The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peace

  • Amnesty office urges militants to drop arms

    Amnesty office urges militants to drop arms

    • 72 ex-militants graduate in fishery

    Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (rtd) Wednesday called on militants in the Niger Delta to drop arms and embrace peace.

    Speaking at the Institute of Oceanography in the University of Calabar, during the graduation ceremony of 72 ex-militants who were trained in fishery, Boroh said blowing up pipelines was counter-productive and would only hurt the people of the region.

    He debunked rumours about the stopping of the amnesty programme, saying it was still on course and successful.

    He said so far 13, 031 delegates have been trained successfully in various fields of endeavor.

    His words, “You can agitate through various means but not through violence. Blowing up pipelines in the Niger Delta only affects us, our children, our environment and the economy of our country. You can protest peacefully and you will be listened to. We must develop as a country. Nigeria is the only country we have. Any other country you go to you will always be a second-class citizen.

    “A strategic thinker never uses his home as a battleground. You have to make sure your resources are preserved. If you damage your place, where will your children stay? What future will we have? Let us not damage our territory. The Niger Delta must develop and we are the only ones that can do it. We must think forward and positively.

    “We are happy to see you graduate in agriculture. Agriculture is the mainstay and focus of the present administration. The skills you have learnt here are critical. You should all go out there and practice what you have learnt. We will start arranging your empowerment immediately. Make a difference as you go back. Educate others too to tune their minds towards agriculture. Agriculture should be your mantra. With agriculture we can never go wrong. It is what can transform this country economically.

    “The amnesty is on course and successful. You people are a success story. Any government that has interest in developing your capacity has your interest at heart. Continue to keep in touch with us, as you are still part of the office.”

    Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta, Mr Essien Ayi, called the graduands for embracing peace and agreeing to lay down arms.

    “We are glad and urge you to talk to your brothers to also drop arms and embrace peace. We will make sure you are properly reintegrated into the society. We will not allow you to roam on your own. We want peace in the Niger Delta region and I want to use this medium to call on others to lay down arms. Peace will return to the Niger Delta,” he said.

    Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof Zana Akpagu said it was a rare privilege to train them in the amnesty programme.

    “We are proud to have you here and be part of the amnesty programme. It is a rare privilege. Congratulations to all that have participated in the programme. It is hoped that the skills learnt here will be put to use to help you be more productive. You are equipped not to be job seekers but employers of labour. You should be big entrepreneurs and train others on what you have learnt on fish farming. We are always available for you if you need further consultations,” Akpagu said.

    Director Institute of Oceanography, University of Calabar, Prof Paul Udoh said, “We are glad to have trained the amnesty delegates. We have been opportune to give them the best we have here in terms of aquaculture. We urge that as they go, they put all they have learnt to practice. You are always welcome to come back anytime you require further assistance. We spent six months here teaching them all aspects of fish farming. We are proud to be part of the amnesty training. More should be sent for training. We have enough facilities to accommodate more,” he said.

    Commissioner for Agriculture in Cross River State, Prof Anthony Eneji, said, “We thank the amnesty office and the University for Programme. We also have a women and youth empowerment programme in the ministry. We would be pleased to work with the University on this programme as it will translate to us empowering more youths.”

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries of the programme, Mr Surubor Amadikeme, expressed gratitude to President Muhamadu Buhari for his commitment to the amnesty programme.

    His words, “We are grateful for the programme. We appreciate the effort of the president to this programme. In spite of the economic situation and insecurity, we thank the president for last month stipend. Initially I thought the amnesty programme was not sincere but now I have seen that President Buhari is very sincere about the amnesty. We would continue to support him. We advise our brothers who are still out there to embrace peace. This government is our government. We also ask the Federal Government to facilitate our empowerment after this programme because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. We believe the government will not forget us.”

  • FMC Owerri savours return of peace

    Patients and stakeholders at the Federal Medical Centre Owerri have commended the Interim Medical Committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Health to take over the management of the hospital following leadership crisis that almost crippled activities at the centre for restoring peace and reviving the hospital.

    Some of the union leaders, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that the Committee had delivered on its mandate, while stressing that the future of the hospital depends on the recommendations of the committee and its implementation.

    Family members of some of the patients who corroborated the position of the union leaders, noted that since the Committee assumed duty five months ago, services in the hospital have improved tremendously, adding that the attitude of the doctors and other staff have also improved significantly within the period.

    Meanwhile speaking during a press conference, the Medical Director and Chairman of the Committee, Prof.Ndu Eke, said that though the Committee inherited a lot of challenges ranging from infrastructure decay and lack of critical equipment, it has delivered on its mandate of bringing the hospital back to work.

    He also disclosed that the committee had also addressed the issues that led to the sacking of the previous management of the hospital, noting that it has restored cordial working relationship with the Staff and various unions in the hospital.

    According to Ndu, a renowned surgeon said that contrary to media publications the hospital is currently peaceful and rendering optimal service to the people of the state.

    He said, “our major task is to restore peace and to get the medical facility functional again which we have achieved as the issues that had led to crisis between the workers’ union and the former management is being addressed and right now the workers are back to their duty post and are happy”.

    He however observed that the Committee was met with serious challenges in the discharge of their duties, “the major problems we faced when we came on board include lack of regular power supply, oxygen especially because you cannot carry out an operation without an oxygen and power. But we have repaired the seven generating set that we met and also we have made solid arrangement to ensure that the medical centre has a constant supply of oxygen.”

  • Aregbesola preaches peace

    Aregbesola preaches peace

    •Tasks all religious adherents on cooperation and understanding

    Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called on Muslims nationwide to pray for peace as the country is going through tough economic and security challenges.

    This was contained in message to adherents of the Islamic faith on the occasion of the Eid el- Fitri celebration.

    Aregbesola, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, admonished the Muslims to imbibe the salient lessons of Ramadan and emulation of the humility, good neighbourliness, understanding and love exemplified by the life of Prophet Muhammad.

    According to him, Muslims must exhibit qualities such as commitment, discipline, obedience to and love of Allah, and apply same in their daily relationship to their fellow human beings irrespective of ethnic and religious affiliations.

    He enjoined the people of the state to live in peace and extend hands of fellowship to their neighbours so as for the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere in the state in the past five years to continue unhindered.

    “It is a known fact that this is not a good time for the country. The economy is in doldrums. There is palpable air of insecurity all over the country.

    “As we wade through these economic and security turbulence, all we need, leaders and the led; Muslims and Christians and adherents of other faiths, is to come together as one and cooperate with President Muhammad Buhari to jointly pursue our a common destiny.

    “I congratulate the entire Muslim community in the country for successful completion of fasting.

    “This is the time that we must either come together to jointly take our country to the height it deserves among comity of nations or most assuredly ruin it by hanging separately. All hands must be on deck for us to move forward.

    “We must stop paying leap service to fundamental necessities which are catalyst for development or else this nation would remain a dwarf to other nations, which ought to take directives from us,”Aregbesola said.

     

  • Time for peace

    For months, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other aggrieved militants have sustained their attack on oil and gas pipelines and other facilities in the Niger Delta.

    The fresh attacks have not only destroyed infrastructures in the region, but have been having negative impacts on the country as a whole and the region in particular.

    They have resulted in a sharp reduction in Nigeria’s oil production, which in turn, further decreased its incomes from sales of the product in the face of the falling prices of oil in the international market.

    The hostility, apart from making existing foreign investors and workers in the area to flee the region and in some cases, Nigeria, for safety, the destructions and war-like atmosphere are also scaring away new prospective foreign investors.

    Power outage has become a normal occurrence in most states of the Federation in the past few weeks as gas scarcity, which was caused by the bombings, was hindering power generation.

    Not only power outage alone, they have also indirectly worsen water supply in some states as equipment could not be powered.

    Many businesses outside the region, which are mainly dependent on electricity supply have also been badly affected.

    But the negative impacts of the pipelines bombing seemed to be more in the Niger Delta area itself.

    Peace has eluded the region as there are now threats to lives and properties.

    The attacks are also already creating humanitarian crisis in the region with thousands of refugees displaced from their communities.

    There is increased health hazard from the bombings, thereby compounding the effect of the oil spillages in the Niger Delta region over the years, which have been estimated to take up to 50 years to clean up.

    Fishing and other businesses in the region are also not having the best of times with the renewed hostilities.

    The destroyed facilities and installations will also cost billions of naira to repair, thereby wasting the money that could have been utilized for development and other meaningful purposes.

    As a concerned father of the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari has used almost every available opportunity in the last one week to appeal to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other groups to stop the destructions and allow peace to reign.

    He severally made reference to the attacks during his breaking of fast with various groups at the Presidential Villa.

    During breaking of the fast with the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership at the State House, Buhari said: “Those of you who have friends among the leadership or even the militants themselves should plead with them in the name of God ýAlmighty to take it easy.

    “We need to stabilise to create employment, we need to stabilise the economy etc. I agonize over these things,” he said.

    The President has not only promised his administration’s commitment to rebuilding the region but has also given assurance to ensure the amnesty programme is continued with.

    Receiving a delegation of Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group, led by His Royal Highness, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, Bayelsa State, at State House, Abuja last Thursday, Buhari said that the gazette on the Niger Delta amnesty programme by the Late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration is being studied to determine what had been fulfilled, promising that whatever is left would equally be addressed.

    “I want to get as much intelligence as possible on the situation in the Niger Delta. I have encouraged law enforcement agencies to contact leaders like you in order to have enough information to deal with the issues once and for all, “the President said.

    It is hoped that the militants would really allow peace to reign now and not allow themselves, as being alleged in some quarters, to be used by any person(s) to achieve any ulterior motives.

    Peace in the area will not only ensure the well-being of the nation as a whole, but it will stop the health hazard risks from the bombings and fast-track development in the region.

     

    Saraki and the cabal

    What began as a rumour two weeks ago bordering on the relationship between the Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Presidency, became a reality last week.

    There is no doubt now that a wider crack exists between Saraki and the seat of power.

    Some Nigerians became alarmed two weeks ago when news filtered in that a scheduled breaking of fast dinner by President Muhammadu Buhari for National Assembly leadership, led by Saraki, has been called off.

    The Saraki camp saw no reason to attend such a dinner when the following Monday they will be tried in court by the State for forgery of the Senate standing rules.

    The rumour and tension that arose then was doused by a statement from the Presidency stating that the breaking of fast dinner with the lawmakers was not cancelled but postponed till a later date.

    It succeeded in showing that there was no rift between the two arms of government.

    But that did not last long, as Saraki last Monday showed that there was a real crack between the two arms of government, alleging that the Presidency has been hijacked by a cabal.

    The Presidency wasted no time to challenge him on the same day to name those that belong to the cabal.

    It is however very important for the polity not to be heated up as the man on the street will be at the receiving end like the grasses that suffer when two elephants fight.

    There is no doubt that the allegation of a cabal went too far especially when there are no names and evidence to back it up.

     

  • Rumbling in Ijaw Youth Council as Fed Govt searches for peace in Niger Delta

    There is no doubt that the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, the umbrella body of all Ijaw youths in the world, has been rebranded and refocused under the leadership of its current President, Mr. Udengs Eradiri.

    Eradiri, an engineer, and the IYC Spokesman, Eric Omare, a lawyer, have increased the global appeal for the council; constantly articulated the common position of the Ijaw nationality on matters of national importance and preached non-violence as the sole approach in Ijaw agitation for true federalism and self-determination.

    Despite being the most vocal Ijaw group following the crisis rocking its parent body, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the IYC appears to be struggling to maintain its unity of purpose. Discordant tunes are gradually emanating from within the Ijaw youth family.

    Trouble started when suddenly a document started circulating on the social media that Eradiri and its Spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare had been suspended. The document was signed by some aggrieved executive members of the council.

    They formulated some issues against Eradiri and Omare. They accused them of conducting themselves in a manner capable of causing disaffection among members of the council. They also accused them of misappropriation as well as forming and encouraging the formations of factions.

    Persons who reportedly signed the documents are the National Secretary-General, Bristol-Alagbariye Emmanuel; Director of Mobilisation, Wisdom Ikuli; Legal Adviser, Ekine Egberekro; Assistant Secretary, Deinkoro George; National Women Leader, Felicia Ngeri and Financial Sercretary, Kemepado Alfred.

    Immediately, the circulation of the document was brought to his notice, Deinkoro, who is the Assistant Secretary of the council, denied being part of the signatories. In fact, in a press statement, Deinkoro insisted that he never signed such document and never attended any of the meetings where such decision was taken against Eradiri and Omare.

    He lamented that his signature was forged and called on the Ijaw nation and the general public to disregard the document. Deinkoro further said he had briefed his legal team to take necessary steps against Ikuli and others who were behind the document.

    But others stuck to their gun. They sent the document to the IYC Mobile Parliament (IMP), which is saddled with the responsibility of sanctioning erring members of the council.

    But the parliament quickly rejected the document and declared it null and void. The parliament insisted that the document was lacking in merit and substance and scolded the originators for disrespecting and disregarding the procedures for such actions stipulated in the constitution of IYC.

    The Parliament in a resolution reached at the end of its sitting which took place at Usoku Town in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State ruled that Eradiri remained the President and Omare, the Spokesman of IYC. The resolution was signed by the Speaker of the IMP, Mkpon Ijonama and Clerk of the Parliament, Mr. Sunny Ogori.

    The IYC through a statement signed by Omare also reacted to the development. Omare condemned the activities of persons sowing seeds of discord in the council and dismissed the suspension document. He described those behind it as moles.

    Omare said IYC is a well-structured organization with a constitution which defines the power of its officers and its organs. According to him the power to suspend or remove officers of the council is the function of the IYC Mobile parliament by Article 10 (B) and (C) of the IYC Constitution after a rigorous investigation procedure.

    He said: “On Saturday the 28th of May, 2016, the IYC parliament with power to suspend or remove officers of council rejected the purported suspension and cautioned the National Secretary, Mr. Bristol Emmanuel.

    “The said letter was fraudulently prepared by only the National Secretary, Mobilization Officer and National Legal Adviser, Mr. Bristol-Alagbariya Emmanuel, Ekine Egbelekro and Wisdom Ikuli respectively with the signature of the Assistant Secretary, Mr. George Deinkoru forged. There is a case of forgery against them already before the appropriate authorities.

    “The said officers are moles in the IYC and the Ijaw Nation who are acting the script of external forces who are not comfortable with the hard and principled stand of the President of IYC, Udengs Eradiri and the Spokesman, Eric Omare in defending and protecting the Ijaw interest.

    “These two officers who the IYC constitution empowers to speak on behalf of the Council have consistently defended the Ijaw interest in the face of threat to their lives and intimidation.

    “The sponsors of these moles have decided to resort to this approach to polarize the IYC and Ijaw nation in the light of the prevailing situation in the Niger Delta region because they have failed to compromise the President and Spokesman of IYC despite several attempts”.

    But the reason behind the sudden efforts to polarise the IYC was traced to the plans by the Federal Government to find permanent solutions to the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) in the region.

    Some persons in the Presidency were said to be desirous of engaging the Eradiri-led IYC to persuade the NDA to embrace dialogue and stop the ongoing destruction of pipelines and other oil installations in the region. There was a general belief that the NDA which had restricted its nefarious activities to Delta and Bayelsa states was dominated by disgruntled Ijaw youths.

    Following its closeness to the Ijaw youths, the leadership of the IYC was to be provided with logistics to move into the creeks and prevail on the avengers to surrender their weapons. But some powerful politicians from the region were against engaging the IYC leadership accusing Eradiri and most members of his council of being supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Persons against the development were said to have mounted serious opposition against Eradiri causing the division of the national executive committee of the council into political lines.

    Eradiri confirmed the development to the Niger Delta Report and urged President Buhari to be wary of some Niger Delta leaders around him.

    He admitted attending a security meeting where the issues were discussed adding that he told the conveners of the meeting the hard truth.

    He said: “A meeting I attended, I made it clear to security agencies that Niger Deltans who are around the President are the problem of President Buhari and that the President should be wary about clowns around him.

    “Didn’t you see? They were in a meeting talking about money spent for the avengers, but the following day, they blew up installations. The same way they deceived Goodluck Jonathan that they were going to negotiate with $40million but were eating fat in the process.

    “These same hawks are around President Buhari. If he wants to engage, he must reach out to stakeholders. I also told security agencies that these persons are not representing the Niger Delta.

    “You are talking to somebody who claims he is representing the region and they are blowing. Is it not an embarrassment to government? They are not happy that the truth is said because they have been deceiving the President all this while”.

    Eradiri further insisted that the IYC remained an apolitical organisation with commitment to protect and defend the Ijaw national interests.

    He said: “The IYC is an apolitical organisation but individuals have party affiliations. I have tried as much as possible to maintain an apolitical front and not allow party issues creep into the IYC.

    “But certain individuals don’t understand the positions they hold and may want to use their party to destabilise what the Ijaw nation is doing.

    “The IYC represents the Ijaw nation. When you come to the IYC you drop your political toga and deal with the issues that concern the Ijaw nation. The some political manipulations but we will do everything possible to insulate this organisation”.

    Despite all the clarifications, the anti-Eradiri group has refused to back down. Instead the went ahead, to announce the replacement of Eradiri and Omare.

    Irked by the moves to polarize the IYC, the council’s parliament, again, sat and resolved that it would no longer sit back and watch few disgruntled elements damage the reputation of the youth body.

    The parliament, the highest law-making organ of the body, also for the umpteenth rime clarified that Mr.Eradiri and Omare remained the President and Spokesman of IYC respectively.

    Passing a vote of confidence in Eradiri and Omare, it said anybody who has petitions and grudges against the duo should follow a due process of lodging their complaints in accordance with the law establishing the IYC.

    The Speaker of IYC Parliament, Mr. Mkpon Ijonama, said reports that Eardiri and Omare had been suspended were the handiwork of few misled members of the IYC executives.

    Ijonama,who was flanked by the Deputy Speaker and other principal members of the IYC Parliament said the persons bandying the suspension document failed to follow the procedures contained in Article 10 of the constitution.

    He said: “We have a procedure as an entity and if you go to Article 10  of the constitution of Ijaw Youth Council, it spelt boldly and clearly a procedure in which one can be suspended or removed from the council. Non of the procedures were met before the so-called suspension on social media”.

    He cautioned persons planning to sow a seed of discord in the council saying the Ijaw Nation would not tolerate distractions in its trying time. Ijonama alleged that some strangers were trying to use willing tools within the Ijaw land to cause division in IYC.

    Describing the IYC as the most vocal voice of the Ijaw, he said the Parliament was ready to invoke the relevant section of the IYC Article to deal with saboteurs within the ranks of the Ijaw youths.

    “We are facing a lot of challenges in our communities, the state and the Federal Government. I think there are ghost hands that are trying to cause division Ijaw Youth Council. We don’t have any faction.

    “Udengs Omare remains the President of Ijaw Youth Council. Eric Omare remains our spokesman. We are warning these persons to retrace their steps or we will invoke the necessary provision of our constitution to deal with them”, he said.

     

  • Promote peace, unity, Okorocha urges Corps members

    IMO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has advised National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to promote peaceful co-existence and unity.

    The governor said building unity and peace remained the core objectives of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973.

    Okorocha spoke at the swearing-in of the NYSC Batch “A” 2016 (Stream II) at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Eziama Obaire, Orlu Local Government Area. He was represented by his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere.

    While congratulating the Corps members for scaling through academic hurdles, the governor urged them to make friends with people from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures, saying they are all brothers irrespective of their mothers’ tongues.

    Okorocha advised them to exhibit high-level dedication, commitment and diligence in the outlined activities at the camp, saying the “Nigerian spirit” is resilient, enterprising and patriotic.

    He urged the Corps members to take skill acquisition programme seriously, noting that the programme was designed to make them entrepreneurs and self-reliant. He promised his administration’s preparedness to continue its support for the scheme, warning against destructive vices.

    The Imo State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Isaac Fasanu, hailed Okorocha for building befitting orientation camp for the Corps members.

    He said NYSC was created to give youths physical and mental preparedness to attain their future goals. He said the scheme’s programmes were geared towards instilling zeal and patriotism in the Corps members.

  • LASU’s road to peace

    LASU’s road to peace

    For years, the Lagos State University (LASU) was embroiled in crises. Now, things are looking up for the 33-year-old institution under the vice-chancellorship of Prof. Lanre Fagbohun. What is the magic? ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA reports

    The coconut breaking ceremony signalled the beginning of the convocation ceremony at the Lagos State University (LASU) on May 30.  Workers trooped out, dancing to the music supplied by Ballad Singers, as the Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Lanre Fagbohun, led the breaking of the coconuts. It was followed by prayers for the institution.  The ceremony was rounded off with a breakfast of garri and coconut. The participation of members of the university community in the ceremony was taken as a sign that peace is returning to the institution.

    Last year’s coconut breaking scheduled to hold on March 16 ended in violence as the then Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa, was pelted with sachet of water and chased out of the campus.  He did not enter the campus again until his tenure ended last October.  A similar crisis also marred the tenure of his predecessor, Prof Lateef Hussain.

    At this year’s coconut breaking ceremony to mark the 20th convocation, there were signs that things are looking up for LASU and that Fagbohun, who assumed office last January, has wormed his way into the workers’ hearts.

    Throughout the week-long event that featured lectures, inauguration of projects and conferment of graduate, post-graduate and honorary degrees, repeated calls were made for the sustenance of the new found peace in the institution.

    The Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said he had taken steps to salvage the institution.

    Ambode said he assented to the bill on the Lagos State University Law on January 5, which allows academic staff on professorial cadre to retire at 70, and 65 for non-academics; one single term of five years for vice-chancellor; and residential status for the university. He said he is working to complete outstanding projects in the university.  These, he said, contributed to the peace in the institution.

    The chancellor, Justice George Adesola Oguntade (rtd) said workers, students and other stakeholders must be ready to work for peace in the 33-year-old institution.

    “The fulcrum of peace is justice and rule of law. We all must be ready to pay a price for it. We all must shed our ego and be ready to come to a roundtable in any event of disagreement. We must show understanding if things do not turn the way we desire,” he said.

    Though optimistic about lasting peace in the LASU under Fagbohun, leaders of the  Academic Staff Union of Universtities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT)  and Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions (NASU) warned urged him to sustain the tempo without allowing some people to mislead him.

    NASU chairman Comrade Agosu Albert and his SSANU counterpart, Comrade Saheed Oseni said the unions were giving Fagbohun time to see if he would live up to expectation. So far, they said, he has done well.

    Agosu praised him for providing for workers’ entertainment during the convocation.

    He said: “In truth, even a blind man can see the development going on in LASU since the new administration came on board in January. We can all say the VC has been on track especially as regards promises he made to us.

    “I have been in this university for 17 years; I can tell you categorically that no vice chancellor held a convocation in LASU and made special provision for staff entertainment. This administration is the first.

    “Let me also say that nobody is an angel; but when a man’s positive performance outweighs his negative, we can all conclude that the man has done well or has performed. We also had outstanding issues such as the ‘no vacancy; no promotion’ before he came on board but he has been addressing them via various committees.”

    Oseni described the present and the past administration as poles apart.

    He said: “When Obafunwa was appointed, workers’ expectations were high because of what he did while he was the provost of the College of Medicine. But…Obafunwa drastically reduced imprest, sacked about 44 of our members on temporary appointment, introduced rationalisation of workers, appointed academic staff to administrative positions and promoted some of his cronies at the expense of others.

    “The present administration has started well. Management and Governing Council are still meeting to address our outstanding demands. However, these are things we want them to learn from if this peace must be sustained. All members of staff should be given fair treatment. Issues regarding promotions, appointments, and training and welfare packages should be fairly distributed.  No category of staff should be made to look inferior to the other. We should all remember that the system will outlive us.”

    NAAT Chairman Dr Isiaka Ola-Gbadamosi also scored Fagbohun high.

    “To our own union, this new administration has been trying to heal old wounds.  It has been attending to issues as presented before it. If it can sustain this, I can assure you that peace will not only reign but will be entrenched in the mind of an average LASU worker,” he said.

    ASUU Chairman Dr Isaac Akinyoloye said the union chose to be vigilant.

    “Like my predecessors have said: ‘Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” he said.

    “ASUU has only won the battle and not the war. Wars are won in phases and we are engaging all mechanisms to resolve issues internally before they get to the court of public opinion.

    “Though peace is relative, all we are doing is to ensure that this peace finally comes to stay. We hope this will be a departure from the past where a VC will spend one or two years in LASU and then the rest in violence.”

    LASU Students Union has also pitched their tent with the Fagbohun administration.  Its Public Relations Officer, Motunrayo Abinde, told The Nation, “truly, a new era is here.”

    “Generally, everything has changed for the better. The current management carries everybody including the Students Union along in decision making. There is a synergy and it is a win-win situation for us all,” Abinde said in a phone interview.

    Fagbohun, has promised not to go back on his “all-inclusive” style of governance.

    The 49-year-old professor of Environment Law said he would leverage on his training as a social engineer in approaching issues before him.  He said the secret was in dialogue.

    “For me, engaging in dialogue with stakeholders involved in the LASU project is a sine qua non and a critical component of governance,” he said, adding:

    “One other thing about me is: I see power as very transient. I do not see myself as Lord of the Manor. I have also never seen myself as the man with all the answers. Most times, I work from the perspective of: ‘I know the bit  I know’ therefore let me leverage on others for me to get more. I always believe in allowing others to give me their perspective on issues; and premised on that I am able to take decisions.”

  • Saraki, Dogara to Nigerians: pray for peace, unity

    Saraki, Dogara to Nigerians: pray for peace, unity

    President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara have urged Muslim faithful to use the period of this year’s Ramadan to pray for peace, security and God’s intervention in tackling the myriad socio—economic challenges confronting the nation.

    Saraki thanked God for the grace to participate in another holy obligation as enjoined by the Holy Quran.

    He said: “We have entered into another season of rededication to the worship of God and service to humanity. This is a major commandment to mankind and a season of sacrifice and forgiveness. I enjoin all Muslim faithful to rededicate themselves to the true ideals of Islam as a religion of peace.

    “Let us exploit the grace in this season to seek God’s divine intervention in our lingering economic and security challenges. As a nation, we need God’s power to overcome our present situation. Fasting is not mere abstinence from food, drink and worldly pleasures alone, but a time to seek Allah’s power through prayers to be able to faithfully carry out the sublime injunctions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SWT) who was sent by Almighty Allah to show humanity the way of holiness, peace and brotherly kindness,” he said.

    Dogara said the country is in dire need of special prayers in view of the present state of the economy and the security situation in the nation.

  • Buhari condemns killing in Kano, sues for peace

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killing of Mrs Bridget Agbahime, an Igbo market woman in Kano.
    In a statement by Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, President Buhari described the developments that led to the killing as sad and regrettable.
    He condoled with the husband of the deceased, Pastor Mike Agbahime, the family and relations and prayed that God would give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
    He also commended the law enforcement agents for apprehending the prime suspect behind the killing, as well as the Kano State government, which summoned a meeting of Christian and Islamic leaders, widower of the deceased, and security agencies, following the sad event on Friday.
    President Buhari said justice would be done in the matter, and urged the people not to take the law into their hands.
    He also charged those who may want to use the development to fan the embers of religious or ethnic hatred to remember that two wrongs never make a right, and that when law and order breaks down, those who become victims are never distinguished on the basis of religion or ethnicity.
    “The incident at Kofar Wambai market, Kano city, is utterly condemnable, and the state government has been quite proactive. Let us ensure that we keep the peace, as justice will be done. Let us learn to respect each other’s faith, so that we can know each other and live together in peace,” the President said.

  • Govt warned against peace talks with Avengers

    The Riverine Security Outfit (Coast Guard of the Federation) yesterday warned the Federal Government to avoid negotiation with the militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), because of its activities and claim to vandalising oil pipelines in Niger Delta.

    The Commandant General of the Niger Delta Riverine Security outfit, Commander Bibi Oduku, who addressed men of the security outfit, said the same people who previously accepted Amnesty, denounced their membership of militant groups and submitted their weapons, had turned round to attack oil pipelines.

    Oduku noted that any attempt by the Federal Government to enter into an agreement or negotiation with the NDA would be a big mistake and a wasted effort.

    The security leader said NDA’s bombing of oil pipelines had no other reasons rather than a lack of patriotism.

    Pledging the commitment of the security outfit to the Federal Government to carry out its operations in the region, Oduku said hitting hard on the NDA would restore normalcy in the area and curtail the nefarious activities of the militants.

    According to him, if the security outfit is able to cover the coastal region of the federation, pipeline vandalism, bombing of oil installations and other attacks will become history.