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  • Unease over emerging technologies

    Unease over emerging technologies

    Technology has continued to evolve. From the first generation (1G), which dealt with analogue voice to 2G, which was essentially digital voice to 3G with focus on data; 4G on mobile broadband to 5G, which was designed to connect  everything and everyone, so have come what is known as merging technologies. Artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), blockchain and others are some emerging technologies. While technologies have provided solutions to human challenges over the years, there are fears that AI would replace jobs, writes LUCAS AJANAKU.

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has pledged commitment to driving the deployment and adoption of emerging technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Blockchain, Robotics and Virtual Reality (VR), FinTech, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and telemedicine, to stimulate greater contribution of the sector.

    “For us as a country to reap the full benefits of all these emerging technologies in ways that further spur growth in our national economy, NCC prioritises the need to improve and expand broadband infrastructure and the deployment of new technology such as 5G. Our efforts in diligently driving this will facilitate the actualisation of the set targets in the Federal Government’s digital economy policy,” Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC, Prof Garba Danbatta, said.

    According to him, with the rapid digital transformation happening through the telecom sector, the country will be in a better position to create an alternate economy for diversification, innovation and creativity in e-commerce and digital entrepreneurship, thus empowering a significant number of the populace to become self-reliant and self-employed.

    Like the NCC, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has created a National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), which, it said, is one of its special purpose vehicles (SPVs) to promote research and development on emerging technologies and their practical application in areas of national interest.

    The centre, a state-of-the-art facility, along with its modern digital fabrication laboratory (FabLab), is co-located in the same building complex with the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), at Abuja.

    NCAIR as a digital innovation and research facility is focused on AI, Robotics and Drones, IoT and other emerging technologies, aimed at transforming the digital economy, in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

    NCAIR said it is also focused on creating a thriving ecosystem for innovation-driven entrepreneurship (IDE), job creation and national development.

    However, sack fever has gripped virtually everyone, no thanks to these emerging technologies. From front desk officers, cashiers, drivers and translators, the fear of losing jobs to AI is real, especially with the emergence of Chat GPT on the stage.

    Investment bank Goldman Sachs had predicted that 300 million jobs would be lost or degraded by the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI).

    The World Economic Forum also found out that the global economy will shed 14 million jobs over the next five years as the economy weakens and companies boost the adoption of AI technologies.

    Tidio, a customer service platform offering live chat, survey has shown that more people are open to the idea of incorporating AI into their lives. They do not mind AI taking over  tasks or being involved in decision-making.

    A report by Digital PR and Content Specialist at Tidio, Matt Baranowski, showed that nearly 69 per cent of college graduates believe AI could take their job or make it irrelevant in a few years.

    Graduates are the ones most afraid of losing their jobs due to AI development. About 68.5 per cent of them fear being replaced by AI, compared to just 55 per cent of other respondents.

    Cashiers, drivers, and translators are among the jobs most likely to be replaced by AI according to the research.

    For cashiers (63 per cent of respondents), drivers (51 per cent), and translators (42 per cent) were named as the professions most likely to be taken over by AI technology. About 25 per cent of respondents also believe customer service representatives and warehouse workers are next in line.

    The report also showed that more than 45 per cent of people have a positive attitude towards AI taking control of the economy.

    Some claim that AI could prevent corruption and improve the economy. About 45per cent of respondents want AI to adjust fiscal policy and the budget of their country. Still, opinions are highly polarised. Nearly 29per cent think it’s a terrible idea.

    More than 60 per cent of respondents would use a self-driving AI taxi during heavy traffic, underscoring the fact that a lot of faith is placed on AI when it comes to transportation and logistics. More than a half of respondents would not mind taking a self-driving taxi (60 per cent) or having AI manage air traffic (57per cent).

    The report showed that people are seven times more worried about the negative impact of AI on the job market than fair treatment of robots.

    According to 32 per cent of the survey respondents, robot rights-similar to human rights or animal rights-is a topic that shouldn’t elicit attention.

    On information dissemination, almost 78 per cent of respondents are convinced that AI will be used to spread misinformation.

    Apart from the fear of AI taking away jobs (42 per cent of respondents) or being used by criminals (51 per cent), respondents are concerned about the misuse of AI technology to spread misinformation. Some 78 per cent strongly believes this will be the main AI threat. By comparison, only three per cent believe that AI will take revenge on humanity.

    Men place significantly more trust in AI technology than women. They are about twice as likely to have an AI robot operate on them or teach their children. They are also less concerned about potential threats posed by the technology.

    Male respondents are 20 per cent more willing to interact with robots and AI

    Existing robot and AI representations from fiction and real life are more appealing to men than women. After the use of a range of examples, respondents were asked if they were willing to interact with the selected robots. On average, 65per cent of male respondents answered yes, but only 45 per cent of women did so.

    According to a widely-commented study on the future of employment, known as the Oxford Study, about 47per cent of total US employment is at risk due to rapid computerisation.

    As Alana Semuels from Time notices, many people of colour and low-wage workers lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She pointed out that they were primarily, “cashiers, food-service employees, and customer service representatives, which are among the 15 jobs most threatened by automation.” Now, they have problems with getting employed again.

    Some 65per cent of respondent suspect they could lose their jobs to AI in the next few years; and nearly 79 per cent believe that rapid automation is an important issue that people should be particularly concerned about.

    The fact is that certainly, there will be job disruption because what’s going to happen is robots will be able to do everything better than human beings.

    Tido, as a company that develops AI chatbots for the ecommerce sector, said it is also aware of its contribution to the changes in the job market. Customer service representatives are one of the top positions for professions that may soon become obsolete.

    Cashiers, drivers, and translators are popular jobs that are already becoming gradually automated. Self-service checkouts, autonomous trucks, and real-time translation software are part of modern day reality. It shouldn’t be surprising that the majority of respondents-63per cent and 51per cent predict that cashiers and drivers are the jobs most likely to be replaced by technology.

    Reprieve

    However, police officers, doctors, lawyers have been voted professions that will survive the AI revolution. Professions associated with creativity appear to be even less vulnerable to the disruptive effects of AI technology on the job market. Artists and musicians were selected by almost 39 per cent and 36 per cent of respondents as the jobs least likely to be taken over by artificial intelligence.

    Read Also: Aircraft manufacturers jostle for market with maintenance offer

    While AI is playing an increasingly important role in law or healthcare, AI and robots tend to play intermediate roles between experts and clients or patients.

    Grace, a robotic “nurse” created by Hanson Robotics, is still more of a receptionist for hospitals rather than a real nurse. And the majority of patients would feel uncomfortable around her anyways, which brings us to the next part of our study.

    Former President, Nigerian Computer Society, Prof Adesina Sodiya, believes AI will take jobs but would also create jobs.

    “Even where people are saying IT is going to take their jobs; robots are going to take their jobs, it’s also creating other opportunities and in our drive for digital transformation, we are really not there yet and that’s why we are not benefitting immensely from what’s going on.

    “There are so many organisations that are still being run manually. And because of that, the ability to use digital for economic development is still challenged,” Sodiya said.

    The job loss malaria notwithstanding, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) President, Gbenga Adebayo, said opportunities actually exist to create jobs in the ICT space in the country.

    “If you look at what’s happening in other parts of the world, the biggest job creator is actually the digital economy. That’s where you have fintechs, virtual trading, virtual markets; you have the likes of Jumia and Konga and the rest of them. These are virtual markets. We have what is called the home office. People work from home digitally; banking is going digital. If you look at all of that, what the government has to do is to provide the platform for it to thrive. Not that the government will go directly to create digital employment; that’s not what we expect.

    “But the government should give the platform for digital trade to thrive; encourage young entrepreneurs; encourage digital natives to do what they want to do; give them access where they need to fund, give them access, when they need the enabling environment, give it to them.

    “You cannot have a digital economy if you don’t have access to data, especially if you don’t have a resilient network.That means we need to look at infrastructure, particularly energy, remember that telecoms, on account of the activities of government agencies sealing infrastructure, in an attempt to extract revenue have to stop. Such actions must be seen as criminal actions. For any government agency to go and seize telecom sites in the name of collecting tax; that should be seen as criminal,” Adebayo had said in response to President Bola Tinubu’s one million digital jobs target.

    Sodiya said there are limitless opportunities in the digital space to create jobs. The youths are eager, many of them are going to commit crimes because they do not have jobs, they do not have enough things to satisfy their quest.

    “There are so many opportunities in IT. It depends on the interest of the government, it depends on the people that are working with them (the government); it depends on the people that are coming up with these suggestions. If they truly understand how to create jobs on the digital space, the opportunities are there. Because of the development in IT, there are so many opportunities that are coming up. If you have to go into building websites for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), helping them to promote their businesses, using social media because people are now experts in social media, so there are opportunities, it’s just requires some basic soft skills, skills that you don’t need to go to the university to acquire; when you don’t want to be doing some researches; just the ability to learn some things by yourself.

    “And if you also want to talk about another level of app development, our people that have made breakthroughs all over the world are bringing a lot of funds into this country, so, the opportunities are there. If you go into the area of data science, being able to make projections, many organisations abroad now are looking for data scientists that will work remotely because data science is about being able to discover knowledge that can make organisations to plan very well and have competitive advantage,” he had said.

    Project Management Institute (PMI) has laso assured the youth that the invention and usage of CHATGPT by organisations will not take their jobs.

    Its Youth Lead, Sub-Saharan Africa, PMI, Joanna Baidu, said arguments around job loss to AI have gained prominence since the emergence of CHATGPT.

    Baidu said: “Concerns around the use of AI, from its potential misuse and ethical implications to the balance of innovation vs disruption, have been swirling since ChatGPT went mainstream. There is great unease at the thought of AI replacing jobs.

    “Students across various educational institutions have good reasons to be anxious. According to the Institute of the Future, 85per cent of the jobs that will exist in 2030 have not been invented yet! While it is easy to speculate about the types of jobs automation will make obsolete, it is with no certainty that we can make any assumptions.

    “There is no denying that AI will profoundly impact the future of work. Tech innovations of the past decade have already made bank tellers, cashiers, telemarketers, and travel agents relics of the past. “Generative AI holds the potential to take over segments of marketing, copywriting, design, customer support, legal work, etc. It remains aware of its limitations, though, and believes that “jobs that require a high degree of creativity or interpersonal skills are less likely to be replaced by AI. These skills are innate to project managers.”

    PMI’s Talent Gap predicted an increase in the number of jobs requiring project management-oriented skills from higher demand due to economic growth and retirement rates. These trends will create a global need for 25 million new project professionals by 2030. If the roles are not filled, it could result in a possible loss of up to $345.5 billion in global gross domestic product (GDP).

    Baidu said: “Regardless of which way the pendulum swings and which jobs AI swallows, it is prudent that the youth commit to lifelong learning and upskilling. Joining a professional association is strongly recommended for students and early career professionals. Staying informed about trends, access to learning resources, and being intentional about professional development will give the youth the head start to prepare for the future of work. Power or soft skills are one of the most essential skills a membership can help you sharpen. Being a member of an association opens avenues to volunteer. One can step into multiple “official” roles, such as youth ambassador and student coordinator, which will help develop power skills.

    “Having real-world experience using power skills to accomplish goals or overcome obstacles gives one a tremendous edge when job-hunting. There are associations or organisations that cater to nearly every type of profession.”

    Baidu explained that at PMI, student members enjoy the same valuable benefits afforded to practitioners. Student members receive digital downloads of the latest PMBOK Guide, certification discounts, and access to tools and resources such as PMI’s Career Navigator, which supports career progression by creating a personalised plan. Student members also gain access to networking opportunities through various events and activities and instantly join a network of over 450,000 project professionals worldwide.

    According to reports, ChatGPT has had more airtime than the world’s most renowned celebrity. Its arrival has sparked questions and concerns that some did not even think to ask, including if it is a threat to our critical thinking skills.

  • Unease as IGP’s squad lands Akwa Ibom

    •Team here to probe attempt on Ekere’Ss life, says NGO

    There was unease yesterday as reports filtered in that a five-man Special Investigative Squad from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had arrived in Akwa Ibom State.

    Sources said the squad was in the state to investigate the assassination attempt on the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Nsima Ekere.

    Police spokesman Odiko MacDon, who confirmed the squad’s presence, was, however, not categorical on its ‘assignment’.

    Asked if the team was in the state to investigate the attempt on Ekere’s life, MacDon said he could not say.

    But a non-governmental organisation, Network Advancement Programme for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR) in Niger Delta said the squad was in the state to probe the assassination attempt on Ekere.

    Speaking at the Akwa Ibom Police headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, National President of NAPPDRR Al mustapher Emem Edoho said his association petitioned the IGP on the matter.

    Edoho said the IGP sent a classified X-Squad to the state, led by a senior police chief, and a Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr. Yusuf Abdullahi.

    The NGO said it took the action “in the interest of peace, development and good governance in the state”

    He warned youths against being used by politicians to foment trouble ahead of 2019 polls, explaining that ‘’the NGO was not sponsored by any politician or political party to petition the Police on thoroughly investigate the matter as insinuated in government quarters”.

    “We are an independent organisation working to compel authorities to protect the fundamental rights of every citizen when they are seen to be violated. We will never be bribed to take side in any issue, but when the rights of the people are trampled upon, we must come in to save the situation from getting out of hand,” he said.

    He urged the team to “do a thorough job”, noting that “the leader of the investigating team has assured that he would leave no stone unturned in the process of getting at the truth”.

    “He has assured me that he was not going to compromise in his investigation because he is no answerable to anybody except the IGP that ordered them, so no pressure from anywhere, I believe will  issuade them from coming out with the truth to serve as deterrent to others who may wish to be used to cause mayhem during the elections,” he added.

    Two principal suspects  were arrested, questioned and ordered to report at the headquarters.

     

  • Unease in INEC over Senate, Reps recess

    There is palpable anxiety among officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the possible effects of the shutdown of the National Assembly on the Commission’s N242,445,322,600 2019 poll budget.

    Amid ripples of defections, the National Assembly on Tuesday began its annual recess which will end on September 26.

    The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is also the chairman of the National Assembly, said the recess was necessary to enable the lawmakers to participate in party primaries ahead of the 2019 elections.

    But the timetable released by the electoral commission indicated that the primaries will hold between August 18 and October 7.

    It was however learnt that preparations for the poll might be hampered by the vacation of senators and members of the House of Representatives.

    Instead of a seven-month timeframe to prepare for the poll, INEC might only have between three and four months to prepare if the proposal is approved in October.

    According to investigation conducted by our correspondent, INEC needs to procure about 600 items for the poll, including sensitive materials like ballot papers and non-sensitive types.

    Most of the items are not those INEC can pick on the shelf within a month or two, especially in view of the nation’s long-winding public procurement process.

    A National Commissioner in INEC, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said the shutdown of the National Assembly will affect preparations for 2019 poll.

    The source said: “There is no way the shutdown will not affect our preparation timeline because we need funds to procure items required for 2019 poll.

    “We are procuring over 600 items for the general election. If we have funds, we need about seven months to prepare adequately for the poll.

    “At the rate we are going, we may have to put all items in place within three to four months to the general election.

    “And the law makes it mandatory to subject all procurement to the evaluation of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the relevant laws of the land.

    “What we are trying to do now is to prioritise these election items and ask the Federal Government for cash reprieve to pay for these materials ahead of approval of the budget by the National Assembly.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Certainly, we will work round the clock within available time limit to give the nation a free, fair and credible general election.”

    Another top official in INEC gave technical details on why the election budget must be approved at the right time.

    The source said: “We started implementing 2019 Election Project Plan (EPP) and Strategic Plan of Action in January. Each item in the EPP has a timeline and threshold that must be met at a particular time.

    “If we slow down on any timeline or fail to meet any threshold, it will lead to pressure on us.

    “So, for those items that require procurement, we are really behind time. These materials include ballot papers, smart cards, ICT bordering on electronic transmission of results, and other sensitive security items which I cannot disclose.

    “Assuming the National Assembly approves the budget now and the cash is released, we must work for about 20 hours daily between August and February 2019.

    “The Executive and the National Assembly must have a common ground in order to hasten the consideration and passage of 2019 poll budget. If it means creating a window within the recess period to approve the budget, it will be better for the nation.

    “The truth is that the September 26 resumption time of the lawmakers is a bit late because we need funds to procure materials, some of which are customized and sourced from abroad.

    “The ultimate however is that the 2019 election must be conducted within the stipulated time allowed by the 1999 Constitution. “

    When contacted, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Wole Osaze-Uzzi, only said: “Prompt passage of the budget or bill will aid our preparation for 2019 poll.”

    The 2019 election will hold in 1,558 national, state as well as local constituencies in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) beginning from February 16.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had on July 17 forwarded the election budget to the National Assembly.

    He said: “As you are aware, the 2019 general election is scheduled to be conducted early in 2019. To ensure that adequate arrangements are made for free and fair election, it has become necessary to appropriate funds to enable the relevant agencies to commence preparations.

    “INEC and the security agencies have accordingly recently submitted their requests and these have been subjected to the usual budget evaluation. The aggregate cost of the election is estimated at N254,445, 322,600. However, in line with the prevailing fiscal I’m proposing that the sum of N164,104,792.65 be provided for through virement or supplementation of the 2018 budget.

    “I propose that the balance of N78,340,530,535 mostly related to personnel allowances, fuelling and other costs not required until election proper be provided in their 2019 budget.”

  • Unease as Taraba enforces Anti-open Grazing Law

    Unease as Taraba enforces Anti-open Grazing Law

    There is unease in Taraba State as the government enforces its Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law today.

    But Deputy Governor Haruna Manu has said the law would be implemented “gradually and in phases”.

    Manu, who addressed reporters after a meeting with traditional rulers and security chiefs, said the process would start with a workshop in Jalingo today, and other local government areas.

    He said the training of marshalls and provision of infrastructure, as provided by the law, would follow while the government would establish pilot ranches.

    The Anti-open Grazing Law, the deputy governor noted, will turn the state’s economic fortunes around by ending perennial clashes between herders and farmers.

    Manu, a Fulani, added that Fulani pastoralists have shown interest to key into the law, with the necessary infrastructure.

    But Chairman of Dandalin Makiyaya Cattle Breeders of Nigeria (DMCBN), Umar Bello, warned that full implementation of the law will cause chaos.

    He said his members would resist arrest, even when they openly graze their animals.

    According to him, the tendency for his members to resist arrest is high, and the leadership can’t force them to comply with the law.

    His words: “The leadership of the association is worried that if the law is implemented under the present circumstances, more than 70 per cent of the cattle in Taraba State would be prone to arrest, because members have not been able to ranch their cattle due to lack of infrastructure.”

    Bello urged the government to provide pilot ranches and infrastructure where they will keep their cattle pending when they get their ranches.

    State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Sahabi Tukur, asked for more time.

    Tukur urged Governor Darius Ishaku to extend the “period of transition” to give room for more consultation, while the government puts required infrastructure in place.

    The association is challenging the law in court.

  • Unease in Akwa Ibom PDP over defections

    Unease in Akwa Ibom PDP over defections

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Akwa-Ibom State are making new moves to save party from continuous defection of its members to All Progressive Congress (APC), reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu

    For the first time in over 16 years, Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing what some observers described as ‘its biggest threat ever,’ following the continuous defection of its members to the All Progressive Congress (APC). Concerned members, who commented on the development, said the leaders must do something fast if the umbrella wants to survive the threat of the broom in the traditional PDP state.

    The development, which started shortly before the last governorship election in the state, assumed an embarrassing dimension last weekend when over 100 members in Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Eket Federal Constituency, including members said to be close to the governor and former top officials on the platform of the party, defected from PDP to APC. As a result, according to an associate of former State Governor, and now Senator Godwin Akpabio, the party leadership, at the behest of Akpabio and Governor Emmanuel Udom, has advised all ward leaders to look inwards with a view to resolve internal wrangling that may lead to further defections.

    The Nation investigation shows that PDP leaders in the state, especially former Governor Akpabio and Governor Emmanuel Udom, are not taking kindly to the development as they have sworn to reverse the trend and retain power in the South-South state.

    For example, when on January 19, 2017, Senator Nelson Effiong, who represents Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, announced his defection to APC from PDP, Akpabio, who, as the Senate Minority Leader, has been leading PDP’s counter attack against defection of PDP lawmakers nationwide, was particularly angered. Expressing deep regrets over the development, he declared resolve of his party to reclaim the seat.

    “I understand, maybe, due to political intoxication or otherwise, the senator has jumped ship and moved from this side to the other side. I need to let the Senate and the President know that in terms of the court decisions up to the Supreme Court, that it is not an individual who contests an election.

    “It is a political party and, therefore, the moment somebody takes the mandate of a political party, it behooves on that political party to immediately take steps.

    “We heard that this action was going to take place and we engaged the senator in various discussions and we showed him the implication.

    “We must reclaim the mandate given to us and we do not mind the senator joining the APC, but, he will not go with the mandate given to us in Akwa Ibom State,” he said at the floor of the Red Chamber.

    While announcing his defection at the plenary, Effiong had blamed “intractable crisis in the PDP” for his decision, adding that “no politician worth his onions should remain in the PDP.”

    Since then, the battle to stop further defections has been intense as PDP leaders dish out marching orders to the party’s field men and APC continuous its bumper harvests.

    Fallout of election disagreements

    The Nation investigation shows that the current gale of defection from the PDP to the APC may be traced to the pre and post-election disagreements in the state and the way they were handled by PDP leaders.

    It would be recalled that the first blow PDP suffered shortly after the governorship election, was when APC approached the tribunal to challenge the election which brought in Emmanuel as governor of the state. PDP was rattled when after weeks of legal battle; the tribunal nullified the election in 18, out of the 31 local government areas of the state.

    At the appellate court, APC had demanded that elections in the entire state be nullified but the PDP queried the initial cancellation of election in 18 LGA’s by the tribunal and urged the upper court to set aside the election and declare its candidate, Udom Emmanuel, as governor.

    The final court’s rulings notwithstanding, our investigation shows that most of the former PDP members, who defected to APC in the state alleged that they lost confidence in the ruling party in the state because of the way the leaders in the state bulldozed their way to victory, enthroning their chosen ones without giving any thought to the sensibilities of the common PDP faithful that have labored for years to nurture the party at the grassroots.

    Dr. Wilfred Ekon, a youth’s activist in Ikot-Ekpene, who confirmed fresh moves to save PDP in the state, told The Nation that the party is reaping the seeds its leaders sowed in 2015. “We have been monitoring the utterances and actions of PDP leaders to the gale of defections to APC here in Akwa Ibom. If you look at it, either as a youth or as a progressively minded PDP member, it is really laughable. The leader, former Governor Akpabio, for example, threatened to reclaim Senator Nelson Effiong’s seat at the Senate, alleging that the mandate of the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District was given to PDP and not to Effiong as a person. The question is which mandate? If indeed the people’s mandate was given to PDP and the PDP remains the same PDP we all loved and supported with so much passion and trust, then, nobody should lose a sleep over anybody’s defection. But we all saw what happened here in 2015. What they are parading as PDP mandate was stolen mandate. It was part of the confusion caused by imposition and other dictatorial practices of our leaders in the state. Is that not why they are still fighting amongst themselves in the case between Hon Bassey Etim and Senator Bassey Albert, both PDP candidates, laying claims to Uyo Senatorial District’s seat? Our people know and love PDP, but so much went wrong in 2015 and the leaders have not done enough to make amends. Until they wake up to realities, many more members will defect to APC here in Akwa Ibom.”

    Crisis in PDP

    Although most state chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party have recently blamed the party’s national leadership crisis for their current challenges, insiders said Akwa Ibom’s case transcends the national crisis. For the party, which has ruled the South-South state for the past 16 years, the defection of prominent members with their supporters has become a major source of concern, especially as insiders confirm disaffection at the grassroots. Already, accusing fingers are being raised as most defectors accuse the leadership in the state of being responsible for their loss of confidence in the party.

    In fact, the party’s crisis in the state actually commenced shortly after the governorship and state assembly elections, as they were trailed by widespread condemnations.

    Even official observers, both local and international, had said the elections were not credible due to wide spread violence and electoral malpractices.

    Explaining the root causes of the crisis in Akwa Ibom politics, Ekon said on Friday, “the controversial circumstances surrounding the emergence of both Obong Umana Okon Umana of APC and Governor Udom Emmanuel of PDP as the candidates of the two leading political parties were at the root of what we are seeing today. Remember that two of them were former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Governor Godswill Akpabio’s administration and so you will understand the rivalries. Also, while Umana had to defect to APC a few days to the party’s primaries and as aresult had to ‘dislodge’ Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, who was favoured to pick the ticket then, at least, 22 PDP governorship aspirants openly protested the emergence of Emmanuel as the PDP standard bearer. They went to the extent of petitioning the party’s hierarchy to overturn the exercise. All these will explain to us why the political theatre in Akwa Ibom has remained tensed ever since then. I think the leaders must make specific efforts to resolve the thorny issues that arose from that 2015 pre-election maneuvers and the resultant election violence. Until this is done, the political scene will remain hot and more critical defections would be recorded before the next elections.”

    Campaign to exit opposition

    Although Akpabio, as the Minority Leader at the Senate, has remained firm outspoken in his defence of the opposition party, PDP, one of the main factors that have aided the gale of defections to APC in his state is massive campaign of APC leaders in the state for the people to exit opposition and join the ruling party at the centre.

    Ironically, this campaign has been more audible and seemingly more effective in Eket and Ikot-Ekpene areas, where Governor Emmanuel and Akpabio hail from. Just last week, when over 100 former PDP members from Eket area defected to APC it was reported that the mood of people at the Nsima Ekere Campaign Centre, venue of the rally, was so high that the event was turned into a carnival.

    The centre was filled to capacity, with many people hanging outside the arena to catch a glimpse of the defectors, who included former chairman of the PDP in the state, Chief Otu Ita Toyo, who hails from the same senatorial district as the governor, Udom Emmanuel; former senators, among them, Aloysius Etok, Helen Esuene; former members of the House of Representatives, including Esime Eyibo, former commissioners, local government chairmen, among others.

    It would be recalled that apart from these latest defections, many PDP chieftains in the state have defected to the APC since 2015. The big names from the state that have defected from PDP to APC since then include Chief Don Etiebet, former member, PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Edet Nkpubre, former National Vice Chairman (PDP South-South Zone)  Otuekong Aniete Ekong, former PDP State Secretary, Robinson Uwak, former member House of Representatives, Eket, Obong Nsima Ekere, former Minister, Rita Akpan, former Deputy Governor and Leader of G22 Eket, Crysantus Ette, former member, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Eket Emmanuel Inwang, former member Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Eket, Engr. Iroigak Ikann, former Commissioner for Land and Housing, Dr. Effiong Edunam, former Commissioner for Education.

    Commenting on the development, Evangelist Jonathan Udoma, who described himself as a PDP supporter said, “It should be instructive to PDP leaders today that the highest number of high profile defections currently recorded are from Eket and Ikot-Ekpene senatorial zones, where the governor, Udom Emmanuel and former governor Godswill Akpabio, hail from.

    “Add this to the fact that about 13 former LG chairmen and several lawmakers from Ekot-Ekpene Senatorial District alone have defected to the APC, and you will agree with me that we have so much work to do in Akwa Ibom PDP. I am happy to confirm to you that the leaders are aware and have commenced moves at the ward level to save the situation. This weekend, I am aware that one of such crucial meetings has been scheduled in my ward. I think it is the same across the state,” he said.

  • Unease over mass sack at Ebonyi School

    Unease over mass sack at Ebonyi School

    There are fears that the Ebonyi State College of Education in Ikwo may lose the accreditation of some of its courses, because of the sack of 83 workers, including 30 teachers. The workers and students are seeking a reversal of the decision. But the government says the situation is not that bad. OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE, reports.

    There is unease at the Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo following last month’s sack of 83 workers, among them 30 teachers. Many are afraid that the school may lose the accreditation of some courses because of the development.

    But, the Dave Umahi-led administration, which ordered the workers’ sack March 21, because their employment did not follow due process, has allayed such fear.

    A panel constituted by Umahi alleged that the workers were illegally employed between 2011 and 2016. The panel investigated allegations of administrative lapses and corrupt practices against the Provost, Prof Silas Omebe, by the unions in the college.

    The Fidelis Nwankwo-led panel absolved Omebe of the accusations, but queried how the 83 workers were employed.

    “Their employment did not follow due process and laid down procedure including advertisement of the vacancies in the media amongst other steps. It is normal to recruit staff to achieve institutions’ accreditation objectives but the fact remains that they are not permanent staff,” said Nwankwo, who also chairs the college’s governing council.

    On receiving the report, Umahi ordered the workers’ sack before the government reviews the report or visits the institution as the panel recommended.

    The affected workers’ colleagues, students and the unions are not happy with the development.

    Some of the affected workers have petitioned the Governing Council in protest.

    One of them, Ogel Abel, of the Educational Foundation Department, is alleging injustice over his sack.

    “I resumed work after hospitalisation, but I was not paid my salaries. After several oral appeals, I decided to appeal in writing through my head of department (HOD) to the provost on the issue.

    “My HOD minuted on my letter and forwarded same to the provost, who, among other things, demanded for evidence that I had resumed work.

    “But, shockingly, without waiting for the evidence, the management served me a dismissal letter the following day without facing any disciplinary committee”, he said.

    Another worker, John Nnaji, who also petitioned the Council, alleged that he was employed on January 1, 2014 as a driver attached to the provost; but was dismissed three months after without any reason.

    “From the moment I was so deployed, my monthly pay was at the mercy of my boss, the provost, who initially told me that the state government was no longer able to pay the monthly salaries of the college staff and, as such, the staff would not be receiving their full salaries at the end of every month until when government can meet its obligation fully.

    “I accepted the information as the true position. From that moment the provost started giving me N5,000 or N7,000 every month and some months nothing.

    “I was shocked to discover recently that my salary has been running fully since April, 2014 till date without my account being credited for confirmation,” he claimed.

    A sacked teacher, who spoke in confidence, appealed to the government to reconsider his sack, considering the “untold hardship” it has caused him.  He said he did not know his employment was not legal.

    He said:  “I have worked for the school for about four years. I didn’t know that my employment was illegal. If it was illegal why then was the state government paying us salaries?

    “I developed a stroke because of the sack and was hospitalised for a week. I survived only by the grace of God. My family is facing eviction as I have been given a quit notice by my landlord. Even to eat now is a problem not to talk of paying my children’s school fees.”

    The Chairman, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Comrade Greg Esheya,  refused to comment.

    But, a source in the union said it was not the workers’ fault that they were employed illegally, adding that they should not be victimised for what he called management’s “mistake.”

    He said the management should also be punished for its role in the matter.

    The teacher, however, urged the government to initiate a fresh recruitment to fill the vacancies created by the sack.

    “The sacked staff should be given the right of first refusal to apply for the jobs because it wasn’t their fault that their appointments were not regularised. Many of them have families and with the situation of the economy it will not be easy for them if they are dumped into the labour market.

    “These workers have worked for many years, some up to four years. They should be allowed to apply and be properly screened and if they are qualified, should be re-employed while those who are found wanting can be thrown out,” the source said.

    Students are worried about the implication of the sack on the completion of their programmes.

    Some of them told The Nation that more than six departments in the institution risk being shut by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

    A final year student of the department of Primary Education, Ifeoma Obinwa, in tears, said with the sack, the department is now left with five lecturers – three short of the minimum required for a department to exist.

    Obinwa said: “The governor’s directive which led to the sack of the lecturers does not just affect the lecturers, the students and parents who have children in the affected departments are the most hit because when the departments are shut, we have no other option than to either start looking for admission into other tertiary institutions as year one students or we would become dropouts.

    “That’s not all; the money our parents must have spent from our first year to our final year would now be fruitless venture. How many of them would survive the shock of getting to hear that their children who are in their final year turned out to drop out of school for no fault of theirs?”

    Obinwa said the worst hit was the Staff School, where only one teacher was retained.  The staff school serves as a prerequisite for the primary education department of the institution.

    “Even if the department meets up with the required eight lecturers, the primary school which is a prerequisite to establishing the Primary Education department is now left with only one teacher which automatically would be shut down by NCCE,” she said.

    A final year student of Mathematics, Chukwubuike Igwe, appealed to Governor Umahi to consider the plight of the students, their parents and benefactors.

    “We believe our governor is a listening father who is interested in seeing to the success of students in the different institutions in the state and we are optimistic that he would not wish that hundreds of students especially indigenes of Ebonyi state would drop out of school.

    “In mathematics department, after the sack, we were left with just five lecturers while the prerequisite is at least 12 lecturers. There is no doubt that the NCCE would soon clamp down on the institution,” he said.

    Igwe said their dream of graduating before the end of the year may not be realised even if new workers were employed.

    “By the time they conclude the recruitment one or two semesters must have elapsed. The governor should intervene urgently to save our career and future,” he said.

    But, Nwankwo disagreed that the institution may lose its accreditation because of the sack, arguing that it could devise remedial measures to handle the situation.

    “The governor is somebody who is interested in uplifting the standard of education in the state and I am sure he will ensure that replacements are immediately found for the sacked staff,” he said.

    Prof Omebe and the registrar, Mr Samuel Nwarisi, refused to comment.  The Commissioner for Education, Prof John Ekeh, also did not comment, saying he was out of the state on health grounds.

    However, an Ebonyi State Ministry of Education official told our reporter that the ministry is liaising with the government and the college to give the sacked workers a soft landing or re-employ them.

  • Unease in Delta community over plan to release bunkering suspects

    The Nigerian Navy, NNS Delta, at the Warri Naval Base in Delta State, is under pressure to release two suspected pipeline vandals arrested by youths of Odimodi community in Burutu Local Government Area about two weeks ago, it has been learnt.

    The suspects were arrested by vigilantes when the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) reported a drop in the pressure from its export trunk line to leaders of the Ijaw host community.

    The vigilantes deployed by the community fought members of a three-man gang at the trunk line and overpowered them.

    Two of the suspects were arrested and handed over to the Navy at the Forcados Terminal of the SPDC.

    A community leader, who spoke in confidence, told our correspondent: “The boys were moved to Warri. But we heard that the Commanding Officer of NNS Delta has bowed to pressure to release them. The plan to release the two suspects was thwarted by some top members of SPDC, who became suspicious.

    “They were then moved to Warri Base. That is where they are planning to release the boys because of the influence of some persons in the matter.”

    When our correspondent contacted NNS Delta’s Information Officer, Commodore Tope Ogunaike, he denied the report.

    The spokesman said the suspects were still in custody at the base.

    It was learnt that some naval officials at the base were being induced to free the suspects.

    A source close to the deal said a N250,000 “bail” was agreed upon, following the alleged involvement of an influential former militant leader.

    Although no official of SPDC was willing to comment on the report, it was learnt that some management workers of the multinational firm were uncomfortable with the development.

    An official, who spoke in confidence, noted that the arrest was a breakthrough by some leaders of the community.

    He said the community believed that the suspects and their fleeing counterpart could provide an insight into the incessant breaches of the company’s facility.

    “We and genuine leaders of Odimodi feel that those arrested, if properly quizzed, could open up on their masters and ring leaders of the attacks on our facilities, especially the 48-inch Single Buoy Morring (SBM) export line.

    “Besides, those in the community, who stuck out their necks to arrest these persons, may become targets. Their lives will be in danger, if they are released without proper investigation,” the source added.

  • Unease as Benue offloads shares in Dangote Cement

    Unease as Benue offloads shares in Dangote Cement

    •Opposition demands explanation from govt

    The decision of the Benue State government to offload Dangote Cement shares held in trust for the indigenes by the Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd is causing ripples of anger in the state.

    The sell-off, which is being done in batches on the floor of the Nigerian  Stock Exchange (NSE),  has cleaned out about 30million shares, valued at over N7billion. The state has about 90million shares in Dangote Cement Plc in favour of the Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd, the local government councils and the parastatals.

    The Nation learnt that the government plans to sell the shares before the elections, setting a target of N20billion from the exercise. If carried out, Benue State would have lost all the shares of its portfolio  investment in the cement manufacturing conglomerate.

    It was gathered, however, that many Benue indigenes were taken aback by the government’s decision, arguing that it would deprive the people of their priced investment in the foremost cement manufacturing entity.

    Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) queried the motive behind the sale and urged the government to clear the air on the development to avoid any untoward reaction from the people.

    It was learnt that people questioned the rational by the  government to deprive the indigenes of what they termed, “this valuable investment,” at a time the company is doing well in the capital market, pointing out that if no action was taken to prevent the wholesale unbundling  of the shares, the state would be the looser for it, since the proceeds so far realised had not been invested in any profitable venture, or disclosed to the House of Assembly for  appropriation as required by law.

    They cited what happened in Delta State when its shares in Airtel were surreptitiously disposed and the proceeds invested as private equity in the defunct Oceanic Bank.

    “We suspect the government is building a war chest for the 2015 elections by the surreptitious manner the shares are being sold, otherwise, what stops it from informing the indigenes about it,” a source said, asking whether the government obtained the consent of the House of Assembly  before selling the shares.

    “Where is the money realised so far from the transaction kept?  These and other questions will be asked by us,” an APC chieftain from the state told The Nation at the weekend.

  • Unease as Sylva, others ‘dump PDP’ for APC

    Unease as Sylva, others ‘dump PDP’ for APC

    There was unease yesterday in the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following news that former Governor Timipre Sylva had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Sylva, an estranged member of the PDP, took refuge under the Kawu Baraje-led new PDP.

    The former governor reportedly joined the APC with his supporters.

    Sylva, who was denied a second term ticket by the PDP, was said to have taken the decision to return to the frontline of political activities.

    The Nation enquired about the former governor’s political fate yesterday.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “His fate is known. You know he was a principal member of the new PDP and he was involved in all the meetings and negotiations before the merger.

    “He contributed in midwifing the process. If the new PDP has joined the APC and seized to exist, it means he has also joined the APC. He cannot back out from the decision of the new PDP.

    “Also, you remember that the PDP dumped Sylva and denied him (a second term), despite all the sacrifices he made for the party, including his contributions to the election of President Goodluck Jonathan. So, if Sylva and other like minds decided to dump the party for APC, his action is justified.”