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Tag: people

  • Day of demands for Abuja indigenous people

    Day of demands for Abuja indigenous people

    The indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory have marked their day. But even as they did so, they made it abundantly clear that mere feasting was not top on the agenda.

    The people who marked the day in Gwagwalada on the platform of the Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA), saw it as an opprotunity to unburden their minds and let the authorities know what they really want.

    One of their requests was for the Federal Government to democratise governance in the Territory. They asked that the President of the Federation relinquish his powers as Governor of the FCT and the National Assembly also give up the role of the legislature of the Territory.

    The people requested that those powers be given to the original inhabitants and residents of the Territory so that they can freely and directly elect those to govern them.

    OIDA expressed support for the National Assembly’s proposal for election of a mayor of FCT with executive powers.

    The proposal is part of the recommendations by the National Assembly in the ongoing constitution amendment.

    OIDA President, Danladi Jeji  also expressed their support for the Mayoral status of the city.

    Jeji said: “The Senate proposal for an elective mayor, with governorship power, as contained in the constitution review is hereby accepted by OIDA.“

    “But we plead that for the FCT, the democratic institutions of a second tier administration (the state) should be unambiguously entrenched in the constitution when finally amended, “ he said.

    The FCT indigenes had proposed the removal of “an unconstitutional democratic deficit” imposed by the military regimes in their memoranda to the constitution review.

    Jeji commended NASS for respecting the democratic tenets of the rule of law and constitutionality by satisfying the yearnings and aspiration of indigenous people of the FCT.

    He said there was a need for the creation of two additional senatorial districts and four federal constituencies in the FCT in line with what obtains in other states of the federation.

    “Perusing the activities of government vis-a-vis progressive practice globally, it has become abundantly clear that the indigenous communities of FCT have been seriously short-changed.

    “Government has responded to the demands of the Niger Delta for revenue allocation based on the principles of derivation.

    “It established a Niger Delta Ministry and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the FCT indigenes have not been so treated, “ he said.

    He appealed that 20 per cent of all sales accruing from land proceeds within the FCT and 40 per cent of all land allocation to individuals should be given to indigenes.

    “Major streets in the FCT should also as matter of policy be named after indigenous heroes and traditional leaders.“

    Earlier, the General Secretary of ACE, Mr Emma Ezeazu, called on the Federal Government to rectify the development challenges facing the FCT original inhabitants.

    “We are also asking for the establishment of an FCT Original Inhabitants Development Commission.”

    He said the FCT Indigene day is a day to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the nine indigenous tribes of the Federal Capital Territory namely: Amwamwa, Bassa, Egbura, Gade, Ganagana, Gbagyi, Gbari, Gwandara and Koro.

    It is organised to show how peaceful and accommodating we have been to all Nigerians in the centre of unity.”

    “We also want two additional Senatorial districts to be created for the FCT to make it three like other states in Nigeria”

    “That not less than four additional federal constituencies should be created for the FCT to make it six like other states”

    “That eleven additional Area Councils should be created in the FCT”he said

  • I’m inspired by bold people

    I’m inspired by bold people

    At 14 when most of her peers are stuck around their parent’s strings, Ebele Mogo left Nigeria for Canada to study shortly after receiving the 2005 best science student in 2005 WAEC. The 22 years old now boasts of a master degree in Global health from the university of Edinburgh Scotland and a degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Waterloo, Canada. The president of Engage Africa Foundation who also did an internship with the World Health Organization in Japan shares her experience on getting Africans to take ownership of their health with Hannah Ojo.

     

     

    YOU recently received a young fellow alumni award from the University of Waterloo for your works with Engage Africa foundation, what stimulated your interest in global health?

    I have an interesting story actually. I was out of Nigeria for the first time when I was 14 years old and left for the university in Canada. I thought I was going to become a doctor but after my undergrad, I started getting interested in global health issues especially as it relates to international developments in the area of health, so I decided to do my masters in global health. I am fascinated by the fact that global health is about making a difference in health sectors all around the world with special focus on developing countries. Another thing that stimulated my interest is that while I was doing my masters, I realised that a lot of people when they talk about health in Africa they talk about malaria and tuberculosis but they don’t know that the regular diseases like heart attacks, diabetes, stroke, hypertension and other non- communicable diseases are killing a lot of people in Nigeria. The biggest burden of these diseases is in developing countries but most times people focus on infectious diseases. So along the line I thought I could actually do something about it so I did an internship with the World Health Organisation in Japan and my focus was on global health issues in Lagos. After that, me and a couple of my school mates with backgrounds in health, human right, Law, e.t.c came together. That was how engage Africa started.

    How have you been able to change the orientation of the west to health issues in Nigeria and other developing countries in Africa?

    Most times when the western media talk about health in Africa, they are always talking about AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis. A lot of people know about malaria, they know what they can do but these non-communicable diseases are diseases of lifestyle. They are things that if one actually takes the right steps, it can be prevented. You don’t have to get amputated because you have diabetes but you can actually take the right steps and prevent that from happening. So, really that is one thing that I know nobody is really talking about that much. To correct that impression, when I was in Canada we started talking to different groups by raising awareness. Another thing with Engage Africa Foundation is that we believe in Africans taking ownership of their health. It is not about giving somebody something and taking picture to show off. We want to actually get Africans taking ownership of their health. One thing that I have discovered with this project is that Nigerians care about how they can treat these non-communicable diseases. We are not just here to give short term solutions but to enlighten people on what they can do about their health and their family.

    Who are your target audience and how do you reach out to them?

    In developed countries, it is really older people that have these diseases, but here, we have a huge proportion of the working class so we are really focusing on everyone but we are doing different things for different people. With the youths, we are doing more on teaching them on healthy lifestyles. With older working class people; we are sitting them up; if you have this kind, of disease, this is how to manage it so we are teaching them. We are also using technology to reach people on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. We also use competitions to stimulate health awareness for young children so we are doing different things for different groups.

    Can you give us instances of your engagement?

    We have talked to the Association of Town Planners in Lagos. I met with them and tried to engage them on the work they do letting them into how necessary it is to consider health issues when designing cities because for chronic diseases, people need space to exercise. So we are trying to tell them how what they are doing actually impacts on health, so we are doing that in line with policy advocacy. Then in terms of health, I have been talking to employed people, union, work groups, communities of people. We started with FESTAC because we are actually in our first year. Also we have started partnering with groups and blogs with huge presence online targeting them with our healthy lifestyle column.

    What are your projections into the future?

    In the nearest future we want to get universities abroad to start researching into these areas and raising awareness about these diseases through academic institutions. We also want to get young people in Africa to take ownership of their health through their lifestyle activities. We have an essay competition where we get people from secondary schools, black people to start thinking about these issues and they are rewarded for their work. We also want to organise a work out competition to encourage exercise, we are in the process of talking to musicians to help with raising awareness.

    How do you get funds to run your project?

    We are seeing what we can do with the little we have. Before I left Canada, the town where I lived-Cardiff. We got people together and we did health screenings and fund raising. We now want to go into mobile health technology then we are going to start looking into grants. We would launch our project as well. Then we have a huge body of volunteers both in Canada and Nigeria who are supporting us in the health promotion aspect. We have people from Nigeria like maybe they are just on holidays and they want to get some experience in like health and national development, so they just come and I kind of train them and they get experience as well for their resumes. We also have people that finished from universities and are passionate about human rights and health issues.

    What has been your challenge so far?

    My challenge has been the idea that people always think making a difference is all about giving gifts to people (which I have nothing against ) but I think if you want to make a difference you have to start thinking about what is going to happen to if you give somebody a gift and you don’t teach them how to fish. It looks good but you are not making a long time difference. My challenge is really getting people to start knowing that it is very important to invest in prevention because in Nigeria, people are just walking around but they don’t know that they have hypertension, it now gets to the point that they now have to seek cures which is very expensive.

    What is it about your background that informs this kind of work you are doing? What is it about your personality that drives you?

    I am very creative. I have always liked to come up with something engaging. I think I am also very passionate about helping people. Like one instance when I was small, one thing that really struck me was when I saw this woman, we were in traffic in Marina and she was blind and she was begging. It really struck. I feel like I have been given the opportunity; so I have the skills and the opportunities and I also want to use them creatively.

    Who are your role models?

    I have so many role models: my parents have actually been the kind of people that will tell you that nobody can intimidate you and there is nothing you cannot do and they have really supported me a lot and am inspired by people who are always doing something different. Am inspired by people like Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Adichie because I write as well and I like the fact that they are bold and they are showing the world that there is more to Africa. I am inspired by Fela and a lady called Maltina Fox who was homeless but grew to make a successful business. There are so many people!

    For a young lady of 22, do you have marriage in plan now?

    Everything kind of comes together, so when am ready.

    What are your leisure plan?

    My leisure period is meeting friends, hanging out with friends, going and watching a movie. I enjoy writing, I write poetry, I write stories, I read a lot and I attend events that just inspire me and help me know that you have to always go out of your comfort zone. So those are the things I do during my leisure period. I have lots of poetry and short stories that I want to promote someday.

    Advice for young people?

    A lot of time we complain about the problems in the country but we should just start thinking of making opportunities from problems. Turn it into a need that you can meet. Criticise by being creative. Create opportunities for others because when you create opportunities for yourself, you also create opportunities for others so just find a way to start something and don’t be afraid. Don’t think that you are young or you don’t have enough experience. Experience is important but you can learn it if you are out there doing something. It is not only by sitting down or going to school. Personal growth is very important, no matter what you do, the extent to which you go as a person is the extent to which your dreams will grow. Always in invest in what you are thinking about, Try to create a culture for yourself where you are always positive. The biggest thing is not about the country, there are problems everywhere but the biggest problem is actually in between your head.

    What is your style like?

    When I was just entering my teenagers years, I used to like to dress like a boy, maybe because I just wanted to be different or something. I, am always comfortable with my brothers big shirts but now I like to be elegant but still simple, so I will say, elegant, eclectic and simple.

  • PDP: People Doodling (and) Prattling

    PDP: People Doodling (and) Prattling

    In the light of its current tomfoolery and relentless assault on the sensibilities of the average Nigerian out there, Hardball is tempted to get into the ring of infamy with our dear PDP. Thoroughly troubled by this irredeemable crew, Hardball is of the mind to call for entries in a creative competition to find a most fitting interpretation to the abbreviation, PDP. People Doodling and Prattling is Hardball’s modest effort but in the hands of creative heads, there is a limitless, even magical world of coinages to be trawled. Yes we have heard: People Destroying People; the famous Papa Deceiving Pikin and People Draining the Public and more.

    But this competition, if we get round to it, would be about the bizarre and hilarious dissipations of the so-called ruling (ruining) party in Nigeria. One could even call for a potpourri of jokes, cartoons and illustrations. Because the party has become a joke or if you like, a long running comedy strip. It would be interesting to see how much material our ever witty populace may be able to mine from PDP’s reservoir of ribaldry.

    Any discerning Nigerian would have noticed the endless drama that these people, who are supposed to be ruling us have been getting into since 1999. They are like a people under a spell that ensures that nothing ever goes right. Every simple action is steeped in intrigues and rancor, for instance, right from inception, almost every national party chairman had been entangled in a web of intrigues and subterfuge no sooner he is installed. Result: hardly any ever spent his full term before he is tossed out.

    This curse that defies antidote has continued to plague PDP till today. The current national chairman who was installed the other day, has never been able to set his glass down after a drink of water, as the saying goes. It has all become like children playing silly hide and seek. Here are samplers of some PDP big headlines in some national newspapers this month: “PDP govs in fresh move against Tukur”; “Tukur set to battle Anenih”; “PDP crisis: Governors shun Tukur’s son’s wedding”; “Anxiety over Tukur, others”; “PDP crisis: I won’t resign as chairman, says Tukur”; “Stakeholders ask Tukur to go”; “Tukur must stay – Jonathan”; “PDP govs renew plot to remove Tukur”; “PDP govs set to reconcile Jonathan, Amaechi”, on and on. This is the life of PDP: endless streaming of banalities; like the blabbing of brain-dead people.

    This is the life of PDP, the party ruling Nigeria. This is the life PDP has bequeathed Nigeria. This is why we are the way we are, the country is not being governed, it is rather being ravaged by a savage clan. If you expect that someday, PDP the largest party in Africa would brainstorm on the killer corruption in the country or the unemployment that has worsted our youths, not to mention the power jinx the party has locked us into since 1999, perish the thought. PDP does not discuss progress; it does not even discuss power. What then does it engage in? Endless scheming to hang on to power at all cost. They are a people doodling and prattling: they are engaged in endless activities without getting anything done and they are talking so much yet they say nothing to the people. Who will save Nigeria from these doodlers?

  • ‘Why people can’t get housing funds’

    ‘Why people can’t get housing funds’

    Managing Director, Resort Savings and Loans Plc, Mr Abimbola Olayinka, has blamed inability of people to access housing funds on lack of adequate knowledge and misconceived notions about the mortgage banking industry.

    According to him, many people that have not been able to benefit from the National Housing Fund Scheme are unable because they don’t know what obtains in the mortgage banking sector.

    He said several people don’t know how they can get loan to build or buy their dream home and pay back this loan with ease.

    “Many people are simply ignorant and many still believe it is difficult to have access to funds in the financial sector. I believe for instance that if somebody keeps a regular employment he has no reason not to own a house of his own. The modalities are simple and the funds are accessible,” Olayinka said.

    He, however, urged the government to extend the housing for all scheme to rural dwellers, noting that the arrangements now mostly favour those dwelling in the cities.

    He said the government can support the mortgage subsector to finance houses built by developers for rural dwellers so that they can have a feel of government presence, adding that the mortgage subsector should be motivated to also come up with products that can be tailored towards the rural housing scheme.

    He decried a situation where dwellers in rural areas do not have decent accommodation, noting that ignorance about mortgages in rural areas has created a situation where many of those who live in these places suffer from lack of decent accommodation.

    ‘’If there are good houses in the hinterland, people will not mind living in those places and coming to work in the urban centres through the use of buses and train. Unfortunately, most of the houses in the rural areas are not well built. Individuals just go to develop those places without following a laid down plan. The result of such is that the places turn out to be inhabitable in the future,’’ Olayinka said.

    While commending Federal Government’s efforts at providing housing for the average Nigerian, he urged government to encourage the construction of social houses that are highly subsidised in rural areas which can be financed by mortgage banks in order to make life better for rural dwellers.

     

  • Why people feel I am underrated —GT the Guitarman

    Why people feel I am underrated —GT the Guitarman

    HOW would you describe your kind of music?

    It is a fusion of rock soul and African rhythms. I call it Afro-rock soul.

    What have you been up to in recent times?

    I have been up to a lot. I have been creating avenues for people to feel GT live aside what people do normally like dancing to their songs on stage. I started with Soul Arrest concert which kicked off last October with my band. We started with a show in Festac.

    We held another one in November at Ilashe Beach; we had one at Yaba in December. We also started Soul Therapy, a free event. We did a Soul Therapy gig last month. We just want people to have a feel of GT without paying a dime. I have been doing some stuff, releasing singles anyway. I released a single Ejika which has been doing so well. It was released in February for the valentine period. GT is exploring new angles of his sound on an EP that will first be promoted on a tour which I will embark on with my seven-man band.

    What has the response been like?

    It is been amazing. The response, we’ve been getting has been amazing. We shot the video recently and it did pretty well. We thank God. People should watch out for more singles and more avenues for people to feel GT and understand that music is beyond just dancing. There is a soul in music which people have to also listen to. They have tagged Nigerians as lazy listeners to good music and I think that is a lie. It was a strategy brought by people who can’t sing, people who don’t have so much to offer. So, basically, we are trying to push harder. It is hard for people to appreciate good music these days because music appreciation comes from music knowledge. We are trying our best to connect to the grassroots and show that there is an alternative. I am not just doing it for me. I am doing it for people who do real music out there.

    After your single “Dreamer” you fizzled out. What happened?

    I have been in the music industry for 8 years and for the past three years, I have done so much. I left the label, Storm Records I was working with and started my own label called Ember Entertainment. So it’s been challenging, that’s why it took so long.

    What informed your decision to leave Storm Records?

    It was actually no big deal. I signed a contract, it expired and I opted out, though I had an option to sign again. I released an album, The Truth but it was not properly promoted and so many people don’t know about it. I had an option to renew or leave so I just decided to start my own thing. My album was released 2009 December. I can’t say how the album is doing because I left everything with them.

    With a career spanning eight years, do you think you are underrated?

    I think so many people are underrated. I am not just the only one. In Nigeria, we are all underrated. We work so hard and we get so little pay. That’s what it is. I really don’t see it that way. It is a Nigerian situation. It’s not just the music industry. We don’t have structures in Nigeria.

    If you really go into music business, you’ll know that it’s a game that is being played by people who really have money. There are no available structures. We are 160 million in Nigeria and we cannot boast of a market that you can sell our CDs. Piracy is there, royalties are not being paid. To perform, you have to beg to get a show. All these things put together make it hard for talents to pop up.

    Your song is Jazzy and the genre of music is not that appreciated in Nigeria. What keeps you going?

    I disagree with you. Anytime Asa performs at the Shrine it is a sellout crowd out there and it is a good place to judge the level of appreciation of good music. People know what good music is when they hear it. I will disagree if you say people don’t know what music is. Nobody will prefer someone dancing to a song to someone doing live music. That is what differentiates some artistes from the others.

    Do you regard yourself as an activist especially as you are one of the very few artistes that churn out conscious music?

    I am just being an artiste. If you are an artiste, you’ll be inspired by things around. If you look around and at what we are daily faced with, the easiest thing to sing about is the traffic, fuel scarcity, power failure, and the fact that our friends and families end up graduating and they don’t get jobs.

    The fact that there is so much corruption and our leaders don’t know what the grassroots people are going through. I can’t see all these things and be talking about someone drinking, shaking her bum-bum. It’s about being true to your heart. We all have sex, common! I don’t see that as an issue or something to put in a song for now. There are more important things to talk about.

    What is your relationship with Omobaba?

    He is my mentor. It was when I left my last music group, Pairs of Gloves and I started my solo career that I met Omobaba. I met him at an event where I was pasting posters and fortunately for me, I got a big opportunity to perform. But before then, the first music group I joined was called 4Generations. After then I left for Tempo & Excel before joining Pairs of Gloves.

    After leaving Storm Record, why did you not sign for another label?

    I left because I wanted to start my own company, Ember Entertainment. Everything starts from small to big not the other way round.

    Don’t you think if you had signed up with a more established record label your career would have better for it?

    The video for the song “Ejika” which was released under Ember Entertainments remains my best video ever. Besides, if I signed for another label, it means I will have to wait for about 3 years to start what I have now. The problem youths have is that they are scared of challenges. Hence they opt for the seemingly easy life. The best decision I have ever made was starting Ember Entertainments and the sky is the limit. We choose the life we live because of the reward we hope to achieve. We navigate this way because we are going that way, the purpose driven life!

    Based on current trends will you be tempted to sing love songs and party music?

    I do love songs but don’t forget it’s not just about the business. True art is not financially driven. It is an expression of your deepest thoughts.

    Which musicians inspire you?

    There are so many of them like 2face Idibia, Sunny Ade. I am also inspired by foreign artistes such as Baby Face Edmonds, India Irie, Boyz II Men and West Life.

    How do you relax?

    I relax with music or I sleep. Music is the only thing I do actively for now.

  • Gani-Durbar Festival: Uniting people

    Gani-Durbar Festival: Uniting people

    The second Borgu international Gani-Durbar Festival may have come and gone, but the memories still linger in the minds of those who attended it. It was a feast of culture of the people of Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, and a reward for dedication and selfless service to mankind.

    Like the maiden edition, this year’s festival was an improvement in content, quality, attendance and organisation.

    People from all walks of life, lovers of culture and tradition converged on New Bussa, in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, penultimate Saturday, to celebrate the rich culture of the Borgu Kingdom. The gathering was also to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the resettlement of the people from the old to the New Bussa in 1968, to give way for the construction of the second Hydro-electric Power generation dam in Lake Kainji.

    Mai Borgu (Emir of Borgu), Dr. Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro III, the chief celebrator, in his full regalia, rode in majestically into the Sabuke Square with some royal fathers. He was heralded with gun shots by local hunters.

    It was a celebration of the rich culture, horse riding and display of mastery of boat riding. The boat regatta among wards in the kingdom and contingents from Benin and Niger Republics was splendid to behold. The dexterity with which the horse riders took control of their horses, adorned with multi-color decorations, kept the august gathering and tourists on the edge of their seats. The Durbar gave a vivid account of the rich northern culture.

    The roll at the ceremony cut across socio-economic and political divides. Participants at the one-day celebration of culture came from within the kingdom, the country and neighbouring countries.

    Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo and Governor of Niger State Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu led the pack of political leaders to the festival. The duo were, however, represented by the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Hon. Musa Ahmed Ibeto.

    Other political chieftains at the event included the former Military Head of State and Presidential candidate of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; Chief Bisi Akande, National Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban Borgu, and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari.

    Traditional institutions were adequately represented at the festival. The royal fathers included the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III; the Shehu of Bornu, Dr. Abubakar Ibn-Kanem, who was the chairman of the occasion, and the Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar. Royal fathers from neighbouring Benin Republic also graced the festival.

    The celebration also linked the present with the past. Nigeria’s colonial lords were adequately represented. The nostalgia of the colonial era was refreshed when representatives of Richard Lander and Mungo Park families (colonial masters) from England showed up at the festival. Also, large contingents came from Benin and Niger Republics to show soldiarity with the people of Borgu.

    Declaring the festival open, Sambo said Gani-Durbar Festival was a fraction of the country’s abundant cultural potential, which showcases its vibrancy and diversity of cultural heritage.

    Speaking through Ibeto, Sambo said the Federal Government would support every effort aimed at transforming the tourism and culture sector. He said our culture as a nation ‘’makes us distinct and unique as a people.”

    Praising the royal father of Borgu kingdom for the festival, Sambo en enjoined each ethnic group to preserve its culture and nuture it to the delight and admiration of international tourists.

    Speaking in the same vein, Aliyu, praised the Mai Borgu and his people for the festival. Aliyu noted that Gani-Durbar has helped in promoting a sense of history and culture, stressing that as a country ‘’we need to promote our sense of history and culture in every way possible, to help us understand where we are coming from, where we are now and where we need to go.”

    On a day when culture took the centre stage, it was not devoid of goodwill messages from notable Nigerians. From Gen. Buhari, the Sultan, Alhaji Sa’ad to Shehu of Bornu, Dr. El-Kanem everyone showered encomiums on the Mai Borgu and his people for upholding their culture.

    Tinubu said the annual festival would go a long way in promoting the people’s affinity with the past.

    Asiwaju, who rode on a royal horse during the festival, acknowledged that New Bussa, the homestead of the Borgu people ‘’is home to all’’. This, he said, manifested in the calibre and spread of people at the festival. He promised to establish an integrated fish farm in the town to boost the economy of the kingdom.

    Mai Borgu said the Gani-Durbar international festival was designed to promote the culture of his people. He also said the festival was “to promote national cohesion, consensus building and peaceful mutual co-existence of the people of the kingdom, neighbours and the country.”

    He said this year’s festival coincided with the 45th anniversary of the resettlement of Borgu people from old Bussa, which took place in 1968 to the new Bussa, was to project the nation’s values to the world and promote ‘’Nigeria home grown’’ tourism for the enhancement of people’s economic power.

    The festival rounded off with the presentation of post-homous awards to some notable past Nigerian leaders, such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Alhaji Abubakar Tafa Balewa, Chief Micheal Okpara and Dennis Osadebe among others.

    General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) Brig. Gen. F. Bamigboye (rtd) and Sanusi Olagunju were also recognised and awarded.

    The coveted trophy for the durbar was picked by the contingent from Benin Republic while the boat regatta competition was won by the team from Shagunu ward of the kingdom. The Nigeria Institute of Fresh Water and Fishery Research won the agriculture show.

     

     

  • It’s wrong to pack people in trucks like cattle

    It’s wrong to pack people in trucks like cattle

    You have been on the saddle as Chief Executive Officer of this commission for almost one year. What has your experience been like?

    I am today, one year, one month and fourteen days on this seat as the Executive Secretary of the Commission. I want to say that it has been an interesting experience, given my background before I assumed this duty.

    What is your background?

    In all my life, I have always tried to work for humanity, I have tried to work for the benefit of human beings. I have tried to defend the right of Nigerians. Before I assumed duty here, apart from the fact that I was teaching human rights and humanitarian law, I was also serving humanity in other ways.

    In what ways?

    I had a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that was basically aimed at providing free legal services for indigent Nigerians, so upon the assumption of duty here, I realised that what I was doing was only but preparatory to the challenges that I am now made to face here. I consider my coming here as an act of God, because I never thought for one day, that I might come to the National Human Rights Commission.

    What do you mean by this?

    Yes, I was contented being a lecturer. I was contented touching human lives at that level, but here is a calling from God and I find it very, very interesting. It is challenging, but it is good to give your best to humanity, it is good to put your life down for the sake of working for fellow human beings.

    The law establishing the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was amended in 2011 to enhance efficiency and autonomy in the commission’s operations. How has this amendment impacted on your performance?

    Let me give you a little bit of background here. In 1993, the nations of the world convened at Paris France, under the umbrella of the United Nations General Assembly. At that assembly, nations resolved that countries should establish national institutions that would be given the responsibility to promote, protect and enforce the rights of their people. This was to demonstrate the commitment of the international community to the recognition, promotion and ensuring respect for the rights of all peoples of the world.

    So, Nigeria being a good member of the United Nations ratified this convention and all the resolutions. And in 1995, this national institution, which we today call the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, was established. It is interesting to note that this institution was established by the military regime in Nigeria to show the world that Nigeria was also committed to the protection and promotion of human rights. However, given that scenario, the commission was not given all the powers that were envisaged and agreed upon by the international community under the principles which we refer today as the Paris Principles.

    Which powers were envisaged by the international community under Paris Principles?

    Under the Paris principles, all such national institutions were to be given autonomy. They were to be independent in their operations and were to have financial autonomy and security of tenure for the major operators which includes the Chief Executive and the Commissioners.

    However, this NHRC was not given such powers at the time it was established. Happily, on the February 25, 2011, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, signed into law a bill that was passed by the National Assembly, which today, has enhanced the powers of the commission.

    In which areas did the amendment enhance the Commission’s powers?

    By this amendment, the Commission is today independent in its operations. It is not under the authority or control of any person in this country in carrying out its duties and mandate. In relation to that, we have financial autonomy in the sense that it is placed directly under the first line charge of the consolidated revenue of the Federation and then, the security of tenure of the Governing Council members and that of the chief executive is also guaranteed to the extent that they cannot be removed from office except by the resolution of the National Assembly.

    Again, the commission is empowered to take decisions that are enforced like the judgments of a High Court. To this end, the commission can bark and bite, which means that it has enforcement powers that will ensure that it does not only promote, protect, but also provides remedies to victims and aggrieved persons when such rights are violated. This is different from the commission that was in existence prior to amendment which had no such enforcement powers.

    As a seasoned human rights lecturer and promoter of human rights before your appointment as the Executive Secretary of the Commission, which changes and or innovations have you brought to the Commission since your appointment?

    When I assumed duties here, I saw the challenges and knew that expectations were very high. And I have been praying to God to give me not only the strength but the wisdom to live up to the expectations.

    From the start, I knew that the Commission was operating in seven offices, one in the headquarters in Abuja and one in each of the six geo-political zones of the country. I realised again the powers that this commission has bearing in mind the fact that many Nigerians are not yet aware of their fundamental rights. So, I felt that there was a need for the commission to do more to ensure that Nigerians become aware of their rights, ensure protection of such rights and in doing so, there is the imperative need for the commission to give Nigerians access to its services. And it is not possible for the commission to give such access while we operate one office in each of the six geo-political zones.

    What are you doing about this?

    I decided to expand the services of the commission and, by the grace of God, this commission now has 24 offices and I hope that by the end of March, this year, the Commission would have offices in the 36 states of the federation. If we have offices in the 36 states of the Federation, there is no doubt that Nigerians will freely walk into any of our offices as they are doing now, to make their complaints which they don’t necessarily need the services of a legal practitioner to do. Even those who are not well educated have been coming to us, we reduce their petitions or complaints into writing and we investigate them accordingly. So I expanded the scope of operations of this commission, I also restructured the operations of the commission in such a way as to meet up with the needs of every Nigerian, particularly in the area of human rights protection.

    In addition to that, I started carrying out some enlightenment campaigns, creation of awareness and so on. Today, we are translating the basic human rights instruments in the constitution into major Nigerian Languages so that Nigerians will be able to read and understand their rights in their own languages.

    I have also paid visits to major stakeholders and in addition to that, we have constituted a working team with the Nigeria Police to improve human rights protection in the country.

    What do you mean by this?

    Well, I wrote a letter to the Inspector–General of Police (IG) that there is a need for the human rights commission to work with the Police to improve the promotion and protection of the rights of Nigerians. In that letter, I stated that the commission was nominating a team of five people led by me and requested the IG to also nominate a team of five persons, which he promptly did, his team is led by a Deputy Inspector–General of Police (DIG); so, today, we have a working group whereby we look at issues of human rights violations by the police, because prior to my assumption of office and up till today, a lot of complaints have been coming in against the operations of the police and the IG has given us a commitment to ensure that the Police works in accordance with the dictates of human rights. I also made them to realise that the work of the Human Rights Commission and that of the Police is the same, because the Police have the mandate to protect the rights, lives and property of Nigerians and in doing so, they have the mandate to protect the rights of the people and that is exactly what the NHRC is doing. So, there is a great need for us to team up together.

    The IG has realised that and has promised to ensure that police officers that are engaged in the violation of human rights are not only disciplined, but are also relieved of their appointment and so far, he has kept his words, some police officers that have been identified as major culprits in human rights violations have not only been dismissed from the service, they are also facing prosecution; so we are working together.

    What other things are you doing to improve the performance of the Police?

    We are also embarking on a training programme for the Police; we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) whereby the NHRC will be involved in teaching courses in all Police colleges in the Federation. We have requested for time; they have allotted time for us and in every of their courses, we are going to have a syllabus that will teach them protection and promotion of human rights.

    In addition to that, we are also going to carry out massive capacity building on human rights and the mode of operation in a manner that ensures observance and respect for human rights by all the members of Police Force, so it is a good development.

    We have carried out prison audit whereby we realised that more than 30 per cent of Nigerians who are in the prisons are those on awaiting trial. We have equally tried to figure out the factors that are responsible for this.

    So, what were your findings?

    Principally, we have realised that the criminal justice system in Nigeria needs to be reformed in such a way as to prevent many Nigerians who are awaiting trials at various prisons from having to go through the ordeals that they are at present going through. One fundamental factor responsible for this is the police arrest people, put them in detention or arraign such suspect before the court without having the with which evidence to prosecute them. You find out that in many cases, when police arraign people before the courts, they seek adjournments on the ground that they are still investigating such matters.

    So, what are you doing about this?

    We want a situation whereby Nigerians will also take a cue from what is happening in the other parts of the world whereby police take time to carry out their investigations and when they are satisfied that a prima facie case has been established, they will then arraign such a person and from that point, they prosecute with evidence and the trial goes on. So, this practice whereby you arrest people, detain them, take them to court, remand them in prison custody before looking for the evidence is not healthy because it does not guarantee that fundamental rights of citizens, which presume the accused persons to be innocent until the contrary is proved.

    The practice seems to criminalise Nigerians in a manner that is not acceptable. In addition to that, we also discovered that most of the trials in Nigeria courts do not go on because of the issue of waiting for the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) advice.

    What is your reaction to this ?

    We have looked into this matter and found out that some people are not just doing their work and at the same time, the various ministries of justice across the country are grossly understaffed. The work that one person is expected to do is so enormous that it prevents him from bringing out the legal advice as promptly as he would have done, since so much of such cases are before him.

    So, we are looking into that and we have also discovered that sometimes, even when the legal advice is out, it takes them two to three years to file the information on the matter before a competent court, particularly in a matter that is to be tried by a High Court, it takes two to three years before they can file such information before a High Court.

    And to keep these people in prison awaiting all that period is a serious problem. We also have discovered that most of the time judges do not sit and when they sit, the prosecutors are not there to prosecute the cases. We are also meeting with and discussing with the Chief Judges of some states of the Federation to see how certain things should be done to put an end to these lengthy trials.

    Also, we have started having contacts with various prison officials. We convened a meeting of all the Comptroller-Generals, all the comptrollers of prisons of the 36 states of the Federation with the Comptroller- Generals, we also convened a meeting of all desk human rights officers of all the various prisons in the 36 states of the federation, we have got information on every prison inmate in this country and we have discovered that there are a lot of problems there. We have all the statistics there and then this commission is going to use the public interest litigation unit to carry out simultaneous actions against those states that have allowed some inmates to be kept in prison for more than 10 to 15 years to enforce the rights of Nigerians, because where a trial is delayed for a long time ranging from 10 to 20 years, it amounts to a violation of the rights of the people concerned because those people are still presumed to be innocent and if you keep them in prison for such number of years and, if eventually, they are proven innocent, what amount of money will compensate them for that long period already spent in prison?

    These are the issues we are addressing and I strongly believe that at the end of the day, this commission will be in a better position to provide that hope to Nigerians, because

    the commission is intended to provide hope for all Nigerians and we are determined to do so.
    Again, we have a series of lectures aimed at bringing all the stakeholders together to discuss topical issues in the country. We had a special dialogue on access to food, as a very fundamental right. We had a dialogue on access to self-medication because we discovered that many Nigerians are consuming fake drugs; because they do not have access to safe medicine and we consider access to safe medicine as a fundamental human right. We also have a dialogue on the role of effective leadership and good governance in the protection of human rights. We also had another discourse on business and human rights and we discovered that many multi-national corporations operating in Nigeria are violating the rights of the people.
    Can you be specifics?
    We find examples of this in the operations of oil companies operating in the Southern parts of the country. Even the operations of such big companies, such as Julius Berger in Abuja, most of the time you see them packing Nigerians in trailers as if they cattle taking them to work and from work, this is impossible in other parts of the world. It is only in Nigeria that you can pack Nigerians like that. These are the sort of things that we are determined to put an end to and I tell you that this commission will not rest until we are able to achieve results, we would not be deterred. we will be very persuasive. We would be strong and where there is no end to it, we shall not hesitate in enforcing the rights of Nigerians and ordering for such adequate compensation to be paid to such people.
    What is your reaction to the demolition of people’s homes across the country?
    Yes, we have taken steps to make sure that Nigerians are not denied their rights to shelter. A lot of policies of government have come up seeking to demolish and turn away Nigerians from their places of residence without adequate compensations being made for them. We have received complaints from the residents of Pape in Abuja, the residents of Makoko in Lagos and Waterfronts in Rivers State, I led a team of the commission’s officials. We saw the circumstances, we saw the situations, we dialogued with the officials concerned, dialogued with the governments concerned and also with the people concerned. We have got commitments that there would not be any further demolitions until the governments are able to provide alternative shelter for the people concerned. These are some of the things we are doing to ensure that the rights of Nigerians are protected.
    There was a meeting of the Governing Council of the commission recently. Did you take any decisions at the meeting?
    That was the first of meetings we had; we were able to strategise on how the Governing Council is going to proceed in carrying out this task of protecting the rights of Nigerians. We have done the ground work. We are prepared; by March, we are going to meet and the Governing Council of the commission is going to take decisions on some human rights violations on which the commission has received petitions and complaints, which have also been investigated. So, this Governing Council is set to work for Nigerians. It is committed to ensuring that the rights of Nigerians that have been violated, will be redressed
    You said that you are in the process of translating human rights provision of the constitution, particularly Chapter Four into major Nigerian local languages. When do you intend to finish it and how can Nigerians access them?
    We are hoping that by March, we would launch the translations. Once we do that, we are going to post it on the website of the commission. We are also going to reduce them into pamphlets and leaflets and ensure their distribution among Nigerians. We will send them to our state offices. We shall make them available to Nigerians free.
    What is your reaction to the call that Chapter Two of the constitution be made justiceable?
    This is also where you have the problem of interpretation. If you look at Section 6 of the constitution that talks about Judicial powers, the judiciary is not to inquire into the provisions of chapter two which makes people to think that it is not justiceable.
    But if you look at the provisions of Chapter 13, which is the beginning chapter for Section two, look at it well, the state organs that are responsible for ensuring the administration of justice are also enjoined to ensure that the provisions of chapter two are given effect, so it is a matter of interpretation. You can use that section to ensure that the rights are justicable. The courts can adjudicate on them because the section specifically said state organs should ensure that these provisions are given effect to, so if a court decides to do that, the court cannot be challenged. It depends on which of the sections the court would like to rely upon.
    In any case, the commission is making a position very clear that some of these rights protected under chapter two should also be considered to become fundamental human rights under chapter four that can be adjudicated upon.
    Why do you say this?
    You know what happened is that some of these rights were taken for granted at the time of framing the constitution. It was taken that they were already there, so, were taken for granted.

  • A people and their history

    Book: History of Okeagbe (Akoko, Ondo State), 1924 – 1999
    Author: Olusanya Faboyede
    Publishers: Okeagbe Book Company, Yaba, Lagos
    Year of Publication: 2011.
    Reviewer: Dr. Victor Osaro Edo

     

    The 175 – page book is a compendium of the history of a seemingly insignificant community in a frontier zone of Yorubaland, namely, Okeagbe Akoko. It contains six chapters apart from the bibliography and appendices, which makes it a scholarly work. Besides, the book as complemented with the numerous maps, pictures, figures, plates and organogram depicting the author’s interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary approach to scholarship as well as paying attention to details. The book tells the story of four independent and unique communities that coalesced into one. It examines the nature and character of integration of these communities into modern day Okeagbe. One immediately becomes curious to know how these hitherto disparate communities (communities of different languages and cultures) united into one entity. These communities, Faboyede identified as Afa, Oge, Ido and Aje. Thus, the book has succeeded in telling us how communities got formed into a town and being able to co-exist peacefully in an environment not devoid of intra-ethnic crises. It is worthy of note that the coming together of these four groups in 1924 culminated in 1994 into a cultural integration in 1994, with the celebration of their first socio-cultural annual, the Okeagbe Day.

    It is significant, therefore, that this book examines the historical dynamics of the cultural transformation of the Okeagbe Community from inception in 1924 to 1999, when Nigeria began the current nascent democratic journey. The book thus fills a vacuum in Yoruba history and brings to the fore the place of Okeagbe in Yorubaland. The book focuses on the socio-political and economic development and community of Okeagbe. Significantly, it analyses the nature and character of intra-group relations among the four communities as well as Okeagbe’s relations with her immediate neighbours, the Ekiti, Benin, the Okun Yoruba and others.

    Indeed, the author adopts a thematic approach, which he combines with a well knit periodisation. The book is therefore well-structured. The first chapter discusses how the people originated and peopled Okeagbe, along side the nature of settlement pattern. Chapter two deals with the economic activities of the four communities of Okeagbe aided by the socio-political organisation of the groups and their relationship with neighouring communities. In no time, their political cum economic relations brought them in conflict with Nupe who subjugated them during the Ogidi war.

    The focus of the third chapter is the place of Okeagbe under the British Colonial rule, a trend that was not peculiar to Okeagbe alone during this period up to the time of independence in 1960. However, the trend changed with the attainment of independence in 1960, which is the concern of chapter four, noting that between 1960 and 1999, there were major landmarks in the growth and development of Okeagbe. The author, while admitting that colonialism in a way helped in the development of Okeagbe, also notes that the emergence of Development Association in the 1970s and 1980s, Okeagbe continued to witness further development. These developments were in the area of electrification, pipe-borne water, banks, post office, and hospitals et cetera.

    The fifth and the last chapter beside the conclusion focus on Okeagbe personalities, twelve of whom were discussed pointing out their modest contributions to the growth and development of Okeagbe overtime.

    In no mean manner, Olusanya Faboyede has succeeded in arousing our interest in mini-states, and especially a multi-cultural community such as Okeagbe. One hopes that a cue will be taking from his works to develop the study of micro-societies.

    Nevertheless, the history that the author has attempted to write will become imperfect if the author could corroborate his facts with interviews granted by the monarchs of the four communities rather than with the descendants of the late kings.

    On the whole, specialist researchers and students will find this book an invaluable collection of source materials with which to corroborate and expand existing studies on the history of micro and integrated societies.

  • PDP hails Ondo people at New Year

    PDP hails Ondo people at New Year

    •Mourns Adegbonmire’s death

    The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated members, supporters and people of the state as they marked the beginning of 2013.

    A statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Wale Ozogoro, reads: “We are convinced that this New Year will usher in good governance and development in our state.

    “We have rated the present government, led by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and found it wanting.

    “The governor has pauperised the people, engaging in profligacy and indebtedness and abandoning the projects initiated by his predecessor.

    “The Labour Party (LP) administration has achieved nothing. Indigenes and residents of Ondo State are yet to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    “We commiserate with them on the death of Chief Wumi Adegbonmire. He was a believer in good governance. He was a welfarist.”

     

  • Be hopeful, PDP urges Ondo people

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has felicitated with residents on the New Year.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Wale Ozogoro, the party said: “We are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that this New Year shall usher in good governance and development in our dear state.

    “We have rated the Governor Olusegun Mimiko administration and found it wanting in all facets of human development. Most worrisome is the fact that the clueless government is focused on looting the public treasury.

    “The government has pauperised the people and is engaged in unthinkable profligacy cum indebtedness. It is preoccupied with cosmetic and self-serving projects, such as the Dome, Mare and others, which add no value to the life of the people.

    “All road projects initiated by this administration since almost four years ago are either on-going or abandoned. The government has continued to pay lip-service to developmental issues and unfulfilled promises abound in the midst of plenty.

    “The profligacy of this government came to fore when the head of the government snubbed every entreaty not to plunge this buoyant state into generational indebtedness.”