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  • South-South governors, PDP leaders endorse Jonathan for 2015

    South-South governors, PDP leaders endorse Jonathan for 2015

    South-South governors and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders yesterday endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for next year’s election.

    The endorsement was the high point of a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu, as part of his zonal tour of the South-South.

    The leaders in a communiqué read at the end of the meeting by the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Chibudom Nwuche, hinged their endorsement on the giant strides recorded by the Jonathan administration.

    The communiqué reads: “We acknowledge the giant strides of Mr. President in the areas of education, agriculture, health, tourism, re-invention of the railway system, roads and other infrastructural development across the country. There is also focus on economic empowerment of Nigerians.

    “In view of his (President’s) doggedness in pursuing his transformation agenda for the country, the South-South is in support of his administration. We, therefore, endorse President Jonathan for the forthcoming  presidential election so as to continue his transformation agenda, which transcends all spheres of our lives.”

    It was signed by Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State.

    The leaders of the region condemned the spate of violence and insecurity in the country, which they observed was being tackled by President Jonathan.

    They pledged their “unalloyed and unwavering support for the fight against terrorism,” vowing “to be strong advocates of the unity of the country.”

    Urging Nigerians to identify with the PDP, they praised the leadership of the party led by Mu’azu.

    Others in attendance were the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dakwambo, the South-South lawmakers in the National Assembly, chairmen of the party in the six South-South states, among others.

  • APC cries out over arrest of its leaders

    •’AIG’s advert unacceptable’

    •Party queries suspects’ release

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has alerted the public to alleged plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government to arrest its leaders in Osun State.

    It said the ploy was to destabilise the APC and intimidate its members and supporters ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll.

    In a statement yesterday, APC National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the arrests were earlier scheduled to start tomorrow, but began yesterday following the success of the party’s rally in Osogbo.

    The APC said: “The mammoth crowd that turned out for the rally today (yesterday) destabilised the PDP and the Federal Government and they fast tracked the arrest of our leaders in all local government areas.

    “Already, a special team from Abuja has arrived in Osogbo solely for this purpose and, at least, one of our leaders, Hon. Oke, has been arrested. The arrest and intimidation of opposition members put a question mark on President Goodluck Jonathan’s assurance to the international community that the Osun election will be free and fair.

    “As we have always said, election is a process. Rigging is not restricted to the voting day alone. Arrest and intimidation of the opposition ahead of voting constitute rigging. Therefore, by engaging in the mass arrest of our leaders in Osun and deploying highly-partisan security agencies in the state, the Federal Government has kick-started the process of rigging Saturday’s election.

    “We are alerting election observers, the international community and all Nigerians to the evil machinations of the PDP and the Federal Government for the Osun election. We urge all men and women of conscience to prevail on those who are bent on fomenting anarchy in Osun State to give peace a chance. We ask for nothing more than a level playing field for all candidates in the election. We want the election to be a celebration of democracy rather than a trigger for chaos.”

    The APC, in a statement by its Osun State Publicity Director, Kunle Oyatomi, has demanded the withdrawal of an advert running on the National Television Authority (NTA), Osogbo, placed by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 11, David Omojola, saying it amounted to “an official threat of assassination from the AIG’s office”.

    NTA-Osogbo has been running an advert in Ijesha dialect, warning one SOJI not to put his life on the line in the process of fighting against electoral fraud.

    According to the APC, the “obvious reference” in that advert was Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, whose middle name is ADESOJI.

    In a letter dated August 4 to the AIG, the APC demanded that in the alternative to withdrawing the advert, the AIG should publicly clarify that the governor was not the object of the advert.

    It said Aregbesola would never surrender to intimidation, fraud or threat of assassination in his fight against evil and injustice.

    The APC alleged that four suspects, who were caught thumbprinting ballot papers in Akoda, Ede, had been released by the military.

    The suspects were apprehended by members of a vigilance group and handed over to the military.

    According to the APC, it was discovered yesterday that the suspects had been released.

    The party said some suspected PDP thugs, who were arrested last Saturday in possession of guns, had been released by the police.

    It said: “During the PDP’s rally in Osogbo last Saturday, the police were reported to have arrested some PDP thugs caught with guns and other ammunition in their possession. But as you read this, the thugs have also been released.

    “The big question is why should the military and the police release suspects caught in illegal acts, who are supposed to be in custody, preparatory for court charges.

    “Secondly, in the case of Akoda, the question is who gave the suspects ballot papers, if not the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that is supposed to be in exclusive possession of ballot papers?

    “There appears to be a synergy among the military, police, PDP and INEC to rig Saturday’s election. The APC, therefore, demands explanations on why the suspects arrested in Akoda and Osogbo were released by security agencies to continue their criminality.

    “INEC must provide Nigerians with an answer on how the criminals broke into its storehouse and stole the ballot papers they were thumb printing?

    Nigerians and the world should not be deceived. There is a criminal conspiracy of the highest pedestal of the security agencies, the PDP, INEC and the government in Abuja to criminally bastardise democracy and destroy the electoral process through coordinated fraud.

    “No matter what the combination of these forces do, APC will prevail and win the election on Saturday with the people’s mandate.”

  • Falana urges African leaders to challenge IMF, World Bank on economy

    Lagos lawyer Mr. Femi Falana has urged African Heads of State and Governments to challenge the alleged manipulation of the continent’s economy by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank as a summit of the United States (U.S) and African leaders opened in Washington, DC, this week.

    American President Barack Obama is expected to host the summit, which focuses mainly on trade and investment in Africa. The theme of the summit is: Investing in the Next Generation. A number of signatures and side events have been organised to acknowledge the role of civil society, women and youth in the development of Africa.

    Forty African Heads of Governments are in Washington, DC for the summit.

    As part of the run-up to the summit, 15 civil society organisations (CSOs) from Africa, in an open letter on August 1 by Pamela Timburwa and addressed to the U.S. and Heads of African State and Governments, urged the leaders “to ensure that serious consideration is given and firm commitments are made to ensure an enabling environment for the participation of civil society, women and youth in Africa’s development”.

    The 15 CSOs include Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Africa Regional Program, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Lawyers for Human Rights, Regional office; Liga Moçambicana dos Direitos Humanos (LDH), Mozambique, Liga Guineense dos Direitos Humanos (LGDH), Guinea Bissau.

    Others are: Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA); Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC), South Africa; Swaziland Coalition for Concerned Civic Organisations, Swaziland; Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), Malawi; Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), Mozambique; Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), Regional office and Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), Zimbabwe.

    Reacting to the letter, which was copied to him by Ms Timburwa, the Lagos lawyer disagreed with the issues tabled by the civil societies before U.S. and Heads of African State and Governments.

    The activist said the letter was silent on the economic system in the 54 member-states in Africa.

    He said the African Union (AU) and the regional economic groupings had not addressed the empowerment of Africans, adding that without addressing unemployment, poverty and insecurity, majority of Africans cannot enjoy any human right.

    Falana said: “Africa must challenge the manipulation of the economy of the continent by the IMF and the World Banký. The lower interest rates in the West and the very high interest rates in Africa, being endorsed by the Bretton Wood institutions, should be seriously challenged. Instead of aid, the emphasis should be on trade. After hundreds of years of crude exploitation of her resources, Africa should no longer be a dumping ground. Having been on the receiving end, Africa should champion the struggle for a new world economic order based on justice and fair play.”

    The frontline lawyer noted that apart from condemning the level of corruption in Africa, the U.S government had not deemed it fit to ensure that the stolen wealth is repatriated.

    He said: “While countries risk losing aid for enacting laws against same-sex marriage, the Obama administration has not even imposed a travel ban on corrupt African leaders. Or, is America not unaware of the fact that some of the leaders who are attending the summit have endangered the development of their countries on account of grand corruption?”

  • Students elect leaders

    Members of the National Association of Ilaje Students (NAIS) have elected leaders to pilot their affairs.

    Seventy-four senators, comprising chapter presidents, were accredited for the election.

    The Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Banjo Elerije, from Delta State University, Abraka, urged students to cooperate with the committee to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

    Later in the day, candidates met a cross section of students at Akins Hotel, Igbokoda, Ondo State, for the manifesto. The seven presidential candidates were, however, the centre of attraction as they unveiled their programmes for the association.

    Voting began the following day at the Family Support Programme Centre, Igbokoda, at 12:30pm after the electoral committee had announced modalities for the exercise.

    At the end of the exercise, the votes were counted and verified and the Electoral Chairman declared the winners.

    Victor Adeya, University of Lagos (UNILAG) emerged president after  polling a total mof 35 votes to defeat other aspirants. Others included Hannah Ikuejafo, College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Vice President I; Oluwole Ayelaje, College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Vice President II; Irekanmi Morioloye, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, General Secretary; Abimbola Temituro, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Public Relations Office; Ayotunde Omosowone, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Financial Secretary; Henry Okunomo, Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, Assistant General Secretary; Oluwatobi Ogbaro, Yaba College of Technology, Welfare Director; Endurance Akinyomi, Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Delta State , Treasurer; Olajide Okorisa, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Akure Chapter, Social Director; Kayode Manuwa, AAUA, Director of Sports; Obedience Malumi, Ondo State College of Health Technology, Akure, Auditor.

    An observer of the election, Israel Fagbemigun, Senate President, National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), described the election as free and fair.

    A student, Ibukun Ayeyemi, urged the elected president to keep to his manifesto especially the re-negotiation of bursary and scholarship scheme for Ilaje students.

  • AFED swears in new leaders

    The Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED) has inaugurated a 16-member executive committee.

    They were sworn in at Glory Point International School, Ebute-metta West, Lagos State.

    Its President, Mrs Ifediola Dada, who is returning for a second term, said the election was an agreement which came out successfully.

    She noted  that the association had been facing continuity problems which she promised to eradicate.

    She praised the increased standard of education in the state, adding that her administration will be work on improving the curriculum and security in member-schools.

    Dada advised other newly elected officials to be good ambassadors of the association.

    “Whichever way you are called for any service, do it according to the will of God. If you are doing it in your own way, searching for your own selfish interest, God has a way of paying you back.

    “Don’t wait for man’s compensation, it will only trouble your life. What God has not given, you if man should give you, you will only fall, but when God gives you, it multiplies. That is the reality of life. Let us wait for God,” she said.

    She encouraged them to have team spirit for the growth of the association.

  • Union leaders take oath

    STUDENTS’ leaders of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) have been sworn in. The event, which took place at the university auditorium, was attended by principal officers of the institution.

    The Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Prof O.A. Omotesho, hailed the outgoing executive for its commitment to the students’ welfare.

    He said: “The outgoing executive members are one of the finest in the history of the university. The in-coming leaders should borrow a leaf from their outgoing one. They are unique because this is the first time we have four ladies in the union’s executive.”

    The outgoing president, Abiodun Lawal, said: “Most people might find it difficult giving account of their stewardship at the expiration of their tenure. I thank all my colleagues in the executive for their support and loyalty. I also wish you the best in your future endeavours.”

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, said: “The outgoing union members were in office before I assumed office, but I see them as people I can truly call my own. However, if second term was permited in the union’s constitution, I personally would have advocated a second term for them.”

    Afterwards, the executive members took the oath, which was administered by Mr A. Akanbi.

    The Deputy VC, Prof Isah Fakunle, charged he union leaders to be servant leaders.

    “One thing you should know is that the university belongs to you and that you are the most important component of the university. Therefore, you must be hardworking, diligent and to always strive to be better,” he said.

  • Cross River students sack leaders for alleged misconduct

    Members of the legislative arm of the National Association of Cross River State students (NACRISS) have held a session to discuss issues affecting the association.

    By the time they rose from the sitting, which was held at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Old Senate Chambers, member removed the parliament’s leaders for misconduct.

    They scrutinised finances of the association by setting up as committeee led by Bassey Abba. Members unanimously passed a resolution to impeach  the Senate President, Francis Obono, who had been initially suspended for alleged financial misconduct.

    The motion for the impeachment was moved by Emmanuel Omang and seconded by Dominic Effiong. The students also claimed that the Senate President violated Section 32 of the association’s constitution. A new leader was chosen. He is Okanga Ogbu.

    Reacting to his removal, Francis said: “I don’t know the reason you are asking this question. When you have something better, you can find out time to talk to me. For now, I’m still the Senate President. If any person has been impeached, I am not the one. Whatever you heard is mere rumours.”

    Members also impeach the Vice President, Juliet Manyo, for allegedly participating in an illegal demonstration calling for the removal of the Personal Adviser on Students’ Affairs to the Governor Liyel Imoke, Mr Hilary Bisong, and usurping the powers of the president.

    The impeachment letter made available to our correspondent reads: “Without prejudice to the constitution; following the discrepancy, gross misconduct as reported by the house committee on fact-finding on the Vice President for violating section 53(2), Article A, B, C, D, E, F and H, that the irrelevant demonstration was not approved by the association’s president and Legal Adviser, such groups shall be suspended indefinitely…”

    The General Secretary, Sunday Obi, was also indicted for breaching the constitution and got suspended indefinitely for taking part in the protest.

    Reacting, Juliet said: “Those senators are impersonating the recognised principal officers of the senate. Whatever they are doing is simply not right. They don’t have the rightto impeach me. I am not even bothered about that. They are just a faction of the senate. Those  who claimed to impeach me are those that are given stipends by Philomena Agweye, the suspended president. Even as I speak, I have not received any notification of the so-called impeachment.”

    All efforts to reach the suspended General Secretary were futile.

    A former member, who pleaded for anonymity, frowned at the crisis rocking the association and called for dialogue among warring factions.

    “Must we fight over everything? What kind of politics is this? When we were in the union, we did not misbehave as these crops of students are doing. I will advise all of them to return to a round table discussion to settle all their grievances and stop washing their dirty linen in the public, ” he said.

     

  • Students elect hall leaders

    Residents of the male halls of residence at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akungba (AAUA) have elected new leaders.

    Three students contested for the post of chairman. They were Ademiku Funbi, 400-Level, Public Administration, Sulaiman Muheeb, 300-Level, History and International Studies and Akinyemi Samuel, 300-Level, Law. Aspirants for other positions were unopposed.

    During the campaign, Ademiku said: “As a public administration student, I know what it takes to administer people and make them work together for the sake of this community.”

    Suleiman urged the students to vote for him, saying he would use innovative ideas to turn around the state of the hostels.

    The election took three hours to be concluded and results were counted immediately.

    Ademiku Funbi had 68 votes, Suleiman Muheeb 65, while Akinyemi Samuel polled 15 votes.  Ademiku was declared winner by the electoral Chairman, having polled the highest number of votes.

    In his remark, Ademiku thanked the students for their votes and promised to represent their interest.

    Other elected executives included Olawale Adebayo, Public Relations Officer; Omosehin Moses, General Secretary; Toheeb Nojeem, Welfare Director and Bunmi Charles, Treasurer.

     

  • Seminar for students’ leaders

    Student leaders at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, have been charged to always use dialogue and consultation in engaging management of the institution for conflict resolution.

    The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Rotimi Ajayi,  said this at a two-day training workshop held for students’ leaders of the institution at the National Institute for Educational and Administration, NIEPA, Ondo State.

    The annual workshop was designed to impart leadership etiquette and effective students’ unionism in Nigerian universities.  The theme of this year’s event was “Leadership and Responsible Unionism.”

    Prof. Ajayi, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof Femi Mimiko, attributed the prevailing peace in the university to the dialogue between management and students’ union leaders.

    While admonishing them to follow the legacy laid by their predecessors, Ajayi said it would be shameful on them if the university experience student unrest during their tenure.

    “If your predecessors had worked for stability for over five years, I see no reason why you should not sustain the tempo. Don’t allow yourself to be misguided; you must be in constant touch with the management through the Dean of Students’ Affairs to resolve any pressing issue because students are at the centre of our administration”, he said.

    The DVC also read the riot act to them, saying: “You are not allowed to address any student on any agitation or demand when you have not discussed such with the Dean of Students’ Affairs. You are not allowed to proceed on any expedition that is not approved by the management. You must learn to respect constituted authorities and all staff of the university. You must obey all rules and regulations as stipulated in our handbooks.”

    He challenged them to complement the efforts of the management to move the school forward rather than sabotaging it through unnecessary unrest.

    The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Olujide Ajidahun, said the workshop was to let the student leaders know their core values as leaders, give them opportunity to bare their minds and put them on the right track.

    “Service should be uppermost in your hearts. As leaders, you must deliver; it is not how much you get from a system but how much you give. So work as a servant-leader,” he stated.

    Some of the students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE praised the initiative.

  • Ex-militant leaders hail Fed Govt

    Former Niger Delta Militant Leaders have commended the Federal Government over the just concluded Non-violence and Entrepreneurship Training for Phase 2 ex-militant Generals in the Niger Delta struggle, which took place in Calabar, Cross River State.

    Speaking with reporters at the conclusion of the training programme, the National President, Phase 2 Ex-militant Leaders, Gen. Aso Tambo, aka General Kpala, stated that the training was a huge success as ex-fighters were equipped with entrepreneurship skills, non-violence and conflict resolution know-how, as well as self-reliance and on how to be employers of labour.

    Gen. Tambo noted that ex-agitators came from within and outside the country to attend the training programme and thanked President Goodluck Jonathan and Mr. Kingsley Kuku for the brilliant ideas inculcated in the psyche of former fighters.

    He noted that the quest of Niger Delta agitators was that the region be developed like other places such as Lagos and Abuja with basic necessities of life put in place, stressing the successful training of former militants on vocational trainings should also go hand-in-hand with their integration into various endevours in the workforce.

    “My expectation is that the ex-militants will have a standing MoU with the Federal government that our need is put in place and when that is done, we are okay, we are not fighting for a divided Nigeria. But our quest and our fight is that let Niger Delta be fully developed like Abuja and Lagos with basic necessities of life”, the ex-militant Leader said.

    Also speaking, Gen. Kingsley Muturu (Delta State Chairman), Gen. Collins Arigo (National Vice-Chairman), Gen. Stephen Ebisinte (Bayelsa State Chairman) and Gen. Olotu Wanemi, they jointly warned Nigerians who are fighting for division to steer clear from the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, NDDC and Niger Delta Ministry.

    The group vehemently lampooned the statements made by the northern delegates at the National Conference on their aforementioned Federal Government bodies, warning them not to play politics with the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme as such could result unwarranted consequences in the polity.

    They noted with one voice that the Niger Delta struggle was clearly for fair share of their God-given resources which was supported by the world over, unlike the current carnage carried out by Boko Haram in killing and maiming innocent citizens in the country.

    They emphasized their unflinching resolve to ensure full support for President Jonathan in his efforts to bring transformation to the system, even if forces were bent on discrediting his good agenda for Nigeria and her people.