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Tag: south

  • Lawmakers condemn Gombe South crisis

    Lawmakers and political appointees from Gombe South have condemned the killing and destruction in the zone, describing it as ‘barbaric and unacceptable’.

    Deputy Governor Charles Iliya read out their stand after a meeting to review the recent communal clash between Kaltungo and Tangale Chiefdoms, at the weekend.

    The clash resurfaced about 9pm last Friday, when people from Kaltungo allegedly invaded Tangale farms.

    They condoled with the Commissioner of Police, family of the deceased, and sympathised with the injured and those who lost houses and property.

    A communiqué issued after the meeting reads: “We appeal to the affected Chiefdoms to embrace peace and dialogue as the only means of resolving disputes, and to await the outcome of the government’s steps the state government is embarking upon to resolve the matter.

    “We urge our brothers and sisters to avoid hate speeches, inciting comments on social media and other fora; but campaign for unity and peace, emphasising on our shared historical linguistic and cultural heritage.”

    Iliya said details of the government’s measures will be disclosed in due course as people had been delegated to work out possible solutions.

  • On Ekiti South governorship agenda

    The Ekiti governorship election comes up in 2018. There is a lot of agitation from the South Senatorial District that it is now their turn to produce the next governor. This reminds me of similar agitation in 2014. While crossing from PDP to APC then, following Fayose’s bullish emergence as PDP candidate for the 2014 election, I wrote as follows:

    There was the clamour for a Southern Senatorial candidacy which I fully endorsed. To recall, following Fayose’s impeachment in 2006, there was a Pan-Ekiti conference in D’Rovans Hotel in Ibadan. The conference was co-chaired by the late Professor Aluko and the Chief Afe Babalola SAN. Professor Akin Oyebode and I were the Rapporteurs at the conference.

    One of the decisions reached at the conference was that the governorship candidate of all political parties should come from the North Senatorial District while the Deputy Governorship slot should come specifically from Ado Local Government Area. For balance, it was agreed that the Speaker of the House of Assembly would then come from the South. After the North might have exhausted its tenure, the governorship was to move to the South Senatorial District after which zoning as an idea would be jettisoned. It was for this reason that the PDP and the AC candidates both came from the North Senatorial District (Engr. Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi) while the two Deputy Governorship candidates came from Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Sikiru Tae Lawal and Late Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.

    The agitation has now been renewed more virulently. I share some understanding with the Ekiti South Senatorial District on their agitation for the governorship slot. I supported the campaign in 2014 as indicated above based on the D’Rovans 2006 agreement. However, the feeling and sentiment is not the same today as it was then in 2014 for reasons I shall now proceed to state as clearly as I can.

    In the context of the two dominant parties in Ekiti, only PDP had the moral burden of a shift to the South in 2014. APC was on first term and could legitimately claim and indeed claimed the right to second term. Most progressives within the PDP enthusiastically endorsed South Senatorial candidacy. However, given the Jonathan-Fayose abracadabra then and the hurried endorsement of that rigged Fayose outcome by the erstwhile candidates from the South, the South lost that claim and the moral argument. Many of us proclaimed then that we have seen the end of zoning of the top post in Ekiti. Indeed, considering that a South Senatorial person took up the deputy slot and many South Senatorial people actively collaborated and supported the stabilization and subsequent emergence of the Fayose governorship, there is no longer any fundamental basis for continuing with this claim. I sincerely believe that privilege is forfeited. But PDP is free to decide its preferences.

    As for APC, zoning is not recognized in the party constitution. The general position even at the national level is to throw the No.1 positions – President and Governors – open to all, while positions below them are then zoned to ensure balance in representation and governance. Competence is not held subordinate to any parochial or primordial considerations.

    Interestingly, in all parties, aspirants for the top offices have always emerged from all areas without much consideration for zoning. In effect, what is emerging and becoming very clear is that zoning is more of a strategic tool for making a choice within and by the respective parties and not an imposition on all that requires uncritical acquiescence. In truth, the more advanced we become on the human evolution order, the less we will place emphasis on narrow parochial consideration. More emphasis will be on the broad interest and competence as is the case with the USA if we discount the Trumpian error that has just occurred.

    The case for Ekiti is even more unique. We are a homogeneous people. Homogeneity is a very important virtue that binds Ekiti people together. It is our unique characteristics and heritage. It should help us move in the direction of broad common interest away from the narrower sectional interest. Even within the South-west, we do not have the kind of ethnic cleavages prevalent in some states. Ekiti does not have the Ondo/Owo/Akoko type cleavage; nothing like Ibadan/Oyo/Ogbomosho relational nuances; no Egba/Ijebu dichotomy, and so on. This unique attribute of ours must always be allowed to supersede senatorial interest and not be watered down. Ekiti does not need any form of fragmentation into narrow interest that can undermine or erode the benefits of our homogeneity.

    As alluded to earlier, there have always been governorship aspirants from the South Senatorial District, from all parties, in all elections. This should continue to be so being in the greater interest of Ekiti as a homogeneous entity that places a lot of premium on competence and intellect.

    There is a small observation to be made though. No former governor has had the privilege of second term in Ekiti State. May be that jinx is designed by God to be broken by a governor from Ekiti South Senatorial District when one eventually emerges! Several black folks ran for President of the United States in the past but Barack Obama was the one destined by God to be the first and he successfully served eight years! That jinx breaker from the South Senatorial District will eventually emerge. But we should note that it is God that elevates (wo)men to positions. No matter the opposition, if God says yes, so shall it be. In the same vein, no matter the support, if God says no, so shall it be also!

    For me personally, there is another very important reason I am supporting the return of Engr. Segun Oni as Ekiti State governor apart from his very outstanding performance and personal integrity in governance first time around. The reason would likely appear to many as sentimental, but it contains some cold reality. We could wait till judgment day when the truth can finally be revealed. But as human beings, we have been sufficiently endowed to be capable of rational decisions.

    There was an unfortunate self-inflicted crisis and a consequent split within the ranks of the elites in Ekiti State. The period of April 2007 to February 2014 was very agonizing and heartbreaking for the elites and progressives in Ekiti State. When Oni switched camp and declared for APC in 2014 following the emergence of Fayose as the PDP flag bearer, a major burden was lifted off the head of the progressives and the elites. Much of the elites were visibly relieved. Oni’s total and very active support for Fayemi’s re-election bid wiped out the doubt in some quarters that Oni might be insincere. Ever since, Oni and Fayemi with the active embracement of the Omoluabi par excellence of Ekiti, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, have been collaborating with each other to collectively stabilize the party in Ekiti and rescue the state from the impetuous, highly value corrosive governance of Fayose. Indeed, Ekiti people deserve good governance.

    Now in the eyes of the law, as a direct consequence of the self-inflicted injury of the elites, Oni’s claim to governorship is technically invalid before the law. Of course he served as a governor and his achievements during his tenure are tangible and there for all to see. However, no thanks to Salami, that tenure within the legal circle is said to be ultra vires. If that remains the status quo, there may never be real closure to that dark period in Ekiti history. Yet we need to bring closure, one that finally puts to rest the fratricidal feud among the progressives and elites in the state; one that also rekindle the trust the progressives and the elites have in each other. Segun Oni deserves to have his legitimacy restored in the interest of all. This is one more reason why the South Senatorial District needs to show understanding and just present their candidates without the pressure of group advocacy for a south senatorial governorship.

    All told and irrespective of how things play out, we all need to eschew violence, threats and coercion as we position ourselves for the 2018 race. Ekiti politics and politicians can set the pace in constructive, rational, intellectual political engagement devoid of violence and intimidation. Above all, we must give our people a chance to make their rational, free decision as to who can and should govern them. The ascendancy of Fayose to the governorship in Ekiti was fraught with so much deceit, brigandage and a host of anti-democratic conducts. This should not be allowed to continue in Ekiti. We really need a reset.

     

    • Otunba Oguntuase writes from Lagos.
  • Edo South monarchs back Obaseki

    Edo South monarchs back Obaseki

    Traditional rulers from Edo South Senatorial district, have stated reasons why they will mobilise support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the poll.

    The traditional rulers, who endorsed, Mr. Godwin Obaseki said their decision was because “Oshiomhole has worked for our people”.

    Speaking on their behalf, Enogie of Ogiomo, David Igiehon said Adams Oshiomhole’s performance in the state will guarantee victory for Obaseki.

    Enogie Igiehon spoke when the campaign team of Obaseki stormed his ancestral home in Uhumwonde local government.

    Traditional rulers from  communities like Iguoboe, Emo,  Ogha,  Erhua, Osemwinda, Ibadan,  Ugoneki and others were present at the meeting.

    Igiehon said: “Adams Oshiomhole has worked and has shown us love since he came. We cannot disappoint him because he has worked for our people. we have roads, schools and a beautiful city now in Benin. So we are going to support his candidate because Obaseki will work like Oshiomhole.

    “We regard Oshiomhole as the political redeemer of Edo State who has come to redeem the State like Napoleon Bonaparte who came, Saw and Conquered his opposition for the overall benefits of his people”.

    He tasked Obaseki not to forget roads in Uhunwonde and presented a white chalk to him symbolising victory.

    Obaseki assured that, if elected, his administration will complete the on-going general hospital project in Uhumwonde.

    “This place is my ancestral home and I will not forget that at all. We will provide jobs for our youths and I will ensure that Oshiomhole’s legacies are not abandoned”

  • Benue South re-run: Day APC took over Mark’s home

    Benue South re-run: Day APC took over Mark’s home

    Uja Emmanuel, reports from Makurdi, that former Senate President, David Mark, lost much ground for APC on Saturday, January 23, 2016, when many of his close associates and aides openly deserted him and joined his APC rivial, Daniel Onjeh

    Former Senate President, David Mark, and his supporters in Benue South Senatorial District, otherwise known as zone C, would not  forget Saturday, January 23,  2016 in a hurry.  It was a day they wish never came to pass.

    Mark has remained a senator since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, representing the people of Benue-South, with nine (9) local government areas, two of which are Igede speaking tribe.

    For the 16 years he spent in the National Assembly, Mark bestrode the political map of the people of Zone C like a colossus. His word was law, his decisions were final; nobody dared challenge him.

    He made friends and enemies. For anyone to qualify for any political appointment or position of higher responsibility, he must have the backing of the former Senate President. He had both the knife and the yam and shared it the way he wanted. As a result, he was worshipped like a god.

    However, all that changed since the Appeal Court sitting in Makurdi sacked him from the senate.

    To worsen the situation, many of his closest political associates, aides, and friends have since then abandoned him.

    Among the top politicians, aides of David Mark from Benue South that have abandoned his People Democratic Party (PDP) and declared for All Progressive Congress (APC) at a rally held  in Government Day Secondly School, Otukpo, are former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Chief Seven Lawani, Mark’s former Chief of Staff, Hon. Agbo Ogah and Deputy Director-General, Mark Campaign Organisation.

    Others are former Minister of State for Niger Delta, Sam Ode, and Minister of State for Education, Dr. Jerry Agada, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, during late Sani Abacha regime, Chief Mike Okibe now a business mogul, former PDP chairman, Agada Igomu, former SSG, Batholomy Oche, and Senator Godwin Okpeh.

    There were also Mrs. Ada Chenge, a PDP governorship aspirant, seven ward and local government chairmen of PDP, a former member of the Benue State House of Assembly representing Oju State Constituency, Hon Igbiri Idaah, also dumped the party for APC.

    Over thousands of APC supporters from Benue State turned out to witness the defection ceremony, which the APC senatorial candidate for Benue South Senatorial District in the re-run election, Daniel Onjeh, also used to flag off his campaign.

    The APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, who was excited with the huge turn-out at the rally and the calibre of people that defected, said he has no doubt that APC will take Benue South Senatorial District.

    Governor Samuel Ortom said there would be enough security to ensure protection of lives and property and called on APC supporters to go all out to vote Daniel Onjeh.

    Chairman APC in Benue State, Comrade Abba Yaro, in his remarks, said with his close aides who abandoned him and his party into APC, David Mark has already seen defeat.

    The huge crowd of APC supporters took over all the nooks and crannies of the dusty Otukpo town. It was a day the remnants of PDP supporters took flight to unknown destinations as APC had a field day.

    The defectors, Dr. Agada, Ode, Lawani and Onoja said they left the drowning PDP for APC because of what Governor Samuel Ortom and President Buhari have done at both the state and national levels.

    They alleged that Mark advised them to remain in the main stream politics and that it would be fool hardy of them to still be in PDP when it is clear that nothing good can come from opposition.

    For the people of Benue South Senatorial District, change has come to stay and the re- run is as good as over going by the huge crowd that attended the rally.

    Those who spoke to The Nation said “David Mark has been left with a broken heart because those who defected to APC are the power brokers in Zone C, on whose toes the former Senate President has allegedly stepped and are now ready to take their pound of flesh during the re- run.

    Politics is however not mathematics, so observers are still waiting for February 20th, the day INEC has fixed for the re-run. APC supporters insist however that it is judgement day for Mark and his supporters.

     

  • North Korea warns of war with South after artillery fire

    North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, yesterday declared his front-line troops in a “quasi-state of war” and ordered them to prepare for battle a day after the most serious confrontation between the rivals in years.

    South Korea’s military on Thursday fired dozens of artillery rounds across the border in response to what Seoul said were North Korean artillery strikes meant to back up a threat to attack loudspeakers broadcasting anti-Pyongyang propaganda.

    Yesterday’s declaration by Pyongyang is similar to its other war-like rhetoric in recent years, including repeated threats to reduce Seoul to a “sea of fire,” and the huge numbers of soldiers and military equipment already stationed along the border mean the area is always essentially in a “quasi-state of war.”

    South Korea has vowed to hit back with overwhelming strength should North Korea attack again.

    The spike in tensions prompted the U.S. to halt an annual military exercise with South Korea that began this week, U.S. defence officials said. North Korea had criticized the drills, calling them a preparation for invasion, although the U.S. and South Korea insist they are defensive in nature.

    Pyongyang denied firing at the South, a claim Seoul dismissed as nonsense.

    Kim Jong Un ordered his troops to “enter a wartime state” and be fully ready for any military operations starting last night, according to a report in Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency.

  • Anambra South: Uba brothers at war

    Anambra South: Uba brothers at war

    The Uba brothers – Andy and Chris – have resumed hostilities in Anambra South Senatorial District. The duo are fighting over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in the zone. NWANOSIKE ONU reports.

    The crisis trailing the Anambra South peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial primaries has not abated. Two brothers-Senator Andy Uba and Chief Chris Uba-are still in court over the outcome of the shadow poll.

    Although the party has affirmed that Chris is the candidate, supporters of Andy are  kicking against the verdict.

    Andy was until 2007 a presidential assistant. He contested for the governorship. He was declared as the winner in error. After a protracted legal battle, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, was declared winner by the Supreme Court. Obi had claimed that his tenure had not ended when the election took place. The Federal Government could not save Andy from the disaster. Andy barely spend 17 days in the office.

    At that time, Ugochukwu, Andy’s elder brother, was the  senator representing Anambra South. Chris was perceived as the godfather.

    The Uba dynasty was in total control. Efforts by other groups and individuals to pull the structure down failed. Many political office holders in the state were sponsored by Chris. Even, before Andy could become the governor, he sought approval from his younger brother. Unlike Andy and Ugochukwu, Chris is a street boy. He is at home with the grassroots. He is generous. Many people in the towns and villages have testified to his kindness.

    However, many were not happy that Chris, fondly called Eselu, has been calling the shots. Some money bags rose up to challenge his domineering influence. But, it was a futile.

    Chris has a predictable reputation in the PDP. He is perceived as a committed chieftain, who has not jumped ship, unlike his brother, Andy, who once defected to the Labour Party (PDP), following disagreement with some chieftains. He was instrumental to the emergence of Dr. Chris Ngige as the governor in 2003. In fact, he became the party leader when Ngige was in the saddle. Later, things fell apart between Chris Ngige and Chris Uba.

    When that centre could no longer hold, it was alleged that the Ubas went back to the drawing board to hatch a plot against Ngige. When the former governor was attacked on July 10, 2004, and when he was later abducted in November 4, many alleged that the Ubasa were behind the mayhem.

    The plot was mismanaged by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, the late Mr. Raphael Ige. It degenerated into arson. Public buildings were in flames. There was commotion. Later, peace returned to the state under Obi. The peaceful atmosphere is also being sustained by his successor, Chief Willy Obiano.

    However, Andy and Chris have not relented in their quest for power, despite the electoral tragedy that has hit the PDP in Anambra. Andy became a senator in 2011. He had planned to have a second term. Little did he know that the bid will be truncated by Chris, his blood brother.

    Chris’s supporters have alleged that Andy has not represented the district well. They claimed that their representative has been a “dumb” person in the Upper Chamber. They also said he has not done anything for the zone, since he was elected, almost four years ago.

    Thus, women, youths and other artisans were mobilised to protest against his re-nomination bid. As they chided Andy for poor performance, they were singing the praise of Chris, saying that he will be a better senator, if given the opportunity. The representatives of the protesters stormed Chris residence in Akwa, Enugu and Abuja to draft him to the race.

    Chris, the kingmaker, had to combine two roles of an aspirant and godfather. He has been spending his money on candidates since 1999. But, in 2015, he has to sponsor himself. Some people have raised eyebrows. But, past senators, House of Representatives membbers and state lawmakers who have benefitted from him, could not kick against his ambition.

    Following pleas by stakeholders, Chris threw his hat into the ring. He obtained the senatorial form and kicked off intense campaign in the district. The elite were against him. But, he forged ahead because he had the support of the down-trodden.

    Chris ran an effective campaign. On the campaign train were beneficiaries of his philanthropy across the local governments. He has money to spend. He has materials to distribute. He has a solid structure. He laso has the backing of the party.

    According to a PDP chieftain, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Ochiagha Chris is a nice person. This is a man who fights for others without thinking of what he has to gain. He helps the poor and the needy and feels the pulse of the people.

    “But, his brother Andy is a dangerously quite person, who does not show sympathy and can not allow people to come close to him. He can not talk to you and you hardly know what is on his mind.

    “Since he went to the Senate, you hardly see or discuss with him. His aides and security personnel will not allow you to come close to him. They always shield and barricade him and he is always afraid of those who elected him.

    “For us to continue having such a man as our senator is like committing suicide and that is why the people have decided to beg his younger brother, Chris, who always remembers the people, to come out and he will enjoy our support.”

    The clash of ambition has divided the Uba family. It has also polarised the party. Andy and Chris attented two separate primaries. Thus, initially, there were two candidates for one slot. There was a primary  at  Doris Hotels, Awka. There was another primary at Udoka Housing Estate conducted by  Ejike Oguebego, amid tight security. The latter was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials.

    INEC’s spokesperson, Mr. Frank Egbo, said the commission was impartial, adding that it was not interested in any of the camps. tored its primaries.

    He said: “Whether the party has 20 factions or not, it is not the concern of the INEC. What we did was to monitor the primaries conducted by Ejike Oguebego led-PDP in the state as required by the law.”

    Chris, according to the electoral agency, is the flag bearer. But, the ripples generated by the controversial primaries remain unsettled.

  • ‘I ‘ll fulfill my campaign promises to Ondo South’

    ‘I ‘ll fulfill my campaign promises to Ondo South’

    All Progressives Congress (apc) chieftain Morayo Lebi has emerged winner of the Ondo South Senatorial primaries held at Adolak Hotel, Ore. He polled 1,261 votes to defeat his rival, Femi Akingbola, who had 156 votes.

    The Returning Officer, Duro Adonis said that 1,467 delegates participated in the poll, adding that total valid votes cast was 1,417. The invalid votes was 50.

    Adonis said that the election was peaceful and well organised, adding party agents and aspirants accepted the results.

    Lebi told reporters that the result undercored his popularity, assuring that he will fulfill his campaign promises, if elected as a senator. He dedicated the victory to his supporters.

    The flag bearer said that the emancipation of his people was utmost in his mind, adding that his senatorial district would experience unprecedented development during his tenure.

    Lebi, a lawyer, expressed optimism that he would defeat his opponents at the poll. He said: “Our people are tasty for change because they are tired of endless promises of the opposition party and I tell you that the wind of change is already blowing all over the country.

    “My people have repose their trust and confidence in me and I will never let them down because my senatorial district will witness unprecedented change and development,’’ Lebi said.

    The Chairman of the APC in Ondo South, Mr Paul Oyeto, also expressed satisfaction at the conduct of the election saying that it was peaceful and well organised.

    “I thanked the supporters for their decorum and peaceful organisation. The APC is known for organisation and unity. All these will be put in place to dislodge the opposition in 2015 general elections.”

  • Jani: Power should shift to Kwara South

    Jani: Power should shift to Kwara South

    Prominent businessman and former National President of Alumni Association of the National Institute Alhaji Jani Ibrahim is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Kwara State.  He spoke with ADEKUNLE JIMOH in Ilorin, the state capital, on his ambition, zoning and chances of the PDP at the polls. 

    Why do you want to become  the governor of Kwara State?

    I see a state with abundant potentials that have not been fully utilised. People say the state is poor, but, I see untapped potential. In Lubcon we have been able to accomplish extra-ordinary things with ordinary people; our products have accomplished international certification without a single expatriate staff. I believe that the same feat can be accomplished in Kwara State. Taking the state from “good” to “great”. I look at the hoards of unemployed youths, and the potentials lying waste; I look at poor rural dwellers surrounded by uncultivated land as far as the eyes can see, and I see untapped potentials for turning their lives and the economy of the state around. I have worked hard to build a successful business and I intend to deploy the wealth of experience that I have garnered in business to help shape the lives and fortunes of our youths and our children. I have been trying to do that in my business through grants, scholarships, youth empowerment initiatives and direct support to young entrepreneurs as well as employment opportunities but that is not enough. I know I can do more because you can never be comfortable in the midst of poverty as it is today in Kwara. So, to improve the living conditions of our people is enough motivation for me.

    What is the chance of President Goodluck Jonathan in next year’s election?

    The country is experiencing a seven per cent growth rate, which is one of the highest in the world. Foreign investors, after careful assessment of the economic prospects of the country, are coming into the country despite the negative image that some are wont to present of the country. The Transformation Agenda and other programmes such as the power sector reforms are beginning to bear fruit, despite all the troubling security challenges that the country is faced with. Nigerians just need to be a little bit patient to see the full results, as the benefits of these initiatives do not become apparent overnight. The recent rebasing of our GDP, the first ever, is a commendable exercise that has helped to shed  light on the true structure of the economy and contribution of various sectors to the GDP. This is an invaluable tool in correct policy formulation. Yes, there are challenges facing the nation; but the response of everyone of us should be joining hands and working together to take on the challenges; every nation that is great today, passed through some rough patches in its history. We cannot afford to let Nigeria fail; there is no place in the world where 170 million people can run to – failure is not an option. The President, despite the security and other challenges facing the country, has continued to forge ahead; and we should give him our unwavering support and back him with our prayers; “you don’t change a coach in the middle of a match”.

    What is your reaction to the agitation for power shift to Kwara South, where you comes from?

    My party will conduct a delegate election to decide who is the best person for the job. Yes, you are right that our people from the South are insisting that equity demands that the zone be allowed another four years in power. I am not aware of any binding agreement to that effect in our party.; But, don’t forget that we have eminently qualified candidates from all the zones. We are consulting with our brothers and sisters from both the central and the North, if our zone wants to keep it for another fouryears, they have to work hard and convince the other zones. What remains important is for the best candidate that can deliver the state to emerge. The problems of the state -poverty, unemployment, underdevelopment-cannot be zoned. They are all over.

    What is your vision for Kwara State?

     I was raised from a very humble beginnings and I would like to see a Kwara State in which people that can aspire and attain to great height no matter their background; a state where every child rises to the fullest of their potentials. A state where kwarans can participate in the political process without fear of retribution and where our votes will be counted.

    Without going into too much details, our programmes revolve round the acronym of my name. JANI; J – job creation, A – agriculture development, N – natural resources exploitation and I – infrastructure development.

    On the job front, in addition to the various programmes we will be putting in place, we will work at making Kwara State the choice destination for foreign businesses coming into the country. As you aware, Africa is the next big thing in global business, and Nigeria is the prime location for the foreign businesses that are coming into the continent. SMEs will be a major tool for job creation.

    How are you going to achieve these programmes?

    With the abundant arable land, excellent land and air connection and the hard working people that the state is blessed with, we will be leveraging on the programmes and incentives that the Federal Government has put into place under its Agriculture Transformation Agenda, to position the state as the foremost agriculture and agro business region in the country. With well articulated policy in place, rural farmers in the state could easily meet 10 per cent of the country’s annual rice needs and earning themselves N30 billion annually in the process; mind you, that is just slightly lower than what the state receives annually from the Federal Allocation. Such initiatives help address the inclusive growth concerns that is bothering development professional around the globe.

    We will also enter into partnership with local and foreign firms to exploit and very importantly, processing the mineral resources that exist in the state. Thailand and India though not big time mineral producing countries, have very vibrant precious stone cutting and polishing industries. We intend to make Kwara State the centre for a similar operation, catering for the needs of the precious stones mined in the mineral rich belt that extends from Nasarawa/Plateau state, down to Kogi/Kwara State.

    On the infrastructure front, we will be opening up every part of the state by construction of good roads, upgrading of schools and hospitals, extension of grid and off grid electricity and the provision of water and sanitation.

    I’m always sad when I hear that a child cannot read, because the doors of opportunity had been closed on that child.

    Our youths know that government alone cannot solve all their problems. But they believe that by reducing the cost of governance, practising tight fiscal management and a radical change in Government’s priorities, every Kwaran will have a chance to a decent good life. We will embrace transparency, and will be reaching out to Kwarans at home and abroad, as well as bilateral and multilateral development agencies to join hands with us in birthing the Kwara of our dream.

  • How South, North delegates resolved resource control question

    How South, North delegates resolved resource control question

    Assistant Editor, Onyedi Ojiabor and Dele Anofi got two members of the Committee on Devolution of Power at the ongoing National Conference, Prof. Godwin Darah and Senator Ibrahim Mantu, who revealed how the committee resolved the resource control debate before submitting their recommendation this week

    After days of rancorous debate and bitter disagreements, the National Conference Committee on Devolution of Power struck a compromise on Wednesday on the necessity to modify Item 39 of the Exclusive Legislative List.

    The discussion on the contentious item almost degenerated into a free-for-all fight between south and north delegates in the committee until wise counsel prevailed on Wednesday.

    The item deals with the exclusive rights of the federal government to legislate on issues regarding “mines and minerals, including oil fields, oil mining, geological surveys and natural gas.”

    The thrust of the modification says that in carrying out mining activities anywhere in the country by the federal government, government of states where such natural resources are found shall be involved.

    Members of the committee reached consensus on the modification of the item at a closed door session that lasted over three hours.

    Professor Nsongurua Udombana, a delegate from Akwa Ibom State, was said to have moved the motion for the modification.

    The co-Chairman of the committee and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, told journalists that the item was reframed to read: “Mines and all minerals, including oil fields, oil mining, geological surveys and natural gas, provided that: (A) The government of the state where mining activities take place shall be involved in matters relating hereto; (B) The government of the federation shall make special grants to develop mines and minerals in states where such resources are undeveloped.”

    Some delegates described the modification as the democratisation and decentralisation of industrial development through strategic mining of mineral resources nationwide.

    Prof. Godwin Darah, a delegate, and Senator Ibrahim Mantu, another delegate, came out midway into the discussion to speak about how the committee weathered the storm on resource control.

    Prof. Darah: Patriotic proposals for resolving the matter finally won the acceptance of all delegates in our committee. We are 30 in the committee and there were no dissenting voice. In fact, as soon as the decision was reached, we applauded ourselves. We clapped because there has been a logjam on the matter and it was understandable.

    Item 39 on the Exclusive Legislative List illegally, unjustly and inequitably confined the power to mine minerals, mineral oil, natural gas, bitumen, gold, diamond, uranium, tantalum, and others. Only the federal government was given authority to mine them. What has happened? The federal government receives cheap money from oil and gas developed by foreigners, not Nigerians. The federal government has 60 percent equity in those companies. So, everyday money is flowing in dollars. Therefore, they have ignored the development of the other essential minerals on the excuse that they have no money to do it.

    What we did now is that Item 39 remains a federal legislative monopoly.

    It is the federal government that will make laws and grant licence if you want to mine gold or bitumen in any part of the country.

    So, by this action we have taken today, we have opened Nigeria to a new industrial revolution and civilisation. We have added a clause that federal government will grant licence to anybody who wants to exploit minerals. If I want to raise a company to explore minerals in Nasarawa State, the federal government will grant me the licence. But the state government shall have power to participate in the exploitation and development of the minerals found in its own area.

    The second addition is that the government of the federation of Nigeria shall set aside a special fund like the Sovereign Wealth Fund that will be used to deliberately develop these minerals that have been abandoned for so long. In other words, there will be no more excuse of saying there is no money to mine the gold. The federal government has for a long time locked up its own wealth just because it does not want to use the oil money to develop other sources of wealth. This committee has broken that jinx today by empowering the states to be involved in exploration. If a state does not have the resources, it can get foreign investors from Australia, South Africa or China to mine the minerals.

    Senator Mantu: We came back this morning to look at the issues once and for all with national interest in mind. We have to thank God for what He has done. Everybody came back this morning to contribute in a patriotic manner.

    The good news is that we have been able to cross the hurdle that looked impossible in the last few days. We have now been able to reach a compromise as to where mineral resources should be; whether they should be under the Exclusive or Concurrent Legislative List. We have unanimously agreed that mineral resources, including oil, coal. bitumen or gold, should remain on the Exclusive Legislative  List,  which means that the federal government will take full control of the management of the resources. But we also said that we need to make provision for the exploitation of all the natural endowments in this country. You are aware that every state in this country is blessed with one natural resource or the other and we have neglected the development of these resources because of oil and the mentality of food-is-ready. The federal government has neglected the development of all the solid minerals like bitumen which are in abundance in some parts of the country.

    We have now put a proviso in our own recommendation to the effect that the state should be involved in the development, extraction or exploitation of these minerals because at present, the states where these minerals come from are not having any say at all in exploitation of these minerals found in their states.

    We also said that the federal government should set up a special fund for the development of these other resources so that at the end of the day, every part of the country will be bringing something to the table and at that time we will see ourselves as partners and not some people seeing others as just consumers or parasites.

  • Cola brand equity heading south

    Cola brand equity heading south

    •As preference for tea, energy drink, bottle water increases

    The Cola drink market share appears to be heading south, despite the huge marketing spend to sustain market penetration. The reason for the decline is not unconnected with consumers’ growing preference for tea, energy drinks and bottled waters for years as latest findings by Beverage Digest have shown that consumers defected from the category at a faster rate last year.

    Despite the effort by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Dr Pepper Snapple Group to market lower-calorie sodas, such as Pepsi Next and Dr Pepper Ten and various packaging options, such as smaller cans, the growing need of consumers to watch their weight and sugar level has continued to make the category suffer brand switch.

    With the market showing similar trend, observers have said ‘Coca-Cola range, Pepsi and its sister brands Crush and 7UP as well as La Casera and other carbonated soft drinks are having it tough.

    Although a market observer said beyond the preference for other beverage drinks, the cola and other soft drink brands are also suffering from indirect and direct competition.

    “Apart from the preference for other drinks, which are direct competitors, the telecom service providers are fast sharing consumers’ purse with the soft drinks. People want to buy recharge cards; they want to reduce sugar-coated drinks, hence, its effect on demand for soft-drinks,” said Lekan Babatunde, a brand analyst.

    “Added to these direct competitors, carbonated soft drink (CSD) plight might have been compounded in Nigeria and neighbouring countries, such as Ghana and Benin, because of the unrelenting activities of ambitious telecoms operators,” he noted.

    However, to address obesity, which has become a serious issue for CSD manufacturers and their ilk to contend with in Nigeria, Coca-Cola in America in the last 10 years has responded to the obesity debate with a series of ads to encourage consumers to be active.

    Meanwhile, Beverage Digest revealed that, despite Coca-Cola efforts to save the market, carbonated soft drink volume declined three per cent last year, compared to a 1.2 per cent decline in 2012 and a one per cent decline in 2011.

    The category has reportedly seen declines for the last nine years, despite the industry’s massive advertising and marketing outlays. Two years ago, PepsiCo committed to spending an additional $500 million to $600 million on its core brands, of which Pepsi is one. More recently, Coca-Cola committed to spending an additional $1 billion on media and brand-building efforts by 2016.

    “The industry’s headwinds are not abating, and results are worsening,” said John Sicher, editor and publisher at Beverage Digest. “This puts a premium on sweetener innovation.”

    The major beverage players have all been working to develop natural, low-calorie sweeteners as consumers shy away from the artificial sweeteners in diet sodas and the calories in traditional sodas.

    Still, soft drinks remain the largest single beverage category, controlling about 43 per cent of the market, according to Beverage Marketing Corporation. Categories that did see growth last year included ready-to-drink coffee, energy drinks, bottled water, sport drinks and ready-to-drink tea. In addition to soft drinks, fruit beverages and enhanced waters saw declines.

    “Beverages endured a transitional year in 2013,” said Michael Bellas, chairman/Chief Executive Officer at Beverage Marketing Corporation.

    “Even in the face of economic challenges, healthier products thrived and even formerly floundering segments like ready-to-drink coffee demonstrated their potential. Certainly the state of the economy is crucial for overall beverage category success, but so are products that connect with the evolving American consumer.”