The Nation Newspaper

Tag: leaders’

  • Leaders, power  and legacies

    As  mortality beckons the great Nelson Mandela I recall the Chinese saying  that says-count no man lucky until his death. With Mandela, at this stage of his life, and even well before now, one can easily say he has been an extremely lucky man and he has really earned that luck, right before our eyes  Today we discuss Mandela’s luck, an enduring one at that and compare it with those of other world  leaders who are well, alive and very powerful but who must tremble at the prospect of the saying that no man can truly be said to be lucky until his death.

    We  look at events in Ghana where the incumbent president just won the presidential elections with just over 50%  of the votes cast  and the opposition is contesting the results  and has gone to court.  We  examine the situation in Egypt  where  the president has kowtowed to protests on his seizing the powers of the courts,  only to proceed on a referendum that will give him the powers he had seized and returned under duress – by the back door.

    Of course the Egyptian people are still on the streets crying foul and saying they did not uproot one  dictator  planted by the army for years only for him  to be replaced by another one they just elected through the ballot box. Which  again puts  nagging doubt  on the desirability or otherwise of democracy in some nations and circumstances globally. We  end up again  with S Africa   where a unique transition of leadership is  taking place  again  by the ballot box. In  all these  instances we have at the back of our mind the Chinese saying – count no man lucky until his death.

    Let us go back to Mandela and his fight with mortality  to which he must succumb as he is mortal. But Nelson Mandela,  the world’s most famous prisoner is already destined for immortality in the way he fought for the liberation of his nation from the shackles of apartheid.

    He  was honored with the Nobel Prize for peace with his compatriot and president of S Africa  de  Klerk with whom he negotiated the exit of apartheid and the enthronement of democracy in what has become the Rainbow nation today. But it is in the way that he shunned power  and served his nation for only one term of five years  during which he forgave his jailors  through The Truth and Reconciliation Committee  headed  by another Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu,  that Mandela secured his immortality  as a reference point on selfless leadership,  globally and eternally.

    At  that  time Mandela would have been hailed as the Messiah if he  had wanted to be a life president of S Africa. After him S Africa has had what I will  call two and half presidents namely Thabo Mbeki who served for almost two terms and Kwagima Motlanthe the present Vice  President who held fort briefly  after Mbeki was defeated in a leadership contest of the ruling ANC   by President Jacob Zuma who had been sacked by Mbeki   as  Vice President  for corruption.

     Now  this week the ANC  is having its national conference at which it will elect its leader who automatically becomes president of S Africa as  the ANC is assured of 60%  of the votes cast in any election in S Africa. This time however both the President and Vice President of S  Africa   are vying for the leadership  of the ANC  although Zuma is favored to defeat his Vice. One  thing that is certain is that S. Africans are disenchanted  with the performance of Zuma as President. Mbeki this week said that S Africa is drifting as a nation and something needs to be done urgently. The  Marikana Mine shooting of 34 miners by the Police recently is a great dent on the leadership credentials of the ANC  under Jacob Zuma.

    The  horrible fact that the survivors  of the Marikana shooting were first charged to  court  under an apartheid law still in the statute books before they were left off, showed that apartheid has not died a natural death when ANC  took power democratically  and till  the Marikana   incident. Also,   Zuma’s traditional ruler life style of four wives and 21  children and a renovation of his country home with $24 m  when miners were asking for  pittance as wage increase  showed that Zuma has become power drunk  as the leader  of a popular party in power in S/Africa  namely the ANC. Worse still Zuma’s defence of his insensitive profligacy that he took mortgage on the renovation of his country home is like adding insult to injury. Zuma’s actions  bear out vividly a good example of the dictatorship  of the majority  in any nation especially S Africa at this point in time.

    If  care is not taken,  however,  Egypt  under its President Mohammed Morsi is headed in the same direction as the ANC in S/Africa. This  is because the Muslim Brotherhood is well organized in Egypt and has proved its planning and organizational capabilities in the way it has survived several dictatorships in Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood survived under Gamal Abdel Nasser  and its member killed the late Anwar  Sadat and survived the government clamp down that followed the assassination.

    Now the Muslim Brotherhood has its own  member as president from a free and fair democratic election in Egypt  and who can really blame it for having things its way  especially as democracy is intrinsically a game of numbers  and it has the majority as well as organizational skills that the other opposition parties lack. This  means that secular Egyptians and Christians are in for a tough time in Egypt’s new democracy under the Muslim Brotherhood and that really is the unfortunate truth.

    In  Ghana  too the election results  have divided the nation into two equal parts yet one can claim victory as there  is no room for a run off election. The  incumbent president who took over on the death of his boss has now been legitimately  elected. The circumstances seem similar  to that of Nigeria  as well as  the succession. Unlike  Nigeria Ghanaian leaders have not gone to court in the last two elections in that nation. Now the losers have gone to court alleging irregularities, which  is the Nigerian way.

    But  then a result that involves a victory of just over 50%  can be painful for the losers because of its closeness. A  way out would have been some form of power sharing or proportionate  representation. That however will depend on the constitution which mostly as a document is blind until situations such as this arise   and legal gymnastics take over . I  bet Nigerian lawyers are taking the next  flights to Accra to participate in what they have perfected at  the expense of our fledgling  democracy, which is post election litigations. I really wish Ghanaian politicians the best of luck especially as oil too is flowing in Ghana now.  Anyway I fervently   hope Ghana and Ghanaians do not swallow and follow the Nigerian example hook, line and sinker on elections and litigations.

  • Boko Haram forces leaders to sing ‘scary’ tunes

    Boko Haram forces leaders to sing ‘scary’ tunes

    Is the Boko Haram ready for dialogue? The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the North and at the national level doubts the group’s sincerity to hold talks with government, but many a Northern voice, including the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), insists dialogue is the only way out, reports LEKE SALAUDEEN

     

    It has no face, save its leader whose face comes to live once in a while through You Tube. Its members are visible through their destruction of men, women, children and valuables and their willingness to die in order to kill. These weird characteristics are the reasons Christians in the North and elsewhere in the country do not believe the Boko Haram is ready for talks with the Federal Government. Their fears are shared by some influential leaders in the North, who believe the veil must come off the group’s face if it must be taken serious. President Goodluck Jonathan believes so too.

    A former chairman of CAN in Lagos State, ArchBishop Magnus Atilade said the Boko Haram members must be identified before talks are held with them.

    He told The Nation: “Given the circumstance in which we are today in this country, I think no sacrifice would be too much for government to make in the name of peace. This is not to absolve the Islamic sect of criminal activities. The major issue is how to restore peace. We can’t continue like this for long. It is affecting our economy, it’s affecting governance, it’s causing distraction and it’s affecting the nation’s image.”

    Spokesman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the North, Mr. Sunday Oibe, said it is sad Boko Haram wants to dictate conditions for peace talks to a legitimate government.

    Oibe told The Nation: “While calls were being made for dialogue, the Boko Haram members continue with killings and boast to do more; then who are you negotiating with? After declaring ceasefire, they went and killed a retired Major General in his residence in Maiduguri. How do you take such people serious? All those calling for dialogue are after what they will benefit from the process. It will create the opportunity of extorting money from government in the name of dialogue.

    “How do you dialogue with criminals? They have declared war against the state. They are not human beings. They should be treated like criminals from the pit of hell. They are not above the law. Security agents should renew their efforts in unveiling the identity of Boko Haram leaders, their followers and their sponsors. They should face the full wrath of the law for wanton killing of innocent people.”

    He dismissed those comparing the dialogue between Niger Delta militants with negotiations with Boko Haram, adding that in the prelude to the amnesty for the Niger Delta militants, it was the Federal Government said the militants must lay down their arms to benefit from the amnesty.

    “For Christians in the North, the Boko Haram onslaught is a religious war against the followers of Christ. Many have stopped going to church on Sundays for fear of bomb attacks. Why is it that the churches and Christians in the North are being attacked? This should not continue so that the country does not disintegrate. The killings and attacks on churches have provoked the Christians for too long. There is a limit to resilience. Christians would not continue to keep quiet and watch their fellow brothers and sisters killed by suicide bombers. If they want to split the country along religious line, they should come out and say it clearly. Just as Muslims have the right to worship according to the tenets of their religion, so are the Christians and traditionalists. This country has no official religion. Nobody can foist his/her faith on others. We have endured enough.”

     

    It’s not a North’s problem

     

    Former Military Governor of Kaduna State has absolved the northern leaders of any blame on the menace of the Boko Haram. He said it’s mischievous for any individual or group to hold the northern elders, politicians and traditional rulers responsible for killing spree of the sect.

    Umar told The Nation that northern leaders do not have security apparatus to confront the insurgents, it is uncharitable for any group to jump into conclusion that the northern elite are sitting on the fence.

    He said: “The state governors lack powers over the police who take directive from the Inspector General of Police in Abuja. There is no state police. The governors are chief security officers without power on the Commissioners of Police. If there is state police, it would have been a different ball game. If the Federal Government cannot use the instrument at its disposal to dislodge the criminals, do you expect individuals to come out and confront them?

    “Different bodies and organisations have denounced the activities of the Boko Haram publicly. Some have even made presentations to the Federal Government suggesting how to end the crisis. They did this at the risk of their life. They have condemned the notoriety of the group severally. They have forwarded their recommendations; it is left to government to accept or reject. What else do you want from the northern leaders?

    “The truth is that the Federal Government is in a serious dilemma in combating the menace of Boko Haram . However, all hands must be on deck. All of us should be security conscious by reporting strange elements or suspicious movement around us to law enforcement agencies.”

    Umar said rather than shifting blames, patriotic Nigerians should advise the Federal Government to find out what is responsible for the emergence of the anti-social elements like Boko Haram and Niger Delta militants.

    He said: “They are products of economic mismanagement by past and present leaders. Corruption has eaten deep into the system. The army of unemployed youths feels they have no stake in the nation. To them the future is bleak.

    “The way the economy is being handled is not in the interest of the majority. Two per cent of the Nigerian populace controls 90 per cent of the economy. About 70 per cent of the annual budget is spent on salaries for political office holders and civil servants. Our legislators are the highest paid in the world. That’s why when members of the National Assembly sneeze they celebrate it on pages of newspapers by placing adverts. Unless our leaders change their life style, restructure the economy in such a way that it will enhance the standard of living of common people, the emergence of militant groups would not abate.”

    On dialogue sought by Boko Haram with Federal Government, Umar said no. According to him, how do you expect government to talk with unidentified group?

    “I think the Federal Government was right in rejecting the peace overtures by the group. How do you hold peace talk with people whose identity you cannot ascertain, people that you can’t locate their residence? It looks awkward. Remember that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari turned down his nomination by the Boko Haram group to mediate on their behalf. The reason given by Gen. Buhari was that he didn’t know them; so why should he be negotiating on behalf of people he didn’t know? Again how credible is the information that Boko Haram is seeking peace talk. Has anybody verified the authenticity of this message? Since they are operating underground, it will be very difficult for government itself to cross check. They have to unmask themselves before holding peace talk with government”, Umar concluded.

    Former Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Ango Abdullahi said the mistake some highly placed officials make is that they have assumed that the issue of Boko Haram is a problem of the North.

    This assumption, according to him, is absolutely wrong and short-sighted.

    Abdullahi, a prominent member of the Northern Elder Forum, said; “Boko Haram, to me, was something that would have been nipped in the bud early, but was allowed to assume a dimension it is today. Their matter was badly handled in 2008/2009. From then on, instead of quickly nipping whatever problem it was in the bud, the matter took a totally different colouration. I think it was badly handled by law enforcement agencies. If it was a religious sect, it should have been kept that way and dealt with accordingly. Unfortunately, politicians started employing them against their perceived opponents.

    “The question now is, who is going to stop Boko Haram hostilities? Everybody has a role to play. Some are more responsible than the others. Government has a larger role to play. The primary responsibility of who to find solution to this problem is the government. From community leaders to traditional rulers, everyone has a role to play. We should start asking questions as to why this is happening.

    “Dealing with the matter by force is not the solution. In a presentation by the Northern Elders to President Goodluck Jonathan recently, we cautioned against the use of force. Government at all levels should enlist every stakeholder they consider important to come out and find a way of reaching out to these boys in the bush. They always give the excuse that they don’t know them, but they are not fictitious. We believe that with the current approach through the communities, they will be able to reach out to them.

    “Despite the difficulty in identifying who is Boko Haram in the society, there have been other efforts through the people who the leadership of Boko Haram felt they can trust in bringing about dialogue with government. I think the first one that I know is the efforts of Dr Datti Ahmed. I think they gave him a mandate to engage in discussion with government under certain conditions and these conditions were breached and that was why Dr. Datti withdrew from participating. Despite the fact that the government said it still wanted to pursue the dialogue and what we saw later was press statement on the papers and electronic media of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi being an intermediary between government and Boko Haram. But before we know it, the Boko Haram disclaimed the Sheikh that at no time had they instructed Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi to speak with government on their behalf.

    “There are many allegations that a lot of bomb attacks were not carried out by the Boko Haram agents, that they are carried out by different people. In the course of various arrests that have been made after those attacks, a number of non-Muslims and even non-northerners were caught either by the people or security agents. May be the accusation is why government is not making pronouncements about the people they caught who are not Muslims or agents of Boko Haram but make so much noise on Boko Haram because it is an Islamic organisation. This is what perhaps they are trying to say.”

     

    They are as faceless to ACF

     

    The spokesman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani, said Boko Haram members are faceless to the pan-North group.

    He is pleading with the Federal Government not to close its doors against peace overtures by the Boko Haram group, adding that Jonathan has some points by insisting he must be able to identify Boko Haram leaders before discussing with them.

    He told The Nation: “Mr. President did not rule out dialogue. He said the government cannot engage constructively with a faceless group. To some extent, the president is right and in another angle some people would say he is not sincere, especially when regard is paid to this fact that no one expects leaders of the sect to come into the open without anything in place to protect them from arrest by the authority. Naturally, they would fear being arrested or being killed. So there has to be some mechanism that would assure them of their security before they can show their faces. The situation is more complicated now that they have price tags.

    “As a way out, we want to appeal to leaders of the Boko Haram to approach Saudi Arabia or any other country of their choice to play some roles in the dialogue. If Saudi Arabia or any other country of their choice that has good diplomatic relationship with Nigeria agrees to broker the dialogue, it would naturally fall upon such a country to approach the Nigerian government for effect. In that case, there would be no fear of any arrest by Nigerian authority. Somehow, I do not believe the price tag means foreclosure of dialogue. It might be the government’s way of nudging the sect into accepting dialogue. A stick-and-carrot approach, one might say.”

    He said the sect’s members are unknown to ACF. “If we know them and have access to them, they would have stopped their violence by now. They are as faceless to government as they are to ACF.”

  • North’s leaders behind Plateau crises, says Jang

    North’s leaders behind Plateau crises, says Jang

    he lingering crises in Plateau State which has led to killings, is not ethnic but sponsored, Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang said yesterday.

    Jang alleged that some north’s leaders and some security operatives are fuelling the crises.

    He also accused north’s governors of opposing state police because of Plateau state.

    The Plateau governor spoke in Abuja at a church programme tagged ‘Plateau Prays’ organised by the Plateau State Indigenes Development Association (PSIDA) in Abuja.

    He expressed regret that he called meetings to find a lasting solution to the lingering crises to no avail.

    The governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Rev. Choji Gyang said: “We keep asking ourselves why Plateau State is in crises. Why they are against Plateau is because we call ourselves Plateau the Christian state. And Islam is a very strong religion in the northern part of the country. So for Plateau to come out to say it is a Christian state it is against the wishes of those who don’t want any other religion outside Islam in northern Nigeria.

    “Plateau is different from other northern states. That is why the enemies are causing crises. We need to go back to God our creator. The crises in Jos have taken a new dimension. The crises can best be described as a Gorilla war in the military terms. A strategy of hit and run, a strategy of getting them from the side, then the centre cannot hold.

    “We say we are Christians and the recent killing is a clear indication that it is not just an ethnic crisis. It is more sophisticated than that from investigations.

    “As I am talking to you now, it is obvious that some security people are involved in the attacks on the Plateau. In the last attack, one of the security men was caught in the act and he was shot and was rushed to the Plateau hospital and investigations are going on. Before that incident, one other person was caught and he said there are people somewhere in the far north who are sponsoring the Plateau crises.

    “Recently when the National Assembly called for constitution amendment, the issues of the state police came up.

    A governor said he spoke with one of the governors from the far north as to the reason why they were not supporting the state police. And the governor told his Southern colleaugues point-blank that they were not supporting the state police because of Plateau State . This statement calls for so many interpretations as to why they do not want to support state police.

    “The governor (Jang) said recently one of the governors told him that one of the problems that he is having with those on the top is because he is the one helping out in the issues that concern Plateau. That he shouldn’t be the one talking. Jang said I do not have a voice on the Plateau so if I do not speak who will? We do not have a voice on the Plateau. I have gathered the who- is- who in the state to discus on the way forward but all to no avail. The governor is delighted to be part of this programme today. We need prayers to solve Plateau crisis.”

    President of PSIDA, Mr. Bako Nabasu expressed disappointment that the economy of the state has been badly weakened by the crises.

    Nabasu expressed frustration at the attitude of the elite in Plateau, adding: “The divisive tendency employed by the political class at the detriment of the state is worrisome and must stop if we must succeed as a people. We must all put hands on deck and together as a people come to God in prayers. We must not make the mistake of coming to the Almighty as a divided people.”

  • ‘Religious leaders should pay taxes’

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has said there is no reason religious leaders should not pay taxes.

    The governor spoke through his Special Assistant on Religion, Rev. Samuel Ogedengbe, at a Leadership Conference, organised by the United Global Churches Association of Nations (UGCAN) in Lagos.

    He urged religious organisations to focus more on the communities and touch lives with their huge resources.

    The governor admonished Christian leaders to be united.

    Delivering a keynote address on the topic: “Nigeria at 52: Challenges of Purposeful and Visionary Leadership”, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Southwest chapter, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, said over the years, Nigeria has suffered the misfortune of being ruled by selfish leaders.

    He recalled that past leaders, such as the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, projected into the future what would benefit their people many years ahead of their time.

    The Chairman, Organising Committee of the conference, Mr. Sunday Ugbe, said the major challenge confronting Nigeria is how to have an inspirational, purposeful and visionary leadership.

  • Jonathan, world leaders greet re-elected Obama

    Jonathan, world leaders greet re-elected Obama

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday joined other World leaders to congratulate United States President Barack Obama who won re election. He defeated his Republican challenger Mitt Romney

    A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said:“The president said he looked forward to the further strengthening of U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relations and the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission, which was established during President Obama’s first term.

    “He noted that both would serve as platform for the promotion of greater trade and economic cooperation between Nigeria and the U.S. as well as bilateral collaboration in other areas.’’

    It described Obama’s victory “in an intensely fought presidential race as an endorsement by the good people of U.S. of his leadership’’ and for the good work he had done in the past four years “towards ending global economic depression and fostering global peace and security’’.

    The statement said that Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union enjoyed very cordial and productive relations with the Obama Administration in his first term.

    “President Jonathan looks forward to continuing to build on Nigeria’s and Africa’s developmental collaboration with the U.S. in the next four years.

    “Jonathan wished Obama continued good health and God’s blessings and guidance as he prepares for his inauguration in January 2013 for a second term in office.’’

    European Union (EU) President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the United States was a key strategic partner of the EU and the EU looks forward to continuing the close cooperation.

    The EU leaders expected to further strengthen ties with the U.S. and to jointly address global challenges, such as security and the economy, during Obama’s second term.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to Obama yesterday, congratulating him. He later called the US president, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

    Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper who also congratulated Obama said “Canada and the United States enjoy one of the closest and most extensive relationships in the world.” He said he and and Obama “have worked on several important bilateral initiatives to generate jobs and growth in both our countries.

    “I look forward to working with the Obama administration over the next four years to continue finding ways to increase trade and investment flows between our countries,” Harper said.

    Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak have also sent messages congratulating Obama.

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel cited her and Obama’s past “close and friendly cooperation” regarding the ongoing financial crisis, peacekeeping in Afghanistan and efforts to control Iran’s nuclear program in her message Wednesday.

    “I look forward to continuing this (cooperation), so that both our countries can continue to work side-by-side to master the most important foreign and economic challenges that we face as friends and allies,” Merkel said.

    French President Francois Hollande congratulated Obama, saying his victory would “once again reinforce our partnership to facilitate the return of economic growth in our countries, to fight unemployment, and to find solutions to crises that threaten us, notably in the Middle East.”

    Hollande voiced belief that France and the United States would continue cooperation based on dialogue and mutual respect.

    British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a diplomatic and trade visit to the Middle East, said he also looked forward to working with Obama.

    Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said her government was ready to cooperate with America.

    Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered congratulations to Obama soon after his victory.

    United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a statement in New York, said he looked forward to continuing a smooth working relationship with the Obama administration.

    He also expressed hope that both sides would continue to work together on existing challenges.

    “Many challenges lie ahead – from ending the bloodshed in Syria, to getting the Middle East peace process back on track, to promoting sustainable development and tackling the challenges posed by climate change. All will require strong multilateral cooperation.

    “The Secretary-General and the United Nations will continue to count on the active engagement of the United States on these and other crucial issues as it strives to meet the hopes and expectations of people around the world, he said.”

    India said it is looking forward to continuing engagement with Washington.

    “India and the U.S. have developed extensive bilateral cooperation and partnership based on shared values based on belief in democracy, the rule of law and pluralism. We look forward to continuing to deepen and widen the engagement between India and the U.S. in the years ahead,” a statement from New Delhi, said.

    In separate statements, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Obama’s victory will further cement Kenya-U.S. relations.

    President Kibaki said Obama’s re-election was a re-affirmation of the confidence the American people have in his leadership skills.

    “On behalf of the government and people of Kenya and on my own behalf I convey our congratulations to you, for your well deserved victory. I commend the American people for showing their confidence in your leadership,” Kibaki said.

    China’s official media said on Wednesday that ties with the U.S. were uneven in President

    Barack Obama’s first term and that mutual trust had “whittled down,’’.

    It added that, his re-election would offer an opportunity to put the relationship back on track.

    A commentary issued by state-run Xinhua news agency shortly after Obama’s election win seemed to indicate a sense of relief that continuity will be assured as Chinese leaders embark on their own transition of power.

    But it acknowledged that sore issues remained between the world’s largest and second-largest economies.

    “As the two countries have been ever more economically interwoven, a new U.S. government perhaps should start to learn how to build a more rational and constructive relationship with China,’’ Xinhua said.

    “The new Obama administration perhaps should bear in mind that a stronger and more dynamic China-U.S. relationship, especially in trade, will not only provide U.S. investment with rich business opportunities, but also help to revive the sagging global economy.’’

  • Pro-Biafran group leaders remanded in prison after declaring independence

    Pro-Biafran group leaders remanded in prison after declaring independence

    A move by a group of men to revive the agitation for the defunct Biafra Republic ended on a sour note yesterday in Enugu.

    No fewer that 500 members of the pro-Biafra group – The Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) – were rounded up by the police after they “re-declared” Biafra.

    Three chieftains of the BZM – its leader Benjamin Onwuka; National Chairman Samuel Edezen and National Secretary Nweke Nweke – were remanded in prison after being taken before a Magistrate’s Court.

    They were charged with conspiracy and treasonable felony. No pleas were taken as the matter was adjourned indefinitely.

    Nigeria went through a 30-month civil war when the present Southeast geo-political zone, declared its independence as the State of Biafra.

    The BZM yesterday said it “re-declared” Biafra Republic.

    Members of the group were accosted by heavily armed policemen during their procession shortly after they declared the Republic.

    Onwuka after his declaration speech, announced himself as the President of Biafran Republic. He said the ministers to pilot the affairs of his government would be announced in due course.

    The event was held at 6a.m.

    Hundreds of diehard Biafran supporters attended the rally held on a football field in Mbanugo Coal Camp, Enugu.

    The supporters wore vests with Biafra inscriptions and carried flags, including those of the defunct Biafra Republic, United States and Israel. They sang pro-Biafra songs and danced around the arena.

    After the ceremony that lasted about an hour, Onwuka and his members embarked on the procession from Mbanugo heading towards Ogbete Main Market. They acknowledged cheers from residents and motorists along the way.

    As they approached the Central Police Station, the Biafran supporters, who were mostly elderly men in their sixties and above – some of them participated in the civil war – were halted by policemen, led by Divisional Police Officer Ikechukwu Mba.

    About 25 police patrol vans, loaded with heavily armed men including operatives of Anti-Terrorism Squad, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, and the Anti-Kidnap Squad, covered by the support of an Armoured Personnel Carrier, stopped the procession and directed Onwuka and his members to the State CID, Police Headquarters, Enugu.

    A first batch of 385 persons was conveyed to the police headquarters. Second batch of 115 was taken away. They were being detained at the State CID last night.

    Enugu police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said only 100 persons were arrested.

    The BZM leader said the life and property of the Biafran people are no longer safe and guaranteed in Nigeria, hence their resolve to re-declare their independence with effect from November 5. He said: “In order to guarantee the Biafran people’s right to freely worship their God without being bombed or killed, according to the United Nations Convention on the Freedom of Association.

    “Today November 5th 2012, the re-birth of the Republic of Biafra is finally actualised at long last. I thank all Biafrans for the sacrifices that they have made since this struggle began in 1967,” Onwuka said.

    Enugu remained peaceful as people went about their business why the declaration and the arrests lasted.

  • ACN leaders meet in Lagos

    ACN leaders meet in Lagos

    State of the nation and regional integration will top the agenda as the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) meets today in Lagos, a statement said last night.

    How to take the major policy of the party – regional integration- to the realm of full implementation will be discussed.

    It will be the first meeting of the main opposition party’s top hierarchy since the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State. Its candidate Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) failed to clinch the seat.

    But the party, in a statement by its National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, said it was studying the result with a view to taking a position on the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The position of the party on the election is expected to be part of the meeting.

    Expected at the meeting are members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), governors and other caucus leaders across the country.

  • Poly elects union leaders

    The students of Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree, have elected new leaders into the offices of the Students’ Union Government (SUG). The election was held for over three hours in the six faculties of the polytechnic. About 1,300 students participated in the exercise.

    Of the 12 vacant positions, seven were contested while three had unopposed candidates. Two had no candidates. The position of president was keenly contested between Abiodun Osin and Olasanmi Fasakin.

    At the end, the results were compiled by the members of the Independent Students Electoral Commission (ISEC) led by Jonathan Adeyanju, HND 1 Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

    Abiodun was returned as the president-elect, having polled 1,212 votes as against Olasanmi, who had 556.

    Other elected officers included Taiwo Ogunlade, Vice President, Kehinde Raji, General Secretary, Adeniran Babatunde, Assistant General Secretary, Adewale Salawudeen, Treasurer, Adeniyi Adetayo, Auditor-General.

    Others are Tijani Abdullahi, Financial Secretary, Azeez Mudasiru, Public Relations Officer) and Samuel Folorunso, Welfare Director.

    A student, Sunday Abioye, HND II Mass Communication, said the election was fair and credible.

    Abiodun thanked his supporters and promised to deliver on his programmes.

    In a related development, the National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS), Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree chapter, held its election last weekend, to usher in new leaders.

    The election was held at the Baptist High School, Iree. The exercise began around 11:45am and ended by 1:55pm. Seventy-one voted in the exercise. They cut across the three senatorial districts and 30 local governments areas of the state.

    The office of the president was contested by Gafar Usman and Lateefa Ajayi. When the results were declared by the National Association of Osun State Students Independent Electoral Commission (NAOSSIEC), led by Monsuru Durodola, HND II Applied Chemistry, Gafar, from Boripe Local Government, was declared the president-elect having polled 43 votes against Lateef’s 25.

    Others elected included Abolore Ogundapo, Vice President, Olumuyiwa Ogunleye, General Secretary, Muibat Mohammed, Assistant General Secretary, Kazeem Alade, Financial Secretary, Ayomikun Adesogbon, Treasurer and Jonathan Adeyanju, Auditor-General.

    Others were Idowu Olapade, Public Relations Officer 1, Habeeb Mustapha, Social Director, Taiwo Lawal, Welfare Director and Sakiru Okiki, Chief Whip.

    Gafar praised the electoral officers for creating a level playing field for all the contestants.

  • State creation: Igbo leaders urged to put their house in order

    AS controversy over the approval of one additional state to be created in the south-east to balance it with the other geo political zones in the country rages on, Ohanaeze Media Forum (OMF) has called on Igbo leaders to put their house in order or they would lose the state.

    According to the forum, “Ndigbo would come out with compensation list for the injustices that the Nigerian state has meted to them,” adding that “the list must be addressed before this country would move forward.”

    In a statement signed by Peter Anosike and Ngozi Emedoluibe, President and Secretary respectively, the forum said what should be of paramount importance to every Igbo man or woman is for the additional state to be created in Igbo land and not from which state it would be carved out.

    They said that if they continue to insist on the area the new state would come from, they would lose the state.

    According to them, if that happens, Igbos should have themselves to blame.

     

  • Leaders hail Okorocha

    Leaders hail Okorocha

    A former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) and Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai have praised Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha for establishing schools, among other things, in Nigeria.

    Both leaders gave the commendation during the governor’s 50th birthday celebration and the 10th anniversary of the Rochas Foundation Colleges.

    The five colleges of Rochas Foundation are located in Owerri and Ogboko, Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, Ibadan, Oyo State, Jos, Plateau State and Kano.

    General Babangida, who chaired the occasion, described Okorocha as a man of many parts who has excelled in most of his endeavours. He further stressed that the 50th birthday of the governor is a celebration of a vision that laid the foundation for the total eradication of ignorance, poverty and hopelessness in the life of many Nigerian children.

    He further described Rochas Foundation Colleges as an institution of unity and national integration, which has continued to erase lines of differences in religion, ethnicity and class in Nigeria.

    Babangida said the colleges, which offer free tuition and accommodation for students from diverse background, is a great achievement that even politics has failed to achieve in the country, adding that the foundation has achieved a lot as it has graduated students from both secondary and tertiary institutions in the last 10 years.

    He said: “From a lowly beginning of a former street hawker, a classroom teacher, former member of Constitutional Conference, a member of Federal Character Commission and Boards, one who has twice sought to rule the country and a philanthropist of repute, Owelle has stories to tell having achieved all these in 50 years.”

    Babangida also congratulated Okorocha on the infrastructural development in the state under his Rescue Mission Agenda in the last 17 months, but the retired general urged the governor to close ranks with all to continue the good work especially in the areas of free education and attraction of foreign investment for development of tourism industry in the state.

    Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said that time has come for African leaders and governments to borrow a leaf from the programmes of Rochas Foundation and change their attitude towards the less-privileged people in the society.

    According to him, Rochas Foundation is a demonstration of individual commitment and dedication to help the African child to overcome ignorance and poverty through the provision of free and quality education, especially for the less-privileged people.

    He therefore congratulated the Governor on his birthday and the 10th anniversary of the Rochas Foundation, urging the graduating students to use the opportunity of the education to become good ambassadors of the country.

    In her welcome address, the Acting Director-General of the Foundation, Miss Uloma Okorocha who is the governor’s first daughter, said the 10 years of the foundation’s existence has been most rewarding; having started in Owerri with a few students, adding that the foundation currently boasts over 6,000 students.

    Several state governors graced the occasion while others who could not attend, sent their deputies.