The Nation Newspaper

Tag: new dawn

  • It’s a new dawn for journalists, says Odusile

    It’s a new dawn for journalists, says Odusile

    The newly elected President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Mr. Waheed Odusile, has promised to promote the welfare of journalists during his tenure.

    He spoke shortly after he was sworn in as the union during the 5th triennial National Delegates Conference in Abuja at the weekend.

    He said journalists must be remunerated at the right time to enable them perform their duties and responsibilities to the society.

    Odusile said it was appalling that some employers took journalists for granted, owing them salaries running into several months.

    “This is unacceptable, it is either they pay workers their salaries or close shop,” he declared.

    He maintained that the union will tackle the issue of quackery headlong and urge members to be upright in the discharge of their job.

    Odusile, who is the Managing Editor of The Nation Newspapers, said his seven- point agenda will enhance the image of the union.

    He stated that plan was underway to establish a radio station that will showcase its activities.

    He expressed optimism that journalists will receive their dues during his tenure, stressing that it was time the issue of social security that will guarantee better life for journalists was taken seriously.

    He reiterated the need for journalists to be more focused in the discharge of their duties.

    Odusile explained that a better society is a reflection of how the media conducts its affairs.

    He emphasised the need for journalists to be properly trained and retrained to catch up with global best practice.

  • New dawn for Southeast students

    New dawn for Southeast students

    Members of the National Association of Southeast Nigeria Students (NASENS) have elected their leaders. The election was held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. EMMANUEL AHANONU (Corps member, NYSC ENUGU) reports.

    The Rangers Supporters’ Club Hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu State was a beehive of activities last week. Members of the National Association of Southeast Nigeria Students (NASENS) gathered in the hall to elect their leaders.

    Students’ Union Government (SUG) presidents of some higher institutions in the region led hundreds of delegates to the event, which was graced by officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

    Dignitaries at the event included the association’s patron and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Peace Mass Transit, Dr Mmaduka Onyishi, represented by Hon Chika Nzelu, chairman of Board of Trustee, Comrade Francis Agu and Comrade Sheriff Emeka, the Southeast Liaison Officer of NANS.

    The outgoing president, Peter Ede, described his tenure as a good period in which the association stepped up its activities. He urged his successor to place the interest of the body above personal considerations, saying the association needed to sustain its achievement in the past two years.

    The electoral process was not without controversies. There was commotion as some delegates disrupted the process when the electoral committee could not produce ballot papers to be used for the election. When the normalcy returned, delegates agreed that the exercise be conducted through A4 Option, where they nominated and openly voted for their choice candidates.

    At the end of the election, Nwele Ifeanyi was elected as president, beating his opponent, Uche Okeke. Others elected included Dan Ani, General Secretary, Arinze Ede, Director of Finance, Chinenye Peter, Treasurer, Chineny Onovo, Director of Academics and Chigozie Okeke, Public Relations Officer.

    Agu, the electoral committee chairman, said elections could not be held for five other positions because nobody showed interest. The positions are both offices of the Vice President, Senate President, Assistant Secretary and Provost. He promised that elections would be conducted to fill the positions before the inauguration of the executive. Agu hailed the participants for accepting the outcome of the process despite hitches.

    Nzelu advised the elected officers to move with the wind of change, blowing across the nation, urging them to be responsible. He urged for peace and unity in the association, calling on the president-elect to carry members along in making decision. He promised to donate a bus to aid the association’s mobility challenge.

    The outgoing General Secretary, Nnanna Ezichi-Iko, a student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), said his leadership skill was boosted by during his tenure, thanking members of the association for the opportunity to serve them.

    He said: “My leadership skill has improved with my ability to communicate. I thank members for the opportunity.”

    The outgoing president, Ede, expressed similar views. He said leadership taught him how to handle youth issues as he served as mediator between students, managements and governments in times of crisis.

    His words: “In NASENS, we fight against intimidation and oppression by school management and government. This has exposed me to ways to handle youth matters. While we fought for students, we also tried to discourage them from committing examination malpractices and other vices.”

    Ede said greatest challenge that his administration faced was travel challenges, because of lack of official vehicle. Other challenge, he said, was lack of funds to run the association. He advised the incoming leaders to be united and fight for the common good of students.

    Ifeanyi, who is a student of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), said he was grateful to God for making his election successful, describing it as a call to service. He said his administration would focus on consolidation of the gains of the outgoing executive, promising to push for programmes that would have positive effect on students. He urged other elected members to support his drive to uplift the association, saying: “A tree cannot make a forest; in unity we can achieve success. I owe everyone a lot and I will deliver on the promises I made during the campaign.”

  • A new dawn

    It was 10:51am. That marked the beginning of a new dawn in a country that has been on a long wait for change. Finally, Nigerians have their president; one they can call their own. The excitement that followed President Muhammadu Buhari’s swearing in told it all – Nigerians now have a fresh breeze that they were promised six years ago. Never a time in the history of the country has citizens placed such massive trust and believe in their president like is being demonstrated in the Buhari/Osinbajo presidency.

    No doubt, the duo offers the most experienced and trustworthy leadership Nigeria has craved for. The president, who some now refer to as Nigeria’s Abraham Lincoln, is well known for his uncompromised stance on the issues of corruption and indiscipline, which was clearly demonstrated in his fierce battle against those two monsters in his first shot as military Head of State.

    The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, on his part, is honoured as the best chief law officer of Lagos State. His love for equity and justice cannot be overemphasised. Coupled with his deep-rooted Christian faith and professionalism, Osinbajo may also qualify as Nigeria’s most dynamic vice president.

    It should not be difficult for anyone who has seen the beautiful wives of these two illustrious leaders to agree to the saying that behind every successful man is a woman. Truly, the faces of Hajia Aisha Buhari and Oludolapo Osinbajo radiate the success stories of their hubbies. One good thing about these women is that, their beauty does not just end in their outward appearance. Internally, one can easily smell the beauty of these women – humble and submissive. Indeed, Nigerians could not have asked for anyone better.

    The handover ceremony was a very memorable one just like the speech of Mr. President. Sitting in front of my television for over two hours was quite exciting to me. Even as a young adult, I could only imagine what must have been going through the minds of the likes of Ayo Fayose and Femi Fani-Kayode as they watched the “ailing” President Buhari stood strong at those hours of his inauguration. Did they also know that the president arrived the country at 5am on Thursday prior to his inauguration and someone still says he cannot ascertain Buhari’s fitness level? Perhaps those still in doubt of the president’s fitness should first jog to Otuoke to ascertain theirs before questioning Buhari’s agility.

    I listened keenly to President Buhari summarising his proposed course of actions over the next four years in an under 20-minute speech. Thank God it was not as verbose and highly ambiguous as those of some of his predecessors. But as simplified as it was, the message was weighty and very lucid for all to understand.

    As I watched the president reeled out his policies, I could see a man with direction, purpose, passion, concise plan and determination to bring about the change Nigerians have always clamoured for. Before me was a man who clearly understood the problem of Nigeria and was drunk with the determination to solve it.

    As expected, his inaugural speech was hinged on three main issues – insecurity, corruption and unemployment. One thing worthy of note throughout the president’s voyage to Aso rock is the precision of his goals and singleness of purpose that characterised his speeches. The president is wise enough not to have borrowed a leaf from routine politicians who shower us with innumerable promises and voluminous unfeasible blueprints. He sometimes was heavily criticised by some as one who had nothing tangible to offer, because his manifestoes were kept short and straight. Well, I have always known my country as one that loves doing things big. Corruption is big; insecurity is big and unemployment too.

    The rather unusual drift by our president in keeping his manifesto short and concise can best be captured in one word – change. Perhaps, the magic that ensured victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC), the simplicity of the word ensured that every Tom, Dick and Harry understood what was being offered them. And who did not want change? In a country that seemed to have mastered the wrong routes and was headed for outright failure, who does not desire change? I believe only those heavily soaked in the rising waters of corruption will. But thanks to democracy which gives the majority the power to always have their way. And majority voted for change.

    No doubt, the story of Nigeria is about to change. Nigerians everywhere in the world can feel the wind of change blowing across the country. From homes to the streets, to the market and private businesses, everyone is set for this great move away from the norm. Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion and culture, have come together to chart a new course for this sinking ship called Nigeria.

    And with a man who has said that he is for everybody and for nobody; a man who is set to tackle Nigeria’s challenges head on and more importantly, a man who is trusted by a majority of his compatriots, there is no doubt that the awaited change is here.

    Yes, the change is here fah. Nna, this is true o. Beni, it is true— change noni. President Buhari and Prof Osinbajo are the ones we have been waiting for. Those that are for you are much more than those against you. We dey your back. Sai Baba!

    Chuidubem

  • Buhari: New dawn, new expectations

    Buhari: New dawn, new expectations

    The curtain was drawn on the 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rule at the weekend. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the importance of the democratic transition and people’s expectations about the new dawn.

    It was a colourful ceremony in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The attention of the world was on Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country. It was a historic moment for the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which became the ruling party. It was a defining moment for the masses, who had voted for change on March 28. For President Muhammadu Buhari, the inauguration marked the fulfillment of a latent desire to bounce back to power, 31 years after he was ousted in a coup.

    The ceremony underscored the strategic importance of Nigeria to the world. The country re-connected with the international community as over 50 statesmen from across the globe witnessed the historic event. United States Secretary of State John Kerry, his British counterpart, Philip Hammono, South African President Jacob Zuma and President Eduardo Dos Santos of Angola congratulated Nigerians for the new dawn and urged the country to maintained its abiding faith in the sub-region, Africa and the world.

    Former Nigerian leaders — Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar — were in a reflective mood. So were outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, Gen. Oladipo Diya and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

    It was a day of joy for APC leaders such as Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Mr. Segun Oni, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, his Edo counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other compatriots who weathered the storm.

    Many Nigerians were glued to television sets at home and relaxation centres. Civil servants who have not received salaries for months, restless graduate youths seeking for jobs, pensioners who have been deprived, artisans who cannot work because of recurrent power outage and ordinary Nigerians who cannot afford three square meals put their hope on the new government.  They expressed optimism that their problems will be solved by the new leader without delay.

    Buhari was the tallest man at Eagle Square last Saturday, not only in height, but also in responsibility. He was accompanied by his delectable wife, Aisha. Around 10.47, he took the oath of office before Chief Justice Mamund Mohammed, assisted by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Ahmed Gambo Saleh. But, as former President Goodluck Jonathan presented to him the symbolic flag of authority, the burden of leadership was transferred to the General. On that note, he took custodian of the assets and liabilities of a country that has been submerged by years of misrule and leadership failure.

    Few minutes before the presidential oath was administered, Buhari’s deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), accompanied by his wife, Dolapo, the granddaughter of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, took the oath of allegiance and the oath of office.

    The audience hailed the President and the Vice President as a blend of old age and youthful vigour, united by similarity of ideas, vision and strength of character, a sense of incorruptibility and collective hope for a glorious dawn, positive change and progress. Observers contend that the cordial relations of Shagari and Ekwueme Presidency may be re-enacted, in contrast with the cold war between Obasanjo and  Atiku Abubakar. Since there is much work to be done, the Vice President cannot be idle, despite certain constitutional impediments.

    Buhari was not new to the festivities — a 21-gun salute, cheers, banters and diplomatic courtesies. He had savoured them as a military governor, minister, military commander and Head of State three decades ago when Nigeria was still relatively easier to govern. The task before him is huge. Thus, the ex-soldier, administrator and statesman was not carried away. The new President knew that, henceforth, governance cannot be a tea party, if he is to make a difference from the sordid past. But, unlike his tough speech of 1984, when he took power forcefully, Buhari, the new symbol of democracy, laid out some of his plans to Nigerians, in utter sensitivity to the democratic mood. He was less combative and more reconciliatory.

    Yet, he spoke as a man of valour. To demonstrate that he will be in charge and wade off manipulations of the political elite, the President declared: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” The statement was cheered by a section of the audience. Others were confused. But, when he gave soldiers the marching order to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to wage a more effective war on Boko Haram insurgency, the venue erupted in jubilation.

    Buhari condemned the sect’s activities, emphasising that they have no bearing with religion. However, he quickly recognised the futility of fighting insurgents without probing their motivation for undermining the national sovereignty. To unravel the circumstances surrounding the persistent rebellion, he promised to commence a sociological study of the objective of the dreadful set, their grievances and their demands. He thanked Chad, Niger and Cameroun for lending support to the fight against terror. To the joy of anxious Chibok parents, the President said he will rescue the abducted girls.

    The inaugural speech also focused on public expectations. The new government, he said, will not tolerate corruption, adding that he will preside over a regime of accountability. Buhari lamented that the billions of naira expended on the power sector since 1999 went down the drain. He promised a new lease of life for the sector.

    Buhari said he will uphold the doctrine of separation of powers. The executive will not encroach on the duties of the legislature and the judiciary, he said. This posture underscores, in part, his refusal to intervene in the hot contest for the Senate President between to party members-Senators Bukola Saraki and Ahmad Lawan. However, he pointed out that the judiciary needed reforms to clean itself of its past.

    Buhari was silent on the strategies for achieving these policies. In the weeks ahead, the direction of his government will be clearer when he begins to make the appointments. Two challenges will face his young government. The APC is a young ruling party and many have pointed out that the resolution of the battle for the Senate has implications for unity and cohesion. The weakness of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presage the downfall of the PDP government. Also, the struggle for ministerial slots must be carefully managed.

    The APC National Chairman, Odigie-Oyegun, said the President and other party leaders are conscious of these challenges. He hinted that the next cabinet will be a mixed grill; a blend of competent politicians and technocrats. “We have a group of diligent, committed Nigerians to drive the new vision. The APC has goals and manifestos. We are ready for business. We will begin to see changes and the changes will build up,” he added.

    He assured that the President will not let the country down. Describing him as a tested and trusted statesman, he said he endured many obstacles before obtaining the crown. “Three times the people turned him down. But, the entire nation turned to him because they rediscovered his exemplary character. He will return the nation to respectability,” he stressed.

    Buhari’s mate in secondary school, Alhaji Ibrahim Commasie, former Inspector-General of Police, urged Nigerians to support the President. But, he also advised the President to fufill his promises to Nigerians. He also urged the people to defend democratic consolidation. “It is a very inspiring moment; a moment of happiness. We are having a change of government, from civilian to civilian. The opposition party defeated the ruling party and the President conceded defeat. Nigeria should support Buhari. He will curb corruption. Buhari should also keep his words,” Commasie added.

    In Senator Barnabas Gemade’s view, Nigeria is lucky to have the duo of Buhari and Osinbajo at the helm of affairs. Lauding the power shift, he said it is a worthwhile experience for him to be part of the old and new governments. The chieftain said, although expectations are high, the challenges are surmountable. “Buhari is a man of integrity; very honest and dedicated. He does not have tolerance for corruption. Buhari and Osinbajo are a perfect combination. They will work for a better Nigeria,” he said.

    A politician, Chief Victor Okorie, said gone were the days of business as usual. But, he cautioned that Nigerians should not perceive the President as a magician who will solve all their problems in a day. “But, he will be a model because he operates in a high moral pedestal,” he said.

    Another politician, Chief Don Etiebet, former Minister of Petroleum, said “this type of transition is unprecedented. The greatest problem that will face Buhari, he said, is security. But, he noted that the challenge is not peculiar to Nigeria, stressing that it a challenge confronting humanity as a whole. Etiebet said that Buharo will however, succeed because he is a disciplinarian. “He will bring discipline to bear on governance. He will uphold the rule of law. He will not allow impunity,” he added.

    To Amaechi, the new dawn is worth celebrating because it is a transition from one party to another. He said the only way to justify the power shift is for the new administration to make a difference, despite the dwindling resources. “I hope in the process of governance, there will be an improvement. Nigerians expect good governance, improvement in power, education. But, don’t forget, there is no money,” he stressed.

    The APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who attributed the orderly and constitutional change of government to divine intervention, noted that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. He urged leaders to make sacrifices in the national interest, stressing that there is much work to be done.

    “Nigerians have recovered their rights to choose a rightful leader. The people out there, the masses, will determine whether we will have a second term. Money politics will fade out. The expectation is high. We will deliver our electoral promises. It will be very tough. But, we will make sacrifices. We will continue to engage Nigerians as we engaged them during the elections,” Mohammed added.

    Human right activist, Clement Nwankwo, who set an agenda for the government, said Buhari will need competent aides, ministers and advisers to drive his vision. In his view, national economic survival must be a priority. “There are other problems. States cannot pay salaries,” he pointed out. Lauding the President’s speech, which he said was sharp, he however, observed that it was not detailed.

    The right activist said appointments into the cabinet should be carefully made, adding that it must be based on competence. “The team (cabinet) should be able to rebuild the economy that has been collapsing in the last seven years,” Nwankwo said.

    Former United States ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Renis Sanders, urged the President to seek foreign assistance to deal with some urgent matters. Noting that Nigeria is important to the world, he said people across the globe are interested in the country. Buhari, she said, can make a headway in the fight against terror, if he seeks foreign assistance to tackle Boko Haram.

    Also, Hammond, said Britain can assist Nigeria in the training of armed personnel to fight the sect. He said Britain has investment interest in Nigeria cutting across critical sectors.

  • New dawn for Niger Delta students

    New dawn for Niger Delta students

    Members of the Niger Delta Students’ Union Government (NIDSUG) converged on Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital for the union’s second national convention, where they elected leaders to pilot their affairs for another year. EMMANUEL AHANONU (Corps member, NYSC Enugu) reports.

    The election of officers after the onbaraYalah-led executive of the Niger Delta Students’ Union Government (NIDSUG) completed its tenure was a Herculean task. For five hours, officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) screened candidates vying for offices to ascertain the authenticity of their studentship.

    The screening took place at the Port Harcourt office where the candidates were asked to swear to an affidavit to maintain peace during the election. After the oath, the electoral process began with a national convention chaired by Dr Henry Akpan, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.

    The event was attended: Minister of State, for Niger Delta Affairs, Dairus Dickson Ishaku; Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Hon. Godwin Etah; the guest speaker, Isaac Osuoka, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Ijaw Affairs, Dr Felix Tuodolo and Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Students Matters,  Tamuno Osika, among others.

    Tonbara said the convention with the theme: Re-awakening the Niger Delta youths for effectiveness in the emerging Nigerian state, was to guide the Niger Delta youths for the journey ahead through re-orientation and campaign against restiveness.

    “We believe Niger Delta youths must prepare for the challenges ahead of them. This is the basis for holding this event, which is to tell our colleagues to embrace entrepreneurship and not hooliganism,” Tonbara said.

    Dairus said he was elated by the resolve of the students to take their destiny into their own hands, stressing that they were building socio-cultural bridges to foster peace and economic development.

    He said: “The ugly attributes of militancy, indolence, kidnapping and brigandage associated with  youths of this area are now things of the past.”

    The election followed the next day, where 23 candidates, who passed the DSS screening, contested for the offices. Each state in the Niger Delta region had five delegates, while Niger Delta students in the North and Southeast sent 15 and 10 delegates respectively. More than 500 students across the country witnessed the election held in Ijaw House, Bayelsa State.

    There was tension as the aspirants sought support with their manifesto.  The two presidential contenders, who are from Delta State, canvassed support from delegates. For several minutes, there was commotion in the hall, making the electoral officers to cancel the manifesto.

    At the end of the election, the Chief Returning Officer, Gospel Tanam, announced Obada Akpomiemie as the president-elect, having polled 71 votes to beat his rival Stanley Ekwuememe, who had seven votes. Also Bariture Ngbee defeated Ijeoma Belema with 44 votes to become the Vice President (Administration); Chinaobi Ojukwu became the Vice President (Project).

    Other officers elected include Alemichi Kwubi, General Secretary, Juliet Mauyu, Treasurer, Joy Ekadi, Public Relations Officer, Ibi Tonye, Provost, Christy Eka, Director of Gender and Women Empowerment, Janet Slyvanus, Welfare Director and Daniel Ifon, Director of Transport.

    Chimdindu Obiarandu was elected the Senate President, while Amabebe Inekirumu became the Deputy Senate President.

    Jackson Sunju, a member of the electoral committee, said the DSS was called to ensure thugs were not elected into the union’s leadership.

    Obada said his administration would focus on empowerment and intellectual capacity building for members. He urged members to resist move by politicians to use them as political thugs.

  • New dawn at Nigeria Customs Service

    The recent takeover of destination inspection by Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, from service providers, who are operating as regulators of all imported goods into the country, is a welcome development to improve trade facilitation and make the nation be at par with other countries of the world in modern customs technique all over the world.

    Before the takeover of this destination inspection, the country’s

    importation was solely the responsibilities of those private

    operators, whose duty the NCS were required to do

    and see to the realisation of the country’s economic development.

    For the past thirty years, those private operators have been the only agencies whose activities were to oversee the importation of goods into the country while the Nigeria Customs who are the core institution to carry out these activities were made to just play a second fiddle to the detriment of the nation’s economic well-being.

    After various postponements of taking over the destination inspection, the realistic date of 1st December 2013 has made the NCS the singular institution to see to import administration in the country, which is a land mark achievement.

    The present comptroller-general of the customs service, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi Inde, whom the country would not forget in a hurry by ensuring this new dawn is achieved, had prepared his officers and men, by sending them for re-training to take over the destination inspection, also the service has created a trade hub portal for easy access for importers to key in realising the clearance of good without delay as regard the destination inspection.

    The customs service had equally designed and developed the pre-arrival assessment reports, PAAR, for importers for the quick service delivery at any port of entry in Nigeria.

    We hope that as the NCS assumes full responsibilities of

    this destination inspection, other stake holders would key into this modern customs to ensure easy clearance of goods in our sea, air and land entry points for not only the good of Nigeria but the benefits of the service who are ready and fully prepared

    to give their best as they assume their lawful aspect of improving the revenue generation of the nation.

    Bala Nayashi,

    Lokoja,

    Kogi State

  • New dawn for Kwara APC

    New dawn for Kwara APC

    Correspondent ADEKUNLE JIMOH writes on the bond of unity between the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in Kwara State, following the merger of the two antagonistic camps.

    In politics, there is no permanent enemy, but permanent interest. Initially, there were skirmishes in Kwara State when the merger of the All Progressives Congress (APC)and the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was consummated. But, reality has now dawned on the chieftains on both sides that they are bounded together by destiny. In 2015,the political foes of yesteryears will work together for the success of their platform, the APC.

    The political temperature of Kwara is rising. Indeed, mixed feelings trailed the defection of the Senator Bukola Saraki-led nPDP to the APC. To some members of the Bamanga Tukur-led faction, Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s defection is good riddance to bad rubbish. But, to the camp of the former Action Congress of Nigeria governorship candidate, Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN), it is a moment of sober reflection.

    The import of Saraki’s defection was not lost on key PDP chieftains, including former Transport Minister Bio Ibrahim and the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem. Saraki, the son and the inheritor of the late Dr. Olusola Saraki’s formidable structure, was a strong factor in the PDP. Therefore, observers have pointed out that the PDP may become a ghost of itself in the state.

    Following the defection, Kwara PDP leaders were jittery. In a statement by Dr Abdulsalam Abdulsalam (Kwara Central), Iliasu Ibrahim (Kwara North) and Chief Lanre Ogundeji (Kwara South), the party described Saraki and Ahmed’s defection as a blessing in disguise. The chapter assured Tukur of its unalloyed loyalty.

    “As we journey towards 2015, we wish to state categorically that the exit of these people will not affect the fortune, progress and prosperity of our great PDP in the state,” they said.

    There was a quarrel between Saraki’s men and the PDP chieftains over the ownership of the party secretariat. The Police had to sealed off the office to prevent a breakdown of law and order.Former PDP chairman Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani said that the police could not seal the structure, adding that the property belonged to Saraki.

    “Where you are today is Saraki’s office. It belongs to our leader, Senator Bukola Saraki. Though this place used to be the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s secretariat, but, since our merger with the All Progressives Congress (APC,) we have turned it to Sarakites’ office. This is the receipt which bears my name. We paid N800,000 for this place. It is not in the name of PDP. Nobody can occupy this place, if PDP wants to use wants to use any office they go outside and rent their own office.

    “As we have merged with the APC, as soon as all the arrangements for merger were completed, this place automatically becomes the APC office”, he said.

    However, a member of the House of Assembly from the Ipaye/Oloru/Malete Constituency, Iliasu Ibrahim, debunked Balogun-Fulani’s claim.”That party secretariat has been in existence before the emergence of Saraki and, since they defected to the other party, they should leave our party secretariat for us”, he said.

    Before the fears of the old ACN members in the APC were allayed, they also expressed reservations about Saraki’s defection. A chieftain, Rev. Bunmi Olusona, said that the challenges of fusion should be tackled in the collective interest of the new and old APC members. “Ihe Bukola Saraki-led PDP is welcome to APC, but we urge the group to abide by the terms of the people it met on ground. We are prepared to accept them, but they cannot start by telling us that we have no structure. They cannot start by telling us that they will dictate what is going to happen in this party to us. We have laboured to build the party in the state,” he said.

    Olusona, who was a member of the ACN Caretaker Committee, added: “We are shocked to read in the newspapers the comments attributed to the chairman of the Kwara PDP that APC has no structure.

    But the former New PDP Secretary,Prince Afolayan, called for a truce. He said that “the party chairman was probably quoted out of context.”

    To allay the fear of his followers, Belgore returned to llorin, the state capital, with a message of peace. He said the party will not compromise the interest of any member. “There is a lot of apprehension concerning the entry of the G-7 governors and what it portends for the APC members in Kwara and the state. My first task, which had done through a caucus, was to inform the people that there is no reason for any apprehension. We remain members of the APC. We remain committed and we remain together as a formidable group within that party. And that situation is dynamic; we are reviewing it as we go along.

    “We are setting up committees to evaluate the situation at a local level on ward by ward, local government by local government basis what the merger means to the people and how they want to react to every situation.

    “It is not about Dele Belgore now; it is about the community interest and the community interest upon which we entered into this race in 2010 is that we are fighting for change,for liberation and opportunity in the state, for economic empowerment, for upliftment, for the greatest good for the greatest number, more like utilitarian view essentially.

    “In other words, we want to take politics of Kwara out of the hands of a very selfish, domineering select group and broaden the space so that there will be an opportunity for everyone to develop their ability and talent. That is the message we began with and that is the bond that I have with the people.

    “That course is the first thing that connects us and we are not about to give it up. That course is the essence of our political existence it can never be negotiated. Given this background, you can then see how recent event touch them directly.

    “My point of view, even with the merger, is that we are not compromising what we believe in. If working together means buying into what we believe in, then, fine. But, we are not compromising our ideals for anybody.”

    Belgore added: “Our supporters feel completely disenchanted with the leadership of our party. They felt that the course of the struggle in Kwara was not taking into consideration at the time these discussions were held.

    “My first duty is to explain to them that there is a main plot from the point of view of the national leadership and then there are various sub-plots which now look at the peculiarities of each state, but as you politics is local you are only concerned with that which affects you. They are now saying if that is the case why are we still here? But we are telling them that we are in the APC that nobody is going to push them out.”

    However, former House of Representatives member Hon. Bashir Bolarinwa allayed Belgore’s fears. He urged the APC family to acknowledge the expansion of the party, adding that the leadership should not discriminate against new members. Bolarinwa said the interest of the state should be paramount to the party.

    He added: “The struggle for a new lease of life for our people will continue and shall be strengthened as we proceed to 2015. We cannot abandon our struggle midway or our natural habitat for any reason. We are committed to the ideals of the founders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is to rescue the nation from perpetual poverty, high handedness in power and economic deprivation.

    “Running from pillar to post cannot solve the incursion of an enemy. If you run away from Ila, who says you won’t meet another one in Ilala. We have a responsibility to build the party together and entrench the principles of fair play and equity where the pride of every member will be guaranteed”.

    Former nPDP Secretary Prince Afolayan said the APC is a credible option to the PDP, owing to its progressive outlook. He noted that the merger of the two parties will ensure an all-inclusive administration that will consolidate the current transformation agenda of the Ahmed Administration.

    “I advise all Kwarans to see the merger as a clarion call on all to become state builders and transit the state into a model one in Nigeria”, he added.

     

     

     

  • Power sector’s new dawn

    SIR: The privatization of the power sector is,indeed, a dream come true. It offers the promise of total emancipation for Nigerians who have been subjected to captivity of power failure.

    Nigerians have so much lived in ‘darkness’ that the jubilation, whenever power is restored for a while, defies the sense of dignity and decorum. It had always been an eruption of ‘up NEPA!’ in every home, street and community.Funny enough, this is not the shouts of children alone, but of

    adults as well. If this is not captivity that a full grown adult shows

    such excitement like someone who just won a jackpot over something he is

    supposed to have constant access to by right, then what is?

    Many Nigerians spend fortune on fuel and dieselto generate power for domestic use. According to the Good Governance Initiative Nigeria (NGGI), a Non Governmental Organization, Nigerians spend a whooping 2.7trillion naira annually on fuelling generators. Many small and medium scale businesses, firms, and industries have been thrown out of market as they can no

    longer afford to generate power for their daily activities. Many large

    firms barely survive.

    The power sector privatization is no doubt, a great feat by the government. Against all odds, the processes and the formal handing over of the sector to the private power generation and distribution companies were finalised and actualised respectively, on November 1. Not only was this singular achievement by the government widely applauded,it also marked a historic dawn.

    The impact of this privatization on the economy will definitely be enormous on the long run. There will be decrease in cost of production as manufacturers will experience reduction in the cost of purchase of fuel and diesel to power their equipment for production. The effect of this will be a reduction in prices of goods and services, increase in demand/sales, revenue, GDP and standard of living of the people. As demand increases, there will be need for increase in supply which calls for increase in output and expansion of plants and industries. These, no doubt, will call for employment of more workers; reducing the problem of unemployment in the system.

    Also, it will create enabling environment for industrialization.

    Industries and businesses which rely so much on power to carry out their

    activities will thrive. New industries will be established,creating a market economy where competition among firms leads to efficiency

    and qualitative production of goods and services which culminate in industrialization and economic growth. Foreign investors will, equally, be attracted; generating foreign capital inflow and capital formation in the economy, to mention, but a few.

    Therefore, we must all embrace this new ‘mark on the sand of time’; we must all follow up on this new era our great nation is being driven to with full optimism. We must patiently wait for it to fully unfold and blossom, as this can only happen overtime and not overnight. Watch out for new Nigeria!

     

    • Justine Nwanakwere

    University of Portharcourt

  • Fayemi, thanks for new dawn in Omuoke Ekiti

    SIR: I wish to express the gratitude of Omuooke Ekiti people to our forthright governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi for bringing justice to the people of Omuooke.

    On September 21, history was made and it was a celebration galore in Omuooke Ekiti in Ekiti East Local Government of Ekiti State when our amiable   governor presented the staff of office to His Royal Highness, Oba Valentine Adebayo Otitoju, the Olomuooke of Omuooke Ekiti.

    The prelude to this special and historical event was the pronouncement made by the Ekiti State Government early this year granting autonomy to Omuooke Ekiti and few other communities in the state. The decision was reached by the state government after intense consultations, deliberations, and careful evaluation of the historical facts available, which indeed proved Omuooke Ekiti case beyond any doubt.

    Perhaps the sincere and courageous action taken by the Fayemi administration on the issue was not done without some hindrances and barricades, along the way, but for the forthrightness nature of the governor and his unique approach in identifying and sorting out all manners of problems, proactively, which has been the bedrock of his administration since its inception.

    Otherwise, the freedom being enjoyed in Omuooke Ekiti now would have been a forlorn hope and remain an elusive one.

    Fayemi’s breadth of new life to Omuooke has brought joy and happiness that knows no bounds for the people and no wonder the whole community was agog and the good feelings so palpable among the people.  Omuooke Ekiti is known to be the commercial nerve centre in Ekiti East Local Government and no doubt the new status would bring about a quantum leap in many ways to the community, local government and Ekiti Sate at large.

    The Olomuooke should now take his rightful place in the local government and in the state as the case may be.  I would like to implore Governor Fayemi to see to the changes required in all government registers, Ekiti State official website as it affect the status of Olomuooke and Omuooke Ekiti through directives to the apparatus of government  in charge.

    To the joyous and good people of Omuooke Ekiti, there is no better way to show profound appreciation to this noble, courageous and kind-hearted man who has done such a great thing for our beloved community other than to overwhelmingly support him and his government on his re-election bid in 2014.

    • Lanre Atere

    Glasgow, Scotland

  • Power sector: It’s a new dawn

    The epoch-making event of handing-over of erstwhile successor companies of PHCN to the new private sector owners must not go unrecognised and un-celebrated because it is a major step in the nation’s quest for self-sufficiency in electric power supply. What began like a child’s play about 14 years ago when President Obasanjo (OBJ) sacked the management of NEPA and replaced it with Sen. Liyel Imoke-led Technical Board has finally arrived at the destination and alas, there is no more NEPA, no more PHCN – acronyms which have been maligned by the very people they were serving.

    To discerning observers, the process has taken too long but, like the thousand miles journey which begins with the first step, that singular action of Obasanjo and indeed his resolute commitment to power sector reform gave birth to the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005. The Act specifically provided for one year to wind up PHCN and allow the 18 successor companies autonomy of operation. However, the journey has not been without feebleness and near U-turn on the part of the administration of President Yar’Adua and filibustering by the workers’ unions aided and abetted by external forces who have been leeching the system. A new vista was given to it when President Jonathan launched the Power Sector Reform Roadmap in August 2010. Despite missing some key milestones, the power sector reform train has finally berthed at the terminus! It is marvellous in our eyes!

    Before examining the outlook of the power supply industry under the crop of the new private sector owners, I consider it important to look at two sectors of the economy where similar reforms have yielded positive results even though some of the benefits might have now been taken for granted.

    Time was when a customer seeking to withdraw cash from banks must be prepared to spend sometimes up to half a day to accomplish the objective. You would have to collect a plastic disc with a tally number and wait endlessly for your tally number to be called. The teller would pass your cheque to a supervisor who would order retrieval of your signature card to verify your signature and search through piles of computer print-out pages of previous day’s closing balances of all the branch’s customers to ascertain your balance before releasing your cheque for payment! Systematic reforms led to adoption of electronic banking with applications of ATMs and various online transactions. Now we are talking of a cashless society! All these changes came about because of the reforms in the banking sector.

    The few customers of NITEL (few because they were just about 500,000!) cannot forget what they went through whenever their numbers were “stolen” or “temporarily out-of-service (TOS).” If you wanted your number back, you would provide a ladder with a vehicle to transport it and the NITEL technician through long routes of telephone poles and wires ending up in your premises!

    In retrospect, NITEL was managing a situation of scarcity of telephone numbers, a situation which bred corruption whereby customers who could afford it induced its staff to manipulate the situation in their favour. It was not unusual for numbers to be diverted from unsuspecting subscribers during the daytime and routed to businesses who piled up debts for the subscribers at night time; in order instances, numbers were brazenly withdrawn from subscribers and allocated to highest bidders.

    I consider it appropriate to start this natal welcome note with the DISCO successor companies because, by virtue of the fact that they operate downstream, they form the interface with the consumers. As corporate entities who can sue, you should expect that your customers also have reciprocal right to sue you. Quid pro quo.

    For you, customer focus is sine qua non.You have a lot of in-house and out-door cleaning up to do.Your commitment to reduce losses must be pursued vigorously; the reticulation infrastructure is worse than an eyesore in most places. Conductors are undersized and drooping to less than three metres ground clearance with catenaries which defy any description, majority of poles are worse than the leaning tower of Pizza, cross-arms display different inclinations and detached insulators are not uncommon, feeder pillars doors are kept permanently ajar etc. Gone are the days when the Electrical Inspectorate Division must certify installations before they would be allowed to be electrified. Hopefully such oversight functions will come alive again.

    For as long as generation output does not match demand, you can be rest assured that customers will understand the inevitability of load shedding. Compliance with NERC directive of publishing or publicising the schedule of load shedding must be complied with. There must be no favouritism in the matter of load shedding. Customers should not have to pay for provision of, or repair/replacement of any item outside their premises; and whatever a customer is obliged to pay for must be officially invoiced and receipted. It is in your own interest to create multiple avenues for customers to pay for your services like, for instance, scratch cards or payment at designated supermarkets. You should consider introduction of packaged sub-stations and SCADA equipped control rooms and other efficiency-enabling power distribution technologies as soon as possible. Customer enlightenment on conservation and efficient use of power must not be overlooked especially for consumers with high inductive loads. You must help your customers to help you!

    The power generation companies (GENCOs) constitute the anatomical heart of the system as they generate and “pump” electricity into the transmission and distribution grids. The system today is anaemic, so to say, and just as doctors have to transfuse blood into anaemic patients, the GENCOs must not only gun for highest availability of the equipment already installed in power stations they have acquired, they must embark on expansion projects right-away. The demand is there, the ROIs are good and the sector is strategic and attractive to financiers. The challenges of gas supply are being properly addressed. Realising that nearly 120 million Nigerians have been denied access to electricity, your vision 2020-20 must be “To connect 20 million Nigerians to electricity yearly from now until year 2020” so that by 2020 Nigerians will enjoy clean, un-interrupted power supply. By 2020 our homes and businesses ought to have forgotten the era of load shedding with the attendant environmental pollution emanating from diesel and petrol generating sets causing health hazards like asthma and in extreme cases, mortalities caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from generator fumes, long-term exposure to carcinogens, noise pollution and all other inconveniences that go with running generators.

    I have always pitied the whipping boys of government apologists who wasted no time blaming generator merchants for the epileptic power supply and bureaucratic ineptitude demonstrated in handling of projects in the sector. If indeed these merchants constitute such a cabal and if indeed the cabal has been sabotaging government’s efforts at improving power supply, there is no reason why they will fold their arms now that private operators have taken over, afterall the stake must be higher for them now! If on the other hand, the generator market shrinks to the bare necessities of standby power at critical installations like high rise buildings, airports, hospital theatres etc, then Nigerians will know for sure that “the worms gnawing at the vegetable dwell therein!”

    Properly managed, the privatisation of the power sector will be a veritable advertisement for further divestment by the government from other sectors which can be better funded and managed by the private sector.

    To all key players in the electric power supply industry, I say LET THERE BE LIGHT!!!

    • Dr Eribake writes from Lagos.