The Nation Newspaper

Tag: federal

Between Federal Character and competence
During the early days when the Eighth National Assembly’s leadership brouhaha gained presence on the pages of our national dailies and dominated discussions on radio, television and the new media, two fundamental criteria for leadership were placed on the front burner.

Interestingly, in both the apex and lower chambers of the National Assembly, the factors were strongly espoused by the two warring factions. The legislators’ imbroglio later reached its crescendo, as frontline public affairs analysts, ace columnists and eminent legal luminaries joined the fray by advancing their rational views for or against the criteria.

It was actually a sad commentary to see what began as mere verbal altercation snowballed into a fracas. While the crisis lingered, a friend of mine hilariously told me that even boxing legends, such as Muhammad Ali and Floyd May Wheather, would dread our lawmakers’ ’killer’’ punches. It should be known to our distinguished legislathieves (apologies to Daily Trust’s satirist, Tunde Asaju), that a robust parliamentary business and nothing more, is what we expect from them.

Now, away from the insanity of our law makers. First, the principle of federal character as a constitutional provision is basically concerned with achieving equity and fairness in resource allocation, appointments and sharing other national largesse amongst the regions, geo-political zones or states in our heterogeneous nation. To achieve equity and fairness, the Federal Character Commission was established during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration to, among other things; address the burning issues of marginalisation and inequality. Competence, on the other hand, simply implies the ability to do something well and is acquired through experience or training.

Globally, leadership is one of the most significant elements in social discourse. It remains the only tool which can be used to midwife accelerated progress for a nation, state, region, constituency or business organisation through purposeful individuals. It is not a thing to be abused either, consciously or accidentally. In matters of leadership, it is an aberration to resort to our whims, employ sentiment and play the ethnic or religious card, as it is not an all-comers affair. No doubt, it is imperative to give every zone or region a sense of belonging, so to engender harmonious co-existence amongst its diverse peoples and their culture. Likewise, the need to do that becomes sacred when one looks at the peculiar human and intellectual resources endowed each region. As such, entrusting visionary people from different geo-political zone with leadership tasks can be akin to adding spice to the Nigerian project.

However, there is need for us to perhaps seek the wisdom of Sherlock Holmes or the intelligence of Albert Einstein to objectively answer the following posers. One, do we honestly yearn for national progress? Secondly, do we recognise those qualities or considerations that will orchestrate unprecedented development for our nation? If truly, our responses are in the affirmative, then we must be wary of the consequences of not acting in good conscience.

One thing is certain, for any meaningful socio-economic progress to accrue to a nation; it needs the intellectual acumen, principle, foresightedness, competence and doggedness of men of impeccable character since these men were elected or appointed based on their pedigree and not on the altar of frivolities. A. N. Whitehead, a British philosopher and mathematician, stated: “Intelligence is quickness to apprehend as distinct from ability, which is capacity to act wisely on the things apprehended.’’ Without mincing word, the thematic preoccupation of Whitehead’s quote is surely on the competency of leaders.

A cursory study of developed nations will unearth the naked reality, that they accorded premium to competence when appointing or electing individuals into offices. For instance, the Singaporeans will eternally remain grateful to their foremost Prime Minister, the late Lee Kuan Yew as his incorruptibility, high sense of probity, patriotism, sagacity and glowing leadership traits that transformed Singapore into a global economic force.

Also, the South Africans would forever be indebted to the revolutionary initiatives of the late Nelson Mandela. After a harrowing expedition in jail for 27 years, the late architect of modern South Africa emerged to bequeathe the enduring legacies of rule of law, freedom of speech, credible elections and emancipation of the black race to people of the rainbow nation. Certainly, the principle of federal character or other inconsequential factors were the least in the considerations of electing the legendary Nelson Mandela and Lee Kuan Yew into those exalted positions.

Again, let it be clear that competence or merit in appointments or elections is all about having square pegs in square holes. In other words, men and women of sterling moral and leadership antecedents, track records, courage, intelligence, honesty, and ingenuity should be considered for strategic leadership positions. Insignificant factors such as geographical location, ethnicity, loyalty, religious or party affiliation should be totally rejected. That our nation’s economic fortunes continue to plummet is as a result of our poor sense of judgment while electing or appointing leaders. It would be foolhardy to expect giant strides when mediocre, avaricious, clueless and decadent people continue to remain our best bet, all in the name of inclusiveness.

Also, the outpour of encomiums to our dearest country for successfully conducting a credible election earlier this year was made possible by the charismatic and exceptionally-competent Prof Attahiru Jega, who was then the INEC’s helmsman. Even President Buhari cannot deny that his triumph at the March 28 poll was tied to the implicit confidence of the electorate in his leadership abilities.

More recently, I had to doff my hat for Mr President for prioritising merit over trivialities in the appointments he has made so far. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, after the appointment of the new service chiefs, Mallam Garba Shehu quoted Buhari as saying: ‘’All of you, including the national security adviser, were chosen on merit. Your records gave you the job.’’

Hence I want to urge other leaders to replicate the same practice of upholding merit rather than the usual recourse to sentiments and geographical descent as benchmarks for appointing public office holders. .

I believe we have all evaluated the arguments canvassed by both the advocates of federal character and competence in elections or appointments. And extraordinarily, wearrivedata remarkableconclusionon the contentious issue.

Hence,it would not be rocket science for us to recommend that which will bring about monumental development for our Beloved Motherland. But, the question is, will our leaders heed the clarion call? Hmmm! Methinks that’s anybody’s guess.
- Mahmud is a 200-Level Mass Comm., Fati Lami Abubakar College for Legal and General Studies, Niger State.
August 20, 2015
State finances after federal bailout

We must give thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari’s rescue package for all the states of the federation that could no longer discharge their financial obligation to their employees following the drastic reduction in federal allocations consequent upon the drop in earnings from crude oil sales. With the exception of a few states, most of the states of the federation were under stress and acute distress. I visited the secretariats of Oyo and Osun in Ibadan and Osogbo respectively when both states were on strike I was struck and saddened by what I saw. The two places were virtually lifeless and deserted presenting a scene that I had never experienced in Ibadan where I had practically lived all my life. The situation reminded me of glory departing from Israel as a result of sin and conquest by its enemies. Ibadan which has withstood enemy conquest since its foundation circa 1830 presented a sorry situation. Osogbo was also a sad reflection of what I saw in Ibadan. Yet these two state capitals had never witnessed the kind of stupendous development that governors Abiola Ajimobi and Rauf Aregbesola had accomplished since their creation. The road networks in Ibadan put to shame all previous governments in the state since independence. Aregbesola has definitely transformed Osogbo not only in terms of roads but by building modern and up-to-date mega-schools in the state as well as feeding school children once a day a phenomenon that states collecting jumbo federal allocations have not been able to replicate or match. You can blame this young man for too much optimism but certainly not for corruption or squander-mania

My prayer particularly for Aregbesola is that through internally generated revenue he will be able to finish all the projects he has embarked on especially the dualisation of Akoda to Gbongan which will lead to the emergence of a conurbation stretching from Osogbo through Ede, Ode-omu to Gbongan with common services for all the towns brought together and increase in the tax base and springing up of industries enjoying economy of scale because of the size of the new market. While still on Osun, I wonder why there has been so much negative focus on the state as if it were the only state lagging in payment of salaries. Perhaps this has something to do with the over-exposure of the governor or perhaps people have come to expect too much from him. Whatever the case may be, there has been all kinds of do-gooders demonstrating more enthusiasm than wisdom offering help and even food to the so-called starving population of Osun State!

It is of course true that the APC states in the South-West borrowed money for infrastructural development following hostile treatment by the PDP-controlled federal government. With the decline in the value of the naira, these states may in future be the better for the loans they took. If they had waited longer, the kind of work done with minimal allocations one sees in Ekiti under Fayemi, Osun under Aregbesola , Ogun under Amosun, Oyo under Ajimobi and the giant strides in Lagos under Fashola may never have been accomplished. It is only when one visits neighbouring states of Kogi and Kwara in the same cultural environment that one can appreciate what has been accomplished in these states.

All I have said is of course no excuse for poor planning and not saving money against lean times. But when faced with absolute and abject underdevelopment, does it really make sense to postpone responding to the development yearnings of our people? This is the question we should ask ourselves.

The answer lies in each state becoming self-sufficient and not depending on revenues accruing to the federal government that itself, unhealthily in economic sense, depends on hydrocarbon sale and taxes levied on multinationals involved in their production. We must as a people and a country move away from dependency on oil and gas. Our country is blessed by God. We are in the tropics where we can grow crops all the year round unlike in the temperate regions of the world where for half of the year, the land is too cold to support agriculture. With a population one ninth of that of India and vast arable land lying fallow, we should not be importing rice from India Thailand, the USA and Bangladesh of all places! We should not be importing vegetable oils from Malaysia and Indonesia or textile from anywhere when all our textile mills are mothed up and moribund due to lack of use. We should not be importing any kind of wines including champagne of which we are the largest consumer outside France. We should refrain from eating or using whatever our ingenuity cannot produce. The only concession I would make is industrial machineries, industrial inputs, transportation and electrical grid and maybe, chemicals and drugs. We should do away with our indulgent lifestyles of conspicuous consumption .This was the strategy the Chinese adopted that leapfrogged their economy from the laughable level it was a few years ago to the fastest growing economy in the world. This prescription is at the macro level of the nation.

But at state level, we must allow the people to own the government. The situation at present where only salary earners pay taxes is one of the reasons why the people do not care if state officials are corrupt or clean. The unearned income from oil and gas is a curse and this is why we suffer when their prices like a yoyo go up and down

We must bring back the regime of flat or poll tax on all adults. Jangali or cattle tax should be levied road tax should also be paid. The federal government should allow states to collect VAT and VAT which is actually luxury tax which need not fall on the poor should be increased to 20 percent . We should not wait until our economy goes the way of the Greek economy and international caretakers are called to impose unbearable conditionalities on us before we can access development assistance. States must also levy commodities tax on cash crops and recreate commodities boards that used to exist before the craze of market forces determining price of commodities. This will help stabilise prices paid to producers who will be protected from the vagaries of rise and fall in the world market. All the states of the federation should be asked to explore charging annual land use and development tax on home owners in such a way that the least able to pay are excluded. Transparency will be the watch word. If the people see what is being done with their taxes, they will respond positively to these changes. All this will be unpopular to begin with but it is the duty of government to explain to the people their responsibility. This is the meaning of representation based on taxation which is at the core of democratic governance. Dependence on oil and gas revenue will not last and the earlier we get used to paying for the services we need the better and the less painful it will be in the long run.

Finally, the federal and state governments should stop meddling in the financial affairs of their universities. There is no where in the world not even in the richest countries in the world where university education is free. Councils of universities should be allowed to draw up their budgets and spread the cost to users of their services so that they can operate maximally and efficiently. The present situation where salaries are not paid particularly in the state universities leads to poor graduates and inability of these tertiary institutions to contribute to the pool of knowledge and consequently to industrialization and wealth creation. A situation where school fees in universities are pegged at N25,000 or N50,000 a year is not just laughable but very sad and shows us as an unserious country. States that cannot fund one university as in the case of Ondo goes ahead for purpose of vainglory to establish three! And before you know it all other states will join in a race to establish funny institutions and call them universities.

If only we will be honest with ourselves and be less selfish and ego driven, I doubt if there is anybody in government in this benighted country who does not know that we are punching bellow our weight both nationally any internationally.

July 23, 2015
Federal bailout of insolvent states

Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari handed the insolvent state governments a financial bailout of N713.7b. The financial package was reported as consisting of accruals from the LNG (N413.7b), a special CBN intervention fund of between N250b andN300b, and the rescheduling with federal assistance of the states’ outstanding bank loans.

In addition, the sum of $1.7b from the ECA was shared among the three tiers of government. But it was stated that this was not a part of the bailout package offered the insolvent states by the Federal Government. Some 24 or more state governments owing their workers salary arrears of seven months or more will share this federal largesse. This generous financial bailout is almost unprecedented in the annals of public finance in Nigeria. It should be regarded as exceptional. It would be wrong of the states to draw the conclusion from this bailout that such measures can be repeated in future. Even if this was possible, it negates the constitutional principle of federalism in which all states, including the federal, are coordinates. It reinforces the existing tendency of the states becoming increasingly dependent financially on the centre. This is bad for federalism.

The financial relief measures provided the insolvent states with an immediate lifeline and temporary relief. They were widely welcomed in informed financial circles all over the country as necessary and timely. The finances of the insolvent states had collapsed once the oil revenue started falling. Even the few relatively solvent states stood in danger of being dragged down by the insolvent states. The package will immediately help the insolvent states to meet their wage and other financial obligations to their workers. The finances of the Federal Government too were so bad that it too needed a bailout. Before leaving office in May, the previous PDP Federal Government had borrowed over N400 billion from the CBN to meet its immediate financial obligations to its workers. This is half of what it needs to borrow from the CBN in this fiscal year. In some cases federal workers and pensioners had not been paid for upwards of four months, leading President Buhari to complain bitterly that his new government met an empty treasury. Certainly, federal finances were just as bad as those of the insolvent state governments. Many vital federal projects have had to be put on hold as a result of the poor state of federal finances.

Now public finances in Nigeria have generally not been handled with the transparency, prudence and diligence that are needed to ensure financial stability in the country. At all levels, governments have spent public funds recklessly on unproductive ventures. All governments like to spend money, including unearned income. This is what accounts for Nigeria’s woeful record of financial recklessness and corruption. Its record of budget deficits is uninspiring. It is estimated that the debt stock of the state governments is now over N600 billion, while that of the Federal Government is in the trillions of naira. All these domestic as well as external debts, now increasing steadily, will have to be paid off someday.

Governments may need to borrow occasionally to executive projects that contribute to economic growth. But this is not the case at all in Nigeria. Very often the public sector borrows money for projects that it does not really intend to implement, or that contribute little or nothing to economic growth in the country. For instance, many of the insolvent states are building local air ports, hotels, stadia, and funding other similarly unproductive projects, such as the Tinapa tourist resort that are inherently wasteful. But the banks are only too willing to lend money to the financially imprudent states because they know that, no matter what happens, they will get their money back through federal guarantees and deductions at revenue source. They prefer lending to the state governments to lending to the private sector which is better placed to use borrowed funds more judiciously and create more jobs. Quite often, public sector borrowing crowds out the private sector from access to vital bank loans.

What is to be done to restore Nigerian public finances to stability? The solution is clear and has been well articulated for years by leading financial experts. First, budgetary deficits have to be drastically reduced to contain inflationary pressures and more public borrowing. The deficits can easily be reduced if identified leakages in revenue collection are plugged. What has been going on in the NNPC where a lot of revenues are not remitted to the Federal Government is simply scandalous and should be brought to an end. In fact, Nigeria will lose nothing financially by scrapping the NNPC totally. It has become a financial drain pipe that the country can no longer afford. Secondly, and in this context, it is time to end the so-called oil subsidy which has become the source of financial scam in the country. It is the oil importers and their agents in the NNPC who benefit from the subsidy, not the poor. The public is tired of the long queues at petrol stations for fuel. Where it is available it is being sold for over N150 per litre. So, where is the subsidy? We should no longer put up with the supply blackmail by the oil importers. Savings from the withdrawal of the oil subsidy can be better utilised by building more oil refineries. Thirdly, all the governments of the federation have to increase their internally generated revenue as Lagos State has succeeded in doing over the years. It is estimated that it generates internally about 70 per cent of its annual budget. Where it has borrowed, it has the capacity to repay the loan without much strain. Fourthly, the Federal Government should be more cautious in offering borrowing states bank guarantees. Such federal guarantees should only be extended to states that have a credible record of financial management, not those who continue to borrow recklessly.

In all these cases of financial profligacy, it is the people, particularly the poor, who suffer the consequences of this financial recklessness. Salaries are unpaid, families and children suffer and projects that are of direct benefit to the public in the health and education sectors are simply put on hold, as is the case now. Just as there is no free lunch, there are no free funds. All borrowed money has to be paid soon or later. And the burden of repayment is always on the poor. The poor people of Greece are now facing the excessive borrowing of their governments in the past. They now have to bite the financial bullet. Those who took the decision to borrow and spend such borrowed money recklessly hardly ever suffer any consequences, as they would have stashed enough money away to ensure their future comfort and that of their family. Already, several governors are being interrogated and prosecuted by the EFFC for the vast sums of money they have stashed away. It is still possible for them to be let off the hook for lack of diligent prosecution by the EFCC. But who will bailout the poor from this huge financial burden when it is pay back time?

July 16, 2015
Evolution of Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki

From catering to the health of WWII soldiers to serving the Eastern Regional Government, the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki has weathered every storm to become a leading health institution. OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE reports

It has come of age. First, colonial authorities once shipped wounded soldiers in the Second World War to the hospital. In time, the Eastern Regional Government took it over before passing it to the East Central State Government. Ebonyi State authorities have since taken over but even though the hospital occasionally came under rough weather, it has earned its prime position in the health sector.

As wounded soldiers on the Cameroon flank of the WWII have lain on its beds, so have ailing residents of the Eastern Regional Government, and health workers of the hospital have catered to them all.

Established in the l930s under the British colonial administration, its name has changed from Casualty Control Centre to Abakaliki General Hospital and then to Federal Medical Centre.

By 1973, the hospital had the full complement of consultant staff and was approved for training of House Officers. It later went into limbo. Facilities deteriorated and consultant staff fell short as the East Central State was split into many states. It almost became moribund.

The hospital became a Federal Medical Centre in March, 1991 following the agreement between the Federal Government and Enugu State Government.

With the takeover, the Hospital made modest progress. But the best was yet to come.

Things continued to look up from 2007 when Associate Prof. Paul Olisaemeka Ezeonu, then Head of Clinical Services in the Medical Centre, became Chief Medical Director. Since then, there has been remarkable growth in virtually every department of the hospital.

Outpatient patronage has risen to about 5,000 monthly. Accreditation for training of House officers has been restored. During his election campaign tour to Ebonyi State in 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan promised to upgrade the Federal Medical Centre to a Teaching Hospital. On December 7 of that year, the President fulfilled his election promise by proclaiming the Centre a Federal Teaching Hospital. He further directed that Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital be absorbed into the new mega Teaching Hospital comprising FETHA I (former FMC) and FETHA II (former EBSUTH).

The handover process was completed the same month including the absorption of the staff of the defunct State University Teaching Hospital.

The mega teaching hospital concept fitted in exactly with the vision of the CMD, Associate Prof. Paul Ezeonu. German-trained and imbued with a passion for excellence and hard work, Dr. Ezeonu has laboured long to take FETHA to the top among teaching hospitals not only in Nigeria but indeed across the world.

On assumption of office as CMD, he had created a lofty vision to make the hospital a global player. He went on to initiate what have aptly been described as “transformational projects” that have indeed catapulted the hospital to the global league in the industry.

The new Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki FETHA, under Prof. Ezeonu has indeed become mega and world class with a retinue of over 4,000 staff comprising over 200 Consultants in various specialties, 602 beds ward complex distributed in various departments, 500 doctors undergoing residency training and a capacity for training of over 250 House Officers every year.

Furthermore, the hospital is now relocating to its new multipurpose building complex designed as a one-stop shop complex to accommodate the various units and departments such as children’s emergency units and wards, Obstetrics and Gynecology (O&G) wards and units, Accounts department, administration department, consulting rooms and wards among others.

These projects were commissioned recently by President Goodluck Jonathan.

•Quarters for Resident Doctors and House officers

Also completed and commissioned by the President who was represented by the Minister of State for Health, Mr Fidelis Nwankwo are buildings for Resident Doctors’ and House Officers’ quarters comprising several units of self contained accommodation, medical records blocks, laboratories, dental clinics among others.

At the occasion, Prof Ezeonu said the “new multi-purpose hospital complex is designed as a one-stop complex to accommodate various units in the departments of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology; administration department comprising consulting rooms and wards among others”.

“The Medical Records and Medical Laboratory Complexes have also been completed; all interwoven as one complex to reduce distance, waiting time and stress on patients and staff”.

“Construction of ongoing projects include an ultra modern auditorium with five hundred sifting capacity, a lecture hall with a two-hundred desk sitting capacity, an E-library and a conventional library as well as an ultra modern theatre and several other facilities with modern ancillary amenities located within the new site and FETHA II”.

School of basic nursing and school of basic midwifery hostels.

Perhaps, the icing on the cake of both the histry of FETHA and the transformational achievements of Assoc Prof Ezeonu is the establishment of the school of Basic Nursing and School of Midwifery. Conceived in 2011 following the upgrade of the hospital to a teaching hospital, the school constitute a story of hope as well as a child of circumstance.

The story is told of how it came to the notice of the Chief Medical Director, Assoc. Prof. Ezeonu, that minor illnesses were being referred to the federal teaching hospital because there were insufficient health personnel to manage the various primary health care centers in the state.

•A fuel station at the facility

Acting in concert with other members of the management the CMD took up the challenge of selling up the school. The school was thus conceived to fill a critical gap, namely, the lack of trained and qualified basic nursing and midwifery personnel in primary health care institutions in Ebonyl State and environs.

According to Ezeonu, the school is the first Government-owned nursing training facility in Ebonyi State since inception.

“The schools have commenced having obtained accreditation from the Nursing Council of Nigeria in 2014. The schools are fully operational with state-of-the-arts accommodation; transport and educational facilities. We are currently seeking collaboration with Canadian Universities in the areas of exchange programmes and manpower training”.

Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of State for Health, said the commissioning is a land mark event in line with the president’s determination to ensure access to quality and affordable health care for the citizens.

He said, “I see much more than the physical structures. What I see is the satisfaction on the faces of patients who would access services from this one-stop shop, the clinical complex and the high morale of the young doctors in their new quarters”.

“I want to reiterate this administration’s commitment to providing world class health care services to Nigerians through adequate Funding, provision of modern facilities and well trained personnel ensuring an enabling environment for healthcare workers as well as institution of people-oriented policies”.

“Providing modern health care infrastructure such as the New Compact Hospital Complex. School of Nursing and Midwifery ostels. House Officers’ Quarters, Resident Doctors Quarters, cological Drainage and Roads are among the card inal objectives of Mr. President’s Transformation Agenda as prioritized under the National Strategic Health Development Plan.

“Under this plan, government is motivating existing local health manpower and encouraging Nigerian health experts based abroad to return to ensure that Nigerians get easy access to high quality health care and more importantly, minimise medical tourism”.

“I am particularly impressed with the establishment at the Schools of Basic Nursing and Midwifery in the Hospital, which will go a long way in providing well qualified nurses and midwives not just for this hospital but for other hospitals in the state and its environs.

In the past four years, Nigerian health care system has witnessed remarkable improvement as Government has invested heavily in strengthening human resources by scaling up the Midwifes Service Scheme (MSS) providing health facilities and instituting the maternal and Child health (MCI-I) component of SURE-P”.

“The government is modernising medical diagnostics and upgrading several tertiary health care facilities to meet the standard existing in those countries where Nigerians seek foreign medical treatment”.

“As such, it has so far modernized and reequipped to international standard in phases, 14 Federal Tertiary Hospitals across the country to deliver quality health care. The Government is in the process of modernizing the remaining Teaching Hospitals, FETHA inclusive, and the revamping of the 14 already modernized Teaching hospitals through Public Private Partnership with VAMED Nig Ltd”.

“I must commend the Chief Medical Director (CMD) and the Board of Management of FETHA for their vision of re-engineering and restructuring the hospital. The Management of the hospital has been the driving force behind the building projects that I am about to commission today.”

The chairman, Board of Management of the Hospital, Alhaji Suleiman Abdulahi Dawaki Kudu expressed hope that the laudable projects will, in no small measure, spur the Federal Government towards the replication of the projects in other states and localities of the Federation for the provision of excellence in our healthcare delivery services.

With the unfolding success story of the teaching Hospital, it is little wonder that it is fast becoming the destination of choice for local, national and international scientific and medical conferences, Annual General Meeting of medical associations, medical and health related workshops as well as the celebrations to mark United Nations Special Days connected with health issues.

Hardly a month passes without one of such event. Fifteen of such events actually held in the Hospital last year including the Scientific Conference & Annual General Meeting of National Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria, Medical Women Association of Nigeria Dialogue etc.

This is in line with Ezeonu’s vision for the institution. In his words: “Our plan is to move to an international standard teaching hospital so that Nigerians can stop going to India, England and other places for treatment because these people in India are not better than us, and they do not come to Nigeria for medical treatment That is our target in FETHA. We have all it environment”

”Our motto is Excellence in Health Care Delivery. I want people in this state and the entire Nigerians to know that FETHA has come to stay, to serve and deliver world class medical services to the people. And apart from delivering medical services as a teaching hospital, we shall continue to train younger ones for better performance, we shall also be offering practical and theoretical teaching to both the Federal University at Ndufu Alike Ikwo, the Ebonyi State University and our own School of Nursing and Midwifery. People should know that we are here to work and give in the best we can to better the society.”

With such reassuring pledge from the CMD, it can be said that things can only get better at FETHA as the Management seeks to break new grounds in climbing to the top of the league of global players among the teaching hospital world community.

May 8, 2015
Abuse of federal might

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponement of the February 14 and 28 elections as scheduled has drawn the ire of some lawyers and activists. To them, there is more to the postponement than meets the eye. If insecurity is the only reason for the shift, then the Service chiefs should go. The lawyers and activists hope the shift will not throw Nigeria into another constitutional crisis, writes Correspondent PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU.

Throughout Saturday, Nigerians waited on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). They were eager to know whether INEC would postpone the February 14 and 28 elections as scheduled. When INEC postponed the elections late Saturday night citing security reasons for its action, their response seemed to be “here we go again, is this not June 12 all over again?” INEC Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega said the elections were postponed to March 28 (Presidential and National Assembly) and April 11 (Governorship and House of Assembly).

He denied that the commission was coerced to shift the polls, saying the postponement became inevitable because of the advice from security agencies. He said there was no way INEC could expose over 600,000 ad hoc staff and others to danger.

He also denied acting any script on behalf of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the elections were postponed because security attention would be on the Northeast during the period.

“It should be noted that this rescheduling falls within the constitutional framework for the conduct of the elections, notably, Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2). See also Section 25 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).

“For the avoidance of doubt, we will under no circumstances approve an arrangement that is not in line with the provisions of our laws,” Jega said.

He continued: “Last Wednesday, which was a day before the Council of State meeting, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) wrote a letter to the Commission, drawing attention to developments in four Northeast states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe, experiencing the challenge of insurgency.

“The letter stated that security could not be guaranteed during the proposed period in February for the general elections. This advisory was reinforced at the Council of State meeting on Thursday where the NSA and all the Armed Services and Intelligence Chiefs unanimously reiterated that the safety and security of our operations cannot be guaranteed, and that the Security Services needed at least six weeks within which to conclude a major military operation against the insurgency in the Northeast; and that during this operation, the military will be concentrating its attention in the theatre of operations such that they may not be able to provide the traditional support they render to the Police and other agencies during elections…”

Some analysts said the postponement became inevitable the moment the NSA Sambo Dasuki first called for a shift, because of low distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Those who questioned the postponement because of insecurity said if the military could not quell the insurgency that has ravaged the country unabated in the last six years, can it do so in six weeks?

Many are not convinced that the NSA is not playing out the Presidency’s script. Speaking at the Chatham House in the United Kingdom (UK) on January 22, Dasuki said elections should be postponed because INEC needed more time to distribute the PVCs.

After deliberations by the Council of State where INEC said it was ready to go on with the polls, the NSA brought up the issue of insecurity, seemingly tying INEC’s hands. It was no PVCs, but insecurity, according to the gospel of Dasuki. As NSA, is he just waking up to the issue of insecurity, which the nation even battled with in 2011 and yet elections were held then?

Observers note that the Presidency, INEC, parties and security agencies have been preparing for the polls since 2011 election, wondering why the NSA is suddenly realising that security could not be guaranteed for the exercise as scheduled.

To them, there is more to the postponement than meets the eye because it remained doubtful what would happen in six weeks that could not have happened in the past six years.

A source of concern is the confidence of voters in the electoral process. There are those who say the postponement became the last option after it became clear that President Goodluck Jonathan may not win re-election. What other plan do they have in store?

Civil Society groups led by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room believe that the military chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police are no longer deserving of their posts for writing to INEC that their men would not be available for election duty until after at least six weeks.

“The Situation Room calls for the resignation of the military chiefs and security heads, including the Police on account of their inability to exercise their constitutional responsibility to secure lives and property at all times including during the elections,” the coalition of civil society organisations said.

Despite INEC’s explanation, analysts believe the commission was arm-twisted by the Presidency through the security chiefs to shift the elections. They described Jega’s new stance as compromising, adding that it indicated that INEC is not independent as claimed.

Although the commission followed constitutional provisions by not extending the election dates to a period that will be less than 30 days to May 29 handover, some lawyers argue that INEC lacks the legal and moral rights to shift the presidential election.

Constitutional lawyer Norrison Quakers (SAN) maintained that INEC’s power to cancel or postpone elections is only for National and Houses of Assembly elections, which do not have to do with the entire voting population of the country or a state.

He said since election results are expected to be collated and announced at the same time for governorship and presidential elections, the commission cannot assume right on an issue where the Constitution is silent.

He said: ‘‘The only person empowered by the Constitution to postpone a general election (presidential) is the President and this power he cannot exercise in isolation. The Constitution clearly provides that when the territory of Nigeria is at war (not a section and not insurgency) and the president feels it will be practically impossible to conduct an election, he will write the National Assembly seeking an extension and the legislature upon approval, will postpone the election to a period of not more than six months.

‘‘Aside being morally wrong, what INEC has done by postponing the general elections is unconstitutional and not tenable.’’

For activist lawyer Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), INEC exhibited its lack of independence and bowed to the rule of force in postponing the elections.

‘‘There was no reason elections should not hold as scheduled. All the political parties have made their plans, including campaigns, posters, finances and other necessary arrangements to suit the February date. Also, INEC has its plan laid out to that effect. The postponement will destabilise the polity and create uncertainty.

‘‘Is it within the next two months that they want to quell Boko Haram that they have been unable to do these past years? This action will demoralise voters, create more expenses. It just means that INEC has been influenced and no longer independent. Prof. Jega never said anything about postponement until the NSA did and was later joined by all the operatives of the PDP.

‘‘So, it is correct to say that INEC has collapsed under pressure. Everyone took the postponement rumour for granted until PDP loyalists started raising dust about it. This shows there is lack of independence and it will affect everyone’s disposition on the outcome of the election when it is eventually held since INEC can be pressurised into changing its mind,’’ said Sagay.

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) described the reason for the poll shift as “lame”.

“The reason for the shift is lame. INEC was never independent. INEC has confirmed that it remained castrate in the present arrangement where it depends on the Federal Government for everything, including breath.

“The Federal Government shenanigans in arriving at the ultimate postponement of the elections must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. What we have witnessed is Government Magic. They have just turned green to blue and electric to candle (apology to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti),” Akeredolu said.

Dr Babatunde Ajibade (SAN), said the PDP-led government is playing a dangerous game that could precipitate a serious constitutional crisis.

“While it is within the statutory powers of INEC to postpone elections, it is not expected that INEC’s decision should be compelled by advice received from agencies of the government in power, such as the security agencies that have so obviously and brazenly compelled this decision. This derogates from the supposed independence of INEC and leaves it at the mercy of the government of the day.

“There is no reason to believe that the reasons adduced for compelling this postponement, viz. the security situation in the Northeast of the country and a consequent shortage of military personnel will abate in six seeks, so what then? A permanent postponement until the security situation abates?

“If elections could be held in Afghanistan despite the long-running and still ongoing insurgency by the Taliban, it is incredulous for Nigerian security agencies to insist that elections cannot hold because of security challenges in the Northeast.

“The (mis)handling of electoral contests have always been potential flash points in Nigeria’s history. We are skating on very thin ice now and must pray that commonsense will prevail and that history will not be allowed to repeat itself,” Ajibade said.

To George Oguntade (SAN), there is no doubt that INEC possesses the requisite constitutional powers to fix the dates for elections, which will include the power to postpone. The constitutional limitation to this, he said, is that the election must be held and concluded within a specified period before the expiration of the tenure of the existing Government.

“However, in fixing the date or postponing from a fixed date, INEC is obliged to act reasonably and in the interest of the country. It is not to act whimsically or capriciously. The main question, therefore, is whether in reaching its decision to postpone the elections for a period of six weeks, INEC acted reasonably and in the best interest of the country.

“The reason canvassed is that the security agencies have advised that they cannot guarantee the provision of the requisite security cover because of the military challenges they are confronted with in the Northeastern part of the country.

“This decision will immediately appear to be a volte face on the part of INEC, which being aware of the security situation for some time, had always maintained that the elections will proceed as scheduled. What major calamity has therefore happened of late to warrant this sudden u-turn a week to the elections?

“Furthermore, the security challenge that has been provided an excuse for the postponement has been going on for the past five years or so. What is the likelihood that in six weeks time, the security situation will be different from what it is today?

“Again, what is the numerical strength of the Nigerian Army and security agencies in Nigeria such that they cannot continue their military activities in the North as well as provide necessary cover for the elections? Is it that Nigerian Army is so weak and decimated that it cannot face offensives on the different fronts simultaneously? There are endless questions to be asked,” Oguntade said.

He said without any clear evidence, it would be premature and presumptuous to accuse INEC of playing politics, moreso, when the decision to postpone is recognisable under the constitution.

“What INEC needs to do is to ensure that on its part, PVCs are distributed nationwide as far as possible and that it is fully ready to proceed. It is equally necessary to engage continuously with the security agencies and let them see that to avert any national crisis, the elections must go ahead in six weeks as re-scheduled, and that this being so, arrangements must be put in place to provide necessary security cover regardless of what is happening in the North,” he added.

Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) said his understanding of grounds upon which elections may be postponed suggest that the decision to postpone an election must be that of INEC.

“In other words, once INEC is satisfied that the circumstances which warrant the postponement of an election have occurred, it is entitled to postpone the election to another date within the time allowed under the Constitution and the Electoral Act for the conduct of the election.

“In this instance, INEC has, through its Chairman, adduced some reasons for postponing the elections. Whether or not those reasons are compelling and verifiable cannot be questioned by public opinion.

“What we should all do is to continue to have confidence in INEC and the electoral process. In doing so, it behoves the political class and the political parties to manage the information that they feed their followers and members.

“As pointed out by INEC, this postponement would also afford it opportunity to further train the engaged adhoc staff on the electoral and voting processes. I also believe that they will also use this opportunity to do more in terms of voter education and logistics simulations.

“Thus, the postponement will not only enable the security agencies to mobilise for the elections but would also assist INEC in the overall discharge of its constitutional responsibility.

“On the basis of the foregoing and the decision of INEC, I call on Nigerians to continue to support INEC in this critical and trying period of our nation building,” Nwobike said.

February 10, 2015
Federal courts resume today

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has agreed to a partial suspension of its strike.

The JUSUN NEC, which met at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja yesterday, agreed to allow court activities resume today in federal courts.

The meeting, which saw temper rising among members, lasted between 3pm and 7.30pm.

The state courts are to await the outcome of a meeting between representatives of the executive (both at state and federal levels), the judiciary, JUSUN and other stakeholders, scheduled to hold in Abuja today.

The Federal courts include the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court (NIC) and federal capital territory courts.

Others are the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

JUSUN President Marwan Adamu confirmed the agreement.

He said a statement would be issued later on the NEC’s resolution.

He added that the NEC decided to allow a partial resumption in the interest of the larger society.

The strike by JUSUN is to compel the executive to obey a January 13 judgment by the Federal High Court, Abuja, which, among others, affirmed fiscal autonomy for the judiciary and prohibited the piecemeal release of budgetary allocation to the arm of government.

At a meeting on January 12 at the instance of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke, was said to have argued that the judgment over which JUSUN had gone on strike, was not enforceable on the grounds that it was only the three tiers of government that could have their funds deducted from the Federation Account (FA).

The AGF, Attorneys-General of states and others were said to have suggested that there was need to work out an alternative measure of ensuring proper funding of the judiciary through the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

January 26, 2015
TUC decries non-payment of federal workers

•Urges reduction of fuel prices

Trade Union Congress (TUC), has condemned the delay by the Federal Government in paying thousands of civil servants their salary for over two months now, saying the act is a threat to industrial peace.

The union made the condemnation in a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos. It frowned at non-payment of salaries to thousands of civil servants since October this year without any justifiable reason.

Jointly endorsed by TUC President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and its Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal, he said the same problem happened late last year when many public servants celebrated Christmas with empty stomach as a result of refusal of government to pay them their salary.

It urged the Federal Government to immediately settle all arrears of salaries owed affected workmen in the interest of industrial peace.

However, spokesman of the Head of Service of the Federation, Haruna Rasheed Imrana told journalists that it was absolutely not true to say that thousands of civil servants have not been paid their salaries.

Imrana said: “You better find out which ministry or ministries. It is possible to have one or two government agencies facing a little delay but it is definitely not a civil service thing. “It is not in the mainstream civil service.To say thousands, you better get the facts right because there would have been a riot.”

The communiqué also expressed dismay that the prices of refined petroleum products have remained unchanged despite the significant fall of crude oil prices which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has acknowledged as a being steady.

It called on the government to immediately adjust the pump price of petroleum products which to ameliorate its impact on their purchasing power occasioned by the devaluation of the naira.

It condemned the prsecution of employees in the private sector through the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) to scrap or abolish Gratuity Benefits from the existing retirement benefits in the country and also called for the re-emplacement of gratuity in the public sector.

It said it will fight with all legitimate means at its disposal to ensure the emplacement and the continued existence of the gratuity scheme in Nigeria’s industrial relations system.

December 18, 2014
Ebola: FG supplies vehicles, motorcycles for border checks

The federal government has provided vehicles and motorcycles to effectively man strategic borders as part of measures to contain the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Halliru Alhassan, disclosed this yesterday in Sokoto while briefing newsmen on efforts to contain the deadly disease.

Alhassan said his ministry has mapped out a collaborative mechanism with the Ministry of Interior as well as its agencies against the disease.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at adequately manning the nation’s porous borders.

According to him:”The federal government is up and doing with a view not to take any chances.”

The minister said the federal government has formed a specialised rapid response team to totally deal with the menace.

The team, he said, consists of doctors, medical laboratory scientists and other medical professionals.

According to him: “The major challenge is getting the understanding of Nigerians, especially those under quarantine.”

“Over 400 persons are still under observation while only one case is outstanding in Lagos with two isolation centres currently in operation in Lagos and Port Harcourt,” he explained.

On the residency programme, the minister said that the federal government has not sacked any resident doctor.

“The federal government only stopped the residency programme because they went on strike. But it will be reviewed,” he maintained.

August 31, 2014
FERMA begins work on federal roads

The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has begun work on the Ekparakwa-Iwukem-Azumini Road, Ikot Ekpene –Umuhia Road and Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Itu Road, it was learnt yesterday.

A board member representing FERMA, South-South Zone, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, spoke to reporters in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

Nkanga, a former military administrator of the state, said FERMA acted on a presidential directive ordering it to improve the condition of roads in the state and those linking it with neighbouring states.

He said the Federal Ministry of Works was working on the roads but the contracts were re-awarded due to the contractors’ poor performance.

Said Nkanga: “You may have noticed, particularly those of you from this area, that for some time now Akwa Ibom State has been locked out because of the poor condition of the federal roads.

“The roads in the state are tarred, but those linking it with other states are not in good condition. There is a presidential directive that FERMA must repair the roads linking it with other states.

“I need to let you know that the Federal

Ministry of Works has been working on these roads. Contracts were awarded but because of the contractors’ poor performance, they were terminated.

“FERMA couldn’t have been working on these roads at the same time the Federal Ministry of Works is working on them. We have three contractors working on the roads now.”

August 6, 2014
Community protests neglect of federal school

About 5,000 residents of Eziagu, a community in Orumba South Local Government Area, Anambra State forced the closure of Demonstration Secondary School in the community. The school is owned by the Federal Government College of Education (Technical), Umunze.

Thousands of placard-carrying demonstrators were reacting to the allegation that the school which they built and handed over to the federal government is not recognised.

Some of the placards read: “We want to know the status of our school”, “Give us our land back”, “We say no to cheating”, “The labour of our forefathers shall not be in vain”, “It is time we took our destiny in our hands”, We say no to exploitation”, “The Principal Mr Chike Obienyem must go”.

The protesters also bore green leaves which they heaped at the gate of the school after chanting war songs round the community.

Before the protest, the people assembled as early as 5 am where they were addressed by community leaders on the history of the school and why there was need for the community to repossess the property it donated to the old Anambra State government 23 years ago before retrieving it and handing it to the Federal Government through Umunze Technical College of Education.

Peace has, however, returned to the school after the community leadership and the management of the Federal Government College met and addressed the grievances at the Divisional police headquarters, Umunze.

The provost of the college, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu led the team from the college while the President-General of Eziagu Town Dr John Ofobike led the community leaders.

Ogbuagu said that the issues they raised preceded him as Provost of the college and presented documents attesting that the 15 hectares of land was handed over to the Federal Government by the community as acknowledged by Prof Ben Nwabueze, then Secretary for Education and Youth Development in 1993.

President-General of Eziagu Improvement Union, Dr. John Ofobike, who addressed the people, recalled that the community donated 29 hectares of land on which they built a fully furnished teacher training college which was handed over to the state government.

With the phasing out of the teacher training college, he said, the Anambra State government, in 1993, handed over all the structures and equipment, including 180kva generating set, belonging to the community to the Federal Ministry of Education which, in turn, handed it over to the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze as Demonstration Secondary School.

Ofobike said: “In May 2013, the MDG monitoring and evaluation team came to the school during a census to ascertain the number of secondary and primary schools in the state and to our surprise, there was no record of Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu which was an indication that it is being run as a private institution by some officials of Federal College of Education, Umunze.

“Besides, the school management has continuously marginalised the Eziagu indigenes in the area of employment and school enrolment despite preponderance of eligible candidates from the community.

“In addition, no indigene of the community is a member of the governing council of the school or in the executive of the Parents Teachers Association.

“For peace to reign in the school, the principal of the school must be removed and 60 per cent of the non–academic workforce must be Eziagu indigenes. The authorities of the school should also rehabilitate two major roads in the community and provide water to the people from the existing pipe-borne water from the school.”

Ofobike claimed that Anambra State government did not build any structures in the College. The building of administrative and classroom blocks, dormitories and the purchase of school equipment, which were handed over to the Federal Government, were entirely financed by Eziagu community.

The Federal Government policy on education stipulates that Demonstration secondary schools should serve as practicing schools for teaching practice and also create jobs. The Federal Ministry of Education made provisions in the budget, for the execution of these projects, released funds for their execution, as well as brought out modalities on how to run these schools. However, the then Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze administration deviated from this original policy by not utilising the initial grant meant for the establishment of structures in the Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu, which otherwise would have benefited the community one way or the other.

The President General of Eziagu Community Dr Ofobike and Secretary General, Comrade Asika, Nnanyerenwa made some requests from the Demonstration College which included, “that the principal of Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu, should be removed.

“That sixty per cent of the non-academic work force ranging from cooks, labourers, cleaners, drivers, security personnel, potters and potteresses, matron(s) etc. must be Eziagu indigenes,

“That two permanent slots should be given to Eziagu indigenes in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

“That a minimum of 20 slots of student enrolment should be given to Eziagu Community annually. That rehabilitation of at least 2 major roads leading to the Demonstration Secondary School Eziagu, precisely, Ikpanwojukwu and St. Augustine’s roads be done by the management of Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu.

That Eziagu Community should be given about 10 taps of water from the premises of Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu. Provision of contingency funds for emergency purposes.

That the Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu should ensure speedy payment of electricity bills, as well as remedy the accrued arrears of electricity bills to the Eziagu Community.

“That the Eziagu Improvement Union (EIU) should be notified of employment slots, so as to enable her provide the management of the Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu with the right candidates.

That any job, either by contract or direct labour, not exceeding one million naira should be reserved for Eziagu indigenes. That the Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu shall henceforth not encroach on Eziagu land, aside from those officially allocated to them.

The Secretary for Education and Youth Development then Prof Ben Nwabueze wrote then Commissioner for Education Anambra state Mrs V.V.I Okoye, ‘’I was glad to get your letter in which your Government offered the Federal Government 15 hectares of land belonging to Eziagu T.T.C. including a Giant Plant and infrastructures for the use of Umunze Federal College of Education (Technical); as a Staff Demonstration Secondary School.

“I am pleased to accept the gift on behalf of the Federal Government, and wish most sincerely to thank His Excellency, Governor Chukwemeka Ezeife, and the State Government for this kind gesture.

“As indicated in your letter, I shall discuss with Governor Ezeife the mechanics for the hand-over of the property to the Federal Government.

Youths led by Ejike Umenwa who had wanted a violent protest, were bitter that after 23 years of the school’s existence there is nothing to show for it. There were no additional structures except what they had before handing it over. But the council of elders helped to change their minds.

They wondered why the Nursery and Primary sections should be listed in the under Federal Government College (T) without the Secondary section. With the attitude the protest would have developed into more serious tension in the two school community-Eziagu and Umunze but for the maturity the leadership of the College applied by inviting the community to a round table talk.

February 6, 2014