The Nation Newspaper

Tag: struggle

  • We struggle with cows to get drinking water

    We struggle with cows to get drinking water

    Kuchingworo, Pyakasa and several other communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)  are currently plagued by difficulty in getting  potable water and consequently suffering from water borne diseases.

    Checks in the affected areas showed that a good number of the residents, struggle with cows to get water from streams. In fact, some residents get drinking water from the same spot they bath and wash their clothes.

    Sauka Mapanyi community in Kuje Area Council of the FCT is one of  the embattled community.  The only borehole in the community has never functioned since it was constructed forcing the residents to compete with  cows to get water to drink. Salisu Ladan, the leader of the community  said that residents of the community have to struggle with cattle from the only stream in the community for water to drink. “We always  struggle with cows before we get water to fetch. Sometimes, we fight with Fulani herdsmen before we get water since the borehole is not pumping water. We are really suffering and daily  risking our lives  in the hands of the herdsmen all in the name of looking for  water to drink and meet other domestic needs”.

    The story of residents of Passali 2 community in the Kuje Area Council of the FCT is another pathetic  case as the residents still drink from the same place where they wash their clothes and bath. They care less about the unhygienic practice since they have no alternative to the water they get from the stream.

    The head of the community, Joseph Makerri, said: “We drink from the river although the water is not good. It is so bad that you will find it difficult to wash or bath with the water we drink. We are farmers and there is no other source of water in the community that we can drink from. We do not care to boil the water before drinking it. The hope that we have is that  some people have started digging wells from which we may be getting  cleaner water.”

    Kuchingworo is just about 10 minutes drive from Abuja city centre. It is located few meters away from Umaru Musa Yar’adua expressway leading to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. It is home to a large number of workers both in the public and private sector. But this community, like many others spread around the Federal Capital Territory lacks basic infrastructure to make life comfortable for the residents. It lacks potable water, good access roads, drainages, among others. It boasts of only a primary school and a health centre established by the local government.

    Bode Olagoke, a journalist who resides in the community told The Nation that water vendors make brisk business daily selling water to the residents. He said that  a 20-liter of water is sold for N25, adding: “I buy six kegs of water every day and there are people who buy more than that. We don’t have pipe borne water supply from the FCT Water Board and I know that the government spent billions of naira to connect to the federal capital. Some people spend up to N400 daily on water, depending on their water usage”.

    He also lamented the nature of the community which he said lacks proper planning and wants the government to remember the community in its future plans.

    A few kilometres away from there  is Pyakasa community where the residents also have to make do with water vendors for their daily needs. Unlike Kuchingworo, it is located behind a vast expanse of land where the government has created series of motorable roads that are currently not in use because houses have not been built there. Unfortunately for them, the road construction ended right on the edge of the community. Francis Oboh, a resident, told The Nation that even though many workers reside in the community, both the Abuja Municipal Area Council and the FCT administration have not deemed it necessary to remember them and give them good water supply.

    The residents, he said, are forced to buy water from water vendors daily for their household needs or resort to fetching water from wells  dug in almost every house in the area.

    Boreholes sunk by individuals in the area provide water for the residents of the community located about five minutes drive from the Lugbe Federal Housing Estate and it is a common sight to see water vendors parading the whole community, pushing their truck and selling water to residents. Another resident of the community who simply identify herself as Faith, said she spends about N400 daily buying water, especially when she has laundry to do.

    The story is not different for residents of Dutse Alhaji located a few kilometres away from the multi billion naira Lower Usman Dam which supplies water to the FCT. Investigations revealed that despite being close to the dam, residents do not have access to potable water. Some of them told The Nation that they are yet to fathom why they have to spend so much buying water from water vendors, while those who cannot afford to do that resort to the use of wells for their water needs.

    “I wonder why the government is finding it difficult to provide us with water when the dam providing water to the rest of Abuja is located just less than two kilometres away from here. In spite of their failure,  they boast daily of providing water to the people. Are we not part of the FCT that the Lower Usman Dam is supposed to serve? I have read in the papers the billions of naira they claim to have spent on this project and yet, many of the surrounding communities don’t  have water. Do you know that some communities around here drink water from the River?” a resident said.

    The Nation also gathered that residents of the community sometimes had to go to an other neighbouring community to fetch water from burst pipes conveying water from the Lower Usman Dam thereby exposing them to water borne diseases. The burst pipes from where they get water are located a few meters away from Jabu community.

    At the entrance to the community is a spring. Around it, the villagers have smartly built a block of bricks to make it easy for them to scoop water. The water gushes out of the pipe ceaselessly and flows gently down a furrow into the nearby bush.

    Interestingly, one of the components of the Millennium Development Goals, is to reduce  the number of the population without  access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015. The government has consistently said that it was committed to the provision of water to all Nigerians. Through the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDG, the government has said that the provision of potable water for all Nigerians remains one of its major focuses.

    The Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, recently, was quoted to have said  that the government has provided water for a vast majority of Nigerians.

    In its report on the implementation of the MDG goals, the National Bureau of Statistics said that water supply to urban centres across the country has increased considerably to about 74.6 percent as against 57 percent in the rural areas.

    However, the statistics released by the bureau and  the MDG’s office revealed a slight difference. The MDG office states that the number of people with access to  improved source and use of improved drinking water stood at 62.20 per cent which is 14.8 per cent less than the MDG’s benchmark of 77 per cent.

    Investigations around the FCT revealed that several communities across the territory are drinking unclean water from ponds and streams, while several others either drink from wells or buy water from water vendors who on their part patronize boreholes sunk by some wealthy individuals. There are motorized boreholes also in some of the communities, but majority of these are sunk by individuals.

    Kwaita community in Kuje Area Council is not that lucky to get water from such wells.  The only borehole sunk for them by the government has not worked for a long time.

    When our reporter visited the community located along the Abuja/Lokoja highway, the  residents were busy fetching  murky water from a well. A resident of the community who identified himself simply as Mallam Musa said the community is dire need quality water supply. He appealed to government to come to their aid.

    Another community suffering from lack of potable water supply is Several other communities around the FCT are suffering from the same fate and they are daily crying to government to come to their aid and save them from water borne diseases which is ravaging  the areas.

  • Jonathan ‘ll struggle to get 25 per cent in Bayelsa, says Sylva

    •President’s friend dumps PDP for APC

    Former Bayelsa State Governor Chief Timpreye Sylva has said President Goodluck Jonathan will struggle to get the mandatory 25 per cent of the votes cast in his home state.

    He hoped the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, would defeat Jonathan in the state.

    He asked Nigerians not to cry more than the bereaved for the President because of the kind of product Jonathan is.

    Sylva gave the update on the presidential election at a news conference at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja where a former Commissioner for Health under President Jonathan as governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Frank Akpoebi dumped the PDP for for the APC.

    Akpoebi cited poor performance, inconsistency and disrespect for Ijaw leaders as some reasons behind his leaving the PDP and the President, who he described as a “very close friend.”

    The former governor, who is aspiring for the Senate asked Nigerians to follow the footsteps of Bayelsans, who have resolved not to vote for Jonathan, saying Nigerians should not cry more than the believed.

    He said: “I am happy today that APC in Bayelsa State is marching on. Chief Frank Akpoebi is a major addition to our party in Bayelsa State. We believe that with his presence in our party, we have made a quantum leap and we are closer to victory in Bayelsa State.

    “Somebody came to me the other day and was asking me why are we doing this? Why are we going to make the President to be looking for 25 per cent now in his state? That is where we are getting to.

    “We are getting to a point where APC presidential candidate will win overwhelmingly in Bayelsa State and President Jonathan might just be looking for 25 per cent in his home state.

    “He is from Bayelsa State and we know that. Of course we also know him more than you, the product that he is, the person that he is. I am only telling Nigerians not to cry more than the bereaved.

    “If we, Bayelsans, have resolved not to vote for President Jonathan, then you must look at us and you must do as we are doing.

    “In the state, we have seen not much of what he has done. He has always said that he has established so many new uniiversities. Go to those states where those universities are supposed to be and tell me what infrastructure are on ground.

    “Are those places designated as sites for those universities what they are very proud about?

    “The one in Bayelsa State is supposed to be in Otuoke, his village. The buildings there that are being used were built by me as governor and since then, nothing has happened even in the university in his village. But he has continued to say that he has established new universities.

    “I don’t believe that the problem of Nigeria is new universities. The problem of Nigeria is to make sure that the universities that have been there are functional. We have universities that are glorified secondary schools and instead of making sure that some universities become real universities, you say you are establishing so many new universities and nothing is being done in those sites.

    “There are 10,000 reasons I can give you why you should not vote for President Jonathan and I am from Bayelsa.

    “Today, Chief Frank Akpoebi, a great son of Bayelsa is joining our party and I want to also inform you that in a lot of senior Bayelsans are going to be defecting to the APC because they are completely dissatisfied with what is happening in the PDP and in the government of President Jonathan.

    “This is only the second in the series. We are going to have a lot of senior Bayelsans talking to you and crossing over to the APC before February 14. I want to assure you that the APC is marching on and that nobody can stop anybody whose idea has come. The victory of the APC is assured”.

    Speaking on the defection of Akpoebi, the ex-governor said:  “I know that Chief Frank Akpoebi is a very close friend of President Jonathan. I know that for a fact. The details of what they have together, I will not know. But I know that they were very good friends. So, he is in a position to know a lot of these things that he has just mentioned.

    “I know that in 1999, Chief Akpoebi was instrumental to the formation of the PDP in Bayelsa State and the appointment of Dr Goodluck Jonathan then as deputy governor and after that, they remained very close friends. I also know that when he became governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Frank Akpoebi was in his cabinet as commissioner for Health. So, I know that they have had a lot in common and he is in a position to say some of the things he has said”.

    Speaking earlier, Akpoebi said President Jonathan has failed to deliver on his promises to Nigerians and the people of Bayelsa State.

    He also said Jonathan was not offering good governance and listed six areas in which the President had failed the nation.

    These are insecurity, corruption, unemployment, poverty, power (electricity) and the economy (Naira devaluation).

    He added: “Above all, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has brought the politics of religion, tribe, North/South dichotomy and hate”.

  • Struggle with belly fat

    Struggle with belly fat

    Most women always wish to have or maintain what is popularly known as a “Coke bottle shape” or what is actually called the ‘Figure 8’, but there is always one constant enemy opposing this target and that is belly fat. Dorcas Omunagbe looks at the challenge for women and how to reduce abdominal obesity.

    BELLY fat has become a constant struggle for most women and some have even given up the fight. Belly fat or abdominal obesity, or as clinically called, central obesity, is excessive fat around the stomach and abdomen. Everyone has some belly fat, even people that have flat abs, it is only normal. Deji Oluwagbemi says that “Excess fat gets stored mostly in the belly and results to what people refer to as pot belly and it is a major cause of obesity.”  He adds that belly fat could be a result of eating junks as well as eating uncontrollably. “The stomach is elastic by nature and would expand continuously if food goes in non-stop, therefore creating more space to accommodate the excess fat from consumed meals, which is what actually leads to abdominal obesity.”

    The fact that belly fat does not make one look good or feel good about one self and not leaving aside the fact that such individual will not fit into some clothes has made it a serious issue. The fact that it takes a step in affecting one’s confidence and esteem shows that it goes beyond just not being able to zip up your jean. Abiola Mary opines, “Belly fat makes people big and unattractive. It spoils the body figure or shape as it were and that is why ladies, especially, work out more on their bellies so as to reduce fat level.”

    It also bears some relationships that might affect one’s health negatively. Amongst some of the health issues associated with belly fat is diabetes. Central obesity predisposes individuals for insulin resistance. Belly fat secretes some hormones that possibly impair glucose tolerance. In addition, belly fat also has a relationship with asthma. As a result of breathing at low lung volume, the muscles are tighter and the airway is narrower. It is commonly seen that people who are obese breathe quickly and often while inhaling small volumes of air. Abdominal obesity also affects pulmonary function. This means that there is a relationship between belly fat and the functions of the lungs. Most times, people who suffer abdominal obesity breathe heavily than those that don’t.

    Abdominal obesity is increasing in the western population as it is now also common place in Nigeria. This is possibly due to a combination of low physical activity and high-calorie diet. Some people are also not very health conscious and just eat whatever seems eatable at whatever time, which also contributes to this. There are various things that might cause belly fat depending on the affected individual. A study has also shown that alcohol consumption is directly associated with waist circumference and with a higher risk of abdominal obesity in men, but not in women, in the present population. Some other people also opine that it could be caused by over eating and eating food not suitable for late hours of the day.

    Evans Aje declares: “It is caused by over eating or by drinking a lot of alcohol. I feel it can be prevented by constant exercise and dieting.”  With this ongoing struggle, there is a need to recommend prevention and cure, but, of course, prevention is better than cure. There are various health tips for preventing belly fat but here are just a few to look out for.

    This includes sleeping often and well, as well as having short bursts of exercises. You also need to avoid sugar because it is the greatest enemy of your body shape. Next, you need to take enough of Vitamin C through fruits and other foods that contain it. Interestingly, you also need to eat fat. It takes fat to burn fat because eating fat does not make you fat, but eating sugar makes you fat. When they say eat fat, it means eat healthy fats.  You must make conscious efforts to slow down your breath once you notice you are getting tense and uptight. Take a breath pause and take a deep breath.  Sonya Collins adds that proper stress management can also help reduce fat. These are simple but surprisingly effective tips.

    Miss Oluwatobi also recommends proper exercise and the right diet. Deji Oluwagbemi adds to this by recommending a vegetable diet. Love Anjorin says, “To prevent belly fat, one should eat early, take lots of water and do not lie down immediately after eating.”

  • June 12… Heroes, heroine of the people’s struggle

    The ‘June 12’ battle was not for men of frail will. On the battle field were great fighters who dared the military. These democratic forces were scattered at home and abroad. Many lost their lives and property. When the fight became hotter, some developed cold feet, betrayed the cause and deserted the battle. However, many also endured the heat and fought to the end during the delicate period. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the heroes and martyrs of the titanic struggle, whose persistent agitations heralded the restoration of civil rule in 1999.

     

     

     

     

    Abiola

     

    The symbol of the struggle for democracy was the late Chief Moshood Abiola, the billionaire businessman, who wanted to use power to abolish poverty in Nigeria. Before he joined the race, he had established himself as a friend of top military brass and philanthropist. Apparently, the ruling military class underrated him as a presidential material, until it was too late. His credential was highly intimidating. Largely perceived as the liberator of the people from the military cage, Abiola received massive support, beating his rival, National Republican Convention (NRC)’s Bashir Tofa in his native Kano State. He pulled 8,341,309 votes, representing 58.36 percent of total votes. When former Military President Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election, there was sporadic protest. Up to now, the ghost of the cruel annulment still hunts the retired General. Abiola declared himself President-elect at Epetedo, Lagos Island. He was later arrested and detained by the Abacha regime. He fought on until he die in detention under Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, who succeeded Abacha.

     

    Kudirat Abiola

     

    The late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola was one of the numerous wives of the SDP presidential flag bearer. The annulment forced Kudirat into the pro-democracy movement. She developed a steely determination that dared military bullets. When her husband was in solitary confinement for claiming his presidential mandate, Kudirat confronted the military dictators. Her leadership motivated other pro-democracy groups to spring up and seek the actualisation of the election. In 1994, when the struggle got to a head, Kudirat was actively involved in sustaining the oil workers strike, which succeeded in crippling the nation’s economy and weakened the military government Kudirat had frictions with courts over her stance before her eventual release on bail. Despite this harassment, she continued her campaign. She and the late Chief Alfred Rewane funded the pro-democracy activities which unsettled the military. When protesters were detained, she would promptly visit police stations to secure their release. Kudirat knew that she was operating in an atmosphere of danger. She was planning to process her visa to leave the shores of Nigeria before she was killed. On June 4, 1996, a few days to the third anniversary of the June 12 election, Kudirat was shot dead by assassins in Oregun, Lagos State.

     

    Soyinka/Fayemi

     

    Prof. Soyinka, Nigerian playwright, poet, novelist, and implacable critic, is the first black African to bag the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. The former university don was one of the brains behind Radio Kudirat. Other frontline activists behind the opposition radio were Enahoro and Dr.Kayode Fayemi, who made broadcasts leaking plans by the soldiers to wipe out freedom fighters from Nigeria. It was the radio that alerted people to the plot to assassinate Ajasin and Adesanya. The Nobel Laureate was not new to prison walls through his activism. In 1994, Soyinka lived in exile in the US and France after leaving Nigeria. When the June 12 election was annulled, Soyinka played a key role in pressurising Abacha to rescind his decision. With his influence, he mounted a strong international campaign against Abacha’s dictatorial regime. In 1997 he was tried in absentia with other opposition members for a phony charge of bomb attacks against army. The Abacha regime sentenced Soyinka to death in absentia. He still lives to tell the tale. With Soyinka at the Radio Kudirat was the activist, Dr. Fayemi, who is now Ekiti State governor. His role in the struggle is well documented in his book Out of Shadows.

     

    Ajasin

     

    Chief Adekunle Ajasin, former governor of Ondo State, doubled as Afenifere and NADECO leader. He was a principled fighter and moral voice who offered inspiration to the democratic forces. Already an old man, Ajasin, despite the threat to his health and safety, never wavered. The Owo politician had objected to the participation of progressives in Abacha government, but Abiola, in his naivety, prevailed on him to give his consent. His bedroom was invaded by former Governor Ibe Onyearu-gbulem, who had the mandate from Abacha to make Ondo State uncomfortable for the NADECO forces. In August 1995, he took ill and on his return from his foreign medical trip, he renewed his quest for the revalidation of the June 12 mandate. In June 1995, he was arrested by the military alongside others for holding a meeting, but was released 24 hours later. Eventually, he passed on when the battle was still hot.

     

    Rewane

     

    During the dark days, the late Pa Alfred Rewane used his pen and money to fight the military to a standstill. He was a pillar of financial support for all NADECO and many human rights activities. His motive was the de-annulment of the June 12 election. He also personally campaigned against official graft in high places, lack of accountability and gross violation of human rights by the military. But in October 6, 1995, he was murdered in curious circumstances which elicited wide outcry.

     

    Adesanya

     

    The elder statesman, lawyer and former senator, Chief Abraham Adesanya became the leader of Afenifere after the death of Ajasin. His Personal Assistant was Rev. Tunji Adebiyi. Adesanya’s compatriots in the group who also fought the military were Chiefs Ganiyu Dawodu, Bola Ige, Lam Adesina, Ayo Adebanjo, Olaniwun Ajayi, Solanke Onasanya, Femi Okunrounmu, Olabiyi Durojaye, and Cornelius Adebayo. Some of them suffered bruises. Rev. Adebiyi was bearing a letter from NADECO leaders in Lagos to Ajasin at Owo when he was arrested at 10 pm at Maryland by the police. Persistent pleas by Mrs. Kudirat Abiola secured his release. Adesina was captured by soldiers during a protest at Ibadan as “prisoner of war”. Durojaye, Adebanjo and Dawodu were detained. Assassins were also trailing Aremo Segun Osoba. He escaped been hit by bullets by whiskers. Death came calling in January, 1997, but Adesanya also miraculously escaped assassin’s bullets. He remained undaunted to the end. Under his leadership, Afenifere intensified the battle for promoting the virtues of minority rights, equality, federalism and nationalism.

     

    Enahoro

     

    The late Chief Anthony Enahoro, nationalist and elder statesman was, no doubt, one of Nigeria’s foremost pro-democracy activists. He was the chairman of NADECO’s Steering Committee. In 1995, he was detained for almost three months without any charge by Abacha. Before he escaped abroad, he was a torn in the flesh of the military. He also chaired the Movement for National Reformation (MNR) and the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO). Enahoro was actually the leader of NADECO abroad.

     

    Fawehinmi (SAN)

     

    The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi was an outstanding lawyer and world-acclaimed human rights crusader. He was an advocate of de-annulment. For daring the military, he was detained for a long period by the military government. He provided legal, moral and financial support for freedom fighters. He was a target of liquidation by the military.

     

     

    Akinyemi

     

    Among those who offered intellectual support for NADECO activities were Prof. Akinyemi, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Segun Gbadegesin, Ropo Sekoni, Ade Banjo and Adebayo Williams. They wrote numerous incisive articles denouncing the annulment, military rule and rights violation. They were targets of attacks by the military. They fled the country to continue the onslaught abroad. Banjo had purchased 3,000 riffles to launch a guerrilla war against Abacha. He was caught and detained before he escaped to Ghana. If the asylum proposed by Prof. Akinyemi had been accepted, Abiola may not have been killed. But the chief rejected the asylum, saying that the President-elect of the most populous nation in Africa could not be seeking asylum in American Embassy.

     

    Kokori

     

    The oil workers strike rattled the late Gen. Abacha. The credit goes to Chief Frank Kokori, a fearless Labour leader and former Secretary-General of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). In 1994, the pro-democracy activist led the oil workers to a sustained strike over the annulment of the June 12, election, leading to the paralysis of the social and economic lives of the nation, to the embarrassment of Abacha’s junta. He was arrested on August 20, same year by the security operatives and was moved round different prisons, mostly in the northern part of the country. The incarceration, however, did not stop his activism.

     

    Carrington

     

    An American diplomat, who served as United States Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Nigeria between 1993 and 1997, Walter Carrington lent support to the fight for democracy in Nigeria. He stood resolutely with pro-democracy activists during the pro-June 12 agitation. He condemned Babangida for annulling the election widely adjudged free and fair. He expressed great concern over the abuse of human rights and the steady descent of Nigeria into a police state under the military. His remarks were weighty and they influenced America to mount pressure on military to vacate power.

     

    Ayo Adebanjo

     

    Chief Ayo Adebanjo is a fearless politician who does not hide his principled views, no matter whose oz is gorged. He was staunch member of NADECO who has played opposition politics for many decades. Despite the threat to his life and property, he was resolute in the fight for the restoration of Abiola’s mandate. It was ironic, because Abiola and his leader, Awolowo, never politically opposed to one another. Since he passed on, Adebanjo has been calling for the immortalisation of Abiola.

     

    Dosunmu

     

    Former Minister of Housing and Environment, the late Dr. Dosunmu, was a close associate of Abiola from the NPN days. He was involved in the activities of NADECO from the scratch. He and Olufemi Lanlehin were instructed by their group, Primose, which later became Lagos Justice Forum, to attend the inaugural meeting of the group in Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo’s Ikeja residence. He was a signatory to the memorandum submitted by Afenifere at the formative stage of the association. Dosunmu, Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Omotilewa Aro-Lambo, Senator Ajayi from Ekiti, Hon. Adesina from Abeokuta, and Sikiru Shitta-Bey were also involved in the presidential declaration arrangement at Epetedo, Lagos Island.

     

    Opadokun

     

    Ayo Opadokun was the General Secretary of the Afenifere and NADECO. He fought the military for democracy to flourish in Nigeria. For five years, he was in detention. By the time he was released, he had become a poor man. It is painful to him that, after the restoration of the civil rule, charlatans, military apologists and collaborators became the beneficiaries of the battle in 1999.

     

    Ige

     

    The Cicero of Esa-Oke, the late Chief Bola Ige, had shunned the IBB transition programme, following Awo’s admonition to his followers to learn to dine with the devil with a long spoon. However, the entry of the late Chief Bola Ige, after the expiration of ‘siddon look’ period, inspired the pro-democracy agitators to fight on. He was a leading fighter under NADECO and Afenifere, where he was deputy leader. Ige had a caustic tongue, which he used to bite the Abacha regime. It was he who described the five political parties of that period as five fingers of a leprous hand. he was detained at Epe.

    Oshun

     

    Olawale Osun is a former Chief Whip of the House of Representatives. When the IBB regime cancelled the election, he was among the legislators who denounced the criminal act. He was one of the few people that planned the ‘Epetedo Declaration’ for Abiola. When Opadokun was seized by the military, he became NADECO secretary. He was later released, after which he fled abroad to continue the fight. He wrote his book, ‘Clapping with one hand’, in detention.

     

    Ukiwe

     

    Ebitu Ukiwe, a retired Navy Commodore and Chief of General Staff from 1985 to 1986, was one of the notable actors in the pro-democracy struggle in the beginning. Most Nigerians believe that Ukiwe lost his post due to his principled nature. Knowing that Ukiwe could not pushed around, Babangida replaced him with Augustus Aikhomu. However, Ukiwe reduced his participation when his life was on line.

     

    Ndubuisi Kanu

     

    The former governor of Imo and Lagos states joined the democracy groups in retirement and was in the forefront of the agitation for the actualization of the mandate. Abacha was particularly worried at his involvement in the agitation to halt his inglorious rule. He once told him to deck his khaki and face him with his gun, instead of joining forces with civilians to rubbish him. When he persisted in his NADECO activities, his businesses were crippled by the military. His private residence was searched by security agents. He was accused of planning to importing arms and ammunitions.

     

    Clement Nwankwo

     

    Among the organisations that formed NADECO was the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU) led by the irrepressible advocate of human rights and good governance, Nwankwo. He shared that virtue of consistency and bravery with Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who were prominent NADECO chieftains. A fierce speaker and prolific writer, Nwankwo was never afraid of detention camps.

     

    Fasehun

     

    Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, a former SDP presidential aspirant, founded the Oodua Peoples Congress to press for the de-annulment of the election. He was one of the founding fathers of NADECO. He was detained for a long time by the military for fighting the cause.

     

    Balarabe Musa

     

    The former governor of Kaduna State refused to join the bandwagon of tribal egoists. He believed that June 12 offered a redemptive option to the country in its quest for legitimate leadership. To him, the annulment was a national calamity and the struggle was not a sectional affair as wrongly projected by military spin doctors. On few occasions too, prominent northern leaders, including the late Dr. Ibrahim Tahir, spoke forcefully against Babangida regime for foisting an avoidable crisis on the country.

     

    Umar

     

    As military governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Umar (rtd), Admiral Ndubusi Kanu (rtd), had shown the tendency of a radical. The political scientist was of the view that the military had overstayed in power to the detriment of the masses. Col. Abubakar Umar Dangiwa (rtd) spoke forcefully in defense of the Abiola. To him, the symbol was not the main issue, but the seizure of the nation’s collective passport for a genuine flight to the horizon of democratic progress.

     

    Bola Tinubu

     

    In the Third Republic, he was a senator. In the Upper Chamber, he was the rallying point for senators seeking an end to military rule. He challenged IBB to a duel. When the military leader annulled the poll, he demanded for explanations. Tinubu dared the military, urging the masses to resist the brutal act. He was briefly detained and released. After escaping abroad, he became one of the leaders and financial pillars of NADECO abroad.

     

    Ondo NADECO

     

    These were NADECO members based in Ondo State. Prominent among the members of the group were Chief Segun Adegoke, a lawyer and Awoist and the late Adebayo Adefarati.

     

    Falae

     

    The former Secretary to the Federal Military Government and Finance Minister was very active in Afenifere and NADECO. He was one of the ardent supporters of Abiola during the battle for the revalidation of the annulled results. Other Afenifere leaders who were active during the struggle included Senator Ayo Fasanmi, who resigned from the Constitutional Conference Commission set up by Abacha, Chief Supo Sonibare, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Baba Omojola, Chief Rafiu Jafojo, Chief S.K. Babalola, and Rev. Tunji Adebiyi. Before they joined Abacha government, the duo of Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Ebenezer Babatope were also at the forefront of the clamour for the de-annulment of the june 12, 1993 election.

    Adesina

     

    A disciple of Awo and former federal legislator, the late Alhaji Lam Adesina was always opposed to military rule. He had used his column to spite the soldiers of fortune who milked the country dry. For participating in the anti-military demonstrations at Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Adesina was ‘captured’ by the Military Administrator, Col. Usman, as a prisoner of war. He languished in detention.

     

    Gbonigi

     

    The activist-cleric, Rt. Rev. Bolanle Gbonigi, was nicknamed the ‘NADECO Bishop’ because of his principled position on June 12. He decried the injustice from the pulpit and offered moral and spiritual support to the pro-democracy agitators.

     

    Akinrinade

     

    Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd) was one of the leaders of NADECO abroad, who committed enormous time, energy and resources to the struggle for justice. His private residence at Ikeja was torched by suspected government agents. The same tribulation befell his compatriot, Dr, Amos Akingba, a former university don. He was harassed by the military. His residence was also attacked in Lagos.

     

    Dan Sulaiman

     

    A gallant soldier, Sulaiman, a former Minister of Communications, joined the democratic forces in decrying the annulment and incarceration of the symbol of the struggle.

     

    Labour, right groups

    and media

     

    Human rights leaders-Dr Beko Ransom-Kuti, his brother, Prof. Olikoye Ransom-Kuti, Femi Falana, Femi Aborisade, Chima Ubani, Joe Igbokwe, Olisa Agbakoba, Ayo Obe, Rev. Fr. Mathew Kukah, Ebun Adegoruwa, Clement Nwankwo, Felix Tuodolo, Debo Adeniran, Ima Niboro, Akinola Orisagbemi, who was Personal Assistant to Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, Innocent Chukwuma, Bunmi Aborisade, and numerous activists under the banners of the Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Medical Association, Nigeria Labour Congress, NUJ, PENGASSAN, NUPENG, Lagos Justice Forum, and NANS made invaluable contributions to the struggle.

  • Their struggle for survival

    Their struggle for survival

    They are preparing for life after school so that they won’t have to search for non-existing jobs after graduation. They are combining their academic pursuit with low-income vocations to pay their bills. There are many of such students at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    To them, there is no compromise in the struggle for survival. On campus, they are merchants. Their colleagues and lecturers patronise them. In most cases, their products are cheap and they are appreciated for their expertise and quick delivery.

    Often times, their roommates and classmates help them to serve their customers. For the traders among them, they always pray for lecture-free periods to enable them trade. When they are not attending lectures, they are busy attending to their customers.

    For those engaged in craftwork, their weekends are busy. They go to the market to buy materials to carry out their job. Often times, these students face threats of ejection by the hall management because they use their hostels as business centres.

    Busayo Idowu is in her final year in the Department of Social Studies, Faculty of Education. She is gradually becoming popular on campus as a tailor. One of her customers told CAMPUSLIFE she “is blessed with a huge sense of fashion”.

    Though her shop is not on the campus, Busayo, the manager of Treasure House Couture, cuts and designs clothes in her average-sized room in Mayfair area of Ile-Ife, the university’s host community.

    Busayo said she learnt the trade while seeking admission into higher institution.

    “When I did not gain admission on time, I decided to learn tailoring. I didn’t want to just sit down at home doing nothing. I was trained not to depend on others for survival but to create wealth and put smiles on the faces of people,” she said.

    She added that since she started her business, she has relieved her parents of the burden of paying her school fees.

    On her tricks, Busayo said studying the environment, knowing what the people wanted was the zeal that made her business to grow.

    She said: “I have always loved dresses, and, as much as I could, I appreciate people who wear appropriate combination and have a good dress sense. I see the campus as a community, a market, a breeding ground and a starting point to showcase my expertise.

    “Making clothes for my colleagues, who are my customers, has its advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes, some of them will praise me and even add extra on the charges. Others make insulting remarks because I simply know how to sew. I have taken every one of them as a customer because I don’t want to lose their patronage.”

    Despite his tight schedule as a paramedical student, Bosun Fadeyibi, a final year student of Medical Rehabilitation, is a barber. He started his business in 2009 when he was admitted into the school. Later, he ventured into laundry services to increase his customer base.

    Bosun said he learnt the trade from a secondary school mate and a retired soldier.

    At the time the businesses started taking more of his time, his younger brother, Tolulope, gained admission to study Demography and Social Statistics in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Tolulope joined his brother in managing the enterprise.

    He told CAMPUSLIFE: “I have been learning how to do business since my childhood days. My dad entrusted over 500 poultry birds in my care. He told me that there is dignity in labour, and this gives me the passion to continue to struggle to make a living through my handiwork.”

    Bosun, who runs his businesses from Fajuyi Hall, said none of his customers had made any derogatory remark about him, he stated.

    He said: “As people see my business as menial, it sustains me and I have achieved something tangible through it. I don’t feel embarrassed cutting hair and washing the clothes of my fellow students. I am always happy when I see my work on people.”

    Bosun admitted that combining business with academics had been an Herculean task, but he said it was a burden he must bear because he is looking beyond the campus.

    Mending shoes and bags for students sustains Ayodeji Obisesan. The 300-Level Economics Education student, who operates in Awolowo Hall, started his shoe-making business in his first year. He is patronised by students and members of the staff.

    Does he feel embarrassed when his colleagues call him a cobbler? Ayodeji answered: “How can I feel embarrassed when I need their ‘insults’ to grow my business? I am a business man who needs money. I don’t trouble my parents for stipends and school fees. I am making some money by sewing leather materials for students and staff. But this does not affect my studies.”

    Will he look for a white-collar job after graduation, Ayodeji said he was planning to grow his business and be self-reliant.

     

     

  • Struggle cuts across sectors

    The last three months for Labour has been busy. Unions, as usual, have been fighting for workers’ rights. These agitations were centred on alleged refusal of some state governments to implement the N18,000 minimum wage.

    The spate of embezzlement of pension funds also attracted the attention of the two labour bodies – the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congres (TUC). The trial and eventual conviction of John Yakubu Yusuf in the courts was welcomed, but the light sentence and the option of a paltry N750,000 fine, drew the ire of labour and other Nigerians.

    Next came the solidarity message of the NLC and TUC that should the government fail to bring the culprits to book through the judiciary, they would hold mass protests.

    Labour, as usual, won some and lost in other areas. On the deregulation of the downstream petroleum industry, NLC applauded the judgment of the Federal High Court (FHC) that the government should not remove subsidy, but rather fix a price for petroleum products.

    The congress said the judgment was “obviously a victory for democracy and the independence of the judiciary.” It commended Bamidele Aturu for his stance in prosecuting the case. NLC, however, added that the issues of deregulation go beyond the fixing of the pump prices of petroleum products.

    “The adverse effects of an unconscionable high cost of petroleum products on the citizenry borne out of bad management of the petroleum sector is the crux of the matter,” the NLC said in a statement.

    Calling on the government to forget the plan to further mark-up the prices of petroleum products, NLC said the judgment underscores its insistence that the Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) be made justiceable to promote good governance and protect the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.

    The oil sector workers also observed that the challenges facing the country on the availability of petroleum products are unprecedented and have continued to constitute a source of hardship to the citizenry. They called for a speedy solution through passage of Petroleum Industry Bill.

    “Our four refineries produce at some 20 per cent of their capacity and the country is forced to import about 80 per cent of needed refined products thereby expending scarce foreign currency and perpetrating fraud in the name of subsidy.

    “We frown at the little or no provision made under the PIB for this critical sector of the industry. NUPENG and PENGASSAN believe that the PIB must address the vexed issue of petroleum products importation and other areas of concern in the downstream. We expect the PIB to lay the legal foundation for a sustained growth in the development of our local refining capacity, end the regime of importation of refined petroleum products and, ultimately, usher in Nigeria as an exporter of refined petroleum products.

    They, therefore, proposed that the PIB makes provisions for the existing refineries. That the country adopts a modified model tailored towards the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) Model with the National Oil Company (NOC) holding a substantial minority of about 40 per cent core investors/local participation having a working majority; and staff and staff unions – PENGASSAN and NUPENG holding minority shares. That refineries should be stand-alone entities independent of the proposed NOC (NOCs will hold the government shares). The management of each refining company should be autonomous and responsible for its success and failure.

    Also that effective incentives should be granted to allow for the development of private refineries alongside the existing refineries. A framework should also be articulated that will make available required crude oil for effective functioning of local refineries.

    The banks were not left out of the labour struggles in the first quarter. The lingering crisis between the defunct Afribank workers and the management of the Mainstreet Bank was resolved.

    The National Union of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) though appreciated the Federal Government for ensuring an agreement that the workers would be paid their full benefits, but still wants government to monitor the implementation of the agreement.

    The agreement states that the Mainstreet Bank will pay 100 per cent severance package to the severed workers of Afribank who were laid off by the management of the Mainstreet Bank. Management of the bank said it decided to put a human face to the whole bridge mechanism, which had seen National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) taken over the delinquent Afribank Nigeria following the revocation of its banking licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Mainstreet Bank commended the contributions of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), noting that the agreement was reached after months of negotiation brokered by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity between the bank and the labour unions. AMCON is the beneficial owner of Mainstreet Bank.

    The union is counting down to its picketing ultimatum with the First Bank Nigeria Plc. It alleged that the bank had joined the league of slave drivers by engaging casual workers for cheap monthly salaries through outsourcing, to do the jobs of regular staff who have just been retrenched by the bank.

    The union claimed to have “had several engagements and dialogue with FBN management and their In- Sourcing on the issue of workers union right which the management has refused to give recognition.”

    NUBIFIE, therefore, gave the bank a 14-day ultimatum, which will expire tomorrow.

    An official of the bank, however, denied the allegations saying they were far from the truth. And that the bank always employ regular workers and train them at its training school.

    NUBIFIE said the bank was economical with the truth. “The work environment in the banks and Insurance has become a virtual slave camp, where workers were subjected to all forms of human deprivation un-regulated hours of work, unrestrained and arbitrary punitive actions of management, absence of a negotiated condition of service as well as stagnation of promotions among other denials,” it said.

    The union is miffed about unrealistic deposit drive target, which in some cases render or expose workers to abuse and dehumanisation with the attendant psychological trauma. It said these anti-labour practices have become the hallmark of management relationship with the workers in trying to achieve their corporate goals.

    The aviation sector was not spared of labour struggle. Aero Contractor is awaiting its picketing date with NLC and TUC.

    The congresses said they were surprised that “despite huge opportunities provided by the existence of vibrant, well informed, matured and responsible trade unions in the aviation sector, the management of Aero Contractors decided to ignore all available industrial relations mechanisms by dismissing over 655 employees of the company and locked out the entire workforce since March 13, 2013.”

    They said the airline had approached the National Industrial Court for an injunction that would provide the management an opportunity to take “anti-workers decisions without consultation with the unions, the National Union of Air Transport Employees and the Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.”

    They believed the basic intention of the management is to, ultimately, circumscribe workers rights to belong to the unions as well as casualise the entire workforce.

    Labour applauded the steps taken so far by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which grounded the airline, saying safety cannot be guaranteed with an airline that has “caused itself avoidable industrial crisis. All employees of airlines all over the world are key to security and safety of flights.”

    It is calling on the management of the airline to recall those dismissed and reopen their offices immediately.

    At the moment, there is an April 10 mass protest date notice given by both labour centres – NLC and TUC – over pension scam.

    Labour deems it fit to fight on behalf of the feeble old men and women whose pension funds are being used to enrich younger and influential people.

  • Nembe City won’t struggle — Pere

    Nembe City won’t struggle — Pere

    Captain of Nembe City Vincent Kipu Pere has told supersport.com that remaining in the Nigerian top flight in their debut season will be their priority.

    Nembe City won promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL) to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) alongside El-Kanemi, Nasarawa United and Bayelsa United.

    But Kipu Pere is confident that in spite of Nembe City making their debut in the nation’s top flight, they are capable of keeping their NPFL status at the end of the 2012/13 season.

    The former Bayelsa United man also believes that Nembe City will ruffle a few feathers during their maiden NPFL campaign.

    “We want to make a mark in the league and maintain our status (as an NPFL club). As a new club in the elite division we also want to have a great season. Nembe City have top quality in players who have played in the top division in the past. They are tested and have experience playing in the NPFL. At least we have about 20 players who can achieve this for us,” said Kipu Pere.

    “Personally I believe that if Nembe City do very well I’ll also be able to achieve my personal target of securing a better deal to another club, home or abroad,” said Kipu Pere, who was a key figure in his team’s promotion win last term.

    New boys, Nembe City will start their 2012/13 NPFL season at Heartland in March.