Change was in the air as 1,000 students, faculty, staff, family and friends from Nigeria cheered the installation of Dr. Benjamin Ola Akande as the 21st President of Westminster College, which was founded 165 years ago.
Akande is the college’s first black president and the first Nigerian-born president of a liberal arts college in America. He succeeded Dr. George Forsythe, who recently retired after serving for 10 years.
In his inaugural remarks, Akande, who formerly served as the dean of the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology at Webster University in St. Louis, said change will be coming to Westminster College.
“Westminster College will achieve greater significance by empowering learning communities, creating landmark academic programmes, and embracing global opportunities, thereby truly demonstrating the courage of our convictions,” he said.
Akande encouraged students, faculty, staff, and the Board of Trustees to be open to new ideas that are “bold and forward-looking”.
During the programme, a new academic partnership between the college and the Oyo State government was announced by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
He said the pact is expected to opens doors for students and faculty from Westminster and colleges and universities in Oyo State.
Ajimobi named Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso as one of the tertiary institutions in Oyo State to benefit from the pact.
“This agreement will give Nigeria’s finest and most talented college students the opportunity to study at Westminster, and in turn, Westminster students and faculty will have the opportunity to study and teach at Samuel Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and potentially, other local universities. This partnership will help our students become globally competitive, and enable them to improve their communities in Nigeria. Such partnerships are vital for academic institutions and for governments in this increasingly globalised era,” he said.
Ajimobi also praised Akande, saying his inauguration as Westminster College’s new president “is a proud moment for those of us from Oyo State, from Awe, Dr. Akande’s ancestral hometown, and, it is a proud moment for all Nigerians.
“Throughout Nigeria, Dr. Benjamin Olayinka Akande is becoming a household name, a symbol of excellence, an emblem of the endurance of the American Dream, and its willingness to embrace and reward anyone who is willing to work hard and excel,” he said.
Akande’s parents, the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. S.T. Ola Akande, also witnessed the installation.
SIR: Rail transportation contributed in no small measure to the rapid growth of the economy in the past. Before the country gained Independence in 1960, rail transportation was the major means of conveying foodstuff and other essential commodities including heavy duty goods like iron rods and cement from the north to other parts of the country and vice versa. Consequent upon this development, prices of foodstuff and other materials were very cheap and affordable. Nigerians, especially the downtrodden were able to afford three square meals a day. Moreover, because it is not prone to accidents and highway robbery attacks, people prefer travelling by train to any other means of land transport. In a nutshell, life was very meaningful and enjoyable then.
But it is very unfortunate that since after the Nigerian/Biafra war, train services were withdrawn from circulation and people, especially travellers no longer have any other better alternative means than to be subjected to the whims and caprices of commercial transporters who now capitalize on this development to arbitrarily increase the transport fare, especially at every increase in the price of fuel or during festivities.
It should not be forgotten that before this time, previous governments had spent billions of naira with a view to reviving the rail transport sector but up to this time the project is still uncompleted.
It is high time the governments at various levels began to work for the wellbeing of the masses who voted them into power instead of concentrating on mapping out means on how to outwit their opponents at the polls in the next election. They should emulate past leaders like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and others who rendered selfless service to Nigerians during their time. If rail transport were to be the choice of transportation for the rich, the project would have been completed before now and more new rail lines built in other areas where the phenomenon does not exist.
Bringing rail transport to life again would no doubt, reduce the cost of repairing and maintaining our roads that have been overladen with much vehicular traffic.
Now the Buhari government is poised to give value to lives of the masses, my humble advice is that he should put every machinery in motion towards the completion of the rail project. I mean let train start running as in the 60s. If the beehive of activities that characterised our railway stations in the past could be restored by the President, life would become meaningful for the people, and Nigerians, especially, our youths will never forget him.
I therefore call on the President to please hearken to this clarion call and restore smiles on the faces of Nigerians.
National Association of Delta State Students’ Union (NADESSTU)president Emomine Shaka has been suspended over allegations of financial misconduct. He was also accused of calling off a meeting of parliament members.
His suspension was announced in a joint statement by the Senate President, Samson Agolo, and Clerk, Segun Onoriode, at a meeting held at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The parliament ordered Emomine to handover properties in his possession to the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board with immediate effect. It asked the Vice President, Ogheneyole Ugagaoghene, to assume the leadership of the union in acting capacity.
The parliament said the suspended president contravened Section 19 (1)(b) of NADESSTU constitution. Samson listed allegations against Emomine to include withholding funds meant for the parliament for over two months and enriching himself at the expense of the union by commercialising the union bus without remitting proceeds.
He said: “Emomine engaged in fraudulent and dishonest practices. He did not fully remit the funds meant for parliament meeting. He collected N1 million from the state government on behalf of the parliament but remitted N400,000.
“Emomine sold and unilaterally shared slots given to students in state government’s youth empowerment schemes, thereby denying qualified students opportunity to benefit from the scheme. He also connived with some government officials to defraud the association to the tune of N450,000 being money meant for mobilisation members of the union for a visit to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.”
The parliament said it had set up a five-man committee chaired by Peter Onoriode to further probe the allegation against the embattled president.
In his reaction, Emomine denied the allegations, saying he was not aware of his impeachment.
He said: “I am not aware of any meeting held by some disgruntled members of the union. I only heard that I was impeached on telephone. It cannot hold water. I am still the president.”
On the corruption allegations against him, Emomine said: “I don’t want to say anything. Go and ask those who made the allegations against me. They will be able to give you facts and evidence if they have any.”
The furor elicited by President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to promptly declare his assets upon his ascendency to power has now been consigned to garbage bin. A snippet of the Buhari and Osibanjo asset declaration form, as released on September 4 by Femi Adesina, the presidential spokesman, jolted us from our reverie. As it has become synonymous with PMB’s shrewd tactics of governance, he patiently waited till the eve of his 100 days in office to prove cynics wrong.
Let us say Mr. President became oblivious of his campaign promise to quickly declare his assets due to the exigencies of office. Why didn’t Shehu Garba and Adesina, his image-makers who have his ears, advise him? Established, he had his plate full as the nation’s helmsman. However, he ought to know that campaign promises are not items that undergo mutation at various periods. I am categorically sure that the greatest undoing of former president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration is its penchant for broken promises. The former President’s “transformation team’’ innovated, canonized and entrenched the culture of broken promises. And we just hope this presidency will draw a moral lesson from President Jonathan’s misfortune.
It is with nostalgia I remember President Umaru Musa Yar’adua of blessed memory. It is fascinating to recall how the late president declared his assets without the slightest agitation and drama. Barely less than a month in office in June 2007, he declared his assets to the consternation of Nigerians. It is no conjecture to state that he was unconsciously carving a reputation for integrity and by extension, engraved his name in the tombstone of time. Little wonder, he was celebrated as a shining example of sincerity by prominent world leaders after his demise.
Without prejudice, PMB by declaring his asset too, absolutely fulfilled a covenant which resonates with his gospel of a transparent and truly democratic government. Although, it came at a time when our patience had been massively tested. Yet it is heart-warming that he finally did. No doubt, President Buhari and Senator Shehu Sani who represents Kaduna Central Senatorial District are perhaps the only genuine progressives amongst their peers. While other pseudo-progressives could not act in tandem with their reformist philosophy, this duo exhibited raw courage in making their assets publicly known to the Nigerian public. That’s the spirit of democracy. But beyond commendations, there is the fundamental need for us to painstakingly analyse Buhari’s properties. By so doing, the claim that he his affluent would be better understood. However, let me give a caveat. This writer is not doing the bidding of any paymaster. To put it harshly, my conscience is not an auctioning material. And for the benefit of hindsight, the following is the abridged details of Mr. President’s assets.
He has less than N30 million to his name. Buhari has a single account with Union Bank and no foreign account. He owns neither a registered company, factory nor oil blocs. Among his assets are five houses, a farm, orchard and a cattle ranch. In his farmstead are 270 cattle, 25 sheep, five horses, some economic trees and a variety of birds. Again, he is a proud holder of some exotic cars. To be frank, the list appears modest. But regrettably, it belies the assets expected of an archetypal Nigerian president. A typical Nigerian president ordinarily should be richer than what Buhari puts to our face.
While our erstwhile leaders are yet to become international billionaires, they’ve stamped their authorities in the continent with stinking wealth. Without prejudice, an international magazine once credited former President Jonathan to be the richest African leader. That was in the age of unbridled stealing from our collective vault. Now, one does not need to consult the oracle to affirm the modest acquisitions status of Buhari compared with other flamboyant African leaders.
I make bold to state that Buhari’s asset declaration is a conundrum. This is so, because it defies not only logic, but philosophy. The declaration even by a scintilla was not revelatory. Rather, it was an issue which defied our understanding of the worth of political leaders. At the risk of being sentimental, Yar’adua’s declaration was far, and far more credible than Buhari’s. Why? Because it did not give us a ‘take home assignment’ to figure out the monetary worth of his houses, cars, livestock, etc. It was explicit in disclosing the net worth of his assets.
At this moment, it is pertinent to ask some questions. Can someone who allegedly collected bond to purchase his presidential nomination form become a millionaire upon his inauguration as President? What do you make of a person with five luxurious houses in choice locations? Perhaps, how much do you think the properties may be worth? If one has to pay through his nose to procure a parcel of land in your hamlet, then imagine what it would be in mega cities like Port Harcourt and Kano? These are places where President Buhari has undeveloped lands. And, is Buhari’s farm not a commercial venture? If yes, what are its annual proceeds? What about his cars? Just how many are they and probably their monetary value? I am sure the federal government’s juicy packages for previous leaders have not been abolished. So, how much has PMB’s share accumulated in 30 years? How much does his shares in Union Bank worth? Naturally, his spin doctors may wish to clarify this. But does it matter?
Now, the line has been drawn. The masses have independently formed their opinions. And not a few are cynical about PMB’s assets declaration. They may not be able to hazard a pin-point guess, but they stubbornly believed that Mr. President may not be living a Spartan life, after all. While their arithmetic instinct may be warped, it’s obvious they scored an ‘A’ by concluding that PMB is perhaps, wealthy too. At the risk of appearing sarcastic, most of them wish they are as poor as Mr. President. To be candid, there is need for Mr. President to be forthright in his policy statements. To be otherwise would be a great disservice to the entire nation.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Adesina, had assured Nigerians that copies of the declaration forms would be made public after the Code of Conduct Bureau are through with their statutory scrutiny. I think that is another golden opportunity awaiting the presidency to right the wrong of their gaffe. Until that is done, we consent that Buhari is not a wealthy President. But can we conclude that President Buhari is a broke Nigerian?
SIR: The petroleum sector accounts for over 80% of Nigeria’s revenue, consequently being the largest source of our economic dependence. President Buhari’s desire to oversee the affairs of the petroleum industry/sector has seen a series of unfounded attacks on the President’s decision from both legal and moral viewpoints.
Next to the defence sector, the next sector where the President is most proficient is the Petroleum sector. Under Olusegun Obasanjo’s military regime, Buhari served as the Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources – a similitude of what we have today as the Minister of Petroleum – from March 1976 to June 1978. He also helped in the establishment of the NNPC – where he was the chairman in 1978 – and the Kaduna, New Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. He also supervised the laying of 3,000km of pipelines around Nigeria. He is credited for having laid the foundation for what we have as the Petrochemical Industry today.
President Buhari would bring his vast experience from the intimate working relationship he has had with the petroleum sector’s management. And to boot, he would be bringing in his known virtues of integrity, prudence, honesty and honour to see to an effective management of this sector.
Would the President get any emoluments for the role? Obviously not. We must note that the President is the head of Nigeria’s executive and making sure this sector works is part and parcel of the job of the President. This is so whether there is a minister or not.
I have seen a few hawk the simplistic argument that every ministry must have a minister, and even going to the length of supporting their point with the constitutional provision of Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. That is a wrong notion to hold. Whereas the proposition of this section of the constitution is such that the President must appoint ministers who must be one from each state of the federation – at least 36 ministers – it is not in any way to compel the President to designate to each ministry a minister. The prerogative of allocating ministerial portfolios is solely vested in the President by the provisions of Section 5 (1) (a) and Section 148 (1):
Section 5 (1) (a)
“Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive powers of the Federation –
shall be vested in the President and may, subject as aforesaid and to the provisions of any law made by the National Assembly, be exercised by him directly or through the Vice-President and Ministers of the Government of the Federation or officers in the public service of the Federation …”
Section 148 (1)
“The President may, in his discretion, assign to the Vice-President or any Minister of the Government of the Federation responsibility for any business of the Government of the Federation, including the administration of any department of government.”
Summarily: the President may establish as many ministries as he deems necessary – but not below the nethermost of 36 ministries – assigning to each a minister of his choice.
One of the most common issues that have arisen from President Buhari’s decision to oversee the Petroleum Ministry is bordered on the provisions of Section 138 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria as amended:
“The President shall not, during his tenure office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever”
Except for mischief, it is clear to the meticulous observer that the overseeing of the Ministry of Petroleum by the President does not in any way mean taking another office or paid employment. The President is vested with ALL executive powers of the Federation by virtue of Section 5 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria as amended. The same Section provides that the exercise of the executive powers of the President may (at the President’s discretion) be exercised by ministers, but in no way precludes the President from the exercise of his executive powers. The petroleum sector is a branch of the executive. And by virtue of this fact the President may decide to oversee this ministry by himself – as he has so chosen.
The video of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa on official visit to the United States of America in July 1961 started trending on social media recently. While some said the video nearly move them to tears, others felt sorry for the state we found ourselves after 55 years of freedom and self-governance. Reason? The video showed a Prime Minister dressed in simplicity of inexpensive local fabric; a gentleman that moved about with Nigeria in his heart and a rousing reception accorded the Nigerian leader at the time.
In the 60s, countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and others who were in third world category with Nigeria have deployed home grown technology and good governance to move their fate forward in the ladder of global progress.
In the recent visit of Muhammadu Buhari to the United States of America, I saw a replica of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa given the respect and rousing welcome similar to that of Balewa in the 60s, plus Buhari’s simplicity as well. In the light of truth, that moment signified another period and season of rejuvenation for our country. Honestly, the body language of respected leaders of developed nations to Muhammadu Buhari has shown us where we now stand in the committee of nations.
In spite of the change in government and Buhari coming to power, the fear and worry of otherwise had not departed me. If anyone remembers, the fear of Buhari losing was not as threatening as Jonathan winning again. People have forgotten where we were and look forward to a magic from Buhari. I see members of the amateur opposition wanting to act as one but forgetting that opposition starts with ideology, not just being a political party. Before APC there was an ideology of CHANGE. For now, the PDP needs to go and get ideology they want to sell to Nigerians to justify change away from CHANGE. The opposition has tagged Mr President as slow mover and quarried why it would take 4 months for the President to select a working team.
“People are always looking for the single magic bullet that will totally change everything. There is no single magic bullet”
The above were the words of Temple Grandin.
When the renowned Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Lee Kuan Yew set to transform his country, a nation that got her independence from Great Britain, and was in a merger with Malaysia, he went into isolation for six weeks (one and a half months) unreachable by phone, on a Singapore island to reflect on the future of his country before commencing his reforms. In his memoirs, Lee said that he was unable to sleep. Upon learning of Lee’s condition from the British High Commissioner to Singapore, John Robb, the British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, expressed concern, in response to which Lee replied:
“Do not worry about Singapore. My colleagues and I are sane, rational people even in our moments of anguish. We will weigh all possible consequences before we make any move on the political chessboard. Lee began his work by seeking international recognition of Singapore’s independence.
If you consider Buhari a slow mover, you must consider several other factors along. You must consider a country handed down with insurgency thriving and no clue to stopping it; a country with so much leakages that some Ministers were competing with the richest men in Africa considering the financial resources at their disposals; a country existing on the verge of ethnic and religious collapse; a country with confusing policy on foreign investments and local productivity in virtually all sectors. Above all, you must consider a country handed down on paper just 4 days to the exit of previous government.
Those who condemned Buhari’s administration as Military leader are urging him to do sharp turn-around of the country forgetting the degree of damages already done to our nation. To them, why will he wait for so long to select Ministers? Well, Buhari is wise; he is adopting same reform mechanism Lee Kuan Yew deployed to change Singapore for good – taking time to select most honest men to join the reform. Today, Nigerians are already seeing quality pictures of the men and women that will be in Mr President’s team to turn the country around for better.
If you do not tie the loose end of your sack, pouring grains continuously will do no good. Yes Mr President can be slow and nothing is bad in being slow as long as it is steady and productive.
The silent moves of Buhari are most desired. If in four months, President Buhari has achieved strong diplomatic ties with the West towards making money laundering and depositing of stolen funds into foreign accounts difficult and unattractive, we will be saving enough money capable of turning our economy round soon. And if he has been able to sanitise most areas of leakages alone without a Minister, one can imagine how far the country will go when credible men join him in the cabinet. The Military is receiving desired motivation at fighting insurgents and the era of illegal arms deal and racketing is gone for good; we will not be doing illegal arms purchases with dollars loaded in a private jet en-route South Africa any more. The insurgents have been utterly shattered and what we see is just the relics of their dislodgement that will soon fizzle completely.
We can’t help but to allow Mr President do a thorough job on the nation. Tonny Robbins once said “for changes to be of any true value, they’ve got to be lasting and consistent”.
The good news is that our nation is not lacking economic potentials and we don’t have to start from the scratch. All we need are men who see visions and not easily tempted to loot by the glittering financial resources deposited around them for public good.
According to Kayode Fayemi, poverty is not our problem, it is inequity. In real sense, a nation where less than 1% of the citizens control over 80% of the nationa’s entire resources is unthinkable; a situation where the few mindlessly rich are thriving at the expense of vast hopelessly poor. We need a nation of justice, fairness and conducive atmosphere for everyone to feel and share in the ownership of our dear country.
Olulade is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Epe Constituency II
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) will elect new leaders at the end of this month when the tenure of the outgoing executive led by Tijani Usman expires. TEMITOPE YAKUBU (Business Administration, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti) looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the presidential candidates.
SOON, there will be a change of guard in the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). Those interested in leading the association have started campaigning across campuses nationwide to sell themselves to fellow students.
CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the position of NANS president has been reserved for students in Zone B, comprising higher institutions in Southeast and Southsouth.
The outgoing NANS President, Tijani Usman, a student of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), emerged from Zone A.
Tijani was elected when NANS was battling to save its integrity. The students’ body was seen as a disorderly and partisan organisation. But, a year after he was sworn-in, many students believe Tijani has taken steps to address the association’s problems.
Some students praised the outgoing NANS leadership for the resolution of Students’ Union Government (SUG) crises in many institutions. More than 74 expelled student-leaders were reinstated to complete their programmes at Tijani’s instance.
But others believe the NANS leadership should have focused on changing people’s perception about the association.
As another election draws nearer, candidates are concerned with NANS battered image and how to restore its glory. Whoever emerges president is expected to bring the body and students closer.
However, the electioneering may have started on a faulty step as candidates engage in mudslinging, name-calling, blackmail and social media wars.
The eight candidates, believed to be the strongest among those vying for the NANS top office, have unveiled their programmes.
Sheriff Emeka Eboh
•Sheriff
Sheriff, a student of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital, is popular within Zone B. A former local coordinator of NANS in the zone, Sheriff is said to be the only student, who has cordial relations with authorities of schools in the Southeast and Southsouth. Without holding any position, he is said to be using his connections to resolve disagreements between student-leaders and their Vice-Chancellors.
He said he had used his connection to help some graduates get jobs at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu- Ojukwu University (COOU) in Anambra State, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and UNIZIK. He claimed to have helped over 284 applicants get admission free.
He said his objective is to return NANS to campuses and insulate the body from the influence of moneybags who are using it for their political gains.
But, one of the challenges Sheriff may likely encounter is the disagreement between him and some NANS stakeholders. He does not have a large number of student-leaders supporting his ambition, because he is believed to be too radical.
Ukachukwu Okpaloka
•Okpaloka
Ukachukwu is a UNN student and the Special Adviser on Special Duties and Campus Affairs to Tijani. He is also a former Deputy Senate President of the association. Because of his closeness to the NANS president, Ukachukwu is believed to be Tijani’s preferred candidate.
Ukachukwu claims that he had the backing of NANS stakeholders in Zones A and B. As an indigene of Anambra State studying in Enugu, he believes stakeholders from Zone B would support his aspiration.
However, students believe Ukachukwu would be a pawn in the hand of Tijani if elected. Ukachukwu promised to consolidate on the gains of the outgoing president but said he would not be anyone’s poodle.
Chika Isaiah
•Chika
Chika is a Political Science Education student of UNIZIK and former NANS Assistant General Secretary. He is the Public Relations Officer of Cross River chapter of Igbo Consultative Assembly. He led a struggle against exorbitant fee for post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Zone B.
He believes his years of participation in NANS politics make him the most experienced. He promised not to depend on politicians to manage the affairs.
Chika’s critics believe he does not have good managerial skills. But, Chika said his involvement in election is to restore the body’s glory.
Ezekiel Nwankwo
•Ezekiel
Ezekiel, an Agricultural Engineering Student of Imo State Polytechnic, is the NANS Public Relations Officer (PRO). He believes he can lead the association, having been the Zone B NANS Coordinator and image maker of the body.
Stakeholders believe Ezekiel failed to improve the association’s image. To them, his impact has not been felt in the dissemination of information from NANS to students. Ezekiel said he had always engaged journalists to propagate NANS activities.
Kadir Arun Haruna
•Arun Kadir
Haruna is a student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and the oldest among the contenders. He was a NANS zonal factional coordinator and contested for president against Comrade Tony Nwoye, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in the area.
Critics believe Haruna is too old to lead and should step aside for the youngsters.
Haruna may likely face issue of zonal arrangement. The South-south, it was said, has produced president from Zone B. Many stakeholders believe it is time for the Southeast to produce the NANS president.
Anya Anya
•Anya
Anya, a former Vice-President for Special Duties of the association, is a student of Agricultural Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) in Imo State. He is said to be articulate and friendly. But, stakeholders believe Anya ought to play an advisory role.
Anya said student-leaders in the North and South pleaded with him to contest again. He said he is on a redemption mission, vowing to reposition NANS if elected.
His critics believe some of his contemporaries are already National Assembly members and Special Advisers to governors. They advised Anya to leave the scene for the youngsters.
Igwe Ude-Umanta
•Igwe
Igwe was the chairman of the convention that conducted NANS election last year. A former SUG president of University of the Abuja (UNIABUJA), some see him as an experienced in unionist.
His critics believe he is not popular in Zone B, saying he enrolled at Abia State University because of NANS election.
Chuks Favour Obelle
•Obele
Chuks is a Postgraduate student of UNIZIK. He was, for several stimes, an officer in the association and SUG Welfare Director. He is also former NANS Treasurer.
He is said to be a radical, as well as outspoken and intelligent. Stakeholders said he may not be supported because he does not believe in godfatherism.
While the contenders have been moving from campus to campus, the question many students are asking is: who will rescue NANS among them?
President Muhammadu Buhari was yesterday presented with his National Identity Card by the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Chris Onyemenam, at a brief ceremony in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President did not make any remark during the presentation.
Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the presentation, the NIMC director general said the database of about 20 million Nigerians have already been captured.
He said: “We did two things. First we demonstrated to the President how the national identification number can be used to confirm the identity of an individual, even if the person is not present and that is the reason why we said the identification number is a security number, because with that and if you have access to our database, you can confirm the identity of an individual.
“Secondly, we presented the electronic card to the President and we demonstrated to him how it will be taken round. This is one Rome that was not built in a day.”
International Bar Association (IBA) president David Rivkin has urged lawyers to intensify the fight against corruption in the the judiciary.
He spoke at a showcase session on judicial corruption during the IBA conference in Vienna, Austria.
According to him, corruption is often viewed as the biggest obstacle standing in the way of peace, stability and human rights.
He said corruption can be detrimental to an individual or organisation’s reputation and credibility.
Rivkin said when corruption has spread so far as to infect even the judicial system, then its fundamental role to be fair to all is compromised.
To him, a judge who has taken a bribe or has in any way obstructed the course to justice for any party, cannot be considered independent or impartial.
“The problem is worsened when the manipulation comes from a higher power, such as the government. This creates an environment which fosters further corruption.
“Objectivity and neutrality, the two most central principles to the rule of law itself, no longer exist and fundamental human rights are, by definition, violated.
“The IBA has a particular responsibility to combat judicial corruption. It can be effective in ways that others cannot.
“It has done a lot over the years in the wider fight, but we have not focussed on the government side before, and that’s especially important.
“With 55,000 individual members and 195 bar associations and law societies around the world, the IBA has a unique grasp on the global legal community,” he said.
He said the association is also making efforts to rid the judiciary of corruption globally.
In February, IBA launched the Judicial Integrity Initiative as one of the key priorities of Rivkin’s two-year tenure.
It has been working with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Basel Institute of Governance and various other anticorruption committees.
In London in February and Singapore in March, the IBA organised a series of high-level discussions with prosecutors, civil society organisations, leading lawyers and business executives.
Rivkin said: “Other countries are also taking action in the fight against judicial corruption.
“Several Ghanaian judges at both high and lower court level, are being investigated over allegations of corruption.
“China’s Central Politics and Law Committee is set to relaunch a programme to recruit judges from the top ranks of lawyers and academics to improve its judicial system, which has been criticised in the past.
“The National Judicial Council (NJC) of Nigeria has taken severe action in recent years against those found guilty,” Rivkin said.
According to him, corruption in the judiciary is not limited to developing countries.
He said: “While manifestations of corruption seem to be most common in developing countries, judicial corruption remains a global problem.
“Research by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) suggests that causes of judicial corruption include low remuneration and far-reaching discretionary powers, twinned with weak monitoring of how those powers are executed.
“In these environments, where the accused individuals sit at the highest echelons of the system, whistle blowing is especially unlikely.
“The research also found that a lack of comprehensive and regularly updated computer systems is one of the main causes of such crimes.
“The IBA’s role is important in that it can, and must, set an example to its members which promotes the highest standard of judicial integrity.
“Alongside its Judicial Integrity Initiative, an additional objective of the IBA is maintaining the bar and the courts’ independence from the government.
“If corruption compromises judges, who are among our most important protectors of the rule of law, rule of law throughout society is put at risk,” Rivkin said.
I have always tried to restrain from writing on Orji Kalu, a former Abia State governor. But who can ignore his laughable new ambition. He wants to be FIFA boss. I laugh even as I pen these words. What struck me first was a conversation he had with editors when somebody asked him about his educational qualifications. “We are talking about forwarding Abia to all forwardness,” he said with a flourish, “and you are talking about cerfiticate (sic).” Is this the sort of literacy you want for Nigeria? Nada. In local parlance, we should say he has committed foul, or “fa-fa-fa foul!!”
Not long ago, he embarked on a nationwide trip from state to state, visiting governors. It was more of ego trip. He was jobless and bored, although boorish. He was, however, not boring because of his disastrous elocution and capacity to amuse after he had left the scene of his performance. Never mind that he writes a column. I would want him to write that column in public, so we can know if he is capable of the literacy he poses.
Only a Kalu could have encouraged a headline last Saturday saying that Asiwaju Tinubu was under surveillance for a plot against Buhari. Publishers like him make editors look unprofessional. The story did not pass Journalism 101 test. If there was surveillance, what was the nature? The man was not even around? Two, if there was a plot, what was the nature of the plot, to overthrow him as President – which is treason; or to unseat him in APC? When a man does not know the difference between verb and noun, how can he become a good boss of world football? How can he distinguish score as verb and as noun? No one will vote him boss of Southeast soccer. It is enough that Ochendo has made him a mouse in Abia State, so he dreams to be an elephant of world football. What megalomania!
