The Nation Newspaper

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  • The worship of an unknown ‘god’

    It was the Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the Premier University – Ibadan – John Ayoade, as far back as February 10, 1982 at a special seminar held at the Institute of African Studies, when he described federalism in Nigeria as worshipping an unknown ‘god’. This is quite akin to the attitudes of both the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers including men of the ancient Athens, that Apostle Paul noted that they were very religious. In the words of Paul ‘as I was walking along I saw your many altars; and one of them had this inscription on it – ‘to an Unknown God’ (Acts 17:22, 23). Paul observed that they were worshipping ‘god’ they never knew!

    What a replica of contemporary federalism in Nigeria.

    Though, federalism was introduced by the 1954 Lyttleton Constitution which laid the foundation of classical federation for the country, ever since the polity keep on observing the tenets and canons of the system in breach. While the choice of federalism was almost automatic in 1954 but it was clear that the choice was based on a wrong premise.

    In the words of Ayoade, in that old perceptive seminar paper, the choice has always been determined by a unitarist concept of federalism in two ways. Firstly, and quite erroneously, federalism is thought of as a univalent term and secondly, Nigerian federalists are known to suffer from a mismatching of goals and means to the extent that what are normally unitary goals are expected from federal means.

    The bone of contention rather than boon of contentment is the Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) polemic of recent. The idea of RUGA by federal government simply put, was acquisition of massive expanse of land primarily for cattle grazing in all the states of the federation including the federal capital territory (FCT), to checkmate the frequent clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers across the country. On paper, most especially going by the volume of money to be committed to the project, the policy look quite good but far from being pragmatic.

    Going by the Land Use Decree signed by the Olusegun Obasanjo military junta, federal government has no inch of land not even plot(s) of land anywhere in the federation. The decree vested land ownership in state governors who hold same in trust for the citizenry. It is incumbent on the federal government to make request for land in fact for whatever purpose and subject to the approval of the state governor. Where a governor declines for whatever reason(s), the federal government has no legal right or power to lord it over the number one citizen of that state. It is absurd that in some states, sign posts were erected showing land acquisition for RUGA! This is indeed ludicrous.

    The reality of the situation is that they (federating states) are ‘concurrent regimes with overlapping jurisdictions’. It is, therefore, a non-hierarchical political system. Whereas, the disposition of our leaders most especially governors is the mentality of hierarchy. The relationship between a governor and the president is not superior/subordinate one. The likes of Ambrose Alli (of blessed memory) of the old Bendel State and Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos State then typify ideal governors in a federal state. While we desire cooperative federalism for development, governors don’t need to kow-tow and operate like a subordinate to the president. Despite the fact that federal government has been having the commanding height of socio-economic policies like the ill-fated RUGA, the truth is that federal arrangement makes is imperative for governors to assert their power within their areas of competence.

    Nevertheless, the idea of RUGA is a misnomer in a federal state. You don’t go all out to acquire land to promote the economic interest of an ethnic group all over the country and make it a condition for peace. The perception of an average Nigerian, which is correct anyway, is that such policy must have been intended to achieve local colonialism by the ‘Fulanis’. Some assume that it is nothing but land grabbing agenda cum territorial expansion by disguise if not ‘Islamisation’.  All these fears were aggravated by the position of President Muhammadu Buhari asking the citizens of Benue State to tolerate their brothers who allegedly massacred them in thousands! Perhaps the height of insensitivity is the rationalisation of the Fulani onslaught on hapless Nigerians by the spokesman of the president, Femi Adesina, that people should surrender their lands instead of dying. This is nothing but hypocrisy as land is a natural resource that nowhere in the world are people ready to easily forego their property.  People are even more passionate about landed property usually an inheritance in Africa than other parts of the world.

    It is high time we enlightened ourselves that the genesis of herdsmen/farmers conflict is not unconnected with the fact that Nigeria is a ‘weak state’ where laws are made but either not enforced or selectively enforced. In most cases the state is too weak to enforce laws. Since the time herdsmen became a nuisance, not many have been arrested, prosecuted and convicted. Even where arrests were made the punishments are not usually commensurate with the heinous crime committed by them.

    Rather than RUGA which is not the way to go, all tiers of government should take it upon themselves first to strengthen the law enforcement machineries irrespective of whose horse is gored. A Fulani man, Tiv, Ibo, Yoruba or Hausa that commits crime must be punished. It is not about criminalising an ethnic stock. This is where Nigerians expect the president who is a Fulani man to come out and decry the nefarious activities of the rampaging herdsmen who may even not be Nigerians anyway.

    The recent call for state police makes sense in contemporary Nigeria. The over centralized police establishment cannot be efficient in fighting crime. The police needs to be decentralized while governors should see themselves as the chief security officers of their respective states. Not only that, it is high time too that we take adequate cognizance of the techno-economic structure of the country.

    A country that is technologically deficient cannot fight crime successfully. It is ludicrous that in this century, soldiers could be ambushed, trapped and killed by insurgents. It means our soldiers don’t have the required gadgets to see few kilometres away to know whether enemies are lucking around or not! The strength of an army is not about the number of soldiers but rather the weapon and technology available to them. This is where the issue of brazen corruption that has eaten deep into the marrows of an average Nigerian comes in. With fat budgetary allocations to both the military and police establishments every year, how do we know whether such monies are released to them, in what magnitude or released in good time or not? The story of an officer who deserted the military and went away with hundreds of millions is a sad tale.

    Finally, to get the federal arrangement working is to inject the spirit of justice and equity into the system. Nigerians desire that the system works but the governing elite are too hypocritical. They have been making mess of the whole essence of national integration. You found a northerner selling ‘suya’ in every nooks and crannies of the country without any harassment or intimidation. But top elite foment trouble with their inciting statements putting on the toga of ethnic jingoism. RUGA is not the way to go, but pragmatic federal arrangement. Nigerians should stop worshipping ‘an unknown god’.

    • Dr. Ojo is an associate professor of Comparative Politics, UNILORIN.

  • Nigeria’s tortuous journey to affordable housing

    The United Nations (UN) recognises standard and quality housing as everyone’s fundamental need. The global body also says it is the government’s obligation to guarantee that everyone lives in a secure, peaceful and dignified apartment. It also sets a minimum threshold for monthly rentals at between 7.5 to 10 per cent of an individual’s income, as well as the number of people a toilet facility should serve. However, most, if not all of the UN standards, are evidently at variance with the reality in Nigeria. Assistant Editor OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reports

    For the majority of Nigerians, the road to standard, quality and decent housing remains long and tortuous. They are still far from meeting virtually all the global standards and yardsticks for measuring what constitutes adequate and decent housing, going by a recent  report, by the UN-Habitat, a United Nations (UN) human settlement  programme, titled “The Right to Adequate Housing.”

    The UN’s report, which was accessed by The Nation,  broadly defines what constitutes adequate housing, in the context of  global standards, to mean adequate privacy, space, security, lighting, heating and ventilation.

    Others are access to basic infrastructure, such as water supply, sanitation, waste management and adequate location to work and basic facilities – all at reasonable cost.

    The report, which recognises adequate and decent housing as everyone’s fundamental need, said, for instance, that citizens’ right to adequate housing should contain some freedoms, such as protection against forced evictions and the arbitrary destruction and demolition of one’s home; the right to be free from  arbitrary interference with one’s home, privacy and family; and the  right to choose one’s residence, to determine where to live and the freedom of movement.

    “If eviction may be justifiable, because the tenant persistently fails to pay rent or damages the property without reasonable cause, the  state must ensure that it is carried out in a lawful, reasonable and  proportional manner, and in accordance with international law.

    ‘’Effective legal recourse and remedies should be available to those who are evicted, including adequate compensation for any real or  personal property affected by the eviction.

    “Evictions should not result in individuals becoming homeless or vulnerable to further human rights violations. In general,  international human rights law requires governments to explore all feasible alternatives before carrying out any eviction to avoid, or at least minimise, the need to use force. When evictions are carried out as a last resort, those affected must be afforded effective procedural guarantees, which may have a deterrent effect on planned evictions,” the report said.

    The UN report, which ought to put the authorities in the housing sector on their toes on meeting the global definition of adequate housing, also contained some entitlements such security of tenure; housing, land and property restitution; equal and non-discriminatory access to adequate housing; participation in housing-related decision-making at the national and community levels.

    The Nation checks showed that the UN report may have exposed the  lapses in the Nigeria’s housing sector. This is because majority of Nigerians still fall far short of global recommended standards or definition of adequate and decent housing. For instance, most of the suburbs in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, such as Ajegunle, Orile, Isolo, Alimosho, Ajangbadi, Agege and  others, an average room designed for an occupant  takes as many as  eight persons.

    Also, a standard plot of 60 by 120 feet or 648 square meters that should ideally have a single occupant in a bungalow or a storey with two families have 10 rooms, five in a row with no fewer than seven occupants in each room competing for the same service. It is common knowledge  seeing people in this kind of environment getting up as early 5am to take turns to use the conveniences, such as toilets and bathrooms to make it early to their offices and places of business.

     Experts’ reaction

    Expectedly, the UN report has elicited diverse reactions from industry experts and stakeholders. However, a common thread that runs through their reactions is the fact that the report exposed the shortcomings in the nation’s housing sector, as well as the need for authorities in the sector to go back to the drawing board in the country and her citizens must meet global standards for adequate and decent housing.

    For instance, a former National Secretary of the  Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers,  Sam Ukpong, said most Nigerians, or rather most people in Lagos cannot be said to be living in a house. He said those who can be said to live in houses built with bricks and mortar practice open defecation, as the houses are without toilets or it takes too long for residents to take turns.

    He said the aggression and impatience that pervade the society could be attributed to where people reside. He said, for instance, what happens on the streets of major cities, especially Lagos, where people transfer aggression on road users is as a result of the stress they go through commuting either to work or their places of business speaks for itself.  He said the time it takes one to get to his place of business or work has a major effect on the behavioural pattern of the particular person.

    Ukpong said: “Adequate and decent housing has a way of increasing the life expectancy of people. The government is not doing  enough in terms of housing provision. Adequate housing is a human right. If the government wants to fight insecurity and crime, it should work seriously in making housing affordable to those in the lower rung of the ladder.

    “In Lagos, for instance, the HOMs Programme, which is supposed to make housing accessible to first time home owners, is almost comatose. I am yet to identify anybody that has the opportunity of owning a house through that programme”.

    Ukpong said a man that is not sure of where he would sleep after a day’s hard work, or already has it ingrained in him that his accommodation is not what it is supposed to be and is already thinking of how he will wake up early in the morning to take his bath before others, is likely to be short tempered and angry at almost everybody.

    He, therefore, called on the government to take housing seriously by ensuring that those entrusted with providing housing or making it accessible to the low income earners, do it right.

    Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) President Mr. Rowland Abonta also said a wrong housing policy could stall the development of the nation and  encourage insecurity.

    Abonta, who spoke at the inaugural meeting of the 2019/2020 National Council of NIESV in Abuja, stressed that housing should be incorporated in the national development policy to check  insecurity.

    He said: “Nigeria would become a better nation when stakeholders stopped playing politics with housing issues. I call on the government and policy makers to be honest with the issue.  It is a human requirement ranked as number two among human needs. The day we stop playing politics with it is the day we will be a better nation.”

    Indeed, people brought up in squalors and indecent environments, according to experts, are aggressive and always upset with nature.

    They are very reactive and aggressive to the public. If a census of convicted criminals is taken, one will almost be sure that they are usually from poor backgrounds. This means that Nigeria may have been unwittingly breeding criminals with her national and anti people housing policy.

    According to Abonta, the biggest challenge in the Nigerian housing sector is lack of planning. He expressed regret that over the years, housing has been made a political issue such that every administration  spends huge sums that is not based on any indices at all because they do not know what they are providing for, neither do they attain the goal they set for themselves. But at the end of the day, some budget has been spent.

    To properly plan for housing, Abonta advised that there is the need for the government to undertake a housing survey to determine what the people need. He maintained that housing survey is necessary to determine the housing stock, and the  housing needs in the country, adding that adequate planning will bring all other problems into proper perspective.

    The NIESV president said the 17 million housing deficit being bandied about may not be correct because there was no empirical basis that gave rise to the figure.

    On social housing, he said it would be impossible for low income earners to own their houses with the kind of housing arrangements and financing available in the country.

    According to him, in developed societies, there is provision for social housing, stressing that the NIESV had in the past harped on the need for the establishment of such housing schemes in the country to no avail. He said a responsible system or government will insist that investors in the housing sector should dedicate a reasonable percentage of their investment to low income people.

    Abonta advised the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to devote more time and resources to building big housing estates. “I am yet to know when they (FHA) will do the kind of thing they did in Lugbe, Abuja, in those days, which was called National Housing Programme,” he said.

    Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, advised the Board of the FHA to invest massively in housing development nationwide  as a means to further address the challenge of unemployment in the country.

    Fashola, who spoke after receiving the yearly report of the board of the FHA in his office,  urged the Authority to replicate, nationwide its ongoing 700 units, 10, 000 employees Abuja Mass Housing project in Zuba. According to him, such investment, if replicated in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, will create an ecosystem of opportunities for jobs and industrialisation.

    The Minister noted that through the project, FHA has identified  appropriately the critical role that housing development could play in responding to and solving some of the problems and challenges currently faced in the country.

    He said: “If you go to a site where over 700 housing units are being built and 10, 000 people are benefiting and getting employment there, you are really beginning to address the social issues of exclusion, unemployment, joblessness and restoring the dignity of the human being.

  • Rule of law under attack

    Sir: On September 23, when Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Honourable Justice Tanko Muhammad was called to the microphone to give a speech at the special session which marks the beginning of the 2019 to 2020 legal year in Abuja, his words fired the audience into an enthusiastic euphoria of change.

    He said: “The rule of law must be observed in all our dealings and we must impress it on the governments at all levels to actively toe the path.

    The rights of every citizen against any form of oppression and impunity must be jealously guarded and protected with the legal tools at our disposal”.

    His most charismatic words: “All binding court orders must be obeyed. Nobody, irrespective of his or her position, will be allowed to toy with court judgments….As we know, flagrant disobedience of court orders or non compliance with judicial orders is a direct invitation to anarchy in the society.”

    Little would the CJN have known that in less than 24 hours, in the same city where he made the proclamation, his words would be put to test by those whose expertise rely only in disobeying court orders. A Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the immediate release of social crusader; Omoyele Sowore from DSS facilities on September 24. Days after, the DSS is yet to obey the order of Court for the immediate release.

    There are obvious intertwines among the rule of law, democracy, and the independence of the judiciary. For example, when the DSS arrested Sowore on August 3, the agency believed it acted pursuant to a law- rule of law. After detaining Sowore for some days, the agency thought to further detain him by relying on another law and it approached a law court to obtain prolonged detention order – again, rule of law came to play. Now that the same court which granted the initial detention order has ordered the release of the defendant, rule of law becomes useless.

    When orders of courts are flouted with loose-regard as we have today and when human rights abuses are replete in a government’s affair- the Nigerian government, the judiciary and indeed democracy are at the receiving end.

    Nigeria’s government may not be a high-performer in providing quality education for its citizens, poverty indices may be on the negative rise under Nigeria’s government watch, the government may be failing in adequate protection of lives and properties of its citizens, but one distinguishable hallmark of excellence which the government possesses, and which admits of no controversy is that no nation in the world beats Nigeria to the game of flouting court orders.

    It is established fact that well-settled laws, fair trials and enforceability of court orders enhances the stability of democracy and instils confidence in the common man of a sure hope that justice would be obtainable in court.

    There is a need to call a spade a spade and bring sanity aboard. The CJN needs to bring his words of September 23, to life. He needs to make a public statement on this attack on the rule of law being perpetrated by “serial rapists”- who are taking no chance to rape the life out of the Nigerian constitution. The CJN needs to act now; act fast.

    • Tope Akinyode, Esq. Ikeja, Lagos.

  • Nobody must disgrace Osinbajo out of office – Bakare

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo must not be “disgraced out of office” except he has committed serious constitutional infractions, Founder of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has stated.
    Bakare however declared he does not believe the Vice President has done anything to violate his oath of office.

    He spoke with reporters on Sunday during which he referred to his recent encounter with a UK-based pastor.

    The pastor, according to him, sent him a message bemoaning the nation’s economic woes.

    Read Also: We did not exonerate Osinbajo of N90bn allegation – CAN

    He said: “The pastor expressed the disillusion of a Nigerian whose major concern was not the politics of Abuja but the economics of his/her bank account, especially following the proposed implementation of the federal government’s cashless policy”.

    Bakare said he reportedly told the pastor: “Every man will care about what bothers him most or bites him hardest.

    “My concern presently is that come rain, come shine, the VP, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo must not be disgraced and humiliated out of office except he has truly and flagrantly violated his oath of office which I find difficult to believe.

    “I fear for those who rejoice at the “fall” of others. Those who sow such seed are unmindful of the consequential definite law of harvest. I truly grieve for my brother and pray for God’s goodness, mercy and grace to surround him at this moment.

    “May the present overwhelming challenges, trials, afflictions and or guilt by association be resolved in such a manner that God’s name will be praised and glorified in him at the end whether or not he remains as VP till the end of this term.”

  • 11 things you should know about Nigeria

    11 things you should know about Nigeria

    Below are 11 important facts about Nigeria:

    – Nigeria is the 32nd-largest country in world with a landmass of 923,768 km2 (356,669 sq mi).    – The highest point in Nigeria is Chappal Waddi at 2,419 m (7,936 ft) in Taraba state.- Late Benedict Odiase, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, composed the music of the national anthem.

    – The words of the national anthem was composed by four Nigerians: Dr. Omoigui, John Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B.A Ogunnaike, and P.O Aderibigbe

    – There are  37 federal owned Universities, 37 State-owned and above 50 private owned universities.

    – The 2006 census puts Nigeria’s population at 140,431,790 million – although there is now an estimate of about 170,000,000 Nigerians.

    – The name Nigeria was coined by Flora Shaw, wife of Lord Lugard, a British colonial administrator.

    – Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous country in the world

    – On 1 January 1901, Nigeria became a British protectorate, part of the British Empire.

    – On July 6, 1967 a 30- month war begun with a long siege of Biafra and its isolation from trade and supplies. It ended in January 1970

    – Nigerians went through 33 years of military rule (from 1966 until 1999).

    -Ever heard of the Ship House? That is the name of Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters

  • Six disasters to watch out for in the ‘ember months’

    Many Nigerians perceive the ember months — September, October, November and December- to be synonymous with mysterious happenings.

    Within these four months, a fever, perhaps sort of anxiety, grips most Nigerians.

    Without doubt, the ‘ember’ months are always the busiest on roads for many reasons and the air of festivity within these periods makes everyone ecstatic.

    From the religious perspective, many people believe these tragic occurrences are caused by evil spirits associated with these months.

    They argue it is a season when prayers should be intensified to curtail the incidence of evil.

    While this fear for the ‘Ember months’ seems to be a natural phenomenon, it is important that we also pay attention to the dangers that have now been associated to what is now termed “the ember months”.

    Fire Outbreak – Fire is one of the major causes of accident during Ember months because the air becomes dryer, thus encouraging chain reaction of fire.

    Ember months usually come with gradual subsiding of the rains and encroachment of the Harmattan haze.

    These Harmattan hazes fuel fire outbreak in marketplaces, offices, worship centers, farms, bushes

    Accidents – In Nigeria, the ember months are known as a period of hectic activity on roads.

    People use this end of year period to engage in business and travel to visit loved ones living far away.

    According to the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), a total of 5,181 Nigerians lost their lives in road traffic crashes (RTC) in 2018.

    Further analysis revealed that the top five causes of road accidents are:

    • Speed violation
    • Wrongful overtaking
    • Dangerous driving
    • Tyre burst
    • Brake failure.

    Other factors that also cause road accidents during this period are: excessive speeding, overloading and impatient passengers making passive comments to the driver while driving.

    Many drivers place their safety at risk by overloading their vehicles.

    Kidnapping – Though insecurity and kidnapping are not new in Nigeria, there are always on the increase in during the ember months.

    Kidnapping has evolved into a lingering, pervasive security threat and fast-paced and multifaceted criminal enterprise.

    It is now perpetrated by diverse armed groups and criminal gangs operating across the country

    Young and old have been victims; others have had the gruesome experience of loosing loved ones to these kidnappers.

    Robbery and other criminal activities – Some of the most common types of robberies experienced in Nigeria are home robberies, car robberies and bank robberies.

    Today, armed robbery is not only one of the biggest threat in Nigeria, but also a social scourge

    Robberies can occur almost anywhere at any time, but tend to occur more often in anticipated settings and at expected times.

    All that is necessary is a motivated robber and an unwilling victim at the wrong place at the wrong time.

    Excessive alcohol intake and smoking – Alcohol is a major factor in many speed-related crashes. Sadly, manufacturers of alcoholic beverages have not been very supportive of anti-drink drive campaigns.

    Small-sized bottles of alcoholic drinks are being consumed by drivers without a thought for safety on the road.

    In some advanced nations such as the United Kingdom, members of the public have adequate information about the legal alcohol limits.

    Reckless driving of commercial vehicles – Some drivers are very reckless. They see themselves as the kings of the road. So, they park, stop and swerve the car indiscriminately. Funny enough, they involve themselves in a car race to know who is a faster driver.

    While doing this, they mistakenly hit pedestrians crossing, traders or even bystanders. This can result in grave injuries or even deaths.

    All these acts are very dangerous to road users and needs to be looked into if we want people to be safe.

    As it has done over the past several years, it is expected that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) will once again embark upon its annual road safety campaign.

    In all that you do during this Ember months, remember to stay safe, be watchful and careful

  • Police arrest alleged killer of three family members in Kano

    The Kano State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the arrest of a 25-year-old man, Salisu Idris for allegedly setting a house ablaze, killing three occupants who were believed to be members of the same family.

    The incident occurred last Wednesday at Gayawa Tsohuwa village, Ungogo local government area of the state.

    Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa who confirmed the arrest said the victims included the father, the pregnant mother and their 2-year-old daughter.

    “On Wednesday around 3 am, we received a report of a strange fire incident from Gayawa Tsohuwa in Ungogo local government area which we promised to investigate.

    After the incidence, the command’s commissioner of police Ahmed lliyasu, raised all the tactical units, the area commander of the metro division and the DPO of Zango division and he gave them 24hours to produce the perpetrators of the heinous act they immediately swung into action.

    “Using our community policing strategies we were able to trace, track and arrest one person by name salisu Idris at mijinbir town, where he went to take cover at the local government area.

    Read Also: Hoodlums kill policeman, seven vigilantes in Niger

    We traced him and arrested him with severe burns he sustained in his body. We interrogated him and we found out that they were two that carried out the dastardly act and the other one is at large and very soon we’ll get him.

    Responding to inquiries from reporters the suspect, confessed that he had been hired on a promise of N200, 000 to carry out the act.

    Idris who was a mobile phone seller at Farm Centre said he wanted to use the money to enrol into the Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano.

    “A friend of mine asked me to accompany him to the house. He asked me to come along with him that at the end of the operation he will give me N200, 000. We came around 2 pm. And when we came we both climbed unto the building with petrol and immediately the fire was ignited I got caught up and burnt my hands and legs” he confessed.

    He said on getting home, overwhelmed with pains from burnt injuries he lied to his grandfather that he sustained the injuries in a fire incident at mai shayi joint.

    Idris said he was taken to a clinic in the community from where he was referred to the hospital at Minjibir from where he was traced and arrested by the police.

  • Kogi poll: SDP candidate rejects disqualification

    The Natasha Akpoti Campaign Organization has condemned and rejected the recent purported disqualification of the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Barr. Natasha Akpoti​​, on the grounds of the age of her running mate.

    In a press statement issued on Saturday by the Spokesman, Natasha Akpoti Campaign Organization, Mr. Odaudu Minister, he said this decision is inconsistent with INEC allowing gubernatorial candidates/running mates of same age with or even younger than hers in several political parties in states across the country to contest in the 2019 general elections.

    “A country’s polity is as strong and efficient as the electoral body that guides it. When the electoral body becomes a tool available to the use of politicians determined to foist their corrupt, inefficient, selfish and detrimental style of leadership on the suffering citizens, then it is unfortunate and the people must speak up and demand for fairness and justice”, the statement said.

    Read Also: Ekiti APC suspends LG primary elections indefinitely

    “To all our friends, supporters, and members of our campaign organization, Barr. Natasha Akpoti once again expresses her deep felt appreciation of your steadfastness. Your support, loyalty and desire for a better Kogi is what drives her”.

    “We will fight this great injustice by INEC. We will conquer this challenge as usual and proceed with our plan to liberate Kogi state from poverty and ineffectual leadership,” the statement added.

  • Teacher faces trial for forcing pupils to take off trousers

    Egypt’s chief prosecutor on Saturday ordered a criminal trial for a university teacher who allegedly forced his students to take off their trousers in order to pass an exam, private newspaper al-Masry Al Youm reported.

    The teacher, an assistant professor at Al-Azhar University, a state-run institution affiliated with Sunni Islam’s key centre of learning, al-Azhar, will face trial at the criminal court on charges of dishonouring a number of students and abusing his authority, the newspaper said.

    No specific date has been set for the trial.

    Earlier this year, a video showing the academic promising at a lecture to reward male students who remove their trousers with marks in the exam went viral.

    The footage purportedly showed at least two students accepting the offer amid cheers from some colleagues.

    Read Also; Obaseki is NUT’s best governor

    The video triggered an outcry in the conservative country and prompted Al-Azhar University to sack the teacher in April.

    The university called it an “immoral act and a crime.”

    At the time, the academic, who teaches Islamic creed and philosophy, reportedly apologised for the act, saying it was meant as a test for students on his lectures about ethics.

    Al-Azhar University, which admits Muslim students only, follows a gender segregation policy.

  • 1,000 ghost workers exposed in Niger

    Over 1000 ghost workers have been exposed in Niger state following the verification conducted by a committee set up by the Niger State Government.

    Some of the civil servants in the state were also discovered to be collecting double salaries while further investigations showed whose names appear in the payment vouchers but are not in the nominal roll of the state government.

    The Chairman of the Chairman of the Committee on Civil Servants Salary Management and Verification, Engineer Ibrahim Mohammed Panti divulged this to newsmen after the submission of the Committee’s report to the state government.

    According to him, a lot of discrepancies and malpractices have been discovered in the payment of salaries while the committee is saving the government more than N100 million with the recent findings.

    “The discrepancies discovered in the course of the committee’s work include duplication of Bank verification number (BVN), multiple bank accounts number of some staff, duplication of civil servant control and identification numbers as well as some staff names appearing in payment vouchers but could not be found in the nominal roll with office of the Head of Service.

    Read Also: Immigration intercepts two Niger nationals with weapons at Katsina border

    “The state’s staff strength of over 27,000 people have so far been reduced to about 26,000 while some few ghost workers have also been discovered by the committee.”

    Panti stated that only 42 out of the 95 Ministries, Departments and Agencies submitted their staff list adding that the committee has decided on the discipline to give to the MDAs as a consequence of their refusal to submit their staff list.

    “The committee will not pay October salary to any of the MDAs that refuse to submit theirs on or before 2nd October.”

    He emphasized that the exercise was to close the leakages in salary payment to civil servants and not to witch-hunt anyone, adding that anyone who feels aggrieved or affected by the exercise negatively is free to approach the committee.

    The Committee Chairman further said that after the exercise is done, the State Government might be in a position to implement the N30,000 new minimum wage.