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  • Okiro withdraws from Ohanaeze election

    Okiro withdraws from Ohanaeze election

    Former Inspector-General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro, has withdrawn from the race for President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo until the court case challenging his state of origin is determined.

    He said he was made aware of the Enugu State High Court’s interim order, which restrained him from contesting the Ohanaeze election today.

    Okiro said despite the court order, which is based on alleged non-indigene status, contradicting verifiable facts, he opted not to participate in the election despite having not been served.

    His statement reads: “It is unfortunate that the court did not invite me or hear from me before giving that obnoxious order which I got from the media.

    “The facts are that I hail from Egbema in Rivers State as shown by my National Population Commission Attestation of Birth.

    “My traditional ruler, the Nzeobi of Egbema, has also confirmed my indigene status of Rivers State.

    “I have written many books where my indigeneship of Rivers State is shown in the author’s column. A good example is my best seller, titled: “Nigeria: The Restructuring ‘Controversy”.

    “Page 6 of my biography written by Mr. Dozie Okebalama also shows my indigeneship of Rivers.

    “I have attended many Imeobi meetings where I represented Rivers State in the attendance list compiled by the Secretary-General.

    “As a student at the University of Ibadan, I was a member of the Rivers State Students’ Association, where I was elected as Treasurer, and another Great UIte, now Distinguished Senator Andrew Uchendu was elected as Secretary.

    “I was representing Rivers State during the meetings of the South-South People’s Assembly under our respected leader, Chief Edwin Clark, where Prof. Pat. Utomi, another Great Nigerian, represented Delta State. My records and credentials speak for themselves.

    “As an Igbo man and elder statesman of Rivers State extraction, which said position has been zoned to by the electoral committee, I believe in the rule of law and shall respect the court’s order.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze Ndigbo presidency: Why the cap fits Okiro

    “My obedience to court orders, no matter how unfavourable, demonstrates our commitment to democracy. I believe in the principles of the rule of law as the rule of law ensures our collective progress.

    “The rule of law safeguards our society; its principles must be upheld, our democratic values are non-negotiable, together we will emerge stronger. Our stance for justice, due process and rule of law shall vindicate us.

    “I will not participate in any election pending the final determination of the matter.

    “Although I’ve not been formally served with the suit/processes or order, my commitment to law and order remains unwavering, despite the fact that the reliefs granted in the order against me appear to undermine my fundamental right guaranteed in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

    Okiro said his distinguished career as IGP underscores his dedication to justice and what is noble.

    He added: “I have instructed the Chambers of Eze Okafor & Co, my lawyers to pursue the case to its logical conclusion to ensure that the purveyors of hate and lawlessness are brought to book in line with our enabling laws.

    “As provided by our constitution, I demand to be heard, and I am sure that the court will ensure that the twin pillars of natural justice will be observed to the letter in handling the case. We have not lost hope in our judicial system.

    “I urge my immediate community Egbema, the entire Igbo-speaking people of Rivers State who are solidly behind me and all my supporters across Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, and Delta to stand by the rule of law throughout the period of this contest.

    “Our resolve strengthens Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s unity and progress. Together, we’ll navigate this challenge.”

    Okiro thanked Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his “unwavering support”.

    “I assure all of you that we shall overcome this minor setback as our democratic values are non-negotiable,” Okiro said.

    Also yesterday, the traditional ruler of the Mgbede community in Egbema, Ogba in Ndoni, Rivers State, Eze Everestus Ginikanwa Amuda JP, said Okiro hails from his community and is a member of his council.

    Amuda dismissed claims that Okiro is not from Rivers, saying it was a calculated attempt to tarnish his image and deny his roots.

    The monarch said in a statement on behalf of the Nzeobi of Egbema, the Nzeobi-in- Council and the entire Egbema clan in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni that Okiro’s Rivers roots have never been in doubt.

    He said: “While Sir Mike Mbama Okiro KSJI Agulaechemba Egbema was born in Oguta in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, his parents are from Mgbede community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    “Sir Mike joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Rivers State indigene from Mgbede community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State and served in the Force where he honourably retired as IGP as an indigene of Rivers State.

    “His records are there for all to see and his state of origin was never in doubt or questioned.

    “While a student at the University of Ibadan, Sir Mike was the treasurer of Rivers State Students Association University of Ibadan chapter.

    “Sir Mike, Agunaechemba Egbema, is my cabinet member.”

    The monarch asked those spreading the falsehood to desist from raising doubts about Okiro’s roots.

    The Igbo Elders Council also endorsed Okiro for President General of Ohaneze.

    In a statement by Nze Uchechukwu Enweremmadu, the Council said Okiro is the only living retired senior police officer to have worked with nine heads of state and Presidents.

    The statement reads in part: “Why is Sir Mike Okiro the best candidate for the position of Ohaneze Ndigbo?

    “With his track record of helping to bring about peace and economic stability to two geopolitical zones of Southwest and Southsouth of Nigeria, we believe he can replicate same in the Southeast of Nigeria and indeed all Igboland by ending the isolation of Igbos in Nigeria.

    “Sir Mike Okiro is loved, trusted and respected far beyond the bounds of Igboland and the borders of Nigeria.

    “This is the kind of leadership we the Igbos need to lead us at this critical time where building bridges across various divides has become imperative to achieve collective Igbo and national development.”

  • Asian-African Chamber of Commerce honours Sani-Bello, Okiro, Kwankwaso, others

    The induction of the African executives of the Asian-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) will be coming up on December 8, at the NECA House, Ikeja Central Business District,Lagos.

    Some eminent Nigerians will also be honoured on the day.

    Speaking to newsmen in Abuja , the Vice President of the AACCI, Dr. High Prince Leye Babalola, stressed the need for the Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), NACCIMA and Small and Medium Scale Association of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to have bilateral agreements with the AACCI because of the rapid increase in the business between African Pacific and Asian countries had jumped from 2.8 billion dollars in 1990 to about 300 billion dollars in 2018 and “it is expected to surpass 1.5 trillion dollars by 2020”.

    Also speaking at the press briefing, Mr. Tunde Osho, a representative of the University of Entrepreneurship and Technology (UET), State of Delaware, United States, announced that eminent Nigerians that had distinguished themselves in the fields of security, business, governance, engineering and so on would be honoured.

    Dignitaries to be honoured include Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State; Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Governor of Kogi State; Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State; Sir (Dr.) Mike Okiro, former Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and former Inspector General of Police; Senator Theordore  Orji, former governor of Abia State;  Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN; among others.

  • Ex-IG Smith to replace Okiro as PSC chair

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has nominated a former Inspector-General, Musliu Smith as the chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC).

    Smith will double as chairman and representative of the Southwest on the board of PSC.

    If confirmed, Smith will replace the outgoing chairman and former IG Mike Okiro.

    The Northwest geo-political zone has two nominees and other zones have one each.

    Buhari’s letter asking the Senate to confirm Smith’s nomination alongside six others for appointment into the board of the commission was read yesterday by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    Citing sections 153 (1) and 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended,) the President urged the Senate to expedite action on the request with a view to enabling the appointees feel the vacuum created by the exit of their predecessors.

    The letter reads: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 153 (1) and 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, as amended, I write to forward for confirmation by the Senate the underlisted names as the chairman and members of Police Service Commission (PSC). I attach here, with their CVs.

    “In anticipation of the early consideration and confirmation of the above appointments by the distinguished senators, please accept, Mr. Senate president, the assurance of my highest consideration.”

    Other nominees included Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, Northeast; Lawal Bawa (AIG)(retd) full-time commissioner, Northwest; Mohammed Najatu, member, Northwest); Braimoh Adogame Austin, member, Southsouth; Rommy Mom, member, Northcentral; and Nkemka Osimiri Jombo-Ofo, member, Southeast.

    Saraki directed the Committee on Police Affairs to conduct the screening of the nominees and report back to the Senate in two weeks for further actions.

     

     

     

  • Okiro, police and Nigeria’s big men

    Okiro, police and Nigeria’s big men

    Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr it was in the 1849 issue of his journal Les Guêpes  credited with the saying – plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose (the more things change, the more they stay the same). As it has become increasingly obvious, Nigerians may have sounded clear their preference for change when they voted in the Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration in 2015, what they are getting in return is more of the same.

    Nothing better illustrates the notorious fact than the confession from the mouth Mike Okiro, ex-top cop and chairman of Police Service Commission that the directive handed over to the police authorities in August 2015 could not be carried out. President Muhammadu Buhari, then mint-fresh in office, had at a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Police Service Commission directed the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arise and the same Okiro to scale down on the number of policemen attached to so-called dignitaries in the country.

    Some 30 months after, Okiro says the directive could not be carried out. Feigning frustration that the throng, numbering some 150,000 out of the 400,000-strong police continue to play guard duties to Nigeria’s big men, he told the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja that things are still as they were. Although he stated that his commission in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force had commenced the implementation of the withdrawal of police officers, but the exercise was stalled due to lack of fund!

    Imagine the bad mathematics of 150,000 guarding less than 100,000-odd fellows leaving the rest 250,000 to secure the 180 million people. For something so serious as to be deemed not just an emergency but an intolerable crime against the people, our one-time top cop, has, like in the manner of the praying mantis offering supplication to an absentee god, been crooning in supine, fruitless rhapsody to no one in particular: “We cannot afford to have more than half of the population of the police in private hands…the nation cannot be battling with shortage of manpower in the force while majority of these officers would be in the service of few privileged Nigerians”.

    Good heavens!

    The former number one policeman obviously feels entitled to our sympathy. After all, it is the way of the old brigade and their General Orders to rationalise why routine tasks are left undone; why simple instructions cannot be carried through with highly placed officials go shopping endlessly for alibis to deflect responsibility. Like the rationalisations that have made our public service the most irresponsive if not irresponsible in the entire universe, public service seems more like finding the goat on which to hang the crime than applying the intellect to solve an old problem. If truly money answereth all things; why not better put things to the old invisible daemon of cash without which nothing is deemed possible?

    Even at this, it seems to yours truly that Okiro and company betrayed an appalling ignorance of an equally old but handy template or manual if you like, that perhaps, would have at least excused him and others from the rigour of thinking since they appear unwilling to do so.  I refer to an earlier directive by the Federal Executive Council in March 2009. That directive, interestingly, left no one in doubt about the calibre of officials entitled to that privileged service: President, Vice President, Chief Justice of Nigeria, governors, deputy governors, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Head of Service of the Federation. Included in the category are ministers, president of the Court of Appeal, justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the Court of Appeal, chief judge and grand khadi of a state, president of the Customary Court of Appeal, Chairman of a Local Government/Area Council, Vice Chairman of a Local Government/Area Council and Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). So also are President of the Senate, Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Speakers of State Houses of Assembly and Deputy Speakers of State Houses of Assembly.

    With the list clearly established, Ogbonnaya Onovo, the then IGP merely put out a simple, direct and unambiguous memo: “All persons not approved to have policemen are hereby given seven days to release the police personnel attached to them, and to make alternative arrangements.

    “Such police personnel are also given seven days from today to report back to their commanders in readiness for training.

    “Heads of commands and formations whose personnel are involved are hereby warned to compile and forward the list of their returning personnel latest August 13, 2009. By this date, any policeman or woman who continues in such duty will be dismissed forthwith and delisted.”

    Okiro, rather than agree with the text thinks it is all about turning on the treasury taps,  or, if you like, finding new avenues for pouring public money into the bureaucratic sinkhole – which of course is nonsense. That the police establishment would claim to require tonnes of cash to get going for a task so simple obviously says a lot about quality of leadership at that level particularly at these changing times.

    This is far from saying that the police force does not need money. It sure does. I understand that the vote for running a Divisional Police headquarters for a whole month comes to less than N10,000. This is supposed to cover everything from fuelling, stationary and other incidentals – which more often than not, never gets to reach their targets – no thanks to the albatrosses of corruption and stifling bureaucracy. Far more than money however is that the police can do with fresh thinking. Today, we have an IGP in Ibrahim Idris, who would rather spar with his nemesis, a certain Senator Isa Hamma Misau than pour his heart and soul into the job of making the police a 21st century institution. And now as it seems to be the case,  a PSC boss thoroughly out of depth with the requirements of 21st century management that he couldn’t in nearly three years after a presidential directive was given figure out how to bring back home the crop of its men engaged in extra regimental duties.

    Now that the confession has been made, do we now need the president to restate the order for whatever it’s worth hoping that the police authorities will somehow find the sense to figure things out on or before 2019?

  • Okiro, GOS, others honour Osiyemi at 68

    Friends, family and associates gathered yesterday in honour of the former Chairman Mushin Local Government, Prince Bayo Osiyemi, as he marked his 68th birthday.

    Osiyemi, who began the day with a thanksgiving service at Christ Apostolic Mission Church, Palmgrove, was full of praises to God for sustaining his life.

    Guests at the service included Chairman, Board of Commissioners of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Senator Biyi Durojaiye, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon (GOS), Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Mike Okiro, Senator Adefuye Odugbemi, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Kehinde Bamigbetan, among others.

    Durojaiye, Osiyemi’s uncle, described him as “a good boy, hardworking, amiable, patriotic and reliable.”

    He urged him to continue working hard and keep on following God, adding that he did the best he could in politics despite all the challenges.

    Durojaiye added: “We all owe it a duty to keep Nigeria as one. In re-structuring, Nigeria must remain one because there is benefit in our size.”

    Okiro described Osiyemi as his good friend, “a trusted person and a respected politician”

    Adefuye said: “I nominated him to be the Chairman and I have never regretted it because he performed well and I am always happy when I see him because he is a good boy. He is outspoken and his yes is yes and his no is no’: that is a rear quality of a politician.”

    GOS said: “We have had a cordial relationship for over 40 years and he has always been himself. He knows what integrity is all about. He is a God-fearing man and he should keep serving God.”

    He urged youths to emulate some of Osiyemi’s attributes, including being humble, focused and living in peace with others.

    Bamigbetan said the celebrator when he was the Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor managed the perception of the government.

    “He is a symbol of inspiration and a man we can all rely on,” he said.

    “The Church’s Parish Pastor, Pastor Daniel Adeeko, said the celebrator is committed to Gods work and always have a good attitude towards church.”

  • Restructuring depends on where you stand, says Okiro

    Restructuring depends on where you stand, says Okiro

    Restructuring like I said in many fora means different things to many people and it depends on where you are coming from. I gave an analogy of four blind men who went to feel an elephant and who were told to say how they felt about it.

    The first one touched the tail and said this thing they call elephant is like a small snake.

    The second blind man felt the body and said the elephant was big and that the body was smooth and like the walls of a house.

    The third blind man touched the leg and said it was like the trunk of a palm tree.

    The fourth one touched the tusk and said it was like the horn of a buffalo.

    Neither of them was right and none was wrong because elephant is a combination of all the things the blind men felt and more; that is restructuring.

    Your view on restructuring depends on where you come from just the way the view of the blind men depended on what they felt. For some people in the Southeast, restructuring means creation of additional states. Restructuring to those in the Southsouth means resource control. For the people in the West, restructuring means autonomy of local governments. If you put all together, that is restructuring. There are many views on it but my own take on it is that the federal government is overlaboured with so many things that can go to the states. Like agriculture, health, education, culture and other things should be given to the states. The money given to the federal government should be given to states to run the states.

    Secondly, states should look inwards and generate fund. They should not wait for the federal government to give them money to go and pay salaries. States should be able to generate revenue and pay salaries.  I cannot imagine a situation where somebody is working and then waits for his or salaries to be paid at the end of the month because the federal government is yet to give states money. This issue is also affecting developmental purposes in the states.  Where the states pay salaries, nobody talks about infrastructural development or any other things which is not supposed to be. So states need to start generating their own fund and develop the state.

  • Group alleges plot to implicate Okiro

    Group alleges plot to implicate Okiro

    A NON-governmental organisation (NGO), Africa Youth Patriotic and Development Mission, has alleged clandestine plots to implicate the Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mike Okiro, over the accusations of fraud between the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Idris and Senator Isah Hamma Misau representing Bauchi Central.

    The group said this in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Mr. Adefila Kamal in Abuja at the weekend.

    Kamal claimed that the group gathered that an official of the PSC, who is on suspension over a case of fraud against him, “is holding clandestine meetings with some politicians, and some social media executives, with the sole aim of implicating the former IGP with frivolous allegations of official corruption”.

    According to Kamal, “we got hint of their plots recently which had been on for over a week. They are yet to hatch their plots as they are still brainstorming on how to link Okiro to any concrete evidence of official corruption against him. As time appears to be running out on them to forestall leakage of their plots, they have, however, resorted in sponsoring some popular social media.

    “As much as we cherish the good work some responsible social media are doing to sanitise the society, we urge them to refrain from being used by corrupt politicians or individuals in smearing the good image of prominent Nigerians, who have served the country meritoriously in their various professional callings.

    “They should verify and confirm any case of allege corruption before publishing.

    “The journalism profession is a noble one all over the world. And those who practice it should adhere strictly to its ethics for the society to continue to hold them with high esteem, which they deserve. They should not be vulnerable as tools for character assassination.”

    In May 2015, the PSC official at the centre of the alleged smear campaign petitioned the ICPC over alleged misappropriation of about N275 million belonging to the commission by Okiro

    “We submit with respect that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) report written after proper investigations against Okiro, contained no criminal liability,” the group said.

  • Police recruitment not hijacked, says Okiro

    Police recruitment not hijacked, says Okiro

    Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Mr. Mike Okiro has dismissed the rumour that the recent recruitment into the police was hijacked by some high-ranking police officers.

    Okiro, a former Inspector-General of Police, dispelled the rumour yesterday in Port Harcourt in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He insisted that due process was followed in the recruitment of the 10, 000 applicants approved by the Presidency for recruitment into the police.

    “I am bold to say that due process was strictly followed during the recent police recruitment.

    “The successful applicants have been employed in the force.

    “I am happy to note that the 10,000 applicants approved for recruitment by the Presidency cut across all cadres.

    “They have already being posted to their various stations across the country,” he said.

    Okiro said the cadres included police constables, inspectors, medical personnel, marine officers among others.

    He said the recruitment of the new officers became necessary as a result of shortage of personnel in the service due to death, dismissals and retirement.

    He warned against indiscipline in the force, saying that such matters would no longer be treated with levity.

    Okiro said the PSC was open to receive complaints on any official misconduct among police officers.

    The PSC boss said the commission would investigate the rumoured unethical involvement of some police officers during the re-run elections in Rivers and other states.

    He added that appropriate action would be taken against any officer found guilty of electoral fraud.

  • Okiro warns applicants against fraudsters

    Okiro warns applicants against fraudsters

    The Chairman, Police Service Commission ( PSC), Mr Mike Okiro, has warned unsuspecting applicants to beware of activities of fraudsters.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Okiro said that he had no face book account and had never operated any before.

    He advised applicants to restrain themselves from being desperate for recruitment into the Force.

    The chairman said that the fraudsters had started demanding money from applicants of the ongoing recruitment.

    “The Commission recently concluded the State screening and would in no distant time begin the second phase of the process leading to the recruitment, “he said.

    He reiterated his earlier statement that the recruitment would be transparent and based on merit.

    Okiro said that the commission would resist any pressure to undermine or compromise the integrity of the process and the outcome of the exercise.

    He said anybody paying for any assistance to be recruited into the force would be disappointed.

    He stressed that security operatives were on the alert to arrest those giving and those that were receiving.

    The chairman advised the public to report to the commission any underhand practices in respect of the recruitment.

    “If they ask you to bring money, whether the fraudsters, our Staff or Policemen, report to us and we will arrest and prosecute the person or persons,”he said.

    He said that successful applicants from the state screening would soon be invited for the next level of the process.

     

  • Recruitment: PSC warns applicants against fraudsters

    Recruitment: PSC warns applicants against fraudsters

    The Chairman, Police Service Commission ( PSC), Mr Mike Okiro, has warned unsuspecting applicants to beware of activities of fraudsters.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Okiro said that he had no face book account and had never operated any before.

    He advised applicants to restrain themselves from being desperate for recruitment into the Force.

    The chairman said that the fraudsters had started demanding money from applicants of the ongoing recruitment.

    “The Commission recently concluded the State screening and would in no distant time begin the second phase of the process leading to the recruitment, “he said.

    He reiterated his earlier statement that the recruitment would be transparent and based on merit.

    Okiro said that the commission would resist any pressure to undermine or compromise the integrity of the process and the outcome of the exercise.

    He said anybody paying for any assistance to be recruited into the force would be disappointed.

    He stressed that security operatives were on the alert to arrest those giving and those that were receiving.

    The chairman advised the public to report to the commission any underhand practices in respect of the recruitment.

    “If they ask you to bring money, whether the fraudsters, our Staff or Policemen, report to us and we will arrest and prosecute the person or persons,” he said.

    He said that successful applicants from the state screening would soon be invited for the next level of the process.