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Tag: Jonathan

  • Thorny road to a national conference

    Thorny road to a national conference

    YESTERDAY, President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the 13-man committee to work out the modalities for a National conference.The President’s volte face on the issue came as a surprise to many, especially he had last year said there was no need for such talks. The National Assembly, he argued then, could handle such matters since the lawmakers were the people’s representatives.

    Jonathan’s change of position has generated mixed.Critics doubt the government’s sincerity. Others arugue that President should be given chance.

    Champions of National Conference believe that the issues of national question can only be addressed through a conference that involves all the ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria. But what are those issues? Are there issues that are sacred? How should delegates be selected for the conference and what other options are available for the nation?

    Lawyers believe that all issues, including the unity of the nation, should be thrown open for discussion by elected delegates who will represent their various ethnic nationalities and who must have constituent powers.They suggested that delegates to the conference must not be politicians, since those with political affiliations will only serve their selfish interests.

    The lawyers advised that issues, such as resource control, development, concentration of power and the structure of government must also be addressed.

    They said a situation whereby the government will embargo certain issues cannot work, as only the masses can discuss their similarities and differences and decide if they want to remain as one indivisible nation or go their separate ways.

    Modalities for a new constitution that will be subject to a referendum after the conference and accepted by the people must be part of the agenda, in order to introduce a people’s constitution, said the lawyers.

    Those who spoke on the issue include former Edo State Attorney- General, Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, SAN; former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN); Chair, NBA Section on Legal Practice, Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN); Chairman, NBA Ikeja branch, Monday Ubani; constitutional lawyer Dr. Fred Agbaje as well as Lagos-based lawyers, Ikechuwku Ikeji and Daniel Onwe.

    The national question, Mrs. Adekoya said, comprises answers to what nationhood means to the people and the terms of nationhood.

    Her words: ‘‘What does ‘nationhood’ mean and are we a nation? If yes, what are the attributes of our nationhood that need reviewing? If no, why not? What does it require for the political entity known as Nigeria to become a ‘nation’? Do we want to be a nation? If yes, what does it take to become a nation? On what terms can ‘nationhood’ be achieved?’’

    To Ikeji, reasons that make it imperative for the country to remain indivisible must be discussed. He said the essence of coming together as an entity, which was not discussed and agreed upon by the different nationalities that make up the country during amalgamation, must be looked into.

    ‘‘Why were we called Nigeria in the first place and in whose interest? If it is in our own interest, were we involved in the original arrangement to join together as one? If we agree to be one, under what terms and conditions? Unitary, federal, loose federal or confederal terms?

    ‘‘To what extent should we hand over our resources to the centre and to what extent shall the same resources be returned to us? Is there any person or any people known originally as Nigerians or was it a creation of convenience?’’ he queried.

     

    Issues for determination

    To Olanipekun, there should be a level playing field for Nigerians to debate and discuss.

    He said: ‘‘Let us discuss Nigeria, let us debate Nigeria. Let us formulate a social contract for ourselves. Let us have consensus in some areas, and where we cannot, let us respect our differences. We say we are one Nigeria and overnight, 40 students were killed, 40 innocent students, they were slaughtered and all we can say is, “oh, we are sorry! Sorry for what?’’

    Uwensuyi-Edosomwan said sacred areas should not be encouraged.

    ‘‘There must not also be any sacred no-go areas and everything that form an issue for any part or peoples of this country must be on the table, having been jumbled together without their consent by a selfish colonial power solely for its own reasons and ends for a hundred years.

    ‘‘A hundred years of mutual suspicion, pain, constant bloodshed, open and unabashed thievery of the hapless patrimony by imposed ‘leaders’ and little development; it would be disingenuous for anyone to argue that the time is not now for the variegated Nigerian peoples to sit down and renegotiate their coexistence or otherwise under or outside the present geography. If we do not do it now, my prayer is that we would not be forced to do it by cataclysmic events, whose foreboding signs seem to be aplenty,’’ he said.

    To Mrs. Adekoya, nothing is too sacred for discussion.

    ‘‘If the consensus is that we are not a nation and the terms upon which nationhood can be forged cannot be agreed, then terms of dissolution must be discussed, otherwise we open the doors to civil strife and unrest. In my view, the ‘national question’ involves agreeing how we can reach unity while acknowledging our diversity,’’ she noted.

    Ikeji said the agenda should include the modalities of preparing a new constitution even if the contents are the same with the present one as long as the people have their stamp on it.

    ‘‘It should also include the modalities for a national referendum preceded by an intense mass enlightenment campaign on the issues resolved and decisions reached, which are subject of the referendum.

    ‘‘Another aspect that should be covered by the agenda is developmental issues. There is, no doubt, that development in Nigeria needs urgent intervention without which political settlement will make little or no difference. The regions of Nigeria have common developmental traits, which need to be explored by the conference.

    ‘‘Data today in Nigeria is aggregated usually on the national level and as such, it is usually difficult to locate exactly the peculiar development issues surrounding each state in Nigeria. If you get data according to states, it will be expensive and cumbersome but if you bring states with common development trends together in data, you save money and you get helpful data.

    ‘‘The point here is that we need to disaggregate data in Nigeria, we need to take another look at our regions or zones, may be begin the journey to regionalism. This is an issue that should be tabled before the conference and exhaustively discussed.

    ‘‘It will amount to deceiving ourselves like the ostrich if we fail or refuse to address every relevant issue that affects Nigeria. Justice is at the heart of every societal arrangement without which there can be no peace.

    ‘‘We do not need the peace of the graveyard and restricting the discussions can only put more fire to the problems of Nigeria. It is better that Nigeria remains one but we have to put the terms on the table so that every distinct group shows respect to the other, without any sense of marginalisation.

    ‘‘No one is a Nigerian. What you have are Yorubas, Hausa, Igbo, Efik etc. Battle has always been how to turn these individual ethnic groupings into one collective whole to be known as Nigeria. That is one of the most difficult tasks of nation building and few countries have succeeded in this regard.

    ‘‘Therefore, one premise to proceed from in setting the agenda for the conference is to keep Nigeria as one. However, where issues that arise from the honest discussions at the conference cannot be amicably resolved, then the natural question to ask is whether we can still remain as one without compromises.

    ‘‘The conference should find out how best we can remain united with all forms and semblance of injustice addressed so that the end result is win-win. There is no need to put a restriction on issues to be discussed but an agenda can be drawn up around which the discussions can revolve.

    ‘‘We must all be open and honest in the discussions at the national conference with the caveat that the outcomes shall be implemented by the government of the day. Where implementation cannot be achieved, then there is no need for the conference in the first place.”

    Onwe said the first item on the agenda should be the unity of the country. ‘‘If we shy away from that, then we are living in falsehood. It is falsehood that fears interrogation. Truth is strengthened by interrogation.

    ‘‘In the light of the growing incidence of disaffection across the nation, it is high time we asked and sincerely answered the fundamental question – Do we really need and want to remain as one nation? It is our answer to the said question that would determine what the subsequent questions would be. If the answer is in the affirmative, then, we shall be asking how we can remain together.

    ‘‘That is when we can start discussing other issues. We would need to discuss the formula for sharing our common wealth between the political leaders and the ordinary citizens.

    A situation where we have to struggle to pay minimum wage of N18, 000 to the ordinary citizen, while political leaders are paid in millions of naira calls for question.

    ‘‘There is also the need to equalise the opportunities of the disadvantaged groups, such as persons with disabilities who have been sidelined from the scheme of affairs in the nation for a very long time now.

    ‘‘Other issues should be resource control, state police, and devolution of powers, indigenisation and several others,’’ he said.

    How delegates should emerge Edosomwan said for the dialogue to make realistic sense while also becoming of real forward-moving significance to Nigerians, it must have constituent powers.

    ‘‘For this to happen, real and not sham elections must be the only way delegates are to be sent to the Dialogue Assembly. Voting ways that reflect peoples and necessarily our dodgy demographic stats ought to be the way resolutions are reached,’’ he said.

    Adekoya suggested that delegates to the conference should emerge from the diverse groups that make up Nigeria. She said ethnic representation should be the basis, together with other identified groups such as women, the student population and the labour force.

    The various professional groups should be included in the talk. Whatever is agreed on at the proposed conference should be subjected to a referendum which modalities should be spelt out by the enactment of the national assembly, said Ubani.

    To Agbaje, those to represent the various ethnic groups must not be politicians and the committee must avoid politicians as much as possible. He said the committee should work with civil society groups and NGOs who must enjoy the support of Nigerians.

    ‘‘The committee must be honest enough to allow credible Nigerians come on board. They must select and work with people who are grounded with the principle of constitutionalism, who enjoy the support of Nigerians.

    ‘‘They should be Nigerians that actually know the problem the ordinary masses are facing, else, they will be beating round the bush,’’ he said.

    “Delegates to the conference may emerge by adopting a zonal representation approach where ethnic nationalities are given slots,” said Ikeji. According to him, the process is very simple and requires articulation on the part of the facilitators.

    Onwe suggested that the conference should be decentralised to allow everybody an opportunity to be heard. He said it should not be a situation where some elites would converge at Abuja and purport to be thinking and speaking for the rest of the masses.

     

    The way forward

    Adekoya insisted that the way forward is for the people to sit and decide how to accommodate their differences or say good-bye.

    ‘‘I do not see any other way forward for Nigeria. We must sit at a table and discuss how we can accommodate our differences.

    ‘‘Once the delegates all realise and accept that it is possible for Nigeria to either go the way of

    Czechoslovakia, which existed from October 1918 until its peaceful dissolution on January 1, 1993, when it transited into the two countries (now known as the Czech Republic and Slovakia), or take the Yugoslavia route [Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro and Kosovo] they should be able to take the decisions which are in the best interest of the groups they represent.

    ‘‘I hope and pray that there will be no dismemberment and I believe this is the view of the vast majority of Nigerians; we only need to discuss and agree the terms of our union,’’ she said.

    For Ubani, the best way forward is a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), where the issue of oneness shall be discussed and agreed upon.

    ‘‘The conference must discuss the issue of staying together as the first major issue. If we agree to stay together, then the next issue to agree on is terms and conditions of staying together. That will be in form of giving ourselves a constitution that is from the people.

    ‘‘The constitution drawn by the people will be subject to a referendum before it becomes the peoples’ constitution. We urge national assembly to enact a law that will formalise the conference which will involve various ethnic groupings that make up Nigeria,’’ Ubani said.

    Ikeji said the conference should be allowed to flow naturally and the compromises reached subject to a national referendum, the result of which shall form the fulcrum of a new constitution, which itself should also be subject to a referendum. He further said the people must have an overriding imprimatur on the emergent constitution else, the exercise may end up in futility.

    He said there must be consensual and deliberated gravitation from the ethnic units to the national centre.

    ‘‘We lost our way right from 1914 when instead of asking that Nigerians discuss whether or not we should come together to be the same country, our nationalists were only concentrating on political independence and power, with due respect to them.

    ‘‘It will be fool-hardy to deny that Nigeria has ethnic nationalities and the appropriate process of building a nation out of such a diverse expression is to gravitate deliberately and consensually from the ethnic units to the national centre.

    ‘‘Trying to gravitate from the national centre to the ethnic units can only continue to put us in the present quagmire we are expressing as a nation. It just cannot work that way as it means building a nation from the top to the bottom, a contradiction in terms.

    ‘‘There has to be deliberate consensus by individuals to live together as one and that, in my view, is what the national conference should aim to achieve. It means going back to pre-1914 era of how we lived, metaphorically.

    ‘‘It also involves making the people deliberate stakeholders in the Nigerian grundnorm. The present constitution, as we all know, is a decree masquerading as a constitution,’’ Ikeji added.

     

  • Jonathan to teachers: Be agents of positive change

    Jonathan to teachers: Be agents of positive change

    President Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerian teachers of Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the shortfall in the teaching profession and plans to boost the capacity of teachers to deliver qualitative education.

    Jonathan who gave the assurance while declaring open the 2013 World Teachers’ Day called on teachers to act as agents of positive change and transformation to enable the nation achieve its education goals.

    Represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, the President challenged the teachers to work harder in imparting useful knowledge, discipline and patriotism to the younger generation.

    He said, “On this important Teachers Day, we are making a call for teachers to give their utmost in achieving our education goals. We are calling for teachers who love the profession, not just teachers who impart knowledge to earn a living.

    “We are calling for effective teachers, who assume ownership of the classroom, invest time with students and work creatively for their success. Indeed, we are making a call for teachers both in service and out of service, to act as agents of positive change and transformation for our dear nation’’, he said.

    The President reassured that government on its part is committed to addressing the challenges in the nation’s educational sector.

    He, therefore, called on all stakeholders in the sector to support the teachers in their sacred assignment of building the present and future leaders of the country.

    Jonathan noted with delight the roles being played by teachers in sustainable development, and thanked them for their immense contributions in the field of medicine, science, technology, politics and the economy.

    He said his administration was determined to address teacher shortage and improve the quality of education by reinforcing the training and retraining of the teachers.

    He announced that government had so far trained 40,000 teachers at the National Teachers Institute (NTI), while the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) had expanded its support in the training of 5,000 lecturers across higher educational institutions.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • 2015: Northern youths back Jonathan

    A group, Northern Youth Forum, yesterday backed President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential elections.

    It however asked the President to immediately address employment generation and youth empowerment in the country.

    The group’s position was made known yesterday during a rally in Kaduna.

    But the rally almost turned violent as some youths pestered the organisers with water sachets.

    Chairman of the forum, Jibril Tafida, said such behaviour is normal at political rallies.

    He said there was nothing wrong with the action of the youths, describing the rally as a success.

    Tafida, who addressed the rally, said: “Politics is not madness. If you want votes, you must solicit for it peacefully.

    ”We have opened discussion with President Jonathan and whoever has any complaint should come forward.”

    He continued: “We have commenced discussions with President Jonathan on the plight of the northern region.

    “Our grandfathers and fathers were used and cheated in the past for selfish reasons and we will not allow ourselves to be used and cheated again.

    “We don’t want deceptive Arewa but an honest Arewa. We have commenced planning on how to make our submissions on the position of the youths from the northern region particularly on areas of farming, employment, education and health.”

     

  • PDP crisis: Jonathan, others await new date from G-7 governors, Baraje faction

    PDP crisis: Jonathan, others await new date from G-7 governors, Baraje faction

    In spite of pressure, President Goodluck Jonathan may not yet foreclose peace talks with the G-7 governors and the Kawu Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The President was awaiting a new date for the continuation of the peace talks.

    Also, the Baraje faction yesterday said it would soon communicate a new date for the resumption of talks to the President.

    There were indications last night that the governors have reached out to the President to explain why there was need to shift the date.

    The President and the aggrieved governors were initially expected to resume peace talks on October 7.

    But the governors have called off the meeting because of the ongoing Hajj exercise.

    According to findings, some forces in the presidency wanted President Jonathan to damn the consequences of the G-7 governors/Baraje faction.

    The affected forces alleged that the G-7 governors were trying to take the President for granted.

    It was, however, learnt that the President insisted that he would oblige the aggrieved governors a new date to avoid being drawn into any religious controversy since the excuse given bordered on Hajj exercise.

    It was gathered that the President decided to explore all options to give room for the conclusion of the peace talks.

    A source in the presidency said: “So far, the President has no plans to foreclose talks with the G-7 governors unless they have decided on their own to do so.

    “The position of the President is that anything done for peace to reign is not too much. The President and his team are awaiting a new date.

    “These governors are the aggrieved people; they are to choose a new date. If there is no meeting again, it is at the discretion of the governors or Baraje group.”

    Asked if the governors had not shown signs that the peace talks had failed, the source added: “The ball is in their court; the President is waiting for them. They are the aggrieved, not the President.”

    The National Publicity Secretary of the Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chukwuemeka Eze, who spoke with our correspondent last night, said the governors were not playing to the gallery or dramatizing the postponement of peace talks.

    He insisted that the governors had genuine reason to shift the talks.

    Eze said: “Why are they reading meaning into the postponement of the peace talks? Ask them: Is there actually Hajj going on? Are some of the governors not Muslims? Do you expect them to leave worshipping of their God to attend political meeting?

    “These governors and some of our leaders in the PDP have gone to pray in order to ask God to intervene in the affairs of the PDP and allow democratic principles to prevail in the party. They have gone to the holy land to ask God to touch the hearts of those causing crisis in the party.”

    On the alleged dramatization of the postponement, Eze said: “It is reckless to describe our statement as childish. If we are to hold a meeting and the public is aware, shouldn’t the public be aware if the same meeting is not holding. Does that amount to dramatizing?

    “In our statement, we even pleaded with the President that we regret any inconvenience the postponement might cause. We were modest.”

    Responding to a question, Eze added: “The governors have also sent a message to the President, explaining why the talks could not hold. Yet, someone, who does not know what is actually going on will say we are childish.”

    Pressed to be specific on a new date for resumption of talks, he said: “We will communicate the date after the Sallah when the Hajj exercise would have been completed.”

  • PDP crisis: Governors call off meeting with Jonathan

    PDP crisis: Governors call off meeting with Jonathan

    The much-publicised October 7 resumption of peace talks between President Goodluck Jonathan and the breakaway faction of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not be — after all.

    The Abubakar Baraje-led faction, which includes no fewer than seven governors has asked for a postponement. Baraje said some key members of the faction, including some governors, would be on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia on October 7.

    In a statement signed yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka Eze, the faction said it had already sent an emissary to President Jonathan seeking a postponement.

    According to the Baraje camp, the decision was taken Tuesday night at a caucus meeting of the New PDP held at the Adamawa State Government Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

    It said: “It was discovered that the date of the proposed peace meeting clashes with this year’s hajj, in which several of our key members are billed to participate.

    “Our National C hairman, Alhaji Baraje and most of our other key members, including most of the G7 Governors and the five other governors that have indicated interest to join us by next week, as well as members of the National Assembly, former governors and business moguls, are billed to perform the Hajj, which is already in operation.”

    But a source said last night that the hajj excuse was just convenient. The faction has lost interest in the talks, he said, pleading not to be named.

    “They are now thinking of another party to join,” he said.

    In a swift reaction, the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP slammed the Baraje faction for making the decision to postpone the talks public.

    In a telephone conversation with our correspondent yesterday, the National Publicity Secretary of Tukur’s PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, took strong exception to what he described as the overdramatisation of the postponement by the Baraje faction.

    Metuh said: “It is inconceivable that they are dramatising a matter that’s being discussed with the President. If they are responsible enough, they would not be making a public show of it by taking it to the pages of newspapers.

    “It’s the height of irresponsibility for them to be discussing a matter they had with the President on the pages of newspapers. I am not sure that even some of the governors are aware of this.

    “They are being childish and clownish. They can as well go to the National Assembly and hold a public hearing on it. They are free to go wherever they want to go.”

    But the Baraje faction said their members on the hajj train had been mandated to use the opportunity offered by the holy pilgrimage to pray for the restoration of peace and unity in PDP, as well as peace in the country.

    The faction assured its supporters and Nigerians in general of its commitment towards bringing the “glorious days” back to the PDP and the country.

    It said: “We thank Nigerians for their understanding and support while appealing for continued prayers for the restoration of peace as there can be no progress in an atmosphere of chaos.

    “The fact remains that we are not only committed to restoring peace to our party but resolute about it. We enjoin our teeming supporters to be steadfast in their support for our struggle to enthrone genuine democracy devoid of abuse of the rule of law.

    “On our part, we as leaders are committed to ensuring that our current struggle does not end as an exercise in futility but would achieve the set objectives of restoring our party to the path of honour and greatness.

    “In this regard also, the party’s NWC billed for October 5th is hereby called off until our chairman comes back from the Hajj.

    “We sincerely regret the inconvenience(s) in any form this may cause our beloved President, party faithful and Nigerians’; as praying to our God should be the utmost part from us, particularly now, knowing very well that with God, the elusive peace in our party and country can be achieved”, the statement said.

  • A bloody birthday

    A bloody birthday

    NOTHING shocks Nigerians. Just when you think you have seen it all, a more terrifying absurdity hits you right in the face and you start struggling to figure it out. But the events in the days leading up to the 53rd Independence Anniversary were really shocking, even by Nigeria’s standards.

    I doubt if there is any horror movie producer who will not be petrified. A bank manager left Nasarawa for Abuja. In the car with him were his driver and a colleague. The journey was smooth; no stress and no traffic snarls. Suddenly, some armed men jumped onto the road. They stopped the car, ordered the driver and his passengers out and shot them dead. No questions. Shocking? Not quite? Wait for this: the evil men set the vehicle on fire and dug a big pit in which they buried the car and the bodies. Days after, the police found the grave and exhumed the car and the bodies. It was all ascribed to the Ombatse cult members.

    Before anybody could make any sense of the savagery, another blood chilling event had occurred, this time in the heart of Abuja – the seat of the government and home of the rich and the powerful. Soldiers and Department of State Security Service (DSS) officers stormed an uncompleted building in the dead of the night while its occupants were fast asleep. They turned their rifles at the building, raising a huge smoke of horror. As the shots rang out, cries of agony shrilled through the night, according to neighbours. By the time the smoke subsided, no fewer than nine men lay dead. Another died later in the hospital.

    Neighbours were frightened. The DSS claimed that the dead were Boko Haram members who, according to the security agents, fired the first shot. Those who knew the victims said they were people eked out a living as tricycle riders and menials without any rifle to fire. But the DSS insisted that some of them confessed to being members of Boko Haram.

    There have been many questions since the incident occurred. Were weapons recovered from them? Where are the exhibits? If two suspects “confessed” to being Boko Haram members, is that good enough an indication that all the occupants were Boko Haram men? Did they resist arrest? How long was the investigation that led to the assault on the uncompleted building? Are we convinced that those were no extrajudicial killings, the type that provoked the blood guzzling monster that is Boko Haram insurgency?

    The rumour is strong that the woman who owns the building, in a desperate attempt to eject the illegal occupants, told security agents that she suspected that they were Boko Haram members. Where is this landlady? Will she live in the house, with the ocean of blood created in there by the rain of bullets? Could this be true? The military and the DSS may have explained the killings as a mere routine in the fight against terrorism, but it is clear that they have put themselves in an invidious position. The argument will go on for long.

    If the Abuja incident was contentious in its motive and the identities of those involved disputable, not so the massacre of students in Yobe. Students of the College of Agriculture, Gujba were in bed last Sunday when a group of armed men stormed their hostel, woke them up and lined them up outside where they were executed. Forty – the official figure – died immediately in the Boko Haram attack. One died the next day in the hospital.

    Poor Governor Geidam. He was all tears. So were many parents who couldn’t find any sane reason for the mass murder of the innocent students. President Goodluck Jonathan was angry. But the popular thinking is that we did not do enough to show that we felt the pains of the parents who lost their children in that insanity. The mood was rather defiant – perhaps to show the architects of the madness that we will never bow; should this stop us from mourning the dead? – instead of being truly sober. Should we have carried on with the events of the 53rd Anniversary as if all was well? I do not think so. Shouldn’t we have declared a national day of mourning? I believe we should have.

    But then, can you win such an argument in a country that is fast losing its humanity and the essence of life and living? A country where everything is reduced to politics and freedom as well as all the other ideals cherished by humanity are being curtailed by forces of evil.

    A dark cloud of gloom fell on Kenya after the mall attack in which 67 people died. The world grieved with Kenya in its moment of trial. What national calamity could be greater than the massacre of 41 students – some are still missing – right in their hostel?

    Before Gujba, there was Benisheik where scores of travellers were pulled out of vehicles and shot dead. The military retreated as the insurgents got the upper hand. Where is Boko Haram getting its weapons from? Who supplies the cash? Are the sect’s attacks planned in Nigeria? How helpful are our neighbours in confronting this wickedness? How strong is our intelligence network? For how long will Boko Haram reign?

    The other day in Kokori, Delta State, a young man staged what amounted to a village square meeting where he railed against the state and the Federal governments for, according to him, neglecting the oil producing community. He issued a 60-day ultimatum for the governments to mend their ways or get whipped. Furious, the government went after Kelvin Prosper Oniarah (aka Ibruvwe), who is popularly known as Kelvin, a suspected hardened criminal whose specialty is kidnapping. In a matter of days, he was captured in Port Harcourt where he had gone frolicking with women of easy virtue. If Kelvin crossed the red line and was swiftly haunted down, how about Abubakar Shekau; has he not done enough havoc? Is it beyond our security agents’ capacity to seize him?

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) once announced that Shekau had died after being injured in a gun duel. Then the man showed up in a video, mocking our military might. When will he sufficiently provoke the authorities to act? President Jonathan was reported as seeking United States President Barack Obama’s help in fighting Boko Haram; are we truly helpless – as it is thought in many informed circles?

    But it was not all about blood and bullets. Love found – it will always do, even in the most stifling of situations – its way. Frontline businessman Emmmanuel Iwuanyanwu turned a beau all over again. Decked in a pair of suit and a tie, his shirt’s collar flying on one side, the chief,72, married a 26-year old beaming belle. The ways of love are, indeed, strange.

    The All Progressives Congress(APC) said the economy had collapsed. States went to Abuja thrice to collect their monthly handout; thrice they came back empty handed. Some said there was really nothing to share; others claimed it was a mere row over disparities in figures. Asked on television to speak on the health of the economy, President Jonathan smiled and declared that all was well. His proof: he rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Can you beat that?

    Consider Jos, Ombatse, Boko Haram, kidnappers and robbers as well as the army of illiterates we are breeding – varsity teachers remain on strike for three months – and think about Nigeria’s future. What is life worth here?

    NCAA and Arik

    VIATION authorities NCAA have sanctioned Nigeria’s leading carrier, Arik, for the unruly behaviour of its passengers who seized the tarmac in Abuja after being flown to Calabar where the aircraft could not land because it was late. The pilot returned to Abuja where it had been delayed because of a VIP movement.

    It’s good to enforce the rules, but I think NCAA should temper justice with mercy. Arik would have had no business flying late if there had been no VIP movement in this country of VIPs who insist on getting first class treatment always. Besides, the airline couldn’t have been able to control its angry passengers. Some discretion, please.

  • Wanted for Jonathan: a refresher class on corruption

    Wanted for Jonathan: a refresher class on corruption

    President Goodluck Jonathan should act as an example on corruption. He should not add to the problem. Recently rather than be the moral authority in chief, he clouded matters by saying that corruption is not Nigeria’s worst problem. What did he mean by that? As a PHP holder, even if not in the English language, we expect him to understand the power and nuances of the language. He has undermined the power of corruption to destroy any positive thing in this country.He made the assertion in the lackluster presidential chat. But he seemed to have surrendered to gaffes in the matter of corruption. Not long before that, precisely on the verge of his bell-ringing visit to the United States, he said that the issue of corruption was not his responsibility but that of the Nigerian people. He probably forgot that he has a tag to his office, and it bears president and commander in chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.He even asserted that on the issue of corruption, private and public sectors were culpable, and he confessed that he had his foot in his mouth. He did not possess the audacity to mention names because, according to him, the same culprits who bastardised this nation would attack him. He confessed to fear. He confessed to being the comamander in chief who could not guarantee his own security, so how could he guarantee that of hardball or any other person in the country?How do you tackle corruption without courage? Nowhere in the world can we do that. The first institutional prop to fight corruption is the rule of law. That guarantees that no one is above the law, and that means, whether president or governor, civilian or general, the law takes an equal look at the citizen, and consequences fall on violators without fear or favour.If the president, who is supposed to be the first guarantor of that institution has a foot in his mouth, can we say we are surprised that the corruption sore is at its most festering today and the battle against it at its nadir?Are we surprised that he extended a pardon to his kinsman and former boss Diepreye Alamieyesiegha, former governor of Bayelsa State? He insisted on that in spite of international outrage and condemnation. Are we surprised that he presides over a party that an ex-convict on corruption, Bode George, still preens as a big and influential party apparatchik. George carries himself, especially in southwest politics, when he should shrink in penitence and rejig his sense of duty to his fatherland.Jonathan may need a refresher course on corruption, so he can know how to talk about it and actually tackle it.

  • ETHIOPIA VS NIGERIA: Jonathan charters two planes for Eagles

    ETHIOPIA VS NIGERIA: Jonathan charters two planes for Eagles

    President Goodluck Jonathan has approved two planes to take players and supporters to Addis Ababa for the final World Cup qualifiers against Wayla Antelopes of Ethiopia.

    Fcnaija learnt that Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi disclosed in South Africa that the President wants to give the team all the necessary support for the game which comes up October 13.

    One of the planes will carry the players, officials, NFF board members and other staff of the Nigeria Football Federation.

    The other plane will take supporters and other people who want to also go and cheer the team in Addis Ababa.

    The Super Eagles will start preparation this weekend in Abuja with the home-based players.

  • ‘Nigeria a work in progress’

    ‘Nigeria a work in progress’

    Text of President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech to mark the nation’s 53rd Independence Anniversary in Abuja…yesterday

    Today marks 53 years of our Independence as a nation. First and foremost, I would like to say congratulations to us all. Through thick and thin, we have built this country together. Through triumphs and trials, we have developed a Nigerian identity in our own way.

    In truth, Nigeria is still a work in progress and we are challenged everyday to keep building in spite of the various obstacles that we face. Our strength has been in our diversity. If we look back over the years, we can say confidently that there is every reason to celebrate.

    Today’s Independence anniversary is unique because it is the last before we mark our centenary. On January 1, 2014, Nigeria will be 100 years old as a country, following the amalgamation of the Protectorates of Southern and Northern Nigeria in 1914.

    Beloved country men and women, traditionally, the Presidential address on this symbolic day has served two purposes.  It has, quite rightly, been used to remind all Nigerians about our heritage.  It has also allowed my predecessors and I to comment on our stewardship to the nation and make political capital out of a state occasion.

    But this year, I will not. Because, today of all days, we should not be scoring political points. On the contrary, in this last year of the first century of our Union, we should be addressing our future as a Nation and a people!

    I admit that these may not be the best of times for our nation. Our people are divided in many ways – ethnically, religiously, politically, and materially. I cannot hide from this reality. I cannot hide from my own responsibilities.

    As we prepare to mark the centenary, therefore, today offers us an opportunity to reflect on our long journey to nationhood and the progress we have made so far. Whatever the challenges that we may face, we have every reason to be proud of our national accomplishments; we have every reason to remain proud and optimistic. Our collective national journey has witnessed great watersheds, thanks to our spirit of endurance, perseverance and sacrifice.  Getting the rest of the job done with determination and courage is just a matter of time. We are Nigerians, a nation of talented people, endowed with resources, potentials, and Divine Grace.

    In our journey to greatness as a nation, we have built an economy that is robust and erected enduring infrastructure and institutions of democracy. Our social system is now more inclusive, open and compassionate. We are waging a steady battle against poverty, unemployment, and corruption. Our sense of community, solidarity and shared expectation is strong and capable of withstanding the present social, economic and political challenges that still confront us.

    In saying this, I am reminded of the comments I made a week ago to a cross-section of Nigerians in New York during the 68th United Nations General Assembly. I declare now as I declared then: we have a duty as Nigerians, whatever may be our differences or prejudices, to always put Nigeria first.

    Our politics should be an art of patriotic labour and selfless service to the community, particularly by the political elite who are placed in positions of great trust and responsibility. Politics has its own high moral principles which abhor distracting and divisive rhetoric. As men and women in leadership, we must continually focus on service, duty, responsibility, and the next generation. Those who are elected to govern at all levels must focus on improving the lives of our people, not selfish ambition.

    In the words of the American theologian and author, James Freeman Clarke, ‘a politician thinks of the next election; a statesman of the next generation’. Whether we are Muslims or Christians; rich or poor; from the North or the South; East or West; regardless of our political affiliations, this is the time for every one of us to be a statesman!

    My clarion call therefore, on this special day, is that we should begin to align our political utterances and conduct solely to the nobler passions that unite our people. Politicians do not make a nation; ordinary folks do.

    Our nation is made great by the big and small efforts of regular citizens. These are the teachers and men and women in academics who inculcate the knowledge and wisdom that transform into tomorrow’s wealth; the traders and market women who tend to our everyday needs; the farmers whose labour feeds the nation; the artisans whose work ensures that our homesteads are well maintained; the doctors, pharmacists, nurses, accountants, bankers, engineers, and other professionals who add value to our lives; the sportsmen and women and those in the creative industry who bring honour and fame to our nation;

    And the men and women of our armed forces and security services who toil day and night so that you and I may live in a safe and secure nation.

    It is the individual and collective heroism of these regular folks that has placed our nation on the path of greatness. Politics and politicians sometimes distract the people and create unnecessary tension.

    But our independence celebration is about the same people, the people of Nigeria: their industry, sense of mission and purpose, and their patience and perseverance as we navigate historical turns in our march towards prosperity and self-sufficiency. Today, I salute the people of Nigeria.

    My Compatriots, history has proven that nations take time to evolve. We should rejoice in our democracy because it enables us to be united by our differences, not destroyed by them. And, there is no more crucial time for us to be united than now.

    The threats we face may be real and immediate. But we are not alone in this regard. It is a difficult season for much of the world: industrialized or developing; rich or poor. What matters are the lessons we learn, the wisdom we demonstrate, and the victory we snatch from the jaws of likely defeat.

    And I tell you, more than anything else, there are lessons to learn, and every cause to be thankful. If I must cite one example, take Syria. As we all pray and work for a return to normalcy in Syria, it would be helpful for us to reflect on the fact that Syria was once a peaceful, thriving, multi-cultural nation which played host to a mosaic of religions and ethnicities.

    But that once idyllic nation has today become a theatre of human misery of unimaginable proportions as a result of the activities of extremist forces.

    Fellow Nigerians, the spectre of extremism haunts every democracy in every corner of the globe. While we celebrate our independence and good fortune, our hearts must grieve for those who have lost loved ones in numerous terrorist activities around the world.

    Back home, I admit being overtaken by deep feelings of grief, whenever news reached me of the appalling atrocities in some of our States, especially the North Eastern part of our country. Just two days ago, terrorist elements attacked the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State killing a number of innocent students of the institution and other residents in cold blood, most of them in their sleep.  This act of barbarism is a demonstration of the extent to which evil forces will go to destabilize our nation. But I assure you, they will not succeed.

    My heart goes out to the families of all those who have fallen victim of these dastardly acts. Our Administration will not rest until every Nigerian is free from the oppression of terrorism. I reassure you that no cost will be spared, no idea will be ignored, and no resource will be left untapped in the quest to enable our people live without fear.

    On this day, I implore every Nigerian – wherever you are, whatever language you speak, whatever your religious persuasion, whichever Political Party you support -: let us join together to fight this evil of extremism.

    On behalf of us all, I commend our Armed Forces and security agencies for their dedication and bravery in the face of grave danger, and in the name of our collective liberty.

    Fellow Nigerians, this is a time to pull together behind the national cause: the cause of our freedom, and our future. We must rekindle the spirit of Nigeria, to ensure that every democrat and every lover of peace in this great nation continues to live in a free, peaceful, and secure Nigeria.

    On my part, I re-dedicate myself completely to the service of this great country. I was elected President to continue the process of building a prosperous nation where hopes, dreams and aspirations would be fulfilled. Nigerians, home and abroad, want a country they can be proud to call their own.  I am pleased to affirm that, no matter the challenges we face, we are on the right path to greatness. Our Transformation Agenda, which is part of the overall vision of making Nigeria a land of greatness, has been delivering positive and encouraging results.

    On May 29th this year, I presented to the nation a mid-term report of my Administration’s Transformation Agenda. This was conceived as an integrated policy aimed at reconstructing not only institutional governance for effective and efficient service delivery, but also a re-orientation of national norms and values.  The document captured the essence of our agenda in relation to core objectives and achievements.

    I have been consistently mindful of the weight of public expectation to find solutions to the challenges that confront us because the mandate we have is a free and sacred one. In all that I have done, I have been guided by this sacred obligation, to work hard for the good of Nigeria and to make life better for Nigerians. I want to assure everyone that Nigeria, under my leadership, will not fail.

    Exactly 53 years ago today, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa urged us to ‘move with quiet dignity to our place on the world stage’. I am sure that there have been times when every one of us must have questioned how closely we have followed that injunction.

    But again, I can reassure you that Nigeria’s place on the world stage today is strong and safe, and it is certainly a place of dignity and respect. We must continue to build on this by remaining a nation and a people committed to ideals, the noblest humanitarian values, and the rule of law.

    Our Constitution is anchored ultimately on the idea of freedom and fundamental rights: freedom of expression; freedom from discrimination; freedom to vote and be voted for, and the right to human dignity. These are the core values of a true democracy. These are the values of which we must never lose sight.

    In my address to the UN General Assembly last week, I emphasized the crucial role of democratization in improving the fortunes not just of this country, but of our entire continent. Democratic values encourage diversity. They encourage discourse. They encourage disagreement. This is the joy of democracy.

    It enables us to have an opinion. And ultimately, the ballot box gives us all the opportunity to instigate change. When democracy works, it does not destroy a nation. It unites and defines it.

    Fellow Nigerians, our Administration has taken cognizance of suggestions over the years by well-meaning Nigerians on the need for a National Dialogue on the future of our beloved country. I am an advocate of dialogue. When there are issues that stoke tension and bring about friction, it makes perfect sense for the interested parties to come together to discuss.

    In demonstration of my avowed belief in the positive power of dialogue in charting the way forward, I have decided to set up an Advisory Committee whose mandate is to establish the modalities for a National Dialogue or Conference. The Committee will also design a framework and come up with recommendations as to the form, structure and mechanism of the process.

    The Committee will be chaired by Dr. Femi Okurounmu while Dr. Akilu Indabawa will serve as the Secretary. The full membership of the Committee will be announced shortly.

    I expect the Report to be ready in one month, following which the nation will be briefed on the nomenclature, structure and modalities of the Dialogue.

    Fellow Nigerians, the past 53 years have seen Nigeria evolve on an epic scale.  Our progress since independence has not always been smooth. This is, after all, our Fourth Republic; but despite all its flaws, it has lasted longer than all the previous three put together. That is progress and it proves that, our differences – real and imagined – notwithstanding, we are, in every sense, a united nation.

    This is no time for the harmful clutches of parochial sentiments and the politics of bitterness, impunity, arrogance and unhelpful indiscipline. We must stand as one, with absolute commitment and resolve to resist any force that threatens us and the sanctity of our union.

    I want to thank all our country men and women who have stood by this Administration in the midst of mounting challenges and enormous expectations.

    I recognize that it is not easy to keep believing in the possibilities of our greatness when our faith is constantly challenged. But let me assure you that, if we do not despair, we shall reap the reward of our labour in due season.

    It is my prayer that, another 53 years from now, our children and grand-children will look back on our effort and be thankful that we kept the faith.

    May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    I wish you all a very happy 53rd Independence Celebration.

    I thank you.

  • PHCN workers kick as Jonathan gives licences to new owners

    PHCN workers kick as Jonathan gives licences to new owners

    Amid protests, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) died yesterday.

    In its place rose 18 successor campanies, 15 of which got licences and shares certificates from the Federal Government.

    President Goodluck Jonathan, joined by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who is also the Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, presented the certificates.

    The privatised generating companies are Geregu Power Plc, Ughelli Power Plc, Egbin Power Plc, Kainji Hydro Electric Plc and and Shiroro Hydro Electric Power Plc.

    The 10 privatised distribution companies (Discos) are located in Abuja, Benin, Eko, Ibadan, Ikeja, Jos, Kano, Port-Harcourt, Yola and Enugu.

    The three PHCN successor companies that are yet to be handed over are located in Afam, Kaduna and Sapele.

    The government, however, deferred the physical takeover of the firms by the new owners to enable it complete the payment of workers’ entitlements — an issue that sparked massive protests yesterday.

    Jonathan said: “To the Nigerian people who have demonstrated such great patience and confidence, putting up often with darkness, noisy power-generating sets, the related pollution and daily disruptions in their lives, I say better days are coming.

    “We do not expect the sector to be revitalised overnight, but we can all look forward to a better time very soon as we have seen in the telecommunication and banking sectors.

    “I am confident that the power sector will promise no less, knowing the caliber of those who are taking over.

    “Today, we embark on a journey, a journey that will usher us to a destination of enduring gain and fulfillment,’’ he said.

    Jonathan said the ceremony was a milestone in the nation’s journey from a public-owned and -operated electricity sector to an industry driven by private sector.

    Sambo said the event marked another major landmark in the transformation agenda of Jonathan’s administration.

    He praised international development partners such as USAID, DFID, the World Bank Group and AfDB for keeping faith with the process.

    Sambo said: “ The new owners of the generation companies are expected to build up capacity from the present levels of performance to additional 5,000mw within a period of five years.

    “This promise has been captured clearly in the performance agreement that the new owners have with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) which will be monitored by the regulator.”

    Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki, said Kaduna Distribution Company and Afam Generation Company had to undergo a second bid process since no bidder qualified in the first process.

    Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said he was delighted to report the level of participation of Nigerian financial institution which provided over 70% of funds needed for the acquisition of the assets.

    He added that “I understand that the international development partners accredited to Nigeria have coined a special phraseology for our process-simultaneous sequentiality.”

    According to the minister, the Nigerian Electricity Industry has been transformed into a regulated environment.

    Speaking on PHCN workers, Nebo said “Accordingly, out of 47,614 PHCN workers who were identified, we have completed the biometrics capture and related validation of 45,156 workers. As at today, the severance benefits of majority of that number have been paid while others are being processed. The payment of severance and pension will continue throughout the month of October.

    “Nebo added: “I can say that the physical handover has not been made because we need to complete that first. We are not going to physically handover until everyone of them is fully taken care of.

    “Most of them have now received their severance package but we also need to pay pension package. So severance package will be given to everyone of them and their pension benefits will be credited into their PFA accounts. Once that is done we know that the severance is complete and then we can physically handover to all these private companies.

    “These things take time. It is something of hundreds of billions of naira. It is not easy just to wake up and have all these monies paid by any bank, it will cause a run on the bank. So we have been doing all the due diligence required to take care of that.”

    On the Nigerian Electricity Management Company (NELMCO, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, announced that the Federal government is in the process of reviewing and scaling down the liabilities of PHCN by NELMCO.

    He said the Ministry of Finance has raised $350million from the Eurobond for the revitalization of the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

    Ngama said that the securitisation process would be of benefit to the private investors from the World Bank security risk guarantee of$135million is in place in the 2013 budget.

    Group Managing Director Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu noted that domestic gas supply has grown to 1.500 million cubic feet per day from an average of 900,000 cubic feet per day in 2010.

    This, according to him, is a growth of about 72% in the period under consideration.

    He promised that following the corporation’s plan, there will be sufficient gas supply in areas where there are industrial activities.