The Nation Newspaper

Tag: M.K.O. Abiola

  • Anniversary of ‘Epetedo declaration’ holds today

    Coalition for a Better Nigeria will today hold the ninth National Discourse “Epetedo Declaration at 25: Of what impact was this pronouncement by the late Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola in 1994?”

    The main topic, according to the group’s National Coordinator Comrade Awa Bamiji, will be delivered by Chief Frank Ovie Kokori at Old Epetedo Hall, now Eleganza Sports Centre, Lagos Island East LCDA, at 11am.

    Chairman of occasion is Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, while the special guest of honour is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    The historic award of “Jagunmolu Ti lle Odu’a” will be bestowed on Tinubu in appreciation of his leadership efforts during the 2015 and 2019 elections.

    Discussants are Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede (JMK) and Convener, Nigeria Next Level Forum 2023, Oladosu Oladipo.

    Chief host is Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Hosts are the Executive Chairman, Lagos Island East LCDA Comrade Kamal Bashua and Lagos lsland Local Government Prince Adetoyose Olusi.

    Guests of honour are the Southwest states’ governors.

  • Third Republic’s Rep urges Fed Govt to reward ex-lawmakers

    The Oniworo of Iworo Kingdom in Lagos State, Oba Idris Oladele Kosoko, has urged the Federal Government to recognise members of the National Assembly who were affected by the annulment of the poll said to have been won by Chief M. K. O Abiola.

    The monarch and Third Republic House of Representative member for Badagry hailed the Federal Government for its magnanimous gesture to the man strongly believed to have sacrificed so much for Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

    But he saw loopholes in the arrangement that excluded other instruments of the democracy institution.

    “I commend the manner in which President Muhammadu Buhari handled the issue of June 12. He magnanimously approved the election of Bashorun M. K. O. Abiola as the President-elect and recognised the position of Vice-President Babagana Kingibe as rightfully elected.

    Read Also: ‘Fed Govt will paying N30,000 minimum wage’

    “To me, it is a good thing because that’s what Nigerians are looking forward to. The election was adjudged to be free and fair with all other apparatuses of democratic institutions duly elected as well.

    “If that be the case, legislators who were serving in the Third Republic – and I was one of them – should be remembered and given their allowances. If June 12 is now officially recognised as Democracy Day with allowances granted to the families of the President and Vice-President, then all those instruments or products of June 12, comprising the Third Republic senators and House of Representatives members should also be recognised.

    “These groups made a huge sacrifice and kept faith to sustain Nigeria’s democracy then before it was disrupted by the annulment,” he said.

     

  • House okays June 12 as Democracy Day

    PRO-JUNE 12 promoters won a major victory yesterday. The House of Representatives passed the bill to make June 12 a national holiday with the adoption of the report at the Committee of the Whole.

    “When the bill is assented to by the President, subsequent June 12 anniversaries will become public holidays to commemorate democracy, while 29 May will only be celebrated every fourth year when there is inauguration of a new President.”

    The proposed legislation titled: “A bill for an act to amend the Public Holidays Act, Cap. P40 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,  2004 to bring the act in tandem with the current realities and exigencies of the modern times and to declare  June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria and for related matter,” was sponsored by Edward Pwajok (APC Plateau) and Kayode Oladele (APC Ogun).

    It was referred to the Committee of the Whole on November 22 by  Speaker Yakubu Dogara after passing the second reading on the floor.

    President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 a national holiday on June 6 .

    Pwajok, while presenting the bill last month argued that countries set aside some days to commemorate special events such as celebrating their independence, religious festivals, some heroes etc.

    He said: “For instance, President Ronald Reagan initiated the celebration of Martin Luther King’s Day as a holiday in the U.S.A. He is considered a civil rights hero in the U.S.A. May 1  is celebrated in most cities to celebrate workers.

    “There are individuals who have impacted so much on their countries, that they are celebrated with a declaration of public holidays such as George Washington of the U.S.A, (the First U.S President).

    “Certain events also have compelled the declaration of public holiday, such as Human Rights, Freedom. Youth, Women and National Reconciliation days in South Africa.

    “In many countries public holidays are not fixed, as they change from year to year. Thus, the U.S.A celebrates presidential inauguration only in the fourth year when new president is sworn in.”

    The lawmaker also said that in 2000, former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared May 29 as Democracy Day to celebrate the handover of government by the military to elected civilians.

    “This is in addition to celebrating independence on October 1  each year. The question needs to be asked whether the mere hand over of power on May 29, 1999 is more symbolic of democracy than the June 12  1993 election.

    “It is pertinent to remember that it was the crisis that accompanied the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election that led to not only the return of democracy in 1999 but the concession of the Presidency to the South West in 1999.”

    He said that declaring June 12 as Democracy Day will remind Nigerians of the supreme price many Nigerians including, M.K.O Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane and Bagauda Kaltho among others, paid and many others that lost their jobs, properties and businesses.

    “It will also enhance national unity by reminding us that on June 12 1993 Nigerians de-emphasized religion by voting a Muslim-Muslim Social Democratic Party (SDP) ticket against a Muslim-Christian National Republican Convention (NRC) ticket.”

  • Buhari deserves second term – Cleric

    The Founder, Unity and Peace Movement (UAPM) in Ondo state,  Pastor Sola Okunade on Wednesday urged Nigerians to give President Muhammadu Buhari the opportunity  to serve for a second term.

    According to him, a vote for President Buhari in 2019 would save the nation from impending economic crisis going by his resolute to wage war against corruption in the last three and half years.

    Okunade recalled how he predicted that even though Chief M. K. O Abiola would win the June 12, 1992 Presidential election, but that some powerful bloc would prevent him from actualizing his mandate.

    The cleric noted that he also hinted on the attempted transformation of late Gen. Sanni Abacha from Military to Civilian rule which he said could had slept doom for Nigeria if not for divine intervention.

    On Buhari, the cleric assured that there would be peace and stability if Nigerians cast their votes for him in February 2019.

    He noted that Nigeria was blessed with good leaders capable of fixing both human and material resources to move Nigeria to greater heights citing  the antecedent of Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one of the political pillars in the South West.

    According to  UAPM founder, Tinubu had plaid a significant role in sustaining peace, unity and Progress of the country by creating political stability across the country as a detribalised leader.

    Read Also: Workers excited as Buhari accepts N30,000 proposal

    He said his organisation had being a reputable NGO for her various humanitarian services in building the nation for Harmony and Progress, providing succor for the less privileged in term of creating employment opportunities.

    He said major activities of UAPM since its establishment was seeking divine intervention in resolving the nation’s problems, basically seeking the face of the Lord to make Nigerian roads accident free especially during ember months.

    He said, “It is the will of God that every Nigerian citizen play a vital role for harmony, peace, Progress and Success to strive in Nigeria regardless of religion background”.

    The NGO was also involving  religious leaders, both Christians and Muslims to  organise safety awareness at Motor Parks in major cities across the South West to reduce carnage on Nigerian roads.

  • Abiola would have been a PDP member if he was alive

    Winner of the June 12 presidential election, Late Chief M.K.O Abiola would have been a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if he were to be alive today because he epitomized the democratic ideals of the party.

    This is the position of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Political and Legislative Affairs, Mr. Ekong Sampson who spoke on Thursday during a Planet FM interview programme, “Politics Today” monitored by our correspondent in Uyo.

    Governor Emmanuel’s aide said that Chief Abiola committed much of his wealth towards the prosperity of Nigerians through sports, building bridges across ethnic and religious divides and paying huge sacrifices for the benefit of Nigerians.

    In his words, “the essential character in June 12 is the bridge building component of that struggle. I can say clearly that if Chief Abiola were to be alive today, he would be campaigning for the PDP because PDP represents what Abiola lived and fought for.

    The Akwa Ibom political mogul said June 12 has become a rallying cry and a signature that impunity cannot last forever, adding that June 12 should be a defining metaphor for 2019.

    Read Also: June 12: A parley with MKO Abiola

    “As we immortalize Chief Abiola we must learn lessons from the undercurrents that drive his imprint in history and defend what drove their essence. We must be able to protect the character of their struggles and, to me, the character of that struggle is embedded in the principles of democracy; that the wish of the people must be respected,” Ekong Sampson stated.

    Furthermore, “we must show that we believe in the ideals that drive June 12 and to me the bigger picture is the bridge building narrative because June 12 brought Nigeria together across the religious, ethnic and other narrow considerations. That is the Nigeria of our dream,” Sampson said.

    Sampson likened Governor Udom Emmanuel to Chief M.K.O. Abiola in bridge building.

    “I got to know Chief Abiola in my early years as a sports writer. Abiola gave humanity respect, not really minding where a person came from. Udom Emmanuel, likewise, believes humanity must be protected and that is why the State government attaches a lot of premium to health care delivery, spending a lot of money and time to make sure our people get the best medical attention,” Sampson said.

  • NANS hails Gani Adam as new Aare Ona Kakanfo

    NANS hails Gani Adam as new Aare Ona Kakanfo

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ), on Thursday applauded Otunba Gani Adams over his appointment as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba nation by the Alaafin of Oyo.

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, confirmed the choice of Adams for the title on Sunday during his 79th birthday celebration.

    Aare Ona Kakanfo in the pre-colonial Yoruba history was a supreme military title conferred by the Alaafin of Oyo.

    The NANS’ National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Bestman Okereafor, gave the commendation in a statement issued in Enugu.

    Okereafor, however, called on the new Aare Ona Kakanfo to see this sacred position as a clarion call to service in the defence of the fundamental rights of the Yorubas.

    He said the title was also a call to uphold the rich cultural heritage and inheritance of the Yoruba nation, without any fear of favouritsm or nepotism which might be caused by political interference.

    “The leadership of NANS, under the leadership of Comrade Aruna Kadiri, heartily congratulates and felicitates with Otunba Gani Adams on his emergence as the new Are Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba nation.

    “NANS wishes to specially commend Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo for the critical decision.

    ‘’We believe that the decision, no doubt, has been taken purposely for the total emancipation and revival of the Yoruba culture and in defence of the Yoruba nation’s rights.

    “This is indeed a progressive, one coming after 19 years of the demise of the former Are Ona Kakanfo, the  late Chief M.K.O. Abiola,’’ he said.

    He said the late Chief Ladoke Akintola and the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola were the last two personalities to occupy the powerful Yoruba traditional position, in recent time in history.

    Adams, 47, has 52 chieftaincy titles to his credit so far in the country.

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo title was held last by the late Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, who died in 1998.

    NAN

  • Countering the crisis of credibility

    Countering the crisis of credibility

    The United States has worked with Nigeria to strengthen democratic institutions for decades, and will continue to do so.  As the citizens of Ekiti and Osun prepare to go to the polls in the next few months to elect their governors, Nigerians and Nigeria’s friends in the international community will be watching carefullyfor peaceful elections and results that uphold the will of the electorate.

    It is undoubtedly important and interesting to see who the winners and losers in Ekiti and Osun will be, and how the outcomes will affect the national political picture in advance of next February’s elections.  Beyond that, however, the Ekiti and Osun elections are crucial because of what they will tell us about Nigeria’s preparations for February 2015 – specifically, whether those elections will be, and be seen by Nigerians as, credible.

    I have been in Nigeria for nearly two years now, and visited each of the 17 states in southern Nigeria, almost all of them on multiple occasions.  I have spoken with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Nigerians about democracy, elections, and the history of your country as it relates to both.  Some of the lessons I’ve learned from these conversations are particularly relevant as we approach Election Day in Ekiti and Osun, and head into the national elections next year.

    These conversations make clear that elections in this country suffer from a crisis of credibility.  There have been a few contests, particularly M.K.O. Abiola’s aborted election in 1993, that have been widely viewed by Nigerians to represent the will of the people.  The international community, and in particular the United States, have gone on record as saying Nigeria’s 2011 elections represented a significant improvement over some earlier contests.  But Nigerians have been disappointed – at the LGA, state, and national levels – by many of the electoral cycles in the country’s past.  There are many reasons for such disappointment, some historical and some highly relevant to this day.  Much work remains to be done — by INEC, by the nation’s security services, and above all by Nigeria’s political class – to build more trust in the electoral process.

    Besides undermining voter faith and interest, this crisis of credibility has an additional, pernicious side-effect:  it allows some politicians to refuse to accept an electoral result that was not in their favour by affirming that the election in question was “illegitimate,” and to threaten and/or employ violence as a result.  The electoral system’s shortcomings have thus helped to provide cover for rhetoric and actions by some politicians that only further subvert the interests of Nigerians as a whole.  Beyond broad systemic changes – stamping out corruption, improving transparency, enhanced internal democracy in Nigeria’s political parties – fighting this trend is also a key element in ameliorating Nigerian democracy.

    It is time that Nigerians begin to hold elections that ALL believe produce the “correct” result.

    I am constantly struck by the degree to which Nigerians, on all sides of the political spectrum, assail elections which they believe were not credible, that didn’t produce the result that represented the will of the voters.  It seems to happen after virtually every election, regardless of whether a particular election was generally perceived to have been credible or not. While the United States strongly supports the notion that challenges to election results should be resolved through legal mechanisms, has there been an election in the last decade in Nigeria that did not result in a legal challenge by one or more of the losers?  I’m sure there has been, but my point is this:  Nigerian elections are almost never considered legitimate by all the participants.

    I’d argue that there are lots of similarities between politicians in the U.S. and Nigeria in their conduct leading up to Election Day: the desire to champion one’s own accomplishments and/or policy proposals; an equivalent desire to diminish those of an opponent; and the projection of confidence that “the voters are with me” that is often accompanied by bold predictions of victory.

    But it seems to me that the day after the election the similarities between U.S. and Nigerian politicians diverge. With very few exceptions, by the day after the election, a losing candidate in the U.S. has called his/her opponent to congratulate them; has publicly conceded defeat (at least for those elections that garner media attention), and has begun to close up their campaign offices and operations.  In most cases where this hasn’t happened by the day after the election, it’s because the vote is too close to determine the winner without a careful recount. Otherwise, the day after the election, for losing candidates it’s about “going back to normal life.”  In Nigeria, by contrast, for defeated candidates, the day after the election almost seems like the beginning of the real contest – that of the legal challenge to the election’s announced result.

    I would like to raise two questions:  when will Nigeria reach a point where the system has enough credibility that losing candidates no longer regularly challenge their losses? And more importantly, what can each Nigerian do to move Nigeria closer to that moment?  The latter question is especially salient.  Nigerian elections are not going to be perfect this year or next year, but they have to continue to improve, and every Nigerian has to do his/her part.

    For those who are stakeholders in the election process, I have three points to make as Nigeria works towards that end:

    First, the sponsorship of violence and intimidation, and the rhetorical threat thereof, are utterly unacceptable in a democratic society, and need to be expunged once and for all from the Nigerian polity and discourse.  The U.S. has been deeply troubled by some of the rhetoric that has been thrown around in recent weeks and months as these elections have drawn closer.  It is perfectly acceptable, and even praiseworthy, to seek to defend your vote and that of your fellow citizens who share your support for a particular candidate.  It is not, however, productive or reasonable to threaten violence, even when you perceive others have been guilty of misconduct.  We were deeply troubled by the threat of “rig and roast” issued multiple times by a major political figure in recent weeks.  Who benefits from that type of violent rhetoric, we wondered?  And why would any ordinary Nigerian accept such provocative language, especially considering the history of post-election violence in Nigeria, and the truly horrific carnage that this country has been suffering at the hands of Boko Haram?  If a candidate believes an election is threatened, then that candidate should be doing everything possible to see that the rules of the game are enforced properly – by having party agents in the numerous locations where they are permitted, for example, to bear witness to what happens – or doesn’t happen.  That is part of the painstaking work of participating in, and building, a democracy.  Drawing on or threatening violence is an attempt to short-circuit that process for the benefit of a few, but to the detriment of many.

    Second, Nigeria’s politicians must accept that they undermine the democratic process when they systematically deny even the possibility of defeat in a free and fair process.  These politicians should repeat to themselves the following sentence, either now or sometime before Election Day:  “It is possible that I can lose this election if it is conducted credibly.”

    Third, and finally, Nigeria has a well-established set of rules for elections – produced by INEC, in concert with the Electoral Act, and guided by the Nigerian Constitution. Abide by them.  There is no process, democratic or otherwise, that can survive when its basic foundation is undermined by those seeking to use it.  The Nigerian electoral process is only as good as Nigerians make it. That doesn’t mean only worrying about what the other parties are doing – it means worrying about what you and your allies are doing.  The fundamental question is this: does what you’re doing help build and sustain an electoral process that you want your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to take part in?

    • Hawkins is Consul General, United States, Nigeria

     

     

     

     

     

  • BABALOLA: Why we crashed at Chile’87

    BABALOLA: Why we crashed at Chile’87

    LADI Babalola, a former youth international would forever remember his fortuitous encounter with the acclaimed winner of the June 12 Presidential election, the late business mogul, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

    Babalola was regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation in his heyday on the domestic scene in the 1980s and he was the fulcrum of the star-studded Flying Eagles team that crashed out at the Chle-87 World Cup. This was despite having a squad brimming with talented players like Etim Esin, Adeolu Adekola, John Ene Okon, and Thompson Oliha, amongst others.

    “Actually I didn’t play for Abiola Babes but I played for Concord Football Club under Coach Dave Egbiri,” Babalola said in an interview. “Somehow, we were invited to Chief M.K.O. Abiola’s house where we met him. He was a nice man. He entertained us and met us one after the other as we mentioned our names and he shook our hands.”

    Babalola went on to say: “But immediately I mentioned my name, he remembered he had met me before in the Eagles camp when he shared expensive wristwatches to us as gifts. Then, the chief asked me if I was married. I said no, because I wasn’t then, and he promised to attend my marriage ceremony. He, however, said I must notify him two weeks before my marriage date. But unfortunately, when I was ready, he was in detention. At this time, the Concord Football Club was being taken care of by his in-law, Mr. Moshood Edewor, a barrister, whose office was in Lagos Island.”

    Speaking further on the crash of the national Under 20 team at the Chile 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship, Babalola admitted that the well-talented team was just unlucky for failing to live up to their pre-tournament ratings.

    “Really, so many teams go to the World Cup competition with high hopes but most times it is not the best team that goes home with the trophy. Some teams come with individually talented players but lack certain things like team play, which is not the players fault,” reasoned Babalola who is now coaching abroad.

    “It is when I came out of Nigeria that I knew that football is more than how we were handling it back home. Anyway, I think we were unlucky as a team because if there was any team that Nigerian ever banked on, it was our team Chile 1987. But unfortunately, we disappointed our people (Nigeria). I’m so sorry about that,” he added as he speaks on sundry issues

    School Football

    Talking about school football in our time men is like talking about the English League really because the Principals Cup was everything to every school and every student wanedt to be part of it. Even those that were not footballers wanted to come and support their school team. I think this idea of Super Eagles supporters club came from that kind of schools supporters club of that time. Nowadays, football is money. It is not like the way it was then. Firstly, I will suggest that the organising committee should look out for better sponsors that will increase the incentives for the winning school as an attraction to the game. For instance, a storey building should be built in the premises of the school that wins the Principal Cup. I think every principal will love this.

    YSFON Years

    Talking about YSFON, I think the problem is with the Football Federation. It is the fundamental basics of football that has been ignored and that is why Nigeria Football is dying so fast, as a tree without a root dries off. A national team without a youth development scheme can never make progress. And that is why we have not been able to meet up with the world challenge anymore. Back in our days, our Under 16, Under 20 and Under23 teams were doing well because school football serves as youth development. But today, what is happening to all schools sports and national sports festivals, our sources of development for the youth in sports and talent hunting?

    Chile ’87

    Really, so many teams go to the World Cup competition with high hopes but most times it is not the best team that goes home with the trophy. Some teams come with individually talented players but lack certain things like team play, which is not the players’ fault. It is when I came out of Nigeria I came to know that football is more than how we are handling it back home. Anyway, I think we were unlucky as a team because if there was any team that Nigerians ever banked on, it was our team Chile 1987 but unfortunately, we disappointed our people (Nigeria), I’m so sorry about that. No. It was not true that the inclusion of Etim Esin caused disaffection in the team. There was nothing like that because we were united .We were more than team mates. I can say we were brothers because some of us living in Lagos oftentimes when we had the time to go home, we normally took along some of our team mates who did not have anybody around, to our parents’ homes. So we were just great brothers. Even now, when we meet, we reflect about whatever was on ground.

    Between Okocha and Etim

    (Laughter) I hope this will put to rest the controversies between Etim Esin and Austin Okocha, from my point of view as an ex-player and as a football coach .It is like comparing Pele and Maradona. Both of them were good players at their own time. Etim was the best in his time. And when it comes to Okocha’s time, he became the best. Now Okocha is gone because he has stopped playing. Someone else will come up. So life in football cycle is not stagnant. It is revolving. So whose so ever time it is should use it well while it lasted.

    Stint with Super Eagles

    After our World Cup disappointment (the Under 20 World Cup), some of us were drafted to the Super Eagles. I can remember how many of us were invited then to join the Super Eagles: Me( Ladi Babalola), Thompson Oliha, John Okon, Adeolu Adekola, Nduka Ugbade and Etim Esin. Amongst all of us, I was the most unfortunate then because the position I played on the pitch is where the captain, Stephen Keshi, was. The alternative was supposed to be defensive midfield where we had the late Muda Lawal at that time. To be honest, these two were untouchables in the national team .Though I had my fair chances in some games, like representing Nigeria in SCSA Cup in Liberia and few other games in which I dressed up as a reserve player.

    From Bangladesh to Finland

    Well I left Nigeria for Bangladesh to play football and I ended my playing career there. Thereafter, I launched my academy named MikLad Foot Managers, which people responded to very well anyway. From there, I started sending players abroad. My first sets of players were Paul Nwachukwu, Charles Figo Ikogho, Junior Elijah, and Ike Dominic, but unfortunately, Ike Dominic missed his chance despite collecting his visa and was ready to go. While I was doing this, my thought was to develop myself somehow and I felt I was doing well as in coaching the players. We played a friendly game with the Bangladesh National Team. The game ended 1-. From here, the feeling of coaching started to come and I embraced it. I spoke with my agent, My Angel (that’s what I call him), Mikko Perala of TopSport Ltd in Finland and we worked things out. My first year in Finland was as a coach to a Div 4 Team. I gave them promotion after 12 years in that division and with the Div 3, team nothing changes.

    Best Memories

    Good; you remembered some but not all (Laughs). Well, I played for Nigeria Airways (Sky Power), Julius Berger (Bridge Boys), Highlanders of Jos (Mighty Jets), Calabar Rovers , African Continental Bank (ACB), Concord Football Club, Abeokuta (Press Boys), which was later formed into two teams alongside Abiola Babes. We, Concord FC, played in the state FA Cup and won it. Then the National Challenge Cup which we lost out to Enyimba of Aba via walk over. We were to play the game at Abuja but we did not t have the fund to go for the game. I think it was the quarter final stage. I later moved to Lagos where I met one colonel in the Army, Suleiman, who wanted to start a football club. We were practicing at the Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba. We raised a team called Babanawa Football Club. We played in the Kogi State Challenge Cup and we lost out in the semi final. Just two weeks ago, I got to know that this team, Babanawa, is playing professional league in Nigeria. I was very happy to read this in the Nigerian newspapers on the internet. Each time I remember those playing days, I wish I can turn back the hands of the clock ,but it’ s over now I have to face new challenges in life and move on.

    Coaching in Finland

    Great, the feeling is so wonderful. It’s a real eye opener for an African coach, among the big coaches, who somehow got a big result by coming second in the league and getting promoted in my first year with a team that has been in this division for 12 years. Every year, this team struggles to avoid relegation.

  • Centenary: Jonathan honours Queen, Lugard, 98 others

    Centenary: Jonathan honours Queen, Lugard, 98 others

    Murtala, Obasanjo, Babangida, Abacha, Yar’Adua, Soyinka, Fawehinmi, Ojukwu, Dangote, Adenuga make list

    Queen Elizabeth II of England and 99 other Nigerians and foreigners are to be specially honoured by President Goodluck Jonathan as part of the activities marking Nigeria’s Centenary celebration.

    On the list are the late Chief M.K.O Abiola, Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; first President, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe; first Premier of the defunct Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and the first Premier of the former Northern Region, the late Sir Ahmadu Bello

    Also to be honoured are the late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed Dangote and business mogul, Otunba Mike Adenuga.

    The Presidential Committee on the Centenary Celebrations said last night that the awards would be bestowed on the recipients on Friday, February 28 at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.

    Below is the full list of the recipients and the categories to which they belong.

    A. CONTRIBUTORS TO THE MAKING OF NIGERIA

    1.Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

    2. Frederick John Dealtry Lugard

    3. Dame Flora Louise Shaw, Lady Lugard

    B. HEROES OF THE STRUGGLE FOR NIGERIA’S INDEPENDENCE/PIONEER POLITICAL LEADERS

    4.Herbert Samuel Heelas Macaulay

    5. Rt. Hon. Dr. Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, GCFR

    6. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE

    7. Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, GCFR

    8. Sir Ahmadu Bello, KBE

    9. Professor Eyo Ita

    10. Jaja Anucha Wachuku

    11. Pa Michael Imoudu

    12. Chief Anthony Enahoro

    13. Chief Joseph Sarwan Tarka

    14. Mallam Aminu Kano

    15. Margaret Udo Ekpo

    16. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

    17. Hajiya Gambo Sawaba

    C.PIONEERS IN PROFES-SIONAL CALLINGS/CAREERS

    18. Christopher Sapara Williams

    19. Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams, SAN

    20. Chief Akintola Williams

    21. Major-General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi

    22. Vice Admiral Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey

    23. Brigadier General George Tamunoiyowunam Kurubo

    24. Louis Orok Edet

    25. Major-General Abdullahi Mohammed

    26. Professor Thomas Adeoye Lambo

    27. Professor Kenneth Onwuka Dike

    28. Capt. Chinyere Kalu

    29. Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Oviemo Ovadje

    30. Professor Grace Alele-Williams

    D. PIONEERS IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

    31. Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu

    32. Alhaji Alhassan Dantata

    33. Chief Adeola Odutola

    E. PROMOTERS OF DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION IN NIGERIA

    34. Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, GCFR

    35. Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola

    36. General Shehu Musa Yar’adua, GCON

    37. General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar, GCFR

    F. HEROES IN GLOBAL SPORTS COMPETITIONS

    38. Madam Chioma Ajunwa

    39. Nwankwo Kanu

    40. Richard Ihetu (Dick Tiger)

    41. Chief Michael Okpala (Power Mike), MON

    42. Monday Ochuko Emoghawve

    G. ACCOMPLISHED PIONEER PUBLIC SERVANTS

    43. Chief Stanley Olabode Wey

    44. Justice Egbert Udo Udoma

    45. Chief Emeka Anyaoku

    46. Sir Adetokunbo Adegboyega Ademola

    47. Dr. Taslim Olawale Elias

    48. Dr. Rilwan Lukman

    49. Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki

    50. Alhaji Aliyu Mai Bornu

    H. ACCOMPLISHED CONTEMPORARY ENTREPRENEURS

    51. Alhaji Aliko Mohammed Dangote

    52. Chief Mike Adenuga

    53. Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma

    I. DISTINGUISHED ACADEMICS

    54. Professor Benjamin Oluwakayode Osuntokun

    55. Professor Kelsey Harrison

    56. Professor Chike Obi

    57. Professor Dagogo Fubara

    58. Professor Jacob Festus Ade-Ajayi

    59. Professor Claude Ake

    60. Professor Aliu Babatunde Fafunwa

    61. Professor Godwin Olu Patrick Obasi

    62. Professor Umaru Shehu

    J. INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS, LITERARY ICONS AND JOURNALISTS

    63. Michael Taiwo Akinkumi

    64. Professor Wole Soyinka

    65. Professor Chinua Achebe

    66. Prof John Pepper Clark

    67. Cyprian Odiatu Duaka Ekwensi

    68. Alhaji Abubakar Imam

    69. Daniel O. Fagunwa

    70. Ernest Sesei Ikoli

    71. Alhaji Ismail Babatunde Jose

    72. Kenneth Nnebue

    73. Patience Ozokwor

    74. Alhaji (Dr) Mamman Shata Katsina

    75. Hubert Adedeji Ogunde

    76. Fela Anikulapo Kuti

    77. Stephen Osita Osadebe

    78. (Dr.) Ladi Dosei Kwali

    79. Ben Enwonwu

    80. Oludotun Jacobs

    K. OUTSTANDING CONTEMPORARY PUBLIC SERVANTS

    81. Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule

    82. Professor Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje, NNOM

    83. Dr. Barnabas Sanyaolu Oloruntoba, OFR

    84. Honourable Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar, GCON

    L. OUTSTANDING BRAVERY AND PUBLIC SPIRITEDNESS

    85. Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN

    86. Michael Chukwugekwu Ihuka

    M. OUTSTANDING PROMOTERS OF UNITY, PATRIOTISM AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

    87. General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR

    88. General Murtala Ramat Mohammed

    89. General Olusegun Mathew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo, GCFR

    90. General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR

    91. General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR

    92. Chief Ernest Shonekan, GCFR

    93. General Sani Abacha, GCFR

    94. Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua, GCFR

    95. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, GCON, fss

    N. EXEMPLARY SERVICE IN THE PROMOTION OF PEACE AND MORAL EXCELLENCE

    96. Sir Abubakar Sadiq III

    97. Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi

    98. Blessed Cyprian Michael Tansi

    99. Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye

    100. Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi

     

  • ‘Why insecurity persists in North’

    ‘Why insecurity persists in North’

    Human rights activist Sa’id Usman is the National Deputy Coordinator of the Northern Youth Development Forum (NYDF). He spoke with Austine Tsenzughul in Bauchi on the activities of the group, insecurity in the region and 2015 polls.

    Why is the North under-developed, unlike the South, despite the judicious allocation of resources to the region from the Federation Account?

    To start with, the moral standard of our people, as experienced in the 1960s to early 1990s, is no longer there. The quality of secondary school education our current leaders got in the 60s, 70s and up to 90s has been thrown away. Our health facilities are better imagined, the roads are death traps from the South to the North or from the East to the West. In those old good days, you had the responsibility to correct your neighbour’s child or ward, if he committed a wrong, and nobody complained. But, it is not so these days. You dare not reprimand your neighbour’s son or daughter, if they go wrong. We were our brothers’ keepers, but is it like that today.

    True justice was always meted out to offenders by either the law courts or court constituted by elders at home, and their judgments were upheld by the parties involved. There was what we called social justice too. Your neighbour had the right to watch over your house while you were away on a journey.

    Why is politics now a do-or-die affair in the region?

    There were political parties and there were politicians too. But politics was certainly not a do-or-die affairs. Yes, there were fights occasioned by irresponsible ,who practiced their trade on tribal sentiments. But, politics in the sixties and eighties and early nineties, except in the election of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, which was practiced basically on regional basis, but it was peaceful, as there were hardly intra or inter-party fights that spilt blood. The practice of politics was essentially along the North, South and Western and East divide. This, of course, was the same during the Shehu Shagari’s time. We witnessed that in the Western Nigeria, Middle-belt, and some areas in the North too. But, with time and sensitisation and understanding, the fights stopped. We noticed what I call ‘’de-tribalised partisan politics in the case of June 12, 1993, when Chief Abiola, a Yoruba man, won in the freest election in Nigeria. Politics was so many things to many politicians. To some, it is an instrument for societal development. To others, it is for individuals to amass primitive wealth or steal from our treasury and build a personal kingdom as it is being done today.

    What is the solution to the insecurity in the North?

    It is true that Boko Haram, a devious creation by few selfish and unpatriotic Northerners, businessmen and politicians in the Northeastern, Nigeria have created unwarranted insecurity in the North and its unwholesome activities have collapsed our socio-economic activities and driven investors away. No new investors are coming and we are getting poorer. Boko Haram activities have more profound negative effects in the Northeast because there is virtually nothing that is functioning. People in the area hardly sleep with their two eyes closed; neither do they move about freely. Boko Haram has literally imprisoned us. As we talk to you now, even going to pray either in the Mosque or Church is dangerous; people cannot even worship their God freely.

    Farming has stopped, as the sect members even hunt their victims on their farms. Business centres, markets, residential houses, hospitals, churches, mosques, recreational places, the airport and schools have been bombed and these places are still targets for bombing. Motor parks, railway stations, schools, airports, and state houses of assembly have been deserted due to insecurity. We succumb to the fact that our youths are involved in all this inhuman acts, but against their collective wishes. The youths have been used as mere canon folders by these politicians, through some religious leaders, who have succeeded in imparting negative teachings in them in the name of Islam. I know for certain and I can assure you that, Islam and Christian teach and preach love for your fellow human being and, if you love your fellow man, you will not fight or kill him because you are wealthier or stronger than him. Instead, you share what you have with him.

    What has NYDF done in this regard?

    Initially, we had no choice but to watch hopelessly while the destruction took place. Later, the shock wore off and we mounted pressure on our elders to put a stop to the carnage because youths, women and children were being wasted. So, we began with pressures on our elders, parents and the state governments. We also mounted various campaigns to educate and enlighten our youths on what was happening. Youths who are supposed to be leaders of tomorrow were being terminated irrationally. This campaign led to the federal government’s positive response, but not until Nigeria started getting a very negative status in the comity of nations.

    The insecurity has brought untold hardship to all of us, irrespective of where you come from in Nigeria. Southerners and Northerners have been killed, properties worth billions of naira have been wasted; no more investment. Imagine a society without commerce, and you know even trade by barter is a form of commerce and there is no way trade by barter can flourish in a chaotic and dangerous environment.

    What is your view on the rotation of the Presidency?

    The North does not have the monopoly of wisdom. That is why we have the North, South, East and West. The leadership of the country has to rotate so that we can utilise talents from the six regions, have a strong sense of belonging and feel loved and wanted by each other.

    But, we have to put our house in order in the North before we can achieve our aims, aspirations and destiny, which is greatness. There is the need for us to de-emphasise religion, ethnicity and regionalism. These factors only fuel and generate negative and disastrous outcomes. If we achieve our aims, I am sure other countries of the world will bow for Nigeria, look up to Nigeria for leadership and tap from our managerial acumens.

    As the country prepares for 2015 polls, what is your advice to the political class?

    Without Nigeria, there can be no President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark, the National Assembly, the Niger Delta or the North. There cannot be any Ndi-Igbo. And of course, if these politicians were wasted when they were youths, would they be where they are today? Let us reflect on our past, assess our present, analyse our being and plot our tomorrow. This is our stand, this is our desire.

    The Independence Electoral Commission has released the 2015 General Election Timetable. What is your reaction?

    The time table just released by INEC is a bad omen for the Nigerian democracy. Bad because our politicians want power at all cost and by all means. The presidential and National Assembly elections should have come last and not first. The President can use the instrument of his office to diabolically deal with some governors and other members of his party who cannot deliver their states for him. He can deal with them negatively, he can circumvent the constitution to his advantage, he can use his influence, including the use of security agencies to coarse or even intimidate them, withhold funds to states that opposed to his party in order to cripple them financially, thereby reducing their chances of legitimately winning at the polls. I think the INEC timetable is a lot doctored.