careful not to engage in another exercise that would be a failed venture.

Jonathan said Nnaji gave way because he had interests in the ongoing privatisation.

In Abuja, the President is believed to have launched the search for a new Minister of Power.

Some of those being speculated are a former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Agency, Dr. Ransome Owan; a former Special Adviser on Petroleum Resources, Prof. Emmanuel Edoga; a former Managing Director of the Power Holding Copany of Nigeria (PHCN), Mr. Joseph Makoju, an engineer; a former Special Adviser to the President on Power, Mr. Foluseke Shomolu, who is also an engineer.

Also yesterday, a source in government said the Federal Government had shifted ground on the disengaged PHCN workers’ demand.

The source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The reality is that Nnaji has left a big vacuum, which might be difficult to fill. The nation needs a man with the deep knowledge of the industry.

“So, we need a new Minister who can hit the ground running from his or her first day in office.

“The President has been receiving recommendations and some advice but one thing that is sure is that Nigeria is never in short of experts.

“I think within a short time, the President will get the right peg to put in the right hole.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “The President is being meticulous about the new choice because it is a technical area. This is not an appointment a government can rush to make.

“He can choose from within or outside the cabinet. What is important is the ability to provide technical and leadership direction. You will recall that the late Chief Bola Ige, ex-Governor Olusegun Agagu and  Governor Liyel Imoke were at one time or the other in charge of power.

“Although most people favour fresh hands from outside, a few others are recommending active ministers, such as Nyesom Wike (Minister of State for Education); Olusegun Aganga (Trade and Investment); Mike Onolememen (Works) and Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina, for the job.

“But from outside, some names being speculated are a former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Agency, Dr. Ransome Owan; a former Special Adviser on Petroleum Resources, Prof. Emmanuel Edoga; a former MD of PHCN, Joseph Makoju; a former Special Adviser to the President on Power, Foluseke Shomolu; and a hitherto UK based energy expert, Dr. David Ladipo, who was once part of a consortium called Azura Power Limited that managed some power projects in Benin Zone.

“Some people have also asked the government to look inward for technical experts who had worked on NIPP and served with Nnaji in driving the reform in the power sector.

“When Jonathan was the Vice-President, he interacted extensively with some of these technical experts. He knows who can execute the power sector reform.

“The only challenge is that he needs to take a second look at some of the ministers whether he might want to redeploy any of them to that ministry. I remember that when Nnaji took over, a serving member of the cabinet stood up and said: “I was a member of a committee that decided to suspend Power Sector Reform for three years.”

But a source in the Ministry of Power said: “I do not think that any member of Nnaji’s technical team will be able to make a big difference without bias. We are not looking in that direction.”

There were signals that the President might not retain the Power portfolio in Enugu State.

Another source in government said: “No law has made it compulsory that the Ministry of Power must go to Enugu State. It is the prerogative of the President to assign portfolios.

“Even if you are in the cabinet, it is not guaranteed that you must permanently be in a ministry.

“What is constitutionally required is that every state of the federation must have a ministerial slot. And the President has fulfilled this mandate.”

Nnaji yesterday submitted his handover note to the government.

He had spent the last 48 hours compiling the note, which a source described as “rich and voluminous”.

“He took time to write details about his activities in office in the past 14 months.”

There were indications last night that the Federal Government may have shifted ground on the disengaged PHCN workers’ demand.

A member of the negotiating team, who spoke in confidence, said: “The government has made new offers or some concessions, it is left to the labour leaders to go and consult and give government feedback.

“The negotiation on workers’ demand is a little bit intricate. With the privatisation, the workers have to disengage from PHCN. But they have a challenge on their exit package because they did not migrate to the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004.

“The Pension Reform Act allowed only those who were going to retire between 2004 and 2007 to do so with the old Pension Scheme.

“Under the Contributory Pension Scheme, the workers will save 7.5 per cent of their earnings and their employers will also contribute 7.5 per cent.

“But the PHCN workers are insisting on getting 25 per cent pension as in the old pension scheme. They are making this demand outside the three-year window allowed by the Pension Reform Act.

“The first committee that negotiated with them offered to pay them 25 per cent of their entitlements up to 2004 and 15 per cent from 2005 to date. They have rejected this offer.

“Their rejection of the offer led to the latest negotiation which was concluded on Wednesday. The Federal Government has made a fresh offer or a middle course percentage which they have promised to look into.

“We had a wonderful session with the labour leaders. The bottom line is that the Federal Government wants to be able to pay. The cost implication of the retirement benefits of these workers is huge.”