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Enter the Rotary governor

Dr Bamidele Aloysius Balogun has been installed as the Rotary District 9110 Nigeria governor for the 2014-2015 year. The event held last Saturday, NNEKA NWANERI reports.

For 15 minutes, they danced. The immediate past governor, Mr Olugbemiga Olowu, and his successor, Dr Bamidele Balogun, were in their element wriggling their waists to Eko Akete, a popular Lagos tune.

Members of the audience danced along with them on their seats. Virtually everyone caught the bug of dancing.

Presenting Balogun, his successor to the gathering, Olowu hugged and shook him severally, with their wives standing beside them.

This was the way Dr Balogun was urshed in as Governor of Rotary District 9110 Nigeria for the 2014-2015 year at the Intercontinental Hotel on Victorial Island, Lagos, last Saturday.

The hotel’s hall was crammed with guests. Each club under the District had its own table.

Those from Omole Golden Club wore branded blue and yellow stripped mufflers made of Aso oke material with their names on it.

Everyone radiated with the joy of giving selflessly. It was one of those days to have some fun and dance. Waiters moved around, ensuring that everyone’s glasses were filled at all times.

Yoruba actor Yemi Shodimu compered the event. The chairman of the installation committee, Ify Ejezie, urged non-members of the club to contribute minutely towards the execution of big projects.

In his valedictory speech, Olowu challenged his successor to take the district to greater heights.

The Sun Managing Director/Editor-in Chief and President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Femi Adesina who spoke on the topic: “Humanitarian service in time of crisis”, said he knew Balogun to be a committed Rotarian and congratulated him on becoming District Governor.

Nigerian High Commissioner in Rwanda, Ambassador Peter Ogidi-Oke, who was in Niger Delta attire said Balogun’s tenure would usher on a new chapter in the club’s history.

He said he met Balogun in the 70s during their National Youth Service days.

There was more music when the Oruka musician Sunny Nneji took to the stage. While performing his latest hit Tolotolo, he moved around the audience. He also did another song in praise of women.

In his inaugural speech with the theme: ‘Light Up Rotary’, Balogun promise d to live up to expectation, he said he would carry all Rotarians along.

Minister of Communication, Mrs Mobolaji Johnson, said she was there to support her uncle and wish him success. She implored the club to include Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in its programme for the year because it isveritable tool for development.

In attendance were: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Oil and Gas, Mrs Ngozi Ekeoma; all past governors of the District; Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties Dr Aderemi Desalu represented Governor Babatunde Fashola; Commissioner for Transportation Kayode Opeifa; members of the class ‘78 of the medical school and Old Students of Loyola College Ibadan, Balogun’s alma mater.

July 11, 2014
‘Only a governor can appoint Chief Judge’

It is also important to note that immediately the governor of Enugu State received the recommendation of N.J.C. that Justice R. C. Agbo be appointed, he in obedience to the precepts of the Constitution sent the name of the House of Assembly for confirmation. By a unanimous decision and the House speaking with one voice rejected our colleague Justice R. C. Agbo. The reasons for the rejection were not made public and the Constitution did not demand any explanation from the House in doing so. The House formally informed the Governor, the development. The Governor in turn communicated the N.J.C. At its meeting of December 2004, the N.J.C. resting again on the principle of seniority recommended the writer as the next so-called senior judge on the list to the Governor for appointment. As usual the Governor sent the writer’s name to the House of Assembly which unanimously confirmed the appointment.

It was common knowledge that some belligerent minds at the N.J.C. were smartening for a long drawn battle with the Government and House of Assembly of Enugu State. But ultimately the N.J.C. under the highly intelligent, savvy, transparent and dedicated Chief Justice of Nigeria meandered away from this ignoble collision course. As we pointed out above, where a House rejects a nominee, a disinterested N.J.C. should be grateful for the indication that something was amiss and see to it that the dangerous condition was corrected. It should not see it as an opening to go into power contests with relevant arms of state government.

The N.J.C. must be commended for not allowing meta-legal factors operating outside the appointing process to affect or prevail over its decision in the matter. To allow faceless and vindictive petition writers to influence who gets appointed as a Chief Judge, would herald the obituary of boldness on the bench. The judicial system should evolve some form of protection for judges who discharge their functions boldly and honestly. All we are saying is that the career of bold and incorruptible judicial officers should not be allowed to be adversely affected by mendacious petitions from those they may have found guilty one time or the other in the course of their judicial inquiries and adjudications. Last minute desperate allegations to the N.J.C. when the victim is not in a position to defend himself must be seen as wicked and inhuman and must be ignored.

If judges should conduct public inquiries and judicial duties with the fear of what those found guilty could do in future to abbreviate their career, then we can as well announce the obituary of justice, firmness and fairness in our justice delivery system. Such meta-legal factors outside the process must be completely kept away from the evaluation of who becomes a Chief Judge of a State. Those outside the process should not be allowed to double cross it. My appointment has obviously set forth a pragmatic and constitutional approach which should be permitted to endure in the interest of honour and integrity in the process. And the obvious surmise from my experience is that the N.J.C. has the prestige to recommend but not the power to appoint or insist on a particular appointment. There is absolutely nothing to point to in the Constitution’s text to support a contrary view. As legal minds we must look solely to the constitution as determinative of the question; or at least mainly thereto. We are not entitled to superimpose our personal ideas on the constitutional provision that is clear. By training and by our external hunt for authority, we are not entitled to move outside the text of the Constitution. But if we must, the approach shall be solely pragmatic.

Conclusion

One thing which we can take away from the above exposition is the awareness that the framers of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, intended the process of appointment of a Chief Judge of a State to be political. Consequently, none of the agencies in the appointing process is entitled to objectify what the Constitution treats as political. The rule of seniority usually exploited by the J.S.C. and N.J.C. in the appointing process must be abandoned. In any case, resort to seniority as the only objective basis for the selection of a Chief Judge is a lazy approach. If we must objectify the process there are obviously weightier considerations. The rule of seniority as the only criterion is contrary to political and constitutional trend and should not be further pursued. Every judge of a High Court of a State is a potential Chief Judge of the State and must be seen as such. In that hallowed climate every judge will want to work hard; want to stay away from corrupt influences and bribery; want to stay away from improprieties and hope for the best. And this development would be good augury for the entire judiciary and the judicial system.

It is also important to emphasise that the principle of federal structure of government in Nigeria has increased the importance of yielding the floor to the Governor and the House of Assembly to ultimately decide who becomes the Chief Judge of a State. Nothing but confusion can result from the attempt to wrestle the decision from the political agencies of the State. No doubt seniority on the bench is a respected criterion but must not be determinative of the selection or succession process especially where there are other measurable performance criteria that will enhance quality and higher standards in our judicial institution. It was this dynamic force that prevailed in my case.

My experience also evinced the triumph of the doctrine of separation of powers. The doctrine refers to the concept that each branch of our tripartite government has its own role and that no branch shall exercise the powers of the other two. Evidently, the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances of each branch over the other is a central feature, and a criteria safeguard of our constitutional democracy.

If the N.J.C. is able to read the handwriting from the State Judicial Service Commission and respect the thinking of the Governor of the state on the matter, the succession exercise will never leave a bitter residue at the end of the day. Obviously, this is not a case for the superiority of the executive arm of government. The idea we are simply trying to put forward is that the various organs involved in the selection or succession exercise must not unnecessarily objectify a process which the constitution has clearly declared to be political.

From the foregoing, the following suggestions emerge:

1. The State Judicial Service Commission (J.S.C.) must recommend to N.J.C. the judges for the appointment after due consultation with the Governor of the State. This approach is desirable in many respects. It will ensure that the person or persons eventually recommended to the Governor are acceptable to him. It will save time and ensure that the three arms of government operate not in conflict but in great complimentarity to one another. Harmonious co-existence between the Judiciary, the Executive and the Legislature has no bearing whatsoever to judicial dependence or independence. Obviously in the process of judging, judges put aside their personal beliefs and dispositions and decide what the law requires and what the facts lead to. The articulate concern for protecting the interest of the court’s decision making process is strictly a legal process, not political. Therefore judicial dependence should not be a cloak that could be thrown around a nominee at the very last minute, and when he may not have the opportunity to defend or explain himself before the N.J.C.

The J.S.C. should also weigh the character, fitness and intellectual competence of the nominees. This is because a Chief Judge must have noble concept of the office and use it to accomplish desirable results. He must also evince some intellectual, moral and philosophical leadership of the State Judiciary.

2. The N.J.C. upon receipt of the nomination or recommendation from the J.S.C. shall forward the names unedited to the Governor, “For his action please”. The governor in exercise of his powers under the Constitution will therefore appoint one out of the names sent. The point we are making is this. If N.J.C. received a list of three judges from the J.S.C. unless there are grave legal reasons to the contrary, it must send the list as received to the governor who then decides ultimately who to appoint from the list. This is the only way the N.J.C. can keep away from political conflagration and retain its awareness and integrity.

3.It is necessary to point out here that most decisions of the J.S.C. and N.J.C. filter into town even before members rise from the meeting. Leaks are vey deplorable and they activate petition writers to go to town. And these leaks diminish the integrity of the process.

4.From the list of three judges sent to the Governor, it will be his absolute discretion to send the name of one of the judges to the House of Assembly for confirmation. If the House rejects one, he would send the other as the case may be until confirmation is received. In similar important appointments at the federal level, three names are usually sent to the President of Nigeria from which one of them gets appointed. No agency of the federal government can or is capable of insisting that a particular person must be appointed by the President. This practice is trouble-free and that is what is envisaged in the appointment of the Chief Judge by the Governor of the state. In short, the argument when reduced to its last analysis comes to the fact that the appointment of a Chief Judge of a State is a political process and the role of the Governor is paramount and prevailing.

5. A judge with fundamental allegiance to law and judicial ethics even if appointed by his father or father-in-law cannot bend the law for him.

6. The honour of being a Chief Judge of a State shall be reserved for only those who have legitimate claim to distinction in character and learning, and or, to those whose temperament, character and administrative tendency best reflect judicial and personal commitment to excellence. In this regard any distinguished legal practitioner at the Bar or in academics who has evinced above attributes and who has been on the job for not less than twenty years could be appointed a Chief Judge of his State. There is nothing in any law or in the text of the Constitution to suggest that the selection must be confined fairly closely to the roster of judges in the State.

7. We must also note, though obvious it may seem, that a judge rejected for the office of a Chief Judge today, could, if he rectified the deficiencies that denied him the position in the first instance, become a Chief Judgein future. That he or she is rejected now does not make him lose his life. He will not lose his Court. He could still go to the Court of Appeal and there begin a journey to the apex court.

Finally, it is well to point out that the matter under evaluation may not be exhausted by any single perspective. Plural perspective may be needed. We leave that to rejoinders and exponents of other views. We are also typically aware that in every lively legal discussion, contrary opinions must sporadically show their heads.

But we insist that the views advanced above are valid, useful, practical, cogent and preferable.

July 8, 2014
‘Enugu North should produce next governor’

Former House of Representatives member Hon. U.S.A Igwesi, in this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, speaks on the margina-lisation of the Southeast and the zoning of the governorship to Enugu North Senatorial District .

What are we expecting in Enugu politics next year?

The government has zoned the governorship to Enugu North. Enugu is standing on a tripod, which comprises Enugu East, West and North. These are the three senatorial zones in the state. Enugu East, where Chimaroke Nnamani and I come from, Enugu North, which has done eight years in government. Governor Sullivan Chime, who would be completing his two terms of eight years in May 2015, is from Enugu West. So, by 2015, the governorship will be zoned to Enugu North, which has not produced a governor since the advent of the new political dispensation. The state party caucus has agreed on the formula. The governor and other prominent people from the state have agreed to keep faith with the arrangement by giving Enugu North the chance to produce the next governor of the state. However, there are dissenting voices, but they cannot stop the arrangement because it is well supported. Zoning is not written anywhere in our statute book, but we naturally agreed on work with the arrangement. If Enugu North presents the governor, it will be better for the state, for equity sake.

Governor Chime has done very well in the last seven and half years. He has transformed the state from what it used to be. Anybody who succeeds him should be able to do better. Since Chime intends to run for the Senate, where I believe he will do better, we should support him. He will run for the Senate where Senator Ike Ekweremadu is presently representing the constituency. I believe that Chime will do better. Ekweremadu has done three tenures.

If Ekweremadu does not return to the Senate, what next for him?

He can come home and watch from the ringside. Remember, I was at the National Assembly for some time and came back home, so there is nothing wrong in coming home to play local politics.

But, it appears that there is no agreement over the issue of zoning…

The governor wants everybody to come together to speak with one voice. Nobody likes trouble, if there is somebody who does not agree now, the next thing is trouble. They try to bring pandemonium and confusion. The governor has been trying his best to ensure that everything works well. At the national caucus level, when we met, he told everybody to come, so that we can reach agreement on how the next governorship will emerge. He said we should present one person because we still have other parties warming up for the same position. So, if we have problem in choosing a candidate now, it means we will have problem during the general election. You know, some people when they don’t like your face no matter what you do they will still not like your face.

Other parties will slug it out with the PDP during the election for the governorship. What does this division imply for your party?

As far as Enugu State is concerned, the only party on ground is the PDP. Our problem is not other parties, but PDP itself. Even if the people do not agree to zoning, the PDP will still rule Enugu because of what the governor has done. I was in government under Nnamani, we never had it so good like this. I was a participant and majority leader, so I saw everything and know to a larger extent the impact of Chime’s performance in the affairs of Enugu State. When Chime had health challenges, people wanted him to die, but to the glory of God, the man came out of it. We want him to present somebody to us because someone presented him and he performed. So, there is no other person that can present somebody other than Chime in Enugu State. He is the leader of the party in Enugu State and he has that prerogative.

What if the candidate presented is not acceptable?

We will tell him the person is not acceptable and he will give us another person. In fairness, he is not the only person that will take that decision. Other key stakeholders would make input in the decision and the party generally will look at the viability of such candidate. So, people are now looking up to Enugu North to come up with one candidate that would be acceptable.

The Southeast has fully thrown its weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 bid. What informed your position?

We are completely marginalised, even under the present administration. We have been marginalised in terms of democracy dividend and other things. To be honest to you, we are the only region that has been so marginalised. Apart from the second Niger Bridge, we cannot really point to concrete thing that the government has done for the Southeast. It is only the Southeast that we have five states, others have six. We have been asking God what is our offence. This is unfair, this is injustice, we are not really happy under this administration. The Southeast as a region do not speak with one voice. Our delegates at the National Conference do not have any serious agenda.

July 4, 2014
A governor’s visit that never was

The absence of Governor Theodore Orji at the swearing-in of the leadership of the National Association of Abia State Students (NAASS) jolted students, who came from various campuses to thank him for paying them N50,000 bursary. EMMANUEL AHANONU (Political Science, University of Calabar) reports.

Students of Abia State origin in higher institutions nationwide converged on Okpara Auditorium in Abia State Government House, last week, for the swearing- in of the leadership of the National Association of Abia State Students (NAASS). Governor Theodore Orji, was invited as special guest because the students wanted to thank him specially for paying them N50,000 bursary.

The event became boring when the governor did not show up. Students, who were at the venue with various “thank you” placards, felt disappointed by the governor’s absence.

The angry students said Governor Orji, who is the grand patron of the association, should have given them the opportunity to show appreciation for his kind gesture. The governor was represented by Hon. Emeka Apugo.

The event billed to start at noon kicked off at 2pm, with MC Imbecile entertaining the angry students with jokes. Several students’ bodies mobilised their members for the occasion.

The ceremony was graced by the Vice-Chancellor of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Umudike, Prof Hilary Edeoga, represented the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Sam Ogbonnaya, who served as the chairman of the occasion. Other guests were Mr Chidiebere Kalu, President of South East Youth Assembly, Comrade Jude Imagwe, Special Adviser to the President on Students and Youth Matters, represented by Sherrif Emeka, former students’ leaders, Ezekiel Nwakwo and Chidiebere Kingsley.

The outgoing president, Jude Ezeibe, in his speech, urged all students to support his successor in building the association, saying: “It is time for us to build a noble mansion for a better association, where we all may promote good leadership values and enduring legacies for students coming after us.”

Jude used the occasion to unveil a magazine, Student Google, which he said was a compendium of his administration’s achievement. The magazine also showcased the governor’s achievement in education.

Jude said his leadership made impact on members, listing his achievements among others to include establishing and re-incorporating over 192 chapters of NAASS across the nation, reintroducing bursary which had students to be paid N50,000 each, the highest in the country.

In his acceptance speech, the incoming president, Uchenna Ihedigbo, a Political Science student of Abia State University (ABSU) in Uturu, promised to consolidate on the achievement of his predecessor. He promised to run an open administration that would consider opinion of all members.

Prof Edeoga, who spoke through Dr Ogbonnaya, urged students to be ambassador of peace in their various institutions, advising the NAASS executive to offer exemplary leadership in programmes and conducts.

While administering the oath on the executive members, Price Iroabueke, who headed the electoral committee, urged the incoming executive to work for the best interest of members. He said: “The foundation has been laid for you to work on; it is just for you to consolidate on the effort of your predecessors. We believe in you and we hope you will work in line with the government agenda.”

The General Secretary of campus Ezes, Emmanuel Maduekwe, said all the campus Ezes graced the occasion to identify with the association He urged new leaders to have the interest of students at heart and desist from any form of corrupt practices that could be detrimental to the interest of all students.

Imagwe was honoured for his leadership qualities and his peace programmes to re-orientate the youth about dialogue as best means of conflict resolution.

Students, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, said the event would have been colourful were the governor to be in attendance.

They said the ceremony signalled a new dawn in the association, urging the opponents of the new executive to support the leadership. The students urged their leaders to resolve their differences and chart a new course for the general wellbeing of all members.

July 3, 2014
Why Ibibio should support Oron for governor

Michael Onofiok, a maritime expert, is one of the governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom State. He spoke with Kazeem Ibrahym.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned the governorship ticket to Eket Senatorial District. As a governorship aspirant from Oron, are you satisfied with such arrangement?

I am partly satisfied with the arrangement. At the initial stage, there were insinuations making rounds in the state that there was not going to be any kind of zoning at all. That was against the original arrangement of tripod. The power sharing formula between the major ethnic groups in the state, that is the Ibibios, Annangs and Orons.

The Ibibios have had the first share in the formula. They have been there from the time of late Obong Akpan Isemin to Obong Victor Attah’s period. They spent almost 12 years in the Government House. The Annangs are there now represented by Chief Godswill Akpabio whose second tenure is running up by 2015. 2015 is supposed to be the Oron’s turn, which is the third leg of the tripod but from nowhere we started hearing politics of Senatorial District and no more an ethnicity. We were very uncomfortable with that. We had to battle that with the party and the governor himself. So I am glad that at least the party has made that first pronouncement that the governorship has now been zoned to Eket Senatorial District. We still expect them to say more. The party and the governor still have to say more. That apart from the power shifting to Eket Senatorial District, it has to be Oron Nation. That was exactly what Ex-Governor Victor Attah did. He made that pronouncement that power was going to shift from Uyo to Ikot Ekpene with particular reference to Annang speaking group because he knows that there are still Ibibio of Ini and Ikono of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. So we expect the party to go further in their pronouncement and declare that Oron has the right to produce the next governor after the expiration of the tenure of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

What is the way forward for Oron now that emphasis is placed on politics of senatorial district instead of tripod arrangement?

It will be a disservice to the people if the government now feels it should abandon the tripod agreement that has given us relative peace in the state. I am just a governorship aspirant, I wasn’t there when our forebears drew the agreement on the tripod arrangement. People like Dr. Etim Uye, former Ambassador was part of the meeting. Someone like Chief Don Etiebet was also in the meeting. Former Governor Attah is much aware of this arrangement and even the late Obong Akpan Isemin, a former governor from Ibibio stock was privy to this arrangement. If there is any derailment from that arrangement then that will be of disservice to the people. I will be grateful to see the Ibibios mobilising support for Oron and declaring that Oron had the right to produce the next governor for Akwa Ibom State. With that, the Ibibios would have for once reciprocated the gesture often done to them by the Oron people since senatorial districts were created as purely administrative areas.

Are you comfortable with the aspiration of some Uyo politicians that have also indicated interest in the 2015 governorship?

I am not comfortable with that because Uyo Senatorial District has ruled the state for almost 12 years from late Obong Akpan Isemin’s time to the end of Governor Victor Attah. I have heard series of messages going round the state and I have also read from some Ibibio people saying that Governor Akpabio should make pronouncement that he will be handing over to an Oron person that if the Governor is bold enough to do this, then the Ibibio race will withdraw from the contest and also look for who to support from Oron. But what I am not comfortable with is the Ibibio also indicating interest to run for the same governorship and giving the governor a condition as well. If you give a governor a condition that until he makes further pronouncement that governorship is going to Oron and not Eket senatorial district, then I think we can go and have peace but not also contesting inside the election and also giving the same condition. So, I expect the Ibibio to lay down their ambition and also give support to the Oron people. Apart from waiting for the governor’s pronouncement, the Ibibio should also pronounce that Oron is the third leg of the tripod and Oron is due for the governorship. Oron has supported an Ibibio man for office of the governorship. Oron has supported an Annang man to the office of the governor ; so, I think it is expedient to also give an Oron man an opportunity to be governor. Then the governor will be helpless and he will see the reason to also shift his support to Oron. But when the Ibibio are looking for governorship and compelling the governor to make that pronouncement, it is not right. If the Ibibio accept to do that it is a war 90 per cent won because what that means is that we have now won the support of Uyo Senatorial District and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district cannot have a problem with this arrangement. They are 100 per cent in support of Oron emerging the next governor after Governor Godswill Akpabio. So, if they go on to make this pronouncement, then other people will be weakened and they will see no other reason than to support an Oron person.

What kind of PDP primaries do you expect in Akwa Ibom State going by the claim of some people that the governor is trying to impose his SSG on the people?

There will be no primaries on the basis of imposition of aspirant. When you impose a candidate on the people, especially at this time where the government is supposed to be doing stock taking and try as much as possible to re-align itself to the wishes of the people. When you impose a candidate on the people, they will see it as a challenge. That is not expected of a leader which I am sure that is not what our dear governor is out to do. He may have one to three people that he could wish to give his support. He has to present this man to the people of Akwa Ibom State. All we have been hearing is rumours that Governor Akpabio is in support of Emmanuel Udom. If the reason for sacking former SSG Umana Umana was that he already campaigning while in office for the governorship, then what is Udom doing now? Udom is also campaigning. His flyers and posters are everywhere in the state. He is also holding meetings everywhere much more than what former SSG Umana did. I am very sure why Umana was removed from office may have been on something that transcends what we know. The question of imposition to me is still a mirage because that is not realistic at all. If you are talking about going into a primaries with a candidate that has already been imposed on the people, the people have the right to reject such candidate and we want proper things to be done.

As we move towards the PDP primaries, what role do you expect of Governor Godswill Akpabio?

The governor should play a fatherly role because he is disengaging from the government. I think the only legacy he holds the people is giving us that memory of him that we would sit down here and say we have missed our dear governor that if he were around he would have done this and that for us. We want to him to disengage with respect and go home with total respect from the people of Akwa Ibom State. He should play a fatherly role and give us a level playing field. The governorship should be zoned to the area that is due for it and that is Oron. No matter how many people that indicate interest in that area to run for the governorship if none is willing to step down for the others let them go to the field. Be fair and be impeccable in your decision and let us see what comes out of this but all we want is for him to give us long lasting legacy.

Oron seeks Akwa Ibom’s top job

Uyoatta Eshiet

The Oron Nation comprises five local government areas in Akwa Ibom State. The Oro Nation is appealing to other ethnic groups in the state to support it in its bid to produce the next governor of the state. During The people spoke at the first Oron Nation’s Thanksgiving Day and lecture in Lagos.

The event took place at the Oron House located on Hamidu Williams Street, Okota, Isolo, Lagos mainland. The first part was an interdenominational thanksgiving service. The second part was a soul-searching lecture on why Oron Nation has remained backward despite its huge contributions to Akwa Ibom State and the national economy through her oil and gas resources.

The lecture titled: “The Politics of Land and Sea in Nigeria; Redefining Political and Economic Engagement in Oron Nation”, was delivered by Rev Fr. Donatus Pius Ukpong of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Ministering at the thanksgiving part of the event was: Archbishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Calabar, Most Rev. Joseph Ekuwem, Vice Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Akwa Ibom State, Ven. Antai and Rev Fr. Ukpong.

In the Homily by Bishop Ekuwem titled: “Oro, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, he quoted from the book of Psalms 137, Romans 9: 1-5 and Luke 17. He emphasized the need for thanksgiving as a means of appreciating God for His goodness and getting Him to do more.

He told the Oron people that though God has the power to do anything, He would not do everything because He has given man the intellect and every other thing needed to use to excel.

He said: “With a friend in Jesus, one can achieve the unachievable, urging them to team up within themselves and with others to achieve their desires. After 89 years, the Oron Nation has come of age; God has blessed them with intellect, they must stand up for what they want as no one will give them their due if they don’t demand for it”, the cleric said.

He urged the Lagos branch of the union to ensure the larger Oron Nation imbibes the spirit of giving thanks to God.

Ven. Antai said though the thanksgiving was belated, it was better late than never. He said it was thanksgiving that caused Jesus to make whole one leper out of 10 who were cleansed because she returned to give thanks.

Rev Fr. Ukpong, in his paper, faulted the “political anger” in the Akwa Ibom project as satirised by Governor Godswill Akpabio. He says it lacks natural justice and frustrates the divine blessedness of some people in the state.

Rev. Ukpong insisted that the starting point of a true Akwa Ibom Project is the elimination of the structures of sin, correction of perennial injustice and the up-turning of economic and political structures that are not rooted in justice. These structures are responsible for poverty in the midst of wealth and enslavement of kings and queens in their palaces, he said.

The real and true Akwa Ibom Project should be driven by real anger for equity and justice, without which there can be no real development and economic transformation, he added.

He said: “The real argument in Nigeria today should be resource contribution to the sharing pool not just on land mass or population as some would want us to believe either in Akwa Ibom or Nigeria. The Oro Nation has contributed the largest share to the sharing pool in Akwa Ibom State to produce the next Governor of the state in the interest of justice and equity.”

As the Nation moves towards another election period, Rev. Ukpong warned political gladiators to bear in mind that democracy has its standard and core values, which are not optional in any country. He listed some of them to include respect for human life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, the common good, justice, equity, respect for diversity and truth.

The paper recommended that Oro sons and daughters should train and equip themselves for serious political engagement in Nigeria to give them a voice in the politics of land and seas in the country.

The people were urged to embrace politics of equity and inclusiveness in 2015 and beyond. The paper presenter urged the Oron people to endeavor to establish urgently what he called “Oro Business Consortium” with seed money from the five local governments in the Oro nation and strive to revamp the Ebughu Fishing Company for the use of the Oro people.

On the abandoned Ibaka Deep Seaport, Rev Fr Ukpong challenged all Oro sons and daughters to pursue it relentlessly, politically and otherwise. “The project is perennially ignored because there is no Oro person at the helm of affairs in the state as a governor,” he said.

He urged them to take advantage of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron and train themselves on sea-related businesses.

The people were challenged to give necessary support to political appointees of Oron extraction either at the state or federal level. Since the future of any person is education dependent, Ukpong said individuals and groups should engage themselves extensively in educational advancement.

The lead discussant and former Managing Director, Niger Dock, Nkpubre Nkpubre, demanded justice from Akwa Ibom State government on the issue of 13 per cent oil money derivation.

“75 percent of the oil derived from Akwa Ibom State is from the five local government areas of the Oro Nation. Equity demands that the state government should give a reasonable percent of the derivation received to the oil bearing local government areas instead of what is obtained today,” Nkpubre said.

Another panel discussant, Chief Abasi-Etim Edet, urged the Oron people to take their destiny in their hands, unite and demand the governorship of the state next year.

The people called on the Akwa Ibom State government to declare May 23 of every year as a public holiday in the Oro Nation.

The President of the Lagos branch of the Union, Mr Maurice Ukpong, said on May 23, 1925, their founding fathers, Chief Okon E.O. Isong, Chief Awana Esin and Chief Ekpu Edubio Odoro led others in the first meeting that gave birth to the present Oro Nation. The ideals of the founding fathers laid the foundation for the educational foundation of the people, which offered scholarships to indigent but bright children of Oro Nation to study abroad, Maurice said.

June 20, 2014
Governor’s aide lights up UNILORIN

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Kwara State Governor on Information Technology, Hamza Usman, has donated about N5million worth of Light Emitting Diode (LED) outdoor display unit to the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

The device, comprising a perspective viewing LED, attached air conditioner, casing and inner cooling system was recently donated to the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali.

Usman graduated from the department of Computer Science of the Vice Chancellor university about 12 years ago.

Speaking of the initiative, Usman said that the donation was an opportunity to give back to his alma mater.

“Running of a university like this should not be left in the hands of the administration alone,” he said.

The SSA dedicated the donation to his parents.

He said: “The device is an LED display unit rated P10. Its size is 2.65square meter. I wish to dedicate this donation to my wonderful parents, especially, in loving memory of my late mother, Hajiya L. A. U. Sadik who strived hard to see me through this university, and was always my source of encouragement.

This donation is further predicated on the evidential growth which the University of Ilorin has recorded under the successive administrations and particularly, the present one, which is deeply focused on fostering CSR and other intervention projects from the private sector, and indeed the alumni of the University.”

Usman also said the device can be useful for communication purposes.

“It is a communication device that the university can use in showcasing some of its activities to visitors and that informed its positioning at the Senate building arena,” he said.

In a remark, Ambali thanked the donor for his contribution.

“I thank you most sincerely for this donation of LED board which is better than what we had. You are actually helping us to make the University of Ilorin better by far. We are grateful and we need people like you,” he said.

May 29, 2014
Governor: Fed Govt played politics with girls’ abduction

Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima indicted the Federal Government last night for what he called its slow response to the kidnap of the 276 Chibok schoolgirls.

According to him, the government was politicising the April 15 incident when a timely action was required. The global outcry over the incident forced the Federal Government to begin the search for the girls, who were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents, he said.

Shettima spoke to CNN’s Christine Amapour in London. With him was All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leader Sharon Ikeanor, who is playing a role in the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.

Shettima said it took the President a while to take action. He said: “It took a while. For the first three weeks, we were politicking. And there is a whole lot of difference between governance and politics. Instead for us to pointedly address the problems, we were busy looking for scapegoats.”

The governor, who described Boko Haram fighters as “rabid lunatics”, said the Federal Government must do everything possible to bring back the girls, even if it would require “talking to the devil”.

He said: “We need to get these girls back and we don’t have time on our side. It is too painful; this is how it would be if our own daughters are involved. So the issue of not negotiating with the terrorists is out of the context. If it means talking to the devil…if Mr devil can come down and we can get back our girls.

The governor, who has been criticised for observing that the insurgents are better motivated and equipped than soldiers, spoke of how he warned the Federal Government of the impending danger.

His words: “…And the fact in all these things is that, three years ago, I was repeatedly telling them that before long, that this is not a minor problem, that if it is not handled with tact and care, it is capable of metamorphosing into a conflagration that might consume the whole north. But the Federal Government was deaf, dumb and blind to the reality.

“We need a holistic approach to solve the issue; military approach is not the only option because Boko Haram is a phenomenon grown out of social exclusivity, poverty, hunger, joblessness, hopelessness, illiteracy… These are very dangerous cocktail or mixture that can really explode anywhere.”

Does he believe the girls would be found? Shettima said: “I am an optimist. I believe that they would be found and this is one thing that is agitating the mind of everybody… Believe me, we are working assiduously; we are getting information and anytime we get information, we relay it to the military for them to take it to the next level. Certainly, we got some information two, three days ago and we obliged them (military) with the information we got; and we are working with the local communities because we have a very robust platform of local people, who have been sensitised to report to us any unusual movement, be it of vehicular or human traffic. And they are doing a good job.

“We have gone out of our way to assure them (parents) and we are partnering with the military to provide adequate security and we are buying into this school programme championed by Gordon Brown, so that our schools can be better secured. I have to thank the global community for bringing the whole issue on the spotlight.”

On the allegations by Shtetima that the Federal Government was playing politics with the mass abduction, Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mr. Mike Omeri, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, said: “Let me say that since the beginning of this abduction saga, not a single government official has accused anyone of playing politics with the matter. We are not going to take up issues with them. What is paramount for this government and the President is to see to the rescue of the girls alive.

“Those playing politics with the matter know themselves and they are the ones shouting loudest. The President will be visiting Chibok to assess things for himself and I’m sure everyone now knows the level of his commitment to ensuring an early resolution of this matter. How can a leader of a party and governor of a state accuse the President of playing politics with the lives of Nigerians? To what end?”

Speaking also on CNN yesterday in Abuja, Omeri said the government was open to dialogue as against negotiating the release of the girls by swapping them with Boko Haram prisoners.

He said the government was moving troops into the Sambisa forest.

Omeri said he was not in the position to give details about the movement of troops into the forest.

He also said the government was on the right track to rescue the abducted girls.

Omeri said: “The results are slow in coming. There is national attention and energy directed to make sure that our beloved children are returned to us and reunited with the rest of Nigerians so we can continue to do the things that we normally do.

“The government has mobilised sufficiently and in collaboration with partners, more initiative and strategy is been deployed.

“Money? Are they for sale? We will amicably find a solution to it. I believe so because the government of Nigeria, led by our President, has shown the determination and mobilised to the last man.”

May 16, 2014
‘It’s Enugu North’s turn to produce governor’

Chief U.S.A. Igwesi, former Leader of Enugu State House of Assembly and House of Representatives member representing Nkanu East and West federal Constituency, in this interview with CHRIS OJI assesed Governor Sullivan Chime’s performance in ofice, among other issues in the state. Excerpts:

Six years under Chime in Enugu, how will you rate his administration?

Excellent, wonderful and unprecedented. Enugu State has been transformed and re-engineered to embrace the big brother role it used to play to the states in the Southeast. The government has constructed and reconstructed almost all the roads in Enugu metropolis. His administration has been able to bring sanity in the streets of Enugu. Night life that had eluded Enugu for several years has been brought back. All the roads in the city have been reactivated with street lighting and resounding roads signs for easy movements. Now Enugu is working. The most interesting thing is that all these were achieved with minimal noise and publicity. My prayer is that whoever is going to be his successor should take a cue from his style of administration. I have a dream of a successor who will play less politics but who will open up infrastructural development in the state. A successor who will not only enrich government institutions but promote peace and unity in the state.

State caucus of the party, under the watchful eyes of Governor Chime, insisted that members of the National Assembly who have done two terms will not go back, and the direction seems not to have gone down well with members. What is your take on that?

Every organisation has a leader, and a good follower should always obey the leader, so that when it is time for him or her to lead, others will obey him or her. The present members of NASS from the state were not elected because they were our First Eleven or our best but because members of the party who had the same political interest were compelled by an understanding to give them chance to go, through this kind of directives. I definitely expected them to be good party men by listening to the voice of wisdom. Personally, I was deprived of second tenure in National Assembly in spite of my striking, performance while , because there was an instruction similar to this that was handed over to me. I had no choice but to back out. That is party discipline and decency in human interaction and socialisation.

How do you see the recent attack by some unknown men on the Enugu State Government House?

First and foremost, I condemn that incident. It is sheer madness for any group of people under whatever guise to march to Enugu seat of power at such ungodly hour. I wish to call on the police to embark on a full-scale investigation aimed at unravelling the deadly act. The aim, motive and objective of the group should be ascertained because such incident is alien and new to our people, and as a stakeholder in the state, I deserve to know what is happening in my state, whether negative or positive.

What is your reaction to the zoning of 2015 governorship slot to Enugu North Senatorial Zone and what manner of person do you recommend for the office from the zone?

That is the best political decision in that direction. Because Enugu is tripodal in her political engineering, and that has been working for them for decades. As I said Enugu is seating on a tripod that is Enugu East, Enugu West and Enugu North. Enugu East has taken her own share of the slot; Enugu West is presently occupying the position and the next zone is Enugu North. So you can see the equity, fairness and political balancing in this decision. So, this is the best political decision to assuage marginalisation and almost all the stakeholders in the State were at home with this arrangement. Those who claims is not written any where are just deceiving themselves, because it has been working for us and is like a bond or convention.

You have since relocated to Abuja, what is your political ambition?

For now, I think I don’t have anything in mind. At the appropriate time, Almighty God will direct me aright. As a party member and a foundation member of the party who have never left the party to any other party. I wish to support those chosen by the party at any level, that is the hallmark of a good party man. And to correct you, I have not relocated to Abuja, I’m in constant touch with my ward, local government and indeed the state.

March 27, 2014
Dickson… Talk na do governor

What does Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson have up his sleeves? Dickson has asked his critics to wait till February 14 to see the manifestation of his nickname, “Talk na do governor”, writes Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson believes his critics should pause and listen. “Come to Bayelsa and see my magic touch”, he seems to be telling them. The governor took over the reign on Valentine’s Day of 2012. Then, the state wore insecurity as a daily toga. Cultists, unrepentant militants, armed robbers overran the state and created panic among the residents especially those who lived in Yenagoa, the state capital. Like a plane, nightlife flew out of the state. People were cut down in their primes by dare-devil gunmen who operated with impunity.

Investors, construction giants, such as lJulius Berger and SETRACO, left the state in a hurry. Most of the high-profile events that were supposed to be hosted in the state were diverted to neighbouring states. No day passed by without reports of killings in the state of President Goodluck Jonathan.

But Dickson can now beat his chest and tell his critics that security has returned to the state, especially the capital city. He can boldly roll out his massive investment in the sector. Security infrastructure, digital hardwares and his uncommon commitment in the sector had pulled Julius Berger, SETRACO and other construction firms back to the state.

He can direct his critics’ minds to the hosting of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) beauty pageant, 38 damsels in Centenary Pageant, African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), International Jazz Festival and World Tourism Day as eloquent testimonies of pervasive security in the state.

Besides, he told his detractors that Yenagoa for the first time accommodated over 70 international experts who assembled at the Ijaw House for the first Underwater Conference organised in Africa by the United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

It was with pride that Dickson boasted to the Zonal Commandant, Zone G, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Assistant Commandant-General Joseph Oragande, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Yenagoa, last year that Bayelsa was the safest state.

He said: “I like to thank you for what your men are doing. Going forward and working together with all other agencies, Bayelsa will even be safer as we move on. As our security plans and activities take more root and people get better sensitised on what we are doing, particularly about their role in working with security agencies, this place will even be much more secure than it is.

“This government has a zero tolerance approach to criminality, brigandage and violence and we are very happy with the cooperation and hard work that all security agencies have made available at the service of our state and country.”

The Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of police,in charge of Zone 5 command, Hashimu Argungu, also agreed with the governor. During one of his visits to the state, he declared Bayelsa as the safest state in the zone. The zone comprises Delta, Edo and Bayelsa.

Dickson’s state’s security outfit, Operation Door-Akpo, had also received kudos for its approach in fighting crimes in the state. The efforts of the outfit compelled the Security Watch Africa in South Africa to confer on Dickson the award of the Best Security Governor in West Africa.

Like him or hate him, many residents of the state are commending the governor’s stride in security. They believe that though some incidents of kidnapping and killings still occur, they are indications that even in the most developed countries crimes cannot be totally eradicated.

A human rights activist and former Secretary, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Mr. Alagoa Morris, in his open letter to the governor praised the security situation in the state. He condemned the human rights abuses and extra-judicial killings prevalent in the state during the reign of the proscribed Operation Famou Tangbei.

He said: “Compared to past administrations; the security arrangement currently in place is better, even though there may be room for improvement. Apart from direct observations; from the pulse of fellow Bayelsans, information about the exploits of Operation Doo Akpo is felt; especially in the areas of swift response to distress calls and Human Rights related issues.

“And, although the current security outfit is a great improvement when compared to Operation Famou Tamgbe; that wicked, lawless and violent security outfit put in place by the immediate past administration. And, as a group; the Civil Liberties Organisation spoke out against the condemnable Human Rights violations committed by Operation Famou Tangbe.

“Operation Famou Tangbe had a torture chamber where cases of attempted rape of victims, torture, intimidation and extortion were perpetrated.

“This was beside the molestation of members of the public, jumping into minor family affairs and carrying out extra-judicial killings. I hope, even though little or no such complains have reached the Human Rights community; that such unlawful acts are not being perpetrated within the office area of Operation Doo Akpo, the new security outfit established by your administration.

But he advised: “Your Excellency should ensure that, not only the Rule of Law is upheld; the fundamental rights of citizens should be protected. In this connection, it would be pertinent not to keep accused in the custody of Operation Doo Akpo for more than the initial hours of arrest and documentation.

“All arrested persons should be handed over to the regular police stations after documentations for proper investigation of alleged offences/crimes and prosecute them in courts of competent jurisdiction.

“For, during the reign of Operation Famou Tamgbe, night life in Yenagoa was restricted and Bayelsans moved about with fear at all times of the day. I am happy that, even though I am not a night person, members of the public are enjoying night life in Yenagoa now without the usual molestation/harassment, arrest and detention associated with Operation Famou Tamgbe.”

Besides Morris, others who spoke to the Niger Delta Reports on the streets of Yenagoa scored Dickson very high on security. A petty trader on Imgbi Road who identified herself as Patience said her business had improved greatly.

“I am a recharge card and orange seller. I recalled how bad boys used to deal with me before this government came. On three occasions, they came to where I was selling my goods, showed me gun and forced me to give them all my money.

“After the third time, l learnt to close before 7pm. But now, I have never experienced such things. No more gunshots. No more harassment. I can now do business without fears. I can stay till any time l like before closing. Who said it would not be better for Dickson? That person should examine his head. He has tried in security.”

Also, a non-indigene of the state, who identified himself as Julius Abayomi, said for the first time he could sleep with his eyes closed. “We have never had it this good in terms of security. There used to be war in Bayelsa and people used to call me to ask me to come home.

“But those who used to call me to come back home have been visiting in in the state. Dickson has done well in security and we should encourage him to do better”, he said.

On the disturbances in waterways following reports of kidnapping and attacks on vessels by pirates, Dickson said he had mapped out a strategy to end it. His Security Adviser, Col. Benard Kennebai (retd) said the days of waterways criminals were numbered.

He said: “We are ensuring that things are ready for us to launch fully into the waterways. Soon, the criminality in the waterways will be brought to a standstill. I can guarantee you that.”

January 31, 2014
Essayists share stage with governor

The seventh Annual Lagos State Taxation Stakeholders’ Conference of last Thursday did not just serve as a forum to discuss tax issues alone, it gave the opportunity for secondary school winners of the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) Tax Essay Competition to learn more about the taxes they wrote about in their essays and be rewarded by Governor, Babatunde Fashola.

The event, held at the Haven events centre, Ikeja, GRA, attracted representatives of corporate organisations, institutes, market women and other taxpaying institutions and individuals who heard various government agencies give account of their stewardship.

The pupils heard from the governor how Lagos has been able to increase its Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) through taxes. As a result, he said the government was able to budget N486 billion this year – compared to N14 billion in 1999. With income generated from taxes, he said the state would be able to match the kind of infrastructure and social/welfare services found in the developed world.

The six winners from the junior and senior categories were presented with plaques, cash prizes and computers for writing on various topics on how taxes can be utilised to better the society.

In the junior category, Queen Rita Edvbir of Western College, Yaba, lifted the trophy and went home with a scholarship grant of N250,000 and a computer for her school. David Iwoera of Muslim Junior College came second and got N200,000 and a computer while 10-year old JSS2 pupil, Adesuwa Inegbenebo of Ogba Junior Grammar School came third and was rewarded with N150,000.

Chidinma Ilo of Eletu-Odibu Senior High School, Yaba won the senior category. She beat Blessing Okeke of Aquinas Private College, Surulere, and Olayemi Bola Shalom of State Seniro High School, Ibereko to the second and third positions.

In an interview with The Nation, Rita said from her research on the topic: “The Impact of Tax Payment on the Lagos of our Dreams,” she was able to learn how taxes have help the government provide infrastructural facilities and urged all taxable adults to pay their taxes.

“I want all citizens of Lagos to pay taxes regularly so the government can improve social amenities,” she said.

For Chidinma, tax income has played an important role in improving her school. She said her school used to be called Tambolo High School because it was infested by an ant locally called Tambolo. This is no longer the case.

“Pupils from other schools used to call my school Tambolo High School because the first thing you see when you visit is the ants. But now the school has changed. We have new classrooms; we also have a poultry and fish pond used to generate money for the school,” she said.

January 23, 2014