The Nation Newspaper

Tag: integrity

  • Guest of integrity

    Guest of integrity

    Guests, everywhere in the world, are of different types. Some are of honour and treated with integrity because of their acknowledged dignity. Some are bereft of honour but merely tolerated for their nuisance value. Each time we talk of guests, people invariably think only of humans in the erroneous belief that no other creature could be qualified for that title. What they don’t seem to know is that humans are just a fraction of Allah’s creatures. There are millions of others not often noticed by man. One of such creatures is environment of which season is a part. The phenomenon called season comes in different forms with different intensity and at different times of the year.

    Seasons are like the tides of an ocean. They roll out spirally in quick succession and reshape the world’s environment from time to time as they come in multiple of months. No one measures a season in the absence of months as there can be no seasons without months.

    Europeans have so much respect for seasons that when they have an important guest they call him an ‘August visitor’. The month of August is the peak of summer season and the most comfortable month of hospitality for the Caucasian race of Europe hence the term.

    In Islam, the most venerable guest is Ramadan. Its visiting time is not restricted to any particular season or Gregorian month. Its arrival in the world may coincide with that of any season. It is therefore a guest of all seasons.

    With Ramadan as a guest, not only the Muslims but the entire humanity is consciously or unconsciously engaged in hospitable activities.

    Those who cannot fast in it do take advantage of its presence to sell or buy some relevant needs and wants. Thus, there can be no indifference to the awful presence of Ramadan in any part of the world.

    I recall the vivid description given this sacred month in ‘THE MESSAGE’ column sometime ago which is still as relevant now as it was then. It went thus:

    Once every year, something creeps into the world like the early morning light. It moves kaleidoscopically into an arena where the centre becomes its stool. It lifts its veil and beams a focus on the world with an arresting attention in the days. It envelops the nights in a shroud of covenant linking the dream of man with his fulfilment.

    Its journey

    No one knows Ramadan’s port of embarkation. No one knows its destination. All we know of it is that of a guest that is so vividly present in our world and yet so invisible. RAMADAN is the name by which it is divinely christened. Its coming is often heralded by a retinue of envoys. The months of ‘Rajab’ and ‘Sha’ban’ are the immediate escorts that alert us of its imminent arrival. Like the sun in the midst of stars, Ramadan ascends the throne in full regalia and all other months, (lunar and solar) quickly take their bow.

    Call it the king where other months are chiefs and you will be dead right. Call it the doctor in a world of sick people and you will not be wrong. Call it the compass in the wilderness of straying humanity and you would have spoken the truth. Call it the reformer of human soul; the steriliser of human spirit as well as the purifier of human body and you will not be disputed. In its entourage are equally invisible ministers like piety, knowledge, truth, justice and peace all of which usher it into the world with splendour.

    Deriving its name from a natural healing phenomenon, this ninth lunar month is truly baking in effect. The word:  Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word ramd (meaning baking). The name had been in existence before the advent of Islamic calendar. It was coined from a baking summer that immediately followed a freezing winter. Ever since, Ramadan’s mission has been to firm up all loose ends in the life of man. And it does that with a touch of perfection.

    Its mission

    The entire month of 30 or 29 days is spent fasting from dawn to dusk.

    Such fasting is not about abstinence from foods and drinks alone. It

    is also about self restraint from all sinful acts. It is about repackaging one’s destiny through a new but sincere resolution.

    Fasting during this month is believed to figuratively burn away all sins. It was in this glorious month that the revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) first began.

    In this month, all gates of paradise, according to the Prophet, are open while those of hell are closed. The first ten days in it are blessings galore for those of the Muslim Ummah who need blessings and seek for them. The next ten days personify forgiveness for those who realise the gravity of their sinful acts, repent on them and resolve never to return to such acts again. Thus, Ramadan is far beyond a month. It is a season.

    Its anchor leg

    The last ten days form the anchor leg of Ramadan which is meant for the liberation of mankind from the manacles of Satan. Whoever is so liberated automatically becomes like a new born baby arriving in a new world with a tabula rasa (clean slate).

    In these last ten days is a particular night (Laylatul Qadr) in which the secret of human destiny is encapsulated. It is otherwise known as the ‘Night of power’. Meeting that night consciously and spiritually is like securing the key to one’s own apartment in Paradise. But one needs to remain awake throughout those nights to be fortunate to meet the D night.

    Allah did not disclose even to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which particular night it is. But by asking the Muslims to look for it in the odd nights of the last ten days, the Prophet has helped us tremendously. However, who can be so sure of the odd nights when the issue of sighting the crescent before starting Ramadan remains controversial?

    Also, during the last ten days of Ramadan, some willing Muslims, in accordance with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), do go for Umrah in Makkah or take to I’tikaf (spiritual seclusion) locally, to reaffirm their total submission to Allah. Following this is a session of charity made compulsory for all Muslims irrespective of age, gender and status, to give to the poor and the needy. This is called Zakatul Fitr or Sadaqatul Fitr. It is given in the very early morning of Ramadan Festival Day or the night before it to enable the poor and the needy celebrate the festival with the Ummah in a festive mood.

    Anticlimax

    The first day of the month of Shawwal immediately after Ramadan is the anticlimax traditionally spent in great celebrations with rejoice and observed as the ‘Festival of fast breaking the (Eidul Fitr).

    Where else can one find a guest like Ramadan? Where else can one meet a guest that hosts his host and heals him of ignorance and diseases?

    It was probably more to Ramadan than to man that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) referred when he said: “whoever believes in Allah and the ‘Last Day’ should venerate his guest” That guest is Ramadan. That is why Muslims often say in this unique month: ‘RAMADAN KARIM’ which means ‘Venerable Ramadan’.

    Preparation

    To start or end fasting in Ramadan, sighting of the crescent is just symbolic. The indices of recognising when to start or end the month are naturally vivid to those who care.

    Ramadan is preceded by two glorious lunar months of Rajab and Sha’ban for fun. The number of days in those two months is to enable any serious Muslim know the time of arrival of Ramadan and prepare for it.

    No lunar month exceeds 30 days and none is less than 29 days. Crescent or no crescent, it is very possible and easy to know when to start Ramadan every year. The confusion often created by the sighting of the crescent is therefore avoidable. If Rajab is 30 or 29 days, no one looks for the crescent before starting Sha’ban. As soon as Rajab ends, Sha’ban starts.

    Dynamism

    Islam is a dynamic religion and nothing should be rigid about the sighting of the crescent before starting Ramadan. Sighting the crescent is not the only condition for starting the great month. After all, the new crescent is not necessarily visible to all eyes at any given time in any locality. That is why a few who may be privileged to sight it are implored to invite some others to witness it and then inform the recognised authorities who will in turn, announce the arrival of Ramadan to the Muslim community in the locality or region.

    Besides Faith (Iman) and Hajj (which are the first and last pillars of Islam), nothing else is really globally uniform in practical terms with regards to timing. The variation in the geography of the earth has legitimised the variation of time in the observance of Salat, Sawm and Zakat. Iman is global because it resides permanently in the hearts of the believers, irrespective of their localities. Hajj is equally global because it is performed in only one place at a particular time.

    Geographical factor

    Where a gap of about nine to eleven hours exists between one part of the world and another, talking of global uniformity in starting or ending Ramadan can only border on sheer ignorance. For instance it is impossible for the Australian Muslims living in Australia and their South American brethren residing in Brazil or Argentina to start Ramadan on the same day. Even within Nigeria, all Muslims can start Ramadan on the same day, only if they have equal access to information. And even with that, it is not possible for them all to start or end daily fasting at the same time of the day. That is why the announcement or publication of Ramadan timing according to the various localities is necessary.

    That Ramadan fasting is prescribed as a universal obligation for all Muslims in a particular month is deliberate. Allah who did the prescription is not oblivious of the geographical variations in the world. Neither is He unaware of the possible invisibility of a new crescent to most eyes. The design is to allow for the reverberation of the effect of Ramadan across the world. And time variation in worship or celebration of festivals is not peculiar to Islam. Even in Christianity, neither Easter nor Christmas is globally celebrated in one day. And, there is no media noise about it.

    What is global about Ramadan fasting is the month and not the time.

    Dawn and dusk vary from locality to locality. It is therefore possible for the Muslims in one part of the world to be breaking their daily fast at a time when their brethren in another part are commencing theirs. Thus, the genuineness or otherwise of Ramadan fasting is not to be judged by man. That is why Allah is reported by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as saying in a sacred Hadith (Hadithul Qudsi) that: “Fasting is mine and I am the One to grant rewards on it.”

    Welcome to the coast of Ramadan. This sacred ‘ship’ must not leave the coast without you on board. Ramadan is like an institution of learning. A good Muslim must not just pass through it he must also allow it to pass through him. Who knows when the last time to witness the month will be?

    While waiting for Ramadan perch like an eagle, we still remember one of us who created a special clout for himself under the aegis of Ramadan. His sudden, unexplainable disappearance at the advent of Ramadan in 2012 remains indelible in our memories. But Allah knows best. We continue to pray for him and his family even while awaiting Allah’s justice.

     RAMADAN KARIM IN ADVANCE!

  • ‘Integrity is my most cherished business principle’

    ‘Integrity is my most cherished business principle’

    Taofeek Sodia, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Tasho Nigeria Ltd, is one of those entrepreneurs that started business with zero capital. After 14 years of hard work and commitment, he has become a leading distributor with Guinness Nigeria. Sodia speaks with Bukola Afolabi on how he started the business, succession plans and advice for start-ups.

    How did you start the business?

    I have a very humble beginning. I started in a 12 by 12 shop, a lock up shop to be precise. We started in the era of white paper, allocation paper, that enables me earn income as a middle man in the supply chain. Friendship paper we got from Guinness Nigeria, which we normally took to the distributors to enable us get the brands at recommended company prices.

    I was the sales boy, the accountant, the loader boy, the cleaner, as well as the security man. I used to go out and sell at my margin to make reasonable profit. I did all these for the first two to three years of my business, strictly a one man business. I was running a one man show.

    My Guinness story started way back in 1989/1990. Then the business lacked capacity, we used to collect money from customers ahead before supplying them with the goods. I guess that was what groomed me to be strong on integrity.

    That time ‘allocations’ were just being made to us because demand was higher than supply but today the story has changed tremendously. We have a buyers’ market today where you come into our warehouse and you see all brands you want without stress.

    What is your assessment of the Nigerian business environment?

    A host of factors militate against our business, poor infrastructure (bad roads), high interest rates, poor public power supply which occasions high cost of diesel as businesses are compelled to run on independent power supply.

    All these are not helped by seemingly harsh government policies which make it difficult to do business in Nigeria. We are confronted with multiple taxation and levies by all tiers of government, whereas we ought to be encouraged to provide employment to people. The business environment in Nigeria is challenging to say the least.

    What prompted you to do business with Guinness?

    I chose Guinness Nigeria because it is part of a world class and worldwide reputable company with a rich variety of quality products in her stable that make marketing very easy. Guinness brands are well loved in Nigeria, making it not only marketable, but profitable. My experience doing business with Guinness has thought me that customers love Guinness’ products.

    What do you think endears Guinness to Nigerian consumers?

    Quality and variety! No doubt the quality of Guinness’ brands and the varieties that offer consumers freedom to choose attract consumers. I also like to highlight that Guinness’ ability to blend quality and variety with the right price is second to none in the industry.

    How has that affected your lifestyle?

    Greatly and in all aspects of life! From operational to managerial, to corporate social responsibility, my relationship with the company has thought me that I must be on ground and not seat in the comfort of my home and feel that all is well. I have learnt thoroughness; from thorough supervision at all departments and sections from empties to accounts, sales through security; all these have contributed in shaping how I do business a great deal. I have learnt and grown by doing business with the company.

    What is the distinguishing factor in this business?

    One of the things that distinguish a company in business for all stakeholders is doing things that will benefit all. Guinness prefers that consumers of alcoholic beverages do so responsibly without any injury to their health or endangering other people as could be the case with drunk-driving. It is continuously campaigning for consumers to have sufficient knowledge on alcoholic beverages to ensure that they are consumed responsibly. I commend this and align with it as someone in the business.

    How do you relax and what role does alcoholic beverage play in your leisure?

    After a hectic day, I relax with friends at bars to cool my nerves. We merely drink and gist before I go home to rest. I also take time to go on vacation and rest. During my vacations, I brainstorm on how to achieve my goals.

    Any succession plan?

    Definitely, I am happily married. Thank God our marriage is blessed with children. Some of our children are still in school while some have graduated and are currently working with me as part of my succession plan.

    If you have to start afresh in business, what steps would you take?

    I find the evolution of the information and communications technology very interesting and would probably have done something there. I find out that technology is of great assistance from computer to internet, these tools have the capacity to aid and grow the business faster today than when I started. I would have embraced ICT more in my business operations.

    What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?

    I advise young entrepreneurs to be committed and contented with what they have. Every aspiring business person should get good education before venturing into business but the most important thing in business is integrity. Integrity should be the soul of business with banks and the company they are dealing with. Having said that, I have to caution young people desiring to go into business never to sell at a loss and start pursing unnecessary or unrealistic targets.

     

  • Integrity, not money

    Integrity, not money

    The plan by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to spend as much as N92.9 billion in organising the 2015 general elections has generated controversy among the populace. Many have wondered why the commission that had already spent so much on producing an electronic voter’s register would need to spend almost N100 billion again on election.

    The INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, told a meeting of stakeholders in Abuja that a study of the general elections in Africa showed that INEC would be within the range of the cost across the continent. He pointed out that the per capita spending in Ghana’s last general elections was $12. He said, in Kenya, it cost between eight and nine dollars per head. At the proposed N93 billion, it would cost the commission eight dollars per voter.

    This is indeed a huge sum given current economic challenges faced by the country. Daily, we are inundated with complaints of pipeline vandalism, piracy and shortfall in oil production, all translating to poor funding of the capital budget. Poverty reigns supreme and infrastructure is generally still in short supply in all parts of the country. The government would be best advised to be more frugal in its expenditure.

    It is our view that the debate should be about what we derive from the elections. Has Nigeria been better served since Professor Jega took over as INEC chairman? It is on record that Nigerians fought for financial independence for the commission as the National Assembly reviewed the relevant electoral laws before the 2011 general elections. Today, the commission’s expenses are charged on the Consolidated Fund of the Federation. It has full control of its budget.

    But, elections since 2010 when the Professor of Political Science, former Vice Chancellor of the Bayero University, Kano, and renowned activist took charge have not reflected the confidence reposed in his team. The situation has become worse since the last general election. The governorship and by-elections conducted have called to question the administrative capacity of the INEC commissioners and the view that financial dependence could have been responsible for the poor conduct of the polls since independence.

    It is our view that merely throwing money at the electoral commission would not solve the problems at hand. It appears that the body either does not know what to do or is already compromised. As is demanded of the judiciary, it is not enough for elections to be conducted and results announced, the process must be transparent and the mandate delivered clear. It serves no purpose to conduct elections and still wonder at the end thereof if the level of malpractices could have warranted voiding it.

    After the 2007 presidential election, the last conducted by Professor Maurice Iwu, even the Supreme Court found it difficult to say the returned candidate actually won. It rather agreed that there were monumental malpractices, but it appeared to it that the pair of Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan would still have won were the poll free and fair.

    The challenge at this point is for Jega to prove those who have given up on him wrong by conducting elections that would meet international best practices and would make all agree that the candidates returned won fair and square.

    The approval of N93 billion cannot do the magic. The men at the helm of affairs in INEC must be determined to satisfy Nigerians that they are up to the task.

     

  • Forum canvasses integrity in leadership

    LEADERS in the country have been urged to imbibe discipline,transparency and fear of God as hallmark of their leadership style. It was the consensus of speakers at the three-day conference of the Voice of Integrity International, an arm of Grace Prevailing Ministries in Lagos. The highlights of the grand finale were speech making and award of prizes.The theme was:Ahieving Result

    The atmosphere was convivial and members of the choir were in their best element as they rendered soul-lifting songs to the admiration of all. This was followed by prayers which kick started the programme.

    Speaker after speaker discussed impediments to true leadership and the way out. They mentioned specifically that leadership must be integrity focused.

    The first speaker, Mrs E.O. Ibru,said every Christian is an image bearer of the Lord. She added that at the centre of every temptation is an integrity issue. She examined what robs man of integrity or why people lack integrity to include mindless acquisitive tendencies. That is when we want to have more than necessary. Another is when we unnecessarily engage in competition,that is when we want to live better than the other. She sugested discipline and closeness to God as panacea to this behaviour.

    The next speaker, Mr James Dugo, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs looked at the topic from the spiritual point of view. He said: “Ordinarily, a man with visible results is considered an achiever, but we are not looking at achievement from the world success but we are looking at success with kingdom principles”.

    He described an achiever as a person who has received salvation through Jesus Christ, adding that if a man gains the whole world and loses his soul, such has not achieved anything afterall. He concluded saying “Achieving success here is bringing people into the Kingdom.”

    Mrs Ebube Gloria Nwachukwu, showered encomiums on her husband for the training and freedom granted her to prove her worth. She enumerated the exploits made through her pet programmme, Women and Marital Oneness International to include rehabilitation of battered homes, counselling, empowering widows and women, giving hope and succour to the less privileged in the society. She prayed for more grace and enablement to continue giving her best to humanity.

    A Senegalese , Mrs Aida Sow, received Peace Ambassador Award. She was honoured for her efforts in mentoring young ones and initiative against child trafficking. She appreciated the effort of the church particularly the noble work of Mrs Ebube Nwachukwu for making her stay in Nigeria a pleasurable one. The award would formally be presented to the Senegalese President on September 28 at Abuja Sheraton Hotels. Mrs Tese Onokala and Samson Ayorinde were honoured too.

    Dr. Nwachukwu praised the efforts of the awardees for standing out in character to be recognised. He said integrity in leadership has become a salient issue to be discussed because of the abysmal level our values have fallen into. It is regrettable that corruption has become so endemic in our culture, noting it has become imperative to confront it headlong.He prayed for grace and strength to do more.

  • ‘Fajuyi’s widow lived a life of honour, integrity’

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has eulogised the late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi’s widow, Madam Eunice, saying she “lived a life of honour and integrity.”

    Madam Fajuyi died in her sleep in the early hours of July 12 in the family home at Okesa, Ado-Ekiti. She was 84.

    Her husband, the late Col. Fajuyi, then Military Governor of Western Region, was murdered with Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi in a bloody coup on July 29, 1966.

    Governor Fayemi, who met the deceased’s surviving son, Donald, his wife, Lanre and Ms. Eunice Toun Lawanson at the family home during a condolence visit yesterday, said she refused to remarry after the death of her husband, despite her young age. She was then 38.

    He said: “Mama kept faith and refused to remarry despite her beauty and young age. After the death of her husband, she kept his memory in her heart.

    “They (the late Col. and Madam Fajuyi) would remain a source of pride to the Ekiti for their integrity, courage and compassion for the people. They also left behind a legacy, which stresses honour, integrity and character. We will continue to be guided and encouraged by these virtues.

    “On that fateful day, he (Fajuyi) would have escaped. But he sacrificed himself to honour his visitor and country. It is for this that we remember him.”

    Governor Fayemi went on: “I was already planning to arrange a package for her the week she died. I was planning to meet her. Her death is a great loss. We can only try to sustain the values and virtues they lived for.

    “Mama lived a great life of commitment to her husband, children and Ekiti State. Our government will preserve the legacies these icons left behind. This is the most important thing we owe them.”

    Speaking to the bereaved in respect of the funeral plans, the governor said the state would support them, adding: “This is certainly not a family affair. Government has a role to play and we will do everything we consider necessary. You shall hear more from us on this.”

     

  • ‘Respect merit, integrity in SANs’ appointment’

    In all, while the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar has raised the bar of expectation from the bench, the litmus test will be the selection of candidates for the award of the rank of senior advocates of Nigera (SAN) this year, every thing should be done to ensure that this legacy of incorruptibility and intergrity in any thing the CJN is involved in endures even now the whole nation is watching how the 2013 edition will go.

     

    Conclusion:

    Investigations revealed that between 60 – 80 PER CENT of applicants for the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) this year 2013 are qualified for first time. It will be manifestly unjust if they (the first time) applicants are considered for the award where there are applicants in the previous year 2012 with better cases and number of Cases who are left out having passed their office inspection and oral interviews, unless the first timer can show verifiable evidence of distinction and excellence far above the previous applicants objectively.

    Also the situation where an applicant has more Supreme Court cases than High Court or Court of Appeal should be thoroughly investigated by the legalpractitioners privileges committee (LLPC) : for example some applicants may have the following statistics of Cases:

    The above table prima facie suggests the applicants buying up supreme court cases; if not how do we believe such data.

    If the process of appointment to the rank of SAN is open and transparent, it can no doubt provide a quality and competent ready pool from which prospective members of the bench can be recruited from by the National Judical Council any time it wants to appoint people to the bench. Also, it will bring competent hands to the bench thereby Negating incompetence, nepotism and corruption at the bench.

    Right now, there is a consensus ad idem that the lady who is today the Chief Justice of Nigeria-Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar is not corrupt and every Lawyer agrees with this. That she is fighting a battle of her life and that she is a fit and proper person to fight that battle.

    However in this year’s edition of the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) on deserving candidates, my Lord the CJN should not disappoint us.

    Merit, Integrity and Competence

    These should be used to evaluate each candidates application without these, the noble intensions which the Hon. the CJN represents and seeks might as well be another mirage.

    •Concluded

    •Rev. Eghaghe is a lawyer based in Benin City, Edo State

     

  • Alleged libel: Omisore lacks integrity, court told

    Alleged libel: Omisore lacks integrity, court told

    •Judge may withdraw from suit

    Justice Adebisi Ogunlade of the Osogbo High Court in Osun State has adjourned till July 4, a suit between former Senator Iyiola Omisore and Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation.

    The adjournment followed a petition accusing the judge of bias.

    Mr. Justice Ogunlade said he received a letter from the Chief Judge, asking him to respond to the petition within one week.

    He said the petitioner alleged that he might not get justice because of the judge’s association with a former governor of the state, Chief Bisi Akande.

    The judge said he would respond to the petition within two days, hinting that he may no longer preside over the case.

    Editor-at-Large, Mr. Segun Ayobolu and The Nation Saturday Editor, Dele Adeosun, are also defendants in the suit.

    At Monday’s proceedings, The Nation’s lawyer, Oludare Falana, who said his clients were ready to go on with the case, expressed regret over the petition, which he said caused a delay.

    He urged the court to award punitive cost against the plaintiff, but the judge declined.

    Mr. Justice Ogunlade said he was not beholden to any party, adding that he would not lose anything if the case was transferred to another judge.

    Omisore is claiming that he was defamed in an article written by Ayobolu.

    He said the writer insinuated that he was corrupt and lacking in integrity, adding that the article damaged his reputation in the eyes of right-thinking members of the public.

    In pleading privilege, the defendants, in their statement of defence, said the plaintiff granted press interviews and issued a press statement where he denied the allegations contained in the publication; therefore, Omisore did not suffer any embarrassment or damage to his reputation.

    The defendants added: “The comments and views expressed by the defendants are privileged. They have no cause or any reason howsoever to nurse any malice against the claimant and, as such, the publication complained of was not actuated by malice.

    “The defendants are duty-bound under the 1999 Constitution to disseminate ideas, opinions and information. The publication was the writer’s opinion, which comments were fair to the claimant.”

    The defendants further stated that the Omisore has no reputation to protect.

    According to them, the plaintiff, who served as Deputy Governor to Chief Akande, while being incarcerated in Agodi Prisons, Ibadan in connection with the murder of the former Attorney-General, the late Chief Bola Ige (SAN), contested and won the Osun East Senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “without deposing to an affidavit before a High Court as required by the Electoral Act.”

    “The claimant is given notice to produce the affidavit deposed in compliance with the Electoral Act before he won the seat,” they said.

    The defendants also recalled that while in office as Deputy Governor, Omisore was accused of breach of oath of office and conflict of interest.

    He was subsequently impeached by the House of Assembly, having been found liable, the defendants said.

    They added that the House, on December 13, 2002, passed a resolution removing him as Deputy Governor after the report of the investigative panel, which indicted him, was adopted.

    On why Omisore was impeached, the defendants recalled: “The claimant committed grave violation of the Constitution…relating to oath of office which he subscribed to by granting an interview reported in The Comet newspaper of 30th January, 2001.

    “The claimant in the said interview divulged the discussions and deliberations of the state executive in respect of the utilisation of the US$1.5million Water Chemical Fund, contrary to the provisions of the Constitution.

    “The claimant as Deputy Governor of Osun State contravened Section 1 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers contained in Part 1, Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution by vigorously pursuing the USD$1.5 million Water Chemical Funds in a lawsuit against the state government.

    “Chrisore Engineering Limited, a company which the claimant as Deputy Governor then was the chairman, joined in Suit No. HOS/28/2001.

    “Whatever benefit that would have accrued to Chrisore Engineering Limited in the suit would also have accrued to the claimant as a serving Deputy Governor.”

    To further prove that Omisore has no reputation to protect, the defendants said he falsely claims to be born on September 15, 1960.

    According to them, the plaintiff’s father, in a sworn affidavit dated January 27, 1993, indicates that Omisore’s actual date of birth is September 15, 1957.

    This, the defendants said, “is an indication of the claimant’s lies and inconsistencies.”

    Besides, they said that as Chairman of Chrisore Engineering while also serving as Deputy Governor, Omisore “accrued pecuniary interest personally to himself.”

    “Notice is hereby given the claimant to produce the tax clearance certificate of Chrisore Engineering Limited from 1999 to date and his personal tax clearance certificate from 1999 to date,” the defendants averred.

    The defendants added: “The claimant was arrested, detained and charged to court with the murder of (former Attorney-General of the Federation) Chief Bola Ige (SAN) at the High Court of Oyo State holden in Ibadan.

    “But the claimant was discharged and acquitted as the case was programmed by the Federal Government to fail in favour of the claimant.

    “One Alani Omisore, a cousin of the claimant, was identified by one Andrew Olotu (the security guard on duty the night Chief Ige was assassinated) as the leader of the assassination squad.

    “Muyiwa Ige, Chief Ige’s son, who was in the house on the night of the assassination, identified one Mr Pade Omisore as one of the assailants, who ordered him to lie down on a bed at gunpoint.

    “Forensic evidence, either finger prints or ballistic, did not feature in the investigations.

    “The prosecution was not provided with evidence as basic as whether finger prints on the scene of the incident matched those of any of the suspects arrested in connection with the assassination.

    “All the principal investigators of the case…were redeployed or otherwise taken off the investigation long before it was concluded and the suspects charged to court.

    “The judge before whom the claimant was initially arraigned, Hon. Justice Mashud Abass of the Oyo State High Court, withdrew from the case.

    “He attributed his withdrawal to untold pressure and threats from many quarters urging him to arrive at a particular decision even before he listened to the claimant, who was the accused person.

    “The claimant has no reputation or integrity to be damaged as he has always associated himself with abuse of office, wanton corruption and acts of hooliganism, thuggery and violence.

    “If the Federal Government was genuinely committed to the crusade against corruption, the claimant would not have been nominated as a member of the Senate having been impeached for corrupt practices.

    “The claimant’s suit is gold-digging, speculative, frivolous and vexatious.”

    The defendants prayed the court to dismiss the suit with substantial costs.

     

  • Tenure, integrity and politics

    Tenure, integrity and politics

    I  confess  to an addiction, of   recent,with witty cartoons, which   is  bound to affect  my analysis on this page for some time and I crave the indulgence of readers in this regard . One of such cartoons this week told the story of a leader who selected two successors  with two traits, namely honesty and simplicity. Later he noted that the honest one lied with his health   while the   simple one was left to manage a complicated situation beyond his capacity. Eventually the leader was charged   with a proclivity   for choosing weak leaders  on the two occasions   he left office   thus creating problems for the political system  he  managed,  both as a soldier and as  a politician. Really I do not think anyone needs a soothsayer  to know  who  I   am  talking about.  But that is the setting of the stage  for my observations and analysis of today.

    Incidentally it   was reported this week  that at the 50th birthday   party  of Oby Ezekwesili,  former Minister of Education, a  former Head  of State, retired General Olusegun Obasanjo asked the Jonathan Administration to hold him responsible for the actions of his government instead of going after those who served in his administration, during his two terms of office from 1999  to 2007. The presidency has since denied that it was probing the former president’s tenure  of office. In addition it was widely reported that President Gooodluck Jonathan will not seek a second term in 2015  if the Senate approves a single 6-year term of office for the president and governors as proposed in the   on-going  constitution review  process. While  this was being digested however the news filtered that Bolivia’s President Evo Morales who came to office in 2005 has been given the green light   by the constitutional court in that nation to contest for office for a third term in the December 2014  elections although the term of office for a serving president when he came to office was two terms. So a comparison with the Nigerian situation and president is very well in order today.

    Similarly  the news that 96  year old Brazilian millionaire president of FIFA  Jorge  Havelange has resigned his position as Honorary President of FIFA  over  published  allegations   that he took bribe while in office between 1974  and 1988  engage our attention. Also  in football, I  take  a look at the just concluded UEFA  Champions league semi final  overall  7-0   walloping of Barcelona   by Bayern Munich and make bold to assert   that  the   German side were motivated or   propelled to their  superlative   performance    by  the prospect of their new manager from next season who once coached  Barcelona, more   than the mere wish to defeat the Catalan giants. I  will elaborate on this later.

    We  go back to the issues arising from the Oby Ezekwesili birthday namely that of accountability   and integrity, in that the former ‘Madam Due Process ‘had  asked the Jonathan Administration to account for a figure she gave that the Obasanjo Administration had left in the kitty. The present administration had given a different figure and there has been heated debate and acrimony over the matter , with some insinuating that efforts were made to scan contract files where the former Minister served to incriminate her for illegal acts while in office. She  too asserted boldly that she was not a politician but would say things as she saw them. Which was a fallacy on her part because the moment she became   a minister, she ipso facto became a bona fide politician,  to be treated  and regarded as such. But  then I admire her boldness in confronting her detractors on the matter as well as the insistence of her former boss that corruption has not been well tack led by the present administration.  This   is an issue that the present administration cannot wish away, and for which it should employ more time and resources to curb;  very much in the way and manner the Nigerian Judicial Council –NJC- is purging the Judiciary,  in spite of the  sordid and  embarrassing  daily revelations   from the inner recesses of our temples  of justice.

    On the second and third term issues in both Nigeria and Bolivia  in Latin America,   a comparison at least on the facts of the two  situations can  be  quite productive and educative. First  is the observation that what the former President Olusegun Obasanjo was unable to achieve is what President Evo Morales has just done so easily. Morales was entitled to two five year terms when he was elected in 2005. In 2009 he called for a referendum on a constitutional amendment for three presidential terms. The opposition insisted that he would not be eligible to contest after his two terms and the matter went to the constitutional court which has ruled that he could-leading to charges that he has bribed the judges of the constitutional court. Which  undoubtedly means that Morales can contest  again in the presidential elections next year 2014  for another 5-year term and that  effectively makes him president till 2019, as the longest serving president of his country.

    In the Nigerian situation the senate has proposed one six year – term but has precluded incumbents from participating in that dispensation . There was news that the president will not participate. But then he can always emulate the Bolivian example by asking for a referendum or going to the Supreme Court for judicial interpretation on his eligibility to contest as an incumbent and the determination of his tenure. This is not strange in Africa as Paul Biya,  aged  80, who  has been president in   neighboring Cameroon   since 1982 did it well before the expiration of his tenure and he was reelected for another 7–year term   just in 2011    and, he is still   there.  Nigeria however is  a different ball game and one can only watch as the incumbent president plies the slippery waters of presidential reelection  in a vibrant and quite volatile political system like Nigeria.

    In  the case  of  bribe involving Brazil’s aged Jorge   Havelange  I believe some people in FIFA  just wanted to settle old scores  and give the impression that FIFA  is  fighting corruption and is quite democratic,  which is not true . The  commission that Havelange   took was normal at the time of his tenure and was not regarded  as a bribe then .   Havelange   was a millionaire who reportedly used his resources to make FIFA  financially independent  during his tenure ,  at a time Sepp Blatter was FIFA’s Secretary. Havelange was shocked that Sepp Blatter  current FIFA  president, was planning to succeed him  then as FIFA’s  president but could do nothing about it and the crafty Blatter has been in charge ever since with the support of people like Issa  Hayatou who has been president  of African soccer or CAF    for years. Hayatou   has made any change impossible in the leadership of African soccer, as long as Sepp Blatter- who brought the world cup to Africa – is in charge, in a  ‘rub my back and I rub yours’  arrangement that is the modus operandi in FIFA’s  global politics and management.

    Lastly let me say again  that the issue of tenure  had a role in the fantastic performance of Bayern Munich in trashing  Barcelona in the semi final of the UEFA  Champions league , thus creating an all  German final  at England’s Wembley  Stadium  at the end of May. This really is my conclusion from the facts of the end of tenure of the present Bayern Munich  Manager, Jupp  Heynckes and the man  to succeed him from next season  Pep  Guardiola,   former Manager of Barcelona. The owners of Bayern have hired former Barcelona coach Guardiola  to take over the management of the club from next season. As  a result when the draws for the semi finals were made the present  Manager  Heynckes  was advised to seek advice from his successor on Barcelona but he refused. He insisted he needed no advice from the man  his bosses had already chosen to succeed him as he knows enough about Spanish clubs including Barcelona  and he  went to prove just that. His Bayern demolished Barcelona in a display of sheer power , speed and masterful soccer skills that had no regard for the reputation of Barcelona or its star Messi, the best player in the world today.

    It  is my contention that dressing room politics triumphed over board room politics in the way and manner the Bayern players performed. They  may not have said as much,  but they were showing   loyalty, solidarity   if not sympathy  for  their outgoing manager and at the same time telling the management and bosses at Bayern  that their existing manager was as good if not better than his incoming,   signed  and sealed replacement.  I  expect the Bayern team to eventually beat Borussia Dortmund in the all-  German final. That is, if they had not burnt themselves up with the grudge match with Barcelona, in which team spirit gave a strong, valiant   and    standing,  salute and farewell   to the tenure and quality of their Manager   – to redress the  imbalance of his being replaced  by a  much younger  Manager from a now beaten and disgraced Barcelona.

  • Tukur: candidates ‘ll be judged by integrity, performance in 2015

    •Says Amaechi is PDP’s Ambassador

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has declared that integrity and performance would be the yardstick for picking candidates for the various elective positions in the 2015 general elections.

    He stressed that the impact of the ruling party would better be felt when its elected officials continue to showcase great achievements that touch the lives of the Nigerian people.

    Tukur, in a congratulatory message to the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, on the Vanguard Newspapers’ Man of the Year 2012 award, yesterday described the governor as an ambassador of the PDP in terms of integrity and performance, adding that the award would spur him into doing more for the people.

    Describing the award as inspiring, the chairman urged other PDP governors and public office holders on its platform to double their efforts in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

    He said integrity and performance, more than anything else, would be the yardstick for determining who gets the ticket of the party for elective offices in 2015.

    “For me, I prefer that we use evidence of performances by our governors, ministers and other public office holders in form of the award just bagged by Amaechi as a tool for engaging and silencing the opposition who continue to grope in the gross illusion of edging the PDP out of power in 2015”, the chairman said.

    According to him, the award just bagged by Amaechi was not a fluke. The Governor, he said, had earlier been appreciated by reputable media organisations such as Thisday Newspapers, Independent Newspapers, The Leadership and others.

    Said he: “I have at one point or the other verified the stewardship of the Rivers State Governor with personal visit to the state. Amaechi has excelled in the provision of sound education, health services, infrastructure development, urban development projects and welfare packages for workers in the state among others.

    “The achievements and stewardship of Amaechi in Rivers State have been quite phenomenal”.

    Describing the Governor as his son, Tukur said Ameachi truly deserved the award and that the recognition would spur him into doing more for the people of Rivers State.

    “I call Amaechi my son and he has been acting as my son. I am proud of the award given to him by the management of Vanguard Newspapers. He deserved the award because I have personally verified most of the achievements credited to him. When you enter Port Harcourt, Amaechi’s hands are quite visible.

    “My son has revolutionised education and health delivery services in River State. He has been turning around the entire state with urban renewal projects.

    “I don’t get to know that workers in Rivers State are picking quarrels with him as he has been level headed, focussed, hard working and always very eager to make the difference.

    “I use this medium to congratulate Amaechi, who I very well know will be spurred to do more by this award as a leader and as a faithful PDP Ambassador. I also congratulate other PDP governors who had won similar awards in the past since they have been making us proud at the national secretariat”, Tukur stated.

    The party chair added that the PDP and indeed, President Goodluck Jonathan have always been pleased with high performances on the path of public office holders.

    Alhaji Tukur said he was particularly happy that the award went to a PDP governor, more so as many governors of the party, according to him, had carted away nearly all awards reserved for highly effective, performing and dependable political office holders by appreciative corporate organisations both within and outside Nigeria.

    He said Jonathan would open more award winning projects in many of the PDP controlled states between now and 2015.

    Tukur urged opposition parties to ensure same level of performance among their governors in the interest of progress and development of the country.

    Also yesterday, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih described Amaechi as a force and one of the leaders of the ruling party.

    Anenih, who led a delegation of BoT members to the Government House, Port Harcourt, said they were in Rivers State to consult with Governor Amaechi over important national and party issues.

    Anenih said: “We are here this morning to meet the governor of Rivers State to discuss issues that are important to the corporate existence of this country, issues that will help us stabilise the system, issues that will make the PDP stronger and issues that will make us live in a decent society. We are here to consult with him as one of the leaders of the party and again I think I am a part of Rivers State. “

    He praised Amaechi for bringing good governance to the people of Rivers State.

    He said: “I want to say that, I was here last year and inspected most of the projects and the ones that were ongoing I’ve seen on my way from the airport that some of the projects have been completed. We are here also to appreciate the governor for what he is doing for the people of Rivers State”.

    Responding, Amaechi said the PDP in Rivers State is peaceful.

    He recalled that the PDP supporters gave two million votes to President Goodluck Jonathan during the last election and assured that his administration would encourage the people to continue to vote for the PDP during elections.

    He said: “Chairman, we formally welcome you and your delegation. There was no welcome over there; it was just straight to the point. Now, it is the time to welcome you before my colleagues in government and my friends in the party. Like we did say to you, PDP in Rivers State is peaceful. We also have told you that we produced two million votes for the President. So, we thank you for coming. All we are saying to you is tell the party to please treat us well so that we can encourage our people to continue to vote for PDP. We are members of PDP and we will remain members of PDP. We wish you God’s blessings and to say have a safe trip”.

     

  • Ajimobi to flag-off 5th Splash/ACPC integrity marathon

    Ajimobi to flag-off 5th Splash/ACPC integrity marathon

    The executive Governor of Oyo, Senator Abiola Ajimobi would be the special guest that will flag-off a full Marathon race tagged ‘Splash FM/ICPC Integrity Marathon’ along with Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission, Hon. Bolaji Abudllahi today at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Ibadan.

    The one day athletics competition organised by the Southwest zone one of National Sports Commission, (NSC) in conjunction with Splash FM & Independent Corrupt Practice Commission (ICPC) will come up today at 7:00am prompt with participants from all the states of the federation.

    The 42km yearly Marathon race, will start at the formerly Liberty Stadium now known as Obafemi Awolowo Stadium and will take athletes through the following areas of the state; High Court road, Mobile/Town Planning, Akinyemi, Iyaganku, Aleshionloye, Eleyele, Sango, U.I., Ojoo, Iwo road, Gate, Molete and Challenge before returning to the Stadium.

    While explaining rationale behind his continual funding of the event, the Ibadan high Chief and Chairman Splash FM Chief Adebayo Akande has said he will not relent until the sole aim behind the sporting event yield positive impact in our society.

    “Integrity marathon race is for good governance, accountability and transparency in governance, all and sundry should join in fighting corruptions in our society,” the Agba Akin of Ibadan noted.

    Also speaking, the Zonal Coordinator Dr. Steve Olarinoye said a total of two Million Naira (N2,000,000) will be shared among the athletes. He had implored all intending participants to submit their completed forms, accompanied with certificates of medical fitness from recognized hospital to the southwest zone of National Sports Commission, Oke-Ado, Ibadan before 20th March, 2013.

    Dr. Olarinoye enjoined the public to bear with the Commission as the routes for the race will be temporarily closed while the race lasted, assuring the athletes that adequate security will be provided as security and medical personnel will be on ground to provide necessary assistance.

    Other dignitaries expected at the race include Chairman ICPC, Barrister Ekpo Nta, Chairman Splash 105.5FM Chief Adebayo Akande, Commissioners, General Managers/Directors of sports, and Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Sports, Pressmen and Sports lovers.