Abuja, Nigeria - As part of its effort to strengthen West Africa's peace-support operations, the Japanese government has donated US$ 1 million for the construction of a residential accommodation for course participants at the Nigerian National Defence College.
The Japan Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Toshitsugu Uesawa, said that the donation was in line with the policy adopted by the Group of 8 (G8) Hokkaido Toyako Summit in 2008, to strengthen support for peace-support operations with a focus on Africa.
He said that the Japan government was also implementing such programmes in other African countries like Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Benin, Mali, Cameroon and Rwanda.
Uesawa, who was at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Japanese government-funded 32-room hostel located at the Piwoyi Area of the Abuja, the Nigerian capital city, said that the project which commenced in March was scheduled for completion in March 2011.
It is being supervised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The ambassador also hinted that the total volume of Japanese assistance to Nigeria since independence in 1960 amounted to 600 billion naira (about US$ 4 billion), including a debt relief of US$ 2 billion.
Emphasizing the need for Nigeria to bring its human resources to bear on Africa, he said 'As farmers cultivate their land for good harvest, I want you to cultivate your human resources because when Africa's largest human resource becomes ready to be tapped, I believe that Nigeria will fully display its ability.'
The diplomat who was of the opinion that there would be no peace and stability in the Africa without Nigeria, commended Abuja for its peace-keeping efforts in Africa and the world in general.
Commenting on Nigeria's electoral process, Uesawa said the international community was watching the African nation closely, hoping that the 2011 polls would be peaceful and democratic.
He pledge his country's support to Nigeria's effort to hold a free and fair election.
Saturday 27 November 2010
Nigerian court charges Iranian over arms cache
ABUJA — A Nigerian court on Thursday charged an Iranian and three Nigerians over an illegal arms shipment including rockets and mortars discovered at the West African country's main port and sent from Iran.
The Iranian, Azim Aghajani, was identified in court papers as a businessman and "member of IRGC" with an address in Tehran.
IRGC is an abbreviation for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the military and economic force in Iran. Officials could not be reached to comment on the reference.
Iran has said the arms were being shipped by a private company.
The three Nigerians charged over the shipment denied the allegations, while Aghajani was allowed to delay entering a plea because his lawyer was not with him in court. All were ordered held in custody.
"The accused persons should be remanded in (intelligence agency) custody pending the conclusion of the investigation, and the accused persons should be allowed access to their lawyers while in custody," Magistrate Hafsat Sadiq Soso said.
Court documents alleged Aghajani "conspired to import and did import 13 20-feet containers loaded with assorted calibres of prohibited firearms ..." along with one of the Nigerian suspects.
They also alleged he sought to export the containers along with the three Nigerian suspects.
Nigerian agents seized the weapons at the port in Lagos last month. The containers had been loaded at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas.
The shipper later sought to have the containers reloaded and sent to Gambia, a tiny West African country wedged inside Senegal.
Nigeria has reported the seizure to the UN Security Council, with Iran under four sets of United Nations sanctions over its nuclear programme. The sanctions include a ban on arms sales.
Nigeria's Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia has said a diplomat may have also been linked to the shipment, but authorities could not question him because he had diplomatic immunity that the Iran government had not agreed to waive.
Nigerian Workers to Enjoy Increased Wage Level
The Nigerian workforce has been motivated for higher performance with the recent endorsement by National Council of State (NCS) to implement a minimum wage of N18, 000 for the least paid worker in Nigeria.
This was announced at a media briefing jointly addressed by the governors of Jigawa, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, Imo and Lagos states on the outcome of the NCS meeting presided over by the President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja on Thursday, November 25.
The NCS further advised President Jonathan to forward a bill to the National Assembly for enactment into law.
In his comments, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State noted that the national minimum wage of N18, 000 was applicable to both federal and state government workers and also compels private sector organizations with a minimum of 50 workers on its pay roll to pay the minimum wage to its workers.
Apabio said that the Council is convinced that the decision would lay to rest the labor crisis over wages adding that the Council has also advised the President to remove the national minimum wage from the exclusive legislative bill so as to allow each state government to negotiate with its workers on a convenient and acceptable minimum wage to be paid.
Elucidating further, the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola noted that because of deferential endowments some states might find implementation of the minimum wage difficult and that with respect to the private sector, there was a move for a downward review of the number of employees from 50 workers.
In attendance at the meeting were former presidents and Heads of states including, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Muhammadu Buhari and Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Galadima vows to transform Caf
Galadima, booted out as NFA chairman in 2006, has entered the race for a seat on the Confederation of African Football's executive committee.
The development is likely to exasperate many Nigerians given the immense baggage he brings to the arena.
However, Galadima's candidature has the full backing of Nigeria's Football Federation and the sports ministry.
Still, it is hard to imagine that most football fans in Nigeria and beyond could stomach having him back.
But after four years of hibernation, which he spent trying to repair his fractured image, Galadima seems to have decided that the time is right to return to office.
"The continent needs a new image and I come with the experience that the football family on the continent can trust," he said.
Many would view his prospects of sitting at the top table of African football to be slim, considering his tumultuous time in office, but Galadima said winning a place on Caf's executive committee would give him the chance to help rebuild the organisation's image and salvage the continent's dignity.
Never short on ambition, Galadima said: "It's not a Galadima project but that of Nigeria and Africa. There are several aspects of the African game that require development.
"Our youth and club football needs to develop and the women's game must take a professional path as well."
Galadima's decision to throw his hat into the ring comes in the wake of last week's dramatic fall from grace of his countryman Amos Adamu.
Adamu and three other African officials were banned from all football-related activity by Fifa after being caught up in a newspaper sting.
The sanctions, coupled with retirements and expiration of terms, means nine Caf executive committee posts will be up for grabs at the continental body's next general assembly in Khartoum, Sudan, in February next year
"The entire set-up needs change, which I hope to bring on board," Galadima told BBC Sport.
"The NFF has put me forward with the backing of the sports ministry in Nigeria not because I'm the best amongst several millions.
"They are confident I can represent Nigeria and the continent to the best of my ability."
Nigeria to hold presidential election on April 9
Nigeria will hold a presidential election on April 9, 2011, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Tuesday, ending months of uncertainty over the timetable for polls in Africa’s most populous nation.
Parliamentary elections will be held on April 2 and voters will elect governors in the country’s 36 states to round off the process on April 16, INEC chief Attahiru Jega told a news conference in the capital Abuja.
The presidential elections are shaping up to be the most fiercely contested since the end of military rule just over a decade ago, with attention focussed on who the nominee will be for the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Party primaries must be concluded by January 15 and can begin any time from November 26, according to the timetable.
President Goodluck Jonathan is considered the front-runner in the primaries but his candidacy is controversial because of an agreement in the PDP that power should rotate every two terms between the mostly Muslim north and largely Christian south.
Jonathan, a southerner, inherited the presidency this year after the death of Umaru Yar’Adua, a northerner who died part way through his first term.
Jonathan’s supporters say he was elected on a joint ticket with Yar’Adua and can complete what would have been the second term. His opponents say only a northerner can succeed him, leaving the ruling party divided.
A group of influential northern politicians said on Monday they had agreed on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a consensus candidate to challenge Jonathan in the primaries, potentially consolidating the northern vote against him.
But Nigeria’s political system, heavily based on patronage, has always favoured the incumbent in previous elections, meaning Abubakar could face an uphill struggle, analysts say.
ETHNIC RIVALRIES
Nigeria is a generally peaceful country of more than 200 ethnic groups but regional rivalries and tribalism bubble under the surface and risk being exploited in the run up to the vote.
“I will run and encourage others to run a national campaign devoid of sectionalism because leaders ought to unite, not divide,” Jonathan said in a posting on his Facebook page.
“The only difference we should look for in Nigeria is between good and bad, not north and south.”
Abubakar said on Tuesday that Jonathan’s candidacy had come as a “rude shock” to many Nigerians and said his bid rode roughshod over the power rotation agreement in the ruling party.
“Those who were promoting this devil-may-care attitude demonstrated quite early that they would employ the power of incumbency and whatever means necessary to achieve their objective even if it means tearing this country apart,” he said.
Abubakar, a Muslim from the northern Hausa ethnic group who was vice president under Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007, was one of the founding members of the PDP but his history in the party has been chequered.
He left the party after falling out with Obasanjo in 2006 and ran unsuccessfully for president as the opposition Action Congress candidate in the 2007 polls won by Yar’Adua.
The northern leaders picked Abubakar as their consensus candidate in favour of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, Kwara state governor Bukola Saraki and former national security adviser Aliyu Gusau.
Babangida and Gusau have both promised to support Abubakar, but analysts say his ability to unseat Jonathan in the primaries could depend on whether that consensus holds.
Monday 22 November 2010
Atiku is Northern Consensus Candidate
ABUJA- AFTER months of permutations, speculations and political intrigues, the Mallam Adamu Ciroma led ‘’17-wise men’’ to get a consensus candidate for the north finally came up with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ‘’anointed aspirant.
Briefing Journalists Monday at the Yar’adua Centre, Secretary to the Consensus Committee, Mallam Abdulkadir Sabo Bello reiterated the north’s position on zoning and completing the four year tenure of late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
With the announcement of Atiku Abubakar as the northern candidate, he would then wrestle with President Goodluck Jonathan at the primaries for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
I am humbled. says Atiku
The former vice president and beneficiary of the consensus arrangement, Atiku Abubakar has declared that he was humbled by his endorsements by the consensus committee saying that this time calls for a sober reflection on the challenges facing the country while expressing the hope that the conclusion of the concensus process would bring to an end the divisive politics that had trailed the exercise from its opponents.
In a statement issued after the exercise today , Atiku Abubakar commended members of the committee for their patriotism and sacrifice saying their decision was a product of wide consultation across the length and breadth of the country.
More details later
Nigeria: Politicians Behind Recent Violence
Calabar — Ex-militants undergoing non-violence transformational training at the Obubra Post Amnesty Camp in Cross River State have disassociated themselves from recent spate of attacks in the Niger Delta by MEND and few other groups.
Speaking to journalists at the camp in Obubra as Batch 9 of the ex-militants resumed training, the ex-militants said top politicians in the Niger Delta region are responsible for the spate of violence to achieve their selfish goals.
According to the ex-militants, "What is going on is criminality and top politicians and political office holders are behind it because they have been talking to some of us.
"Before we arrived here early last week to start this training, the government of Bayelsa State through some agents approached some boys selling the idea of recruiting us to fight for them in the coming 2011 election. But since we embraced amnesty we cannot go back to be hunted like animals by soldiers"
George Silva, an ex-militant from Ogunboss Camp, Bayelsa State said he has leant to make peace in his community and to have respect for constituted authority.
According to him, "It is not everybody that is saying, I am a militant that is a militant. Militancy is not criminality. Some people are criminals and tagging themselves militants. I cannot see any reason why you say you are fighting for a cause and at the same time, they say you should drop arms and get what you want and you say no; and you keep on doing those things you are not supposed to do. What are you fighting for? What is the freedom about? Those are criminals".
"Anybody that would allow himself be used by a politician for anything to cause trouble here or outside, I see that person as a foolish person. You have been rehabilitated. You have what it takes. If a politician can wear a Marks and Spencers shirt, you too with the help of this thing can wear it so what is the use of a politician asking you to use your shirt to fight. Why not him using his own. So I don't see any means that someone will use to convince you to go and fight for him when you also have money. We are also big men by the grace of God".
He said some politicians are bent on seeing that the Post-Amnesty programme does not succeed so that they would have people they would use to advance their selfish interests.
Another ex-militant, Tony Patrick from Boyloaf group in Delta State, who said he was a storekeeper of arms, also said "I love the programme. I have learnt a lot. I will tell any politician who comes to me now to go away. I am free. My advice is that according to what information given to us is that if you go back to your bad acts, you will be killed. That is the law. So advise other boys to stay calm and achieve what they came for.
"No boy that has passed through here will go out and do anything bad. I cannot go back to my old life. I can never be violent anymore. Let the politicians go and use their children. We are not doing anything for them again. Everything is going smoothly inside the camp here".
24-years old Innocent Ayakwo Okoro from River State said he was combatant soldier in the Camp but that since the amnesty programme, "I have had free movement in town. I can express my freedom of expression and my rights and I commend the programme so much.
"As I leave here, I am going to teach other people what I have e learnt from here which is non-violence. With what I have learnt here, there would be no violence. Through this process that the Federal Government has started with the youth of the Niger Delta, I think there would be no violence anymore in Nigeria, not even Niger Delta. Because when at least 1000 people pass through this training, at least one person can reach out to 1000 and the chain effect goes on like that then the rate of crime would be less in this country not only in the Niger Delta".
Crisis is brewing again within the Edo State health sector as the state government has threatened that any doctor in her employment who fails to report to work by 8am today will be given a "summary dismissal," just as it strongly condemned the ongoing strike action embarked upon by members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
Following the recent abduction of a former Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, (UBTH), Eugene Okpere, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) had directed all members of the union to stay away from work until security condition in the state improves. Mr. Okpere had since been released, but several doctors in the state have been abducted lately and many were only released after payments were made.
The state government, in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Pally Iriase, said "from reports collated so far, many innocent persons have died as a result of the strike/industrial action. Edo State government can no longer condone this inhuman, unethical and irresponsible action.
"Government notes that the reason advanced by the striking doctors is that they are protesting the insecurity engendered by the criminal activities of kidnappers, but government on the contrary also notes the inhumanity of the frequent recourse to strike action at the flimsiest of excuses by doctors whose duty it is to save lives. The excuse of the doctors for embarking on the latest strike action is untenable and un-acceptable, as the state of insecurity pervades the whole nation as it is not limited to Edo State only and the criminal actions of the kidnappers affect all strata of the society." Mr. Iriase said despite the fact that matters of security are under the purview of the federal government,the state government has done all within its powers to assist security agencies in the state with operational vehicles,communication gadgets and allowances.
"The Government especially notes the irresponsibility of doctors in the employ of the state government,paid with tax-payers' money, who find it convenient to shut down public health facilities under the guise of strike action. Clearly, this is a ruse for them to create time for their private practice in their clinics while also drawing their full pay at the end of the month," the SSG said.
Doctors Want Apology
Chairman of Edo State chapter of Nigerian Medical Association, Phillip Gbodagha described the threat as "provocative." "No doctor was summarily employed by the state government, so there is no doctor that can be summarily dismissed by Edo state government," Mr Gbodagha said.
He said the doctors would remain on strike until the leadership of the association meet and he called for the overhaul of security operatives in the state and the deployment of military personnel to the state as done in Abia state. The NMA, in a statement signed by Stanley Ehiaremwan and Bruce Ossai, said the partial strike was to press for improvement in the security situation in the state.
"In compliance with the NMA Edo State branch directive, doctors in the Hospital Management Board have been going to work on daily basis, taking calls,attending to in-patients, emergencies and surgeries," the organisation said. "For the Edo state government to have,among other things, describe doctors in her employment as irresponsible, in-human and un-ethical because of compliance of a directive of their parent body is to say the least undeserved and negate the spirit of freedom of association.
"We take exception to the use of unpalatable language, and therefore demand an unreserved apology from the Edo State government." The doctors vowed to maintain their stand until further directive from the NMA.
Journalists Begin Warning Strike
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the weekend said its proposed three-day warning strike with the Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union will begin today.
The National Secretary of the NUJ, Shuaibu Leman, said in a statement at the weekend in Abuja that, barring any last minute agreement or change, the strike would go on.Mr. Leman explained that the strike was to place on the front burner, the demand for a new salary structure for media workers in the Federal Government-owned media."The strike is meant to bring into front burner, the enhanced and new salary structure for media workers that is stalled somewhere with the Federal Government.
"During the strike action, members should stay at home and not lurk around the premises of their offices,'' he said. In another statement signed by Seye Adekeye, the NUJ's Assistant National Secretary, the union decried the huge disparity in the salaries of workers in government-owned media and its other parastatal agencies.
"For instance, while a level 04 staff of NTA receives N12,011.91 monthly, his counterpart in the Federal Inland Revenue Service is receiving N99,408.50k,'' it noted.
Zain changes to Airtel
Zain Nigeria finally and formally changed its brand identity to Airtel. This was after concluding a $10.7 billion transaction in June this year, which gave Indian Bharti Airtel the Zain Group’s Celtel Africa Unit. The name change, which happened Friday across the country changes the African footprints of Zain to now AirTel . The name change brings to sixth the number of times the company would have to change identity since 2001 it started operations in Nigeria.
In a colourful celebration to herald the new name in Abuja yesterday, Chairman of the company, Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal promised that the company has come to stay. He also promised that the company would bring innovations that would not allow it dissolve into another company just like the company has done i9n the past.
According to him, “Bharti began its African journey by promising to deliver world class and affordable mobile services to customers and delighting them with innovative products. I believe we are taking a major step towards delivering on this by introducing the heart of our business the Airtel brand across our operations in Africa .
“our African customers would not be able to enjoy the same best in class brand experience as our cuistromers across India , Sri_Lanka and Bangladesh . We remain committed to taking our network deeper into Africa by ensuring our services touch the common man and bridge the digital devide in the continent”
He expressed confidence that in the coming years Airtel will win the heart of customers across Africa and emerge as one of the most admired brands in the continent. Meanwhile, the special guest at the occasion, President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili tasked the new company to imbibe good business ethics, promising that his government would give it every support, especially as it has committed to making telephony available and affordable to the rual communities.
Akunyili also on her own capacity as the Minister of Information tasked the new company to see that more Nigerians rose to the top of the company even as she urged it to make more investments in the country.
By Prince Osuagwu& Laide Akinboade
Culled from The Vanguard
Published 19-11-2010.
Thursday 18 November 2010
Nigeria denies pressure from the West on Iran
Foreign Affairs Minister Odein Ajumogobia has denied that there were pressures from Western nations on Nigeria to report its seizure of arms shipment from Iran to the United Nation’s Security Council.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Joy Ogwu, on Monday formally notified the UN’s Security Council sanctions committee about the seizure of the arms by the State Security Services (SSS) which intercepted 13 containers labelled as building materials but which were actually rocket launchers, grenades and other explosives in October.
Mr Ajumogobia told reporters at the UN before leaving New York that “I feel we have international obligations to carry them out as responsible members of the UN and it is as simple as that, and I made that very clear to the Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki when I met him in Abuja last week’’ he said.
He said most senior foreign diplomats told him at the UN that they were impressed with Nigeria’s handling of the issue but declined to mention the specific countries that made the commendation. Mr Ajumogobia further explained that the next step for Nigeria was to continue with the ongoing investigation on the issue and submit a detailed report to the UN committee later.
Friendly match controversy
Another angle to the row was the cancellation of a friendly football match between Iran and Nigeria, less than 48 hours to the kick-off. Mr Ajumogobia however denied that the cancellation by the Nigeria Football Federation had anything to do with the row over the illegal arms shipment.
“My understanding is that they had some technical problems. There were some players who were supposed to play in the friendly match that were not available” he noted adding that “I think it was just a mere coincidence; it wasn’t connected as far as I am concerned.”
A France-based shipping company CMA CGM which transported the shipment said it was hidden in containers labelled as building materials and attempts were made to send it to Gambia before the Nigerian police seized them.
The foreign envoy however said that “my view is that if a third party is laying claim to a cargo in Nigeria then they will do so properly and through the proper channels. I haven’t had such claim brought to my attention. When it is, I will deal with it appropriately. In the meantime, the security agencies are still investigating that aspect of the claim on their own. But as a Foreign Minister, I will not speculate as to who or what is claiming to anything, because under the Resolution 1929, we have clear obligation to report any arms contravention to the UN,’’ he said.
Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki during a press briefing in Tehran on Monday also hinted that investigations had revealed that the arms shipment was destined for The Gambia.
Mr Ajumogobia noted that the seizure had brought to the fore the need for government agencies to be vigilant on resolutions and international conventions and that his ministry would ensure that other government agencies are notified about the need to enforce international sanctions.
Iran is currently under series of UN sanctions which cut across military equipment, financial transactions, business interests and travel ban on individuals associated with the Islamic republic’s nuclear programme. The country is banned from supplying, selling or transferring arms. The country however has good diplomatic relationship with Nigeria with the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visiting Nigeria in July where he pledged his nation’s support to help Nigeria with its nuclear technology for power generation.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Joy Ogwu, on Monday formally notified the UN’s Security Council sanctions committee about the seizure of the arms by the State Security Services (SSS) which intercepted 13 containers labelled as building materials but which were actually rocket launchers, grenades and other explosives in October.
Mr Ajumogobia told reporters at the UN before leaving New York that “I feel we have international obligations to carry them out as responsible members of the UN and it is as simple as that, and I made that very clear to the Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki when I met him in Abuja last week’’ he said.
He said most senior foreign diplomats told him at the UN that they were impressed with Nigeria’s handling of the issue but declined to mention the specific countries that made the commendation. Mr Ajumogobia further explained that the next step for Nigeria was to continue with the ongoing investigation on the issue and submit a detailed report to the UN committee later.
Friendly match controversy
Another angle to the row was the cancellation of a friendly football match between Iran and Nigeria, less than 48 hours to the kick-off. Mr Ajumogobia however denied that the cancellation by the Nigeria Football Federation had anything to do with the row over the illegal arms shipment.
“My understanding is that they had some technical problems. There were some players who were supposed to play in the friendly match that were not available” he noted adding that “I think it was just a mere coincidence; it wasn’t connected as far as I am concerned.”
A France-based shipping company CMA CGM which transported the shipment said it was hidden in containers labelled as building materials and attempts were made to send it to Gambia before the Nigerian police seized them.
The foreign envoy however said that “my view is that if a third party is laying claim to a cargo in Nigeria then they will do so properly and through the proper channels. I haven’t had such claim brought to my attention. When it is, I will deal with it appropriately. In the meantime, the security agencies are still investigating that aspect of the claim on their own. But as a Foreign Minister, I will not speculate as to who or what is claiming to anything, because under the Resolution 1929, we have clear obligation to report any arms contravention to the UN,’’ he said.
Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki during a press briefing in Tehran on Monday also hinted that investigations had revealed that the arms shipment was destined for The Gambia.
Mr Ajumogobia noted that the seizure had brought to the fore the need for government agencies to be vigilant on resolutions and international conventions and that his ministry would ensure that other government agencies are notified about the need to enforce international sanctions.
Iran is currently under series of UN sanctions which cut across military equipment, financial transactions, business interests and travel ban on individuals associated with the Islamic republic’s nuclear programme. The country is banned from supplying, selling or transferring arms. The country however has good diplomatic relationship with Nigeria with the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visiting Nigeria in July where he pledged his nation’s support to help Nigeria with its nuclear technology for power generation.
I need 3 years to rebuild Eagles -Siasia
Nigeria’s new coach, Samson Siasia, has said he will need, at least three years, to rebuild the Super Eagles into a formidable force. Siasia will take over the Eagles on December 1 on a four-year contract and with the perennial underachievers yet to win a major honour since 1994, the former international striker has admitted he had his work cut.
“It is going to take two, three years for us to assemble a formidable team,” Siasia said.
“It should be a gradual process, trying to build a new team with the old and the new players. Gradually, we will mix them up until we find the ones who we need, actually the ones who would play the way we want them to play. That time, I would come out and say publicly we have a team.
“But right now, we just want to focus on how to rebuild the team. Yes, the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) could set targets, but if we want to be realistic, targets won’t be realistic, if you don’t have a good team. “As a coach, we need time to build a very good team. If we are looking at where we are coming from, then we have to work on how to rebuild this team.”
Siasia would, therefore, call on the fans to be patient with him as he goes about rebuilding the national team ranked 33rd in the world. “The fans must come out in large numbers to watch us play. They must exercise patience too. What we lack here is patience. We want results immediately.
“Nigerians want to see us getting to the finals like Argentina and Germany. We cannot say because we want to build a new team, we should forget about the players who are there now in the Super Eagles. That is the team we have right now.“ The Eagles’ new handler further said he was ready for the daunting challenges ahead.
“I have been waiting for this job for almost three years now and that was before the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I was to be the coach of the Super Eagles after the interview conducted for the job. But that time, I said no, I wasn’t ready. Now that I am ready, I am not intimidated at all. I am ready for this job”. he declared matter-of-factly.
“It is going to take two, three years for us to assemble a formidable team,” Siasia said.
“It should be a gradual process, trying to build a new team with the old and the new players. Gradually, we will mix them up until we find the ones who we need, actually the ones who would play the way we want them to play. That time, I would come out and say publicly we have a team.
“But right now, we just want to focus on how to rebuild the team. Yes, the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) could set targets, but if we want to be realistic, targets won’t be realistic, if you don’t have a good team. “As a coach, we need time to build a very good team. If we are looking at where we are coming from, then we have to work on how to rebuild this team.”
Siasia would, therefore, call on the fans to be patient with him as he goes about rebuilding the national team ranked 33rd in the world. “The fans must come out in large numbers to watch us play. They must exercise patience too. What we lack here is patience. We want results immediately.
“Nigerians want to see us getting to the finals like Argentina and Germany. We cannot say because we want to build a new team, we should forget about the players who are there now in the Super Eagles. That is the team we have right now.“ The Eagles’ new handler further said he was ready for the daunting challenges ahead.
“I have been waiting for this job for almost three years now and that was before the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I was to be the coach of the Super Eagles after the interview conducted for the job. But that time, I said no, I wasn’t ready. Now that I am ready, I am not intimidated at all. I am ready for this job”. he declared matter-of-factly.
‘Return to Class or Quit’
Angry that striking workers of the Abia State University, Uturu have refused to shift grounds, the state governor, Theodore Orji advised all those dissatisfied with the conditions of service at the institution to quit. The governor said this during a meeting between the state government and major interest groups in the state seeking to find ways of ending the three-month-old strike.
Mr Orji said efforts by his government to ensure that striking staff unions return to work have been rebuffed by the unions’ leadership, which was why he decided to invite religious leaders to wade into the matter. He said federal institutions are there for lecturers who feel they can no longer stay in ABSU and called on the lecturers to make concessions towards resolving the strike in the interest of the students.
The governor said he had promised to pay 100% of the agreement reached by the unions with effect from January next year adding that if the unions insist that the arrears must be paid, he would have to revert to paying only 50%. He said other sectors of the state economy must receive attention, adding that the state has two other tertiary institutions that must also be attended to. As part of efforts to resolve the impasse, the stakeholders, including parents, students and the university management arrived at the conclusion that the striking staff should call off the strike and accept the state government’s offer.
No Wage Increase
They equally agreed that the new wage increase would require an increase in fees paid by students, but that the increase should not be such that parents would be forced to withdraw their wards from school as such action could lead to crime, prostitution and other social vices associated with frustration and idleness.
The pro chancellor of ABSU, Joshua Ogbonnaya gave an overview of the steps so far taken by government to resolve the imbroglio. Bishops and other religious leaders suggested that a meeting be convened between them and the striking unions to try to resolve the issues involved.
Tuesday 16 November 2010
Uncertainty over voter registration •As firm drags INEC, AGF, Zinox, others to court over patent violation
THE voter registration exercise scheduled for January, 2011 appears heading for the rocks as a company, on Monday, dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and others before a federal high court in Abuja over infringement on patent rights.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/737/2010, the plaintiff, Bedding Holdings Limited, is seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants/respondents either by themselves or their agents from continuing the process of considering proposals of tendering/bidding for or importing the Direct Data Capture Machine (DDMC) for the compilation, production and use of a voter register in the 2011 general election or any other elections whatsoever, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
Joined as defendants along with INEC are its chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega; AGF; Haier Thermocool Nigeria Limited; Zinox Computer Nigeria Limited; and some unknown persons.
INEC recently awarded the contract for the supply of thousands of the DDCMs, which are scheduled to arrive the country in December to Zinox Computer Nigeria Limited and other companies.
The plaintiff is claiming that it is the bona fide patentee of two patents, to wit: Proof of Address System Scheme (PASS) and Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Box (ECTBB).
These two products, according to the applicant, would make the process and application of using the DDCMs achievable and thus constituted a violation of the plaintiff’s aforementioned patents.
“Bedding Holdings Limited is not claiming to have patent in and over the voter register nor is it claiming patent in and over the DDCMs per se.
“But the process and application of using the DDCMs to achieve the compilation of the voter register infringe on the two aforementioned patents as described in the full literature and claims of our patents as statutory granted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This is irrespective of the generic name given to any component/computer/laptop/handled or DDCM for such exercise.
“In as much as the end result is to provide the names, ages, sexes, photographs, addresses, units, wards, town, local governments, states, etc of voters, the process and the combined application of the means of achieving this, infringe on the two patented products/concepts, PASS and ECTBB,” the firm said.
PASS is embedded with a concept of coded metal plate which is used for the collection, collation and registration of people’s bio-data such as their names, addresses, ages, and so on.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/737/2010, the plaintiff, Bedding Holdings Limited, is seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants/respondents either by themselves or their agents from continuing the process of considering proposals of tendering/bidding for or importing the Direct Data Capture Machine (DDMC) for the compilation, production and use of a voter register in the 2011 general election or any other elections whatsoever, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
Joined as defendants along with INEC are its chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega; AGF; Haier Thermocool Nigeria Limited; Zinox Computer Nigeria Limited; and some unknown persons.
INEC recently awarded the contract for the supply of thousands of the DDCMs, which are scheduled to arrive the country in December to Zinox Computer Nigeria Limited and other companies.
The plaintiff is claiming that it is the bona fide patentee of two patents, to wit: Proof of Address System Scheme (PASS) and Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Box (ECTBB).
These two products, according to the applicant, would make the process and application of using the DDCMs achievable and thus constituted a violation of the plaintiff’s aforementioned patents.
“Bedding Holdings Limited is not claiming to have patent in and over the voter register nor is it claiming patent in and over the DDCMs per se.
“But the process and application of using the DDCMs to achieve the compilation of the voter register infringe on the two aforementioned patents as described in the full literature and claims of our patents as statutory granted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This is irrespective of the generic name given to any component/computer/laptop/handled or DDCM for such exercise.
“In as much as the end result is to provide the names, ages, sexes, photographs, addresses, units, wards, town, local governments, states, etc of voters, the process and the combined application of the means of achieving this, infringe on the two patented products/concepts, PASS and ECTBB,” the firm said.
PASS is embedded with a concept of coded metal plate which is used for the collection, collation and registration of people’s bio-data such as their names, addresses, ages, and so on.
Jonathan heads PTF for Super Falcons
Just as a Presidential Task Force was put in place to ensure Super Eagles’ qualification for the recent South Africa 2010 World Cup, a similar institution has been created for the Super Falcons’ participation at the Germany 2011 Fifa Women World Cup finals.
This PTF for the Super Falcons would be headed by wife of president, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan to source for fund for the ladies’ preparation and participation at the Germany 2011 Fifa Women World Cup.
The composition of the Dame Patience Jonathan_led PTF is however yet to be made public, but a dependable source hinted that the power brokers at the Villa would dominate the committee that would go cap_in_hand to woo corporate Nigeria to ensure adequate fund was sourced without much government involvement spending.
The Falcons that hit all teams including the defending champions, Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea to re_claim the crown in South Africa necessitated the creation of the PTF to ensure the team repeat the performance in Germany. .
This PTF for the Super Falcons would be headed by wife of president, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan to source for fund for the ladies’ preparation and participation at the Germany 2011 Fifa Women World Cup.
The composition of the Dame Patience Jonathan_led PTF is however yet to be made public, but a dependable source hinted that the power brokers at the Villa would dominate the committee that would go cap_in_hand to woo corporate Nigeria to ensure adequate fund was sourced without much government involvement spending.
The Falcons that hit all teams including the defending champions, Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea to re_claim the crown in South Africa necessitated the creation of the PTF to ensure the team repeat the performance in Germany. .
Nigeria now more open to foreign investors – Jonathan
Abuja — President Goodluck Jonathan said on Tuesday in Abuja that the Federal Government was implementing policies and measures to encourage greater participation of foreign investors in Nigeria.
Jonathan stated this in an audience with the new Croatian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ivica Tomic, who was at the Presidential Villa to present his Letters of Credence.
The President said Nigeria’s economy was now more open to direct foreign investment in different areas.
He said that the Federal Government would welcome the improvement of economic relations between Nigeria and Croatia. Jonathan wished Tomic a successful tenure in Nigeria.
The new Ambassador told the President that about 1,000 Croatians were currently working as expatriates in Nigeria’s oil and construction Industry.
He said that Croatia was very keen in expanding areas of bilateral cooperation with Nigeria.
The envoy, on behalf of his government, invited President Jonathan to visit Zagreb at his earliest convenience.
Jonathan stated this in an audience with the new Croatian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ivica Tomic, who was at the Presidential Villa to present his Letters of Credence.
The President said Nigeria’s economy was now more open to direct foreign investment in different areas.
He said that the Federal Government would welcome the improvement of economic relations between Nigeria and Croatia. Jonathan wished Tomic a successful tenure in Nigeria.
The new Ambassador told the President that about 1,000 Croatians were currently working as expatriates in Nigeria’s oil and construction Industry.
He said that Croatia was very keen in expanding areas of bilateral cooperation with Nigeria.
The envoy, on behalf of his government, invited President Jonathan to visit Zagreb at his earliest convenience.
Nigeria now more open to foreign investors – Jonathan
Abuja — President Goodluck Jonathan said on Tuesday in Abuja that the Federal Government was implementing policies and measures to encourage greater participation of foreign investors in Nigeria.
Jonathan stated this in an audience with the new Croatian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ivica Tomic, who was at the Presidential Villa to present his Letters of Credence.
The President said Nigeria’s economy was now more open to direct foreign investment in different areas.
He said that the Federal Government would welcome the improvement of economic relations between Nigeria and Croatia. Jonathan wished Tomic a successful tenure in Nigeria.
The new Ambassador told the President that about 1,000 Croatians were currently working as expatriates in Nigeria’s oil and construction Industry.
He said that Croatia was very keen in expanding areas of bilateral cooperation with Nigeria.
The envoy, on behalf of his government, invited President Jonathan to visit Zagreb at his earliest convenience.
Jonathan stated this in an audience with the new Croatian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ivica Tomic, who was at the Presidential Villa to present his Letters of Credence.
The President said Nigeria’s economy was now more open to direct foreign investment in different areas.
He said that the Federal Government would welcome the improvement of economic relations between Nigeria and Croatia. Jonathan wished Tomic a successful tenure in Nigeria.
The new Ambassador told the President that about 1,000 Croatians were currently working as expatriates in Nigeria’s oil and construction Industry.
He said that Croatia was very keen in expanding areas of bilateral cooperation with Nigeria.
The envoy, on behalf of his government, invited President Jonathan to visit Zagreb at his earliest convenience.
Consensus candidate: We have not endorsed anybody - Northern Xtians
AS controversy continues to trail the consensus arrangement initiated by the Northern Political Elders Forum (NPLF), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), North-Central chapter, has disassociated itself from the alleged endorsement of the contraption by its northern chapter, saying that the chapter was expected to meet with aspirants from the geopolitical zone on Tuesday next week.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Jos, the North-Central chairman of CAN, Reverend Yakubu Pam, disclosed that presidential aspirants from the zone—former President Ibrahim Babangida, Mrs Serah Jibril, Governor Bukola Saraki—were expected to meet with the chapter on Tuesday next week over their aspirations.
Reverend Pam said he had met with his executive team over the purported endorsement of the consensus arrangement by the northern CAN, adding that the person who claimed to have represented the northern CAN spoke for himself, not the body he claimed to have represented.
“As far as we are concerned in the North-Central, we are not part of the decision, nobody discussed the issue with us before the pronouncement was made. At our level here, we are meeting with the presidential aspirants from this zone on Tuesday next week on their aspirations. The three of them are the former President Ibrahim Babangida, Governor Bukola Saraki and Mrs Serah Jibril,” he said.
The North-Central chairman, who said the primary concern of CAN was the unity of Nigeria, added that the interest of the body was not just for the Christians but also to have good leaders at all levels in the country.
In a related development, the senator representing Plateau Central, Senator Sati Gogwim, had stated that plans by some people in the North to produce a consensus aspirant against President Goodluck Jonathan was never a threat to the president.
The senator told the Nigerian Tribune that the likes of the NPLF leader, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, could not speak for the entire North because their emergence as leaders was not endorsed by the entire North, adding they were just a group of aggrieved people who simply wanted to take on President Jonathan for their selfish interest.
“Nobody is losing sleep over their planned consensus arrangement but I want people to know that Mallam Adamu Ciroma and others are not speaking for the North. We in the Middle Belt are not bothered because they did not recognise us as part of the North,” he said.
Senator Gogwim said if those who constituted themselves as the northern leaders actually were championing the cause of the entire North, they should come out for assessment to determine if they were credible to negotiate for the North.
He charged Nigerians to learn to appreciate those in positions of authority, adding that in the past few months of being in the saddle, President Jonathan had proved his worth and zeal to move the nation forward.
“Nigerians should give him a chance. He has demonstrated that he is capable of steering the affairs of this nation. The circumstances surrounding his emergence as president of this country is enough to convince all that the hand of God is upon him.”
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Jos, the North-Central chairman of CAN, Reverend Yakubu Pam, disclosed that presidential aspirants from the zone—former President Ibrahim Babangida, Mrs Serah Jibril, Governor Bukola Saraki—were expected to meet with the chapter on Tuesday next week over their aspirations.
Reverend Pam said he had met with his executive team over the purported endorsement of the consensus arrangement by the northern CAN, adding that the person who claimed to have represented the northern CAN spoke for himself, not the body he claimed to have represented.
“As far as we are concerned in the North-Central, we are not part of the decision, nobody discussed the issue with us before the pronouncement was made. At our level here, we are meeting with the presidential aspirants from this zone on Tuesday next week on their aspirations. The three of them are the former President Ibrahim Babangida, Governor Bukola Saraki and Mrs Serah Jibril,” he said.
The North-Central chairman, who said the primary concern of CAN was the unity of Nigeria, added that the interest of the body was not just for the Christians but also to have good leaders at all levels in the country.
In a related development, the senator representing Plateau Central, Senator Sati Gogwim, had stated that plans by some people in the North to produce a consensus aspirant against President Goodluck Jonathan was never a threat to the president.
The senator told the Nigerian Tribune that the likes of the NPLF leader, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, could not speak for the entire North because their emergence as leaders was not endorsed by the entire North, adding they were just a group of aggrieved people who simply wanted to take on President Jonathan for their selfish interest.
“Nobody is losing sleep over their planned consensus arrangement but I want people to know that Mallam Adamu Ciroma and others are not speaking for the North. We in the Middle Belt are not bothered because they did not recognise us as part of the North,” he said.
Senator Gogwim said if those who constituted themselves as the northern leaders actually were championing the cause of the entire North, they should come out for assessment to determine if they were credible to negotiate for the North.
He charged Nigerians to learn to appreciate those in positions of authority, adding that in the past few months of being in the saddle, President Jonathan had proved his worth and zeal to move the nation forward.
“Nigerians should give him a chance. He has demonstrated that he is capable of steering the affairs of this nation. The circumstances surrounding his emergence as president of this country is enough to convince all that the hand of God is upon him.”
MEND claims responsibility for attack on ExxonMobil
Yenagoa—The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, has claimed responsibility for the attack on the American oil giant, ExxonMobil facility in Akwa Ibom State.
The group also threatened to launch a major operation that would simultaneously affect oil facilities across the Niger Delta.
But the Joint Task Force, JTF, assured indigenes of the Niger Delta of their safety stressing that the security outfit is working round the clock to rid the region of criminal elements masquerading as militants and engaging in all manner of atrocities.
MEND, in an online statement signed by its Spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said the attack on the Ibeno facility was carried out by its fighters.
The statement reads: “The attack commenced at approximately 2040hrs Nigerian time and terminated at approximately 2237hrs Nigerian time after our fighters detonated explosives they had earlier rigged to this facility, causing considerable damage.
“Like in the previous attack, on the shallow-water Okoro oilfield on November 7, 2010, seven local employees were abducted. They were taken to prevent the Nigerian government from attributing the damage to this facility to an industrial accident.
“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, wishes to draw the attention of the International Community to the indiscriminate bombing and strafing of communities in the Niger Delta and locations in the creeks and swamps suspected of accommodating militia camps by the Nigerian military.”
It alleged that “At about 1400hrs on November 15, 2010, the Nigerian Army carried out such an attack as described above, in the general vicinity of one of our camps in Rivers State in the Niger Delta.
“Expatriate hostages held at this location had to be removed and relocated for their safety as rocket attacks by the Nigerian military came very close to these individuals.”
The group urged the Nigerian government to be mindful of the fact that these activities are endangering the lives of these hostages who otherwise, would come to no harm in their custody warning that no amount of military activities will secure the release of the hostages as they would be released at their own time.
“The Nigerian government till date has refused to dialogue over addressing the injustice in the Niger Delta preferring instead to deceive the world into believing that the Niger Delta issue has being resolved by the government of Goodluck Jonathan who has only being successful in bribing a few miscreants.
“In the coming weeks, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) will launch a major operation that will simultaneously affect oil facilities across the Niger Delta,”
Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force has assured indigenes of the Niger Delta of their safety stressing that the security outfit is working round the clock to rid the region of criminal elements masquerading as militants who have been engaging in all atrocities such as like kidnapping, sea robbery and illegal boarding of oil production platforms.
The Coordinator Joint Media Campaign Centre, Lt. Col Timothy Antigha in a statement said, “you will recall that in the last few weeks, criminal gangs masquerading as militants have been engaging in all atrocities, like kidnapping, sea robbery and illegal boarding of oil production platforms.
“The JTF is currently in an operation to rid the Niger Delta of these criminal elements, in order for the region to experience the needed peace and security which are imperatives for sustainable development.
“All law abiding indigenes of communities hosting these criminals are advised to remain clam and promptly report suspicious characters to relevant military authorities.”
The group also threatened to launch a major operation that would simultaneously affect oil facilities across the Niger Delta.
But the Joint Task Force, JTF, assured indigenes of the Niger Delta of their safety stressing that the security outfit is working round the clock to rid the region of criminal elements masquerading as militants and engaging in all manner of atrocities.
MEND, in an online statement signed by its Spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said the attack on the Ibeno facility was carried out by its fighters.
The statement reads: “The attack commenced at approximately 2040hrs Nigerian time and terminated at approximately 2237hrs Nigerian time after our fighters detonated explosives they had earlier rigged to this facility, causing considerable damage.
“Like in the previous attack, on the shallow-water Okoro oilfield on November 7, 2010, seven local employees were abducted. They were taken to prevent the Nigerian government from attributing the damage to this facility to an industrial accident.
“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, wishes to draw the attention of the International Community to the indiscriminate bombing and strafing of communities in the Niger Delta and locations in the creeks and swamps suspected of accommodating militia camps by the Nigerian military.”
It alleged that “At about 1400hrs on November 15, 2010, the Nigerian Army carried out such an attack as described above, in the general vicinity of one of our camps in Rivers State in the Niger Delta.
“Expatriate hostages held at this location had to be removed and relocated for their safety as rocket attacks by the Nigerian military came very close to these individuals.”
The group urged the Nigerian government to be mindful of the fact that these activities are endangering the lives of these hostages who otherwise, would come to no harm in their custody warning that no amount of military activities will secure the release of the hostages as they would be released at their own time.
“The Nigerian government till date has refused to dialogue over addressing the injustice in the Niger Delta preferring instead to deceive the world into believing that the Niger Delta issue has being resolved by the government of Goodluck Jonathan who has only being successful in bribing a few miscreants.
“In the coming weeks, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) will launch a major operation that will simultaneously affect oil facilities across the Niger Delta,”
Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force has assured indigenes of the Niger Delta of their safety stressing that the security outfit is working round the clock to rid the region of criminal elements masquerading as militants who have been engaging in all atrocities such as like kidnapping, sea robbery and illegal boarding of oil production platforms.
The Coordinator Joint Media Campaign Centre, Lt. Col Timothy Antigha in a statement said, “you will recall that in the last few weeks, criminal gangs masquerading as militants have been engaging in all atrocities, like kidnapping, sea robbery and illegal boarding of oil production platforms.
“The JTF is currently in an operation to rid the Niger Delta of these criminal elements, in order for the region to experience the needed peace and security which are imperatives for sustainable development.
“All law abiding indigenes of communities hosting these criminals are advised to remain clam and promptly report suspicious characters to relevant military authorities.”
Seized weapons: Iran recalls ambassador •Says we’ve resolved ‘misunderstanding’ with Nigeria •Nigeria calls off football friendly with Iran
IRAN’S Foreign Minister said, on Monday, that the issue of an alleged Iranian arms shipment intercepted in Nigeria was a “misunderstanding” that had been settled.
This is just as the country’s ambassador to Nigeria, Hussein Abdullahi, has been recalled with a replacement named in his position.
Nigeria said the artillery rockets and other weapons, found at a Lagos port last month in shipping containers labelled as building supplies, originated in Iran and may have been destined for Nigerian politicians intending violence if they lose in upcoming elections. Nigeria said last week it would take action against Iran if an investigation shows it violated international law and United Nations sanctions, suggesting it might report Tehran to the world body.
Iranian foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, said an Iranian implicated in the case had explained the situation to Nigerian authorities. “I think the misunderstandings have been settled in this field,” Mottaki said, according to the state news agency IRNA.
Mottaki, who visited Lagos last week, also said he had replaced Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria. Mottaki did not say whether the replacement was connected to the weapons case.
A spokesman for Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry said the new ambassador’s appointment had no connection with the arms seizure. The spokesman, Ozo Nwobu, declined to comment on Iran’s assertion that the issue was the result of a misunderstanding and that it had been resolved.
“Investigations are ongoing to determine the level of Iranian involvement and it will be inappropriate for us to comment before allowing them to be concluded,” Nwobu said.
In Iran, Mottaki did not elaborate on the nature of the misunderstanding or how it was resolved. His statement was the highest-level Iranian comment so far on the case. In late October, Iran’s then-ambassador to Nigeria, Hussein Abdullahi, said there was no clear evidence linking his country to the shipment.
In a sign that tensions continued between the two countries, Nigeria postponed a soccer match against Iran’s national team scheduled for Wednesday in Tehran.
Musa Amadu, the Nigeria Football Federation’s acting secretary general, told The Associated Press on Monday that the match was postponed “due to the non-availability of our key players.” But he didn’t a deny a connection with the political events, saying “it’s for you to speculate.”
An international shipping company based in France, CMA CGM, said it had picked up the containers in which the weapons were hidden in the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. The shipment stopped in Mumbai, India, before heading to Lagos. On Friday, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia said Iranian officials confirmed the consignment originated in Iran.
During his visit, Mottaki cleared the way for Nigerian security officials to interview one of two Iranians who Nigeria says organised the shipment, Ajumogobia said. The Nigerians say the two have taken refuge in the Iranian Embassy.
The interception of the weapons had drawn sharp criticism of Iran from Nigeria. In a 2007 resolution stepping up sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, the U.N. Security Council banned Iranian arms exports, forbidding the sale or supply of weapons by Iran, whether directly or indirectly. It requires nations to prevent any such transfers and prevent their citizens from obtaining any weapons from Iran.
But Mottaki, on Monday, depicted the tensions as eased. He said he and the Nigerian foreign minister had held talks on bilateral relations and that Ajumogobia would visit Tehran. Mottaki said the appointment of a new ambassador to Nigeria would “create new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.”
This is just as the country’s ambassador to Nigeria, Hussein Abdullahi, has been recalled with a replacement named in his position.
Nigeria said the artillery rockets and other weapons, found at a Lagos port last month in shipping containers labelled as building supplies, originated in Iran and may have been destined for Nigerian politicians intending violence if they lose in upcoming elections. Nigeria said last week it would take action against Iran if an investigation shows it violated international law and United Nations sanctions, suggesting it might report Tehran to the world body.
Iranian foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, said an Iranian implicated in the case had explained the situation to Nigerian authorities. “I think the misunderstandings have been settled in this field,” Mottaki said, according to the state news agency IRNA.
Mottaki, who visited Lagos last week, also said he had replaced Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria. Mottaki did not say whether the replacement was connected to the weapons case.
A spokesman for Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry said the new ambassador’s appointment had no connection with the arms seizure. The spokesman, Ozo Nwobu, declined to comment on Iran’s assertion that the issue was the result of a misunderstanding and that it had been resolved.
“Investigations are ongoing to determine the level of Iranian involvement and it will be inappropriate for us to comment before allowing them to be concluded,” Nwobu said.
In Iran, Mottaki did not elaborate on the nature of the misunderstanding or how it was resolved. His statement was the highest-level Iranian comment so far on the case. In late October, Iran’s then-ambassador to Nigeria, Hussein Abdullahi, said there was no clear evidence linking his country to the shipment.
In a sign that tensions continued between the two countries, Nigeria postponed a soccer match against Iran’s national team scheduled for Wednesday in Tehran.
Musa Amadu, the Nigeria Football Federation’s acting secretary general, told The Associated Press on Monday that the match was postponed “due to the non-availability of our key players.” But he didn’t a deny a connection with the political events, saying “it’s for you to speculate.”
An international shipping company based in France, CMA CGM, said it had picked up the containers in which the weapons were hidden in the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. The shipment stopped in Mumbai, India, before heading to Lagos. On Friday, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia said Iranian officials confirmed the consignment originated in Iran.
During his visit, Mottaki cleared the way for Nigerian security officials to interview one of two Iranians who Nigeria says organised the shipment, Ajumogobia said. The Nigerians say the two have taken refuge in the Iranian Embassy.
The interception of the weapons had drawn sharp criticism of Iran from Nigeria. In a 2007 resolution stepping up sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, the U.N. Security Council banned Iranian arms exports, forbidding the sale or supply of weapons by Iran, whether directly or indirectly. It requires nations to prevent any such transfers and prevent their citizens from obtaining any weapons from Iran.
But Mottaki, on Monday, depicted the tensions as eased. He said he and the Nigerian foreign minister had held talks on bilateral relations and that Ajumogobia would visit Tehran. Mottaki said the appointment of a new ambassador to Nigeria would “create new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.”
Monday 15 November 2010
How not to treat the champions
African champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria returned to a tumultuous welcome Monday afternoon, only to be conveyed in a rickety old truck that could best be used in conveying cows. The journey fro the international airport to the local wing was done on the dirty truck.
A crowd made up of mostly journalists, friends of the players and football enthusiasts and the ever present members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club had formed at the arrival hall as early as 11.30 am, waiting for the champions to arrive. After a long wait, information came that they would be emerging through the departure hall as they were to take a connection flight to Abuja soon after their arrival. The waiting game continued until 2.00 pm when the Arik Air flight, conveying the players and officials touched down. It took another one and a half hours before the check out formalities were concluded.
Before their arrival, a truck had been parked at the entrance of the departure hall. Once the airport formalities were over, the players were herded into the waiting truck.
They were joined by NFF Executive committee member and head of the technical committee, Barrister Chris Green, acting NFF media officer, Robinson Okosun and members of the Nigeria Football Supporters club. Journalist who attempted going into the truck had it tough as security personnel, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gideon Akinsola formed a wall around them.
A Brila fm reporter, Tony Bekederemo was forced to jump down from the truck. There was no arrangement for a formal press chat with the players or officials.
The truck became a spectacle of sorts as thousands of Nigerians who stared in bewilderment started asking why African champions should be transportedin such a truck.
Confronted on the truck issue, Barrister Green who accompanied the girls from the international airport to the local wing simply said, “I was not part of the arrangements. I think we made do with what we saw.”
It was indeed a bad way of how not to treat chmpions. “Could the NFF had done the same thing if the Super Eagles achieved the same feat?” an onlooker asked.
A crowd made up of mostly journalists, friends of the players and football enthusiasts and the ever present members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club had formed at the arrival hall as early as 11.30 am, waiting for the champions to arrive. After a long wait, information came that they would be emerging through the departure hall as they were to take a connection flight to Abuja soon after their arrival. The waiting game continued until 2.00 pm when the Arik Air flight, conveying the players and officials touched down. It took another one and a half hours before the check out formalities were concluded.
Before their arrival, a truck had been parked at the entrance of the departure hall. Once the airport formalities were over, the players were herded into the waiting truck.
They were joined by NFF Executive committee member and head of the technical committee, Barrister Chris Green, acting NFF media officer, Robinson Okosun and members of the Nigeria Football Supporters club. Journalist who attempted going into the truck had it tough as security personnel, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gideon Akinsola formed a wall around them.
A Brila fm reporter, Tony Bekederemo was forced to jump down from the truck. There was no arrangement for a formal press chat with the players or officials.
The truck became a spectacle of sorts as thousands of Nigerians who stared in bewilderment started asking why African champions should be transportedin such a truck.
Confronted on the truck issue, Barrister Green who accompanied the girls from the international airport to the local wing simply said, “I was not part of the arrangements. I think we made do with what we saw.”
It was indeed a bad way of how not to treat chmpions. “Could the NFF had done the same thing if the Super Eagles achieved the same feat?” an onlooker asked.
PDP youth leader calls for calm over Appeal Court verdict
UGHELLI—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, youth Leader in the Delta South Senatorial District, Mr Andrew Igben, has charged supporters of the party in the district to remain calm and brace up to the challenges posed by the Appeal Court nullification of the April 2007 gubernatorial election in the state.
Reacting to the judgment, Igben said victory was sure for the PDP in the re-run election as directed by the court of Appeal in Benin City, Edo State, urging the teeming supporters of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan to remain focused and maintain their support for him.
He said the achievements of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan as governor between May 2007 and the day the election was nullified, speak volumes of his capacity to lead the state and lead the people to the promised land.
Enjoining youths of the state to mobilize more support for the PDP, he said he would carry out door-to-door campaign to sensitize the people on the good policies and programmes of the party.
He assured that the three-point agenda of the PDP administration in the state was on course and emphasized that the recent development has further galvanized the party to do more for Deltans.
Reacting to the judgment, Igben said victory was sure for the PDP in the re-run election as directed by the court of Appeal in Benin City, Edo State, urging the teeming supporters of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan to remain focused and maintain their support for him.
He said the achievements of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan as governor between May 2007 and the day the election was nullified, speak volumes of his capacity to lead the state and lead the people to the promised land.
Enjoining youths of the state to mobilize more support for the PDP, he said he would carry out door-to-door campaign to sensitize the people on the good policies and programmes of the party.
He assured that the three-point agenda of the PDP administration in the state was on course and emphasized that the recent development has further galvanized the party to do more for Deltans.
Steer Clear of Jos Crisis, FG Warns AU
he Federal Government has called on the African Union (AU) to steer clear of the perennial crises in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Reacting to the call by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the A.U. to intervene in the crises, the Federal Government said that it had the political will to tackle the crises. NBA, had in a statement presented to the 48th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Right holding in Banjul, sought AU's intervention. The association argued that the Federal Government had shown itself as incapable of resolving the crisis.
While exercising its right of reply, the Nigerian delegation to the session told the commission on Saturday that the Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan had put in place security measures to forestall fresh crisis breaking out in Jos.
A Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Pius Oteh, who presented the Federal Government’s reply, said, "In the circumstances, we wish to state that there is no basis for the call by the NBA for the intervention of the AU in the resolution of the Jos crisis.
"Nigeria has already commenced the implementation of several peace-building measures in its sovereign capacity and we are hopeful that the measures will achieve the desired result."
He said that the federal government was in control of the situation.According to him, the report of a Presidential Advisory Committee on the Jos crisis set up by President Goodluck Jonathan was already being implemented.
"There is a demonstrable political will on the part of the government to take all necessary steps to restore peace permanently to Plateau State," he added.
Mr. Olasupo Ati-John while making a presentation on behalf of the NBA's President, Chief Joseph Daudu SAN, said the Jos crisis remained a potential threat to the corporate existence of Nigeria as a nation.The association consequently called on the AU to carry out an independent investigation into the Jos crisis.
Reacting to the call by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the A.U. to intervene in the crises, the Federal Government said that it had the political will to tackle the crises. NBA, had in a statement presented to the 48th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Right holding in Banjul, sought AU's intervention. The association argued that the Federal Government had shown itself as incapable of resolving the crisis.
While exercising its right of reply, the Nigerian delegation to the session told the commission on Saturday that the Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan had put in place security measures to forestall fresh crisis breaking out in Jos.
A Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Pius Oteh, who presented the Federal Government’s reply, said, "In the circumstances, we wish to state that there is no basis for the call by the NBA for the intervention of the AU in the resolution of the Jos crisis.
"Nigeria has already commenced the implementation of several peace-building measures in its sovereign capacity and we are hopeful that the measures will achieve the desired result."
He said that the federal government was in control of the situation.According to him, the report of a Presidential Advisory Committee on the Jos crisis set up by President Goodluck Jonathan was already being implemented.
"There is a demonstrable political will on the part of the government to take all necessary steps to restore peace permanently to Plateau State," he added.
Mr. Olasupo Ati-John while making a presentation on behalf of the NBA's President, Chief Joseph Daudu SAN, said the Jos crisis remained a potential threat to the corporate existence of Nigeria as a nation.The association consequently called on the AU to carry out an independent investigation into the Jos crisis.
ACN Seeks Mass Action against National Assembly •Kumo: This is legislative tyranny
The move by the National Assembly to take over decision-making in political parties may be challenged in court as well as on the streets as more condemnations continue to trail the proposed amendment to the 2010 Electoral Act.
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has vowed to go to court to stop the law, describing it as “selfish”.It also asked the civil society to organise mass protest against the National Assembly, just as the former National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Senator Saidu Kumo, said the legislation is “tyrannical”.
Elder statesman and former secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, also condemned the proposed law.
The amendment bill, which has already passed second reading in both chambers within days of introduction, seeks to make federal lawmakers automatic members of parties’ National Executive Committee (NEC) – the highest decision-making organ.
While the House version of the bill wants to make all federal lawmakers NEC members, the Senate wants all committee chairmen and vice-chairman as members – but they are practically the same since almost all lawmakers are chairmen or vice-chairmen of committees.
The sheer number of National Assembly members is expected to overwhelm other members of NEC, effectively placing the control of parties under the legislature.
The ACN, in a statement issued yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, called on other political parties to also mount a legal challenge against the “obnoxious, self-serving, greedy and democracy-killing” proposed insertion into the Electoral Act 2010.
The party urged organised labour, civil society organizations and political parties to march on the National Assembly “to ensure such [an] anti-democratic law is not passed”.
ACN described the current National Assembly as the most expensive and anti-people ever in Nigeria's history, saying it is time to stop them from ruining the democracy that millions of Nigerians fought to entrench.
The party said: ''Our legislators are the highest paid in the world, with those of Kenya a distant second. Yet, they never consulted us before padding their pay to such high levels. The widespread story is that each of them earns a million naira per day, except on weekends and public holidays! This is not far from the truth, since each one smiles home with N45 million per quarter, in a country where most citizens live on less than US$1 a day, and the minimum wage being fought for comes to US$4 per day!
''Add this to the fact that while it took 3 per cent of the national budget to service the National Assembly in the Second Republic, the current National Assembly is gulping over 30 per cent of the national budget, and one will get an idea of how this legislators are draining the economy. If they dispute the figures quoted above, they should tell Nigerians what they earn and what percentage of the national budget is being used to service the National Assembly.”
The party said the proposed law offends the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stifles the ability of the parties to make their own constitutions and decide who attends their NEC and shows how those elected to serve the people could not differentiate between the interest of one party, in this case the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, and the country.
It said: ''As far as the dominant PDP members of the National Assembly are concerned, the interest of their party is the same as the interest of the nation. That is why there has been a cacophony of (PDP lawmakers') voices defending the toxic law being planned, with barely a whimper from the probably overwhelmed or quietly acquiescing legislators from the other parties.
''In the process of defending this law, logic has been turned on its head, with the sponsors and their supporters claiming it will enrich internal-democracy in the parties and broaden their decision-making base. No one has talked about the fact that it will turn the NEC meetings of the parties into a jamboree/rally, with praise-singers in tow.
''It will also mean that the lawmakers would have succeeded in smuggling into the various parties a uniform constitution, akin to making them the five fingers of a leprous hand, as we had during the [former head of state Gen. Sani Abacha years. Needless to say that the surest way to kill democracy and turn Nigeria into a one-party state is to do exactly what the PDP-dominated National Assembly is proposing.
''The proposed law will also make the lawmakers - in the case of the PDP more than 300 National Assembly members gate crashing into the NEC - the single biggest bloc in the NECs of the parties. Then, the dictatorship of lawmakers would have been entrenched, with dangerous consequences for all.”
The party said the various opposition political parties as well as Nigerians were to blame for the turn of events, adding that if the persistent warnings of the ACN had been heeded - that the National Assembly members were representing themselves instead of those who voted them into power - they (lawmakers) would not have been emboldened to try their latest antics.
Commenting on the controversial bill, Kumo said: “There are procedures of choosing NEC members and the automatic membership of NEC as envisaged by the National Assembly will make NEC meetings quite unwieldy.
“We shall use every available means including going to the court to contest this legislation that the National Assembly wants to introduce which is based on selfish and not the national interest.
“Much as the National Assembly has the legislative rights to make laws for the country, that law must be for the good governance of the country, not one based on selfishness.”
Anyaoku warned members of the National Assembly not to insert a provision that would give them advantage in their political parties in the selection of candidates for elective positions, saying it would be a “serious assault” to the country’s fledgling democracy.
Speaking at a lecture to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the coronation of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo III, Anyaoku said one of the ways to strengthen democracy and the country’s presidential system is when there is a limit to how far the constitution should go in regulating how political parties seek to conduct their internal procedures and workings.
He warned that to ascribe undue influence and self-serving influence to the parliamentary group of the party in the selection of candidates would undermine the democratic process.
A vibrant democracy, he said, must protect the right of political parties’ conventions and or conferences at national and other levels, to serve as platforms for enabling delegates of the rank and file members of the party to determine their party’s manifesto and candidates for elective political offices.
He also called for the inclusion of one traditional ruler from each of the six geo-political zones at the federal level into the National Council of State who should each be elected by a college of certificated rulers on rotational basis within his/her zone to serve for two years at a time.
At the state level, he recommended one traditional ruler from each of the three senatorial districts who should equally be elected by a college of certificated traditional rulers on rotational basis within each senatorial district to serve in the State Security Council for two years at a time.
Anyaoku said he was not oblivious of the importance of the constitution prohibiting traditional rulers from getting involved in partisan politics and the need to protect them from victimization by the government of the day who might be tempted to co-opt them in pursuit of partisan political activities.
He noted that the fact that many Nigerians still regard it as a desirable social status symbol to accept chieftaincy titles from traditional rulers, showed that the position and role of the traditional rulers were still recognized, respected and revered.
He argued that in some aspects of the life of the society, such as in land matters and even in intra-community civil conflicts, traditional rulers and their Councils of Chiefs still wield significant benevolent influence.
He said: “Since the traditional rulers have continued to guarantee the sustenance of the history, culture and identities of their various communities, being the vehicles for the transfer of their people’s customs from one generation to the other, they still play an important part in sustaining the cohesion of societies thereby contributing to the maintenance of law and order especially in the rural parts of every African country.
“Thus, the traditional rulers not only provide essential and appropriate platform for guaranteeing the people’s fundamental right to culture, they also, as the rallying point of their various peoples, serve for the galvanization of the people for purposes of national solidarity.
“The strategic importance of the institution of the Alake of Egbaland to the Egba people amply demonstrates the vital role that traditional rulers have played in every African society, not only before the advent of colonialism on the continent, but also in this post-colonial era.
“At all times, African traditional rulers have always been the custodians of their people’s culture and the embodiment of their collective conscience.
“With the coming of European colonial domination, the traditional rulers remained the undisputed interface between the colonial authorities and the African peoples.”
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has vowed to go to court to stop the law, describing it as “selfish”.It also asked the civil society to organise mass protest against the National Assembly, just as the former National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Senator Saidu Kumo, said the legislation is “tyrannical”.
Elder statesman and former secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, also condemned the proposed law.
The amendment bill, which has already passed second reading in both chambers within days of introduction, seeks to make federal lawmakers automatic members of parties’ National Executive Committee (NEC) – the highest decision-making organ.
While the House version of the bill wants to make all federal lawmakers NEC members, the Senate wants all committee chairmen and vice-chairman as members – but they are practically the same since almost all lawmakers are chairmen or vice-chairmen of committees.
The sheer number of National Assembly members is expected to overwhelm other members of NEC, effectively placing the control of parties under the legislature.
The ACN, in a statement issued yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, called on other political parties to also mount a legal challenge against the “obnoxious, self-serving, greedy and democracy-killing” proposed insertion into the Electoral Act 2010.
The party urged organised labour, civil society organizations and political parties to march on the National Assembly “to ensure such [an] anti-democratic law is not passed”.
ACN described the current National Assembly as the most expensive and anti-people ever in Nigeria's history, saying it is time to stop them from ruining the democracy that millions of Nigerians fought to entrench.
The party said: ''Our legislators are the highest paid in the world, with those of Kenya a distant second. Yet, they never consulted us before padding their pay to such high levels. The widespread story is that each of them earns a million naira per day, except on weekends and public holidays! This is not far from the truth, since each one smiles home with N45 million per quarter, in a country where most citizens live on less than US$1 a day, and the minimum wage being fought for comes to US$4 per day!
''Add this to the fact that while it took 3 per cent of the national budget to service the National Assembly in the Second Republic, the current National Assembly is gulping over 30 per cent of the national budget, and one will get an idea of how this legislators are draining the economy. If they dispute the figures quoted above, they should tell Nigerians what they earn and what percentage of the national budget is being used to service the National Assembly.”
The party said the proposed law offends the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stifles the ability of the parties to make their own constitutions and decide who attends their NEC and shows how those elected to serve the people could not differentiate between the interest of one party, in this case the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the majority in both chambers of the National Assembly, and the country.
It said: ''As far as the dominant PDP members of the National Assembly are concerned, the interest of their party is the same as the interest of the nation. That is why there has been a cacophony of (PDP lawmakers') voices defending the toxic law being planned, with barely a whimper from the probably overwhelmed or quietly acquiescing legislators from the other parties.
''In the process of defending this law, logic has been turned on its head, with the sponsors and their supporters claiming it will enrich internal-democracy in the parties and broaden their decision-making base. No one has talked about the fact that it will turn the NEC meetings of the parties into a jamboree/rally, with praise-singers in tow.
''It will also mean that the lawmakers would have succeeded in smuggling into the various parties a uniform constitution, akin to making them the five fingers of a leprous hand, as we had during the [former head of state Gen. Sani Abacha years. Needless to say that the surest way to kill democracy and turn Nigeria into a one-party state is to do exactly what the PDP-dominated National Assembly is proposing.
''The proposed law will also make the lawmakers - in the case of the PDP more than 300 National Assembly members gate crashing into the NEC - the single biggest bloc in the NECs of the parties. Then, the dictatorship of lawmakers would have been entrenched, with dangerous consequences for all.”
The party said the various opposition political parties as well as Nigerians were to blame for the turn of events, adding that if the persistent warnings of the ACN had been heeded - that the National Assembly members were representing themselves instead of those who voted them into power - they (lawmakers) would not have been emboldened to try their latest antics.
Commenting on the controversial bill, Kumo said: “There are procedures of choosing NEC members and the automatic membership of NEC as envisaged by the National Assembly will make NEC meetings quite unwieldy.
“We shall use every available means including going to the court to contest this legislation that the National Assembly wants to introduce which is based on selfish and not the national interest.
“Much as the National Assembly has the legislative rights to make laws for the country, that law must be for the good governance of the country, not one based on selfishness.”
Anyaoku warned members of the National Assembly not to insert a provision that would give them advantage in their political parties in the selection of candidates for elective positions, saying it would be a “serious assault” to the country’s fledgling democracy.
Speaking at a lecture to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the coronation of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo III, Anyaoku said one of the ways to strengthen democracy and the country’s presidential system is when there is a limit to how far the constitution should go in regulating how political parties seek to conduct their internal procedures and workings.
He warned that to ascribe undue influence and self-serving influence to the parliamentary group of the party in the selection of candidates would undermine the democratic process.
A vibrant democracy, he said, must protect the right of political parties’ conventions and or conferences at national and other levels, to serve as platforms for enabling delegates of the rank and file members of the party to determine their party’s manifesto and candidates for elective political offices.
He also called for the inclusion of one traditional ruler from each of the six geo-political zones at the federal level into the National Council of State who should each be elected by a college of certificated rulers on rotational basis within his/her zone to serve for two years at a time.
At the state level, he recommended one traditional ruler from each of the three senatorial districts who should equally be elected by a college of certificated traditional rulers on rotational basis within each senatorial district to serve in the State Security Council for two years at a time.
Anyaoku said he was not oblivious of the importance of the constitution prohibiting traditional rulers from getting involved in partisan politics and the need to protect them from victimization by the government of the day who might be tempted to co-opt them in pursuit of partisan political activities.
He noted that the fact that many Nigerians still regard it as a desirable social status symbol to accept chieftaincy titles from traditional rulers, showed that the position and role of the traditional rulers were still recognized, respected and revered.
He argued that in some aspects of the life of the society, such as in land matters and even in intra-community civil conflicts, traditional rulers and their Councils of Chiefs still wield significant benevolent influence.
He said: “Since the traditional rulers have continued to guarantee the sustenance of the history, culture and identities of their various communities, being the vehicles for the transfer of their people’s customs from one generation to the other, they still play an important part in sustaining the cohesion of societies thereby contributing to the maintenance of law and order especially in the rural parts of every African country.
“Thus, the traditional rulers not only provide essential and appropriate platform for guaranteeing the people’s fundamental right to culture, they also, as the rallying point of their various peoples, serve for the galvanization of the people for purposes of national solidarity.
“The strategic importance of the institution of the Alake of Egbaland to the Egba people amply demonstrates the vital role that traditional rulers have played in every African society, not only before the advent of colonialism on the continent, but also in this post-colonial era.
“At all times, African traditional rulers have always been the custodians of their people’s culture and the embodiment of their collective conscience.
“With the coming of European colonial domination, the traditional rulers remained the undisputed interface between the colonial authorities and the African peoples.”
Saturday 13 November 2010
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Thursday 11 November 2010
Monday 8 November 2010
Strike: VP, governors, labour meet today
Vice-President Namadi Sambo and state governors will meet on Monday (today) over the impending three-day warning strike by workers.
The strike, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, is intended to protest the delay in the implementation of the N18, 000 new minimum wage by the Federal Government.
THE PUNCH learnt from a top union leader on Sunday that labour leaders had been invited to Abuja for the meeting with Sambo and the governors in order to resolve the problem before Wednesday.
The source, who did not want to be named because he was not authorised to speak to journalists on the issue, is one of those invited to the meeting.
He explained that the vice-president had to step in when the meeting between the labour leaders and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, ended in a deadlock on Friday.
The source said, “Nothing came out of the meeting with the minister. As a matter of fact, the matter has gone beyond the Minister of Labour. There is a meeting with the vice-president on Monday (today).”
When contacted, Wogu could not confirm whether or not the labour leaders would meet with Sambo.
“I am not sure of the meeting you are talking about. I am not in the vice-president’s office. The only meeting that might be holding on Monday is that of the technical committee.”
The technical committee chaired by Sambo was constituted during the National Council of State meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
The council, which comprises the President, the vice-president, past Nigerian leaders and governors, had deferred a decision on the implementation of the minimum wage, citing ‘technical and practical issues’ as reasons.
Although the NCS said it was “sympathetic to the idea (payment of the N18,000 minimum wage),” it mandated the Sambo-led committee to study the ‘technical and practical issues’ and submit its report in two weeks.
Wogu, however, refuted the claim that the meeting he had with the labour leaders on Friday was unproductive.
According to him, the meeting was convened to acquaint the labour leaders with the outcome of the NCS meeting.
He said, “The purpose of the meeting was to relay the outcome of the meeting of the National Council of State. So no one can say that the meeting ended in futility.
“Right now, the council has constituted a technical committee to address the issue and that is the highest council in the country. Why will they not be satisfied with that?”
According to him, the only immediate solution to the ‘problem’ is for the labour leaders to show some understanding.
He added, “There is a solution but the labour leaders have to show some understanding. If they are fighting for the people, they should at least do it genuinely.
“The technical committee has been given two weeks to submit its report. They should understand that this thing cannot be done in a day because it has to pass through the National Assembly.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress Secretary-General, Mr. John Odah, however, confirmed that labour leaders had been invited to a meeting in Abuja today.
Odah, who also insisted that the strike would go on as planned, said the labour leaders were not told the reason for the meeting.
He said, “Yes, we have been invited to attend the inaugural meeting of the council of state’s committee headed by the vice-president. We don’t honestly know why we are being invited, since we are not members. Going there as spectators is obviously not going to help in resolving anything.”
Odah also expressed displeasure that the government was prevaricating on the implementation of the minimum wage more than one year after it was jointly agreed on.
He, therefore, hoped the President would “see through the apparently reluctant governors and throw his enormous weight behind the suffering Nigerian workers.”
Odah said, “It is sad that up till this moment, we do not have anything substantial on the table to warrant our not going ahead with the warning strike.
“We note Mr. President’s call for dialogue. If the President calls for dialogue, we won’t disregard such a call.
“Our position is that we have a tripartite agreement in which state governments were represented on the negotiating table. Private employers represented by their umbrella bodies were also part of the agreement.”
When contacted, Sambo’s media aide, Mr. Sani Usara, confirmed that the vice-president would attend the meeting of the National Council on Minimum Wage on Monday (today) in Abuja.
The NLC had on Thursday raised an 11-member committee to mobilise workers for the strike.
A vice-chairman of the congress, Mr. Promise Adewusi, who heads the committee, told journalists in Abuja that TUC was firm in its determination to ensure the implementation of the new wage.
The TUC and NLC had on Friday accused the Federal Government of ‘technically repudiating’ the National Minimum Wage Agreement.
TUC President-General, Mr. Peter Esele, who also spoke with our correspondent on Sunday, said the strike would go on as planned except the government did something between Monday(today).
Esele said the NLC and the TUC would not wait for the outcome of the Sambo-led committee’s report.
President Goodluck Jonathan had, on Saturday, said the Federal Government was ready to discuss with labour unions to avert nationwide strike.
According to Jonathan, the council had agreed to meet in three weeks’ time because of the urgency of the matter.
The President noted that there was the need for due consultation to be made over the matter because of the involvement of the private sector.
He also said there was a need for the National Assembly to pass a bill into law to make the implementation hitch-free.
The strike, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, is intended to protest the delay in the implementation of the N18, 000 new minimum wage by the Federal Government.
THE PUNCH learnt from a top union leader on Sunday that labour leaders had been invited to Abuja for the meeting with Sambo and the governors in order to resolve the problem before Wednesday.
The source, who did not want to be named because he was not authorised to speak to journalists on the issue, is one of those invited to the meeting.
He explained that the vice-president had to step in when the meeting between the labour leaders and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, ended in a deadlock on Friday.
The source said, “Nothing came out of the meeting with the minister. As a matter of fact, the matter has gone beyond the Minister of Labour. There is a meeting with the vice-president on Monday (today).”
When contacted, Wogu could not confirm whether or not the labour leaders would meet with Sambo.
“I am not sure of the meeting you are talking about. I am not in the vice-president’s office. The only meeting that might be holding on Monday is that of the technical committee.”
The technical committee chaired by Sambo was constituted during the National Council of State meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
The council, which comprises the President, the vice-president, past Nigerian leaders and governors, had deferred a decision on the implementation of the minimum wage, citing ‘technical and practical issues’ as reasons.
Although the NCS said it was “sympathetic to the idea (payment of the N18,000 minimum wage),” it mandated the Sambo-led committee to study the ‘technical and practical issues’ and submit its report in two weeks.
Wogu, however, refuted the claim that the meeting he had with the labour leaders on Friday was unproductive.
According to him, the meeting was convened to acquaint the labour leaders with the outcome of the NCS meeting.
He said, “The purpose of the meeting was to relay the outcome of the meeting of the National Council of State. So no one can say that the meeting ended in futility.
“Right now, the council has constituted a technical committee to address the issue and that is the highest council in the country. Why will they not be satisfied with that?”
According to him, the only immediate solution to the ‘problem’ is for the labour leaders to show some understanding.
He added, “There is a solution but the labour leaders have to show some understanding. If they are fighting for the people, they should at least do it genuinely.
“The technical committee has been given two weeks to submit its report. They should understand that this thing cannot be done in a day because it has to pass through the National Assembly.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress Secretary-General, Mr. John Odah, however, confirmed that labour leaders had been invited to a meeting in Abuja today.
Odah, who also insisted that the strike would go on as planned, said the labour leaders were not told the reason for the meeting.
He said, “Yes, we have been invited to attend the inaugural meeting of the council of state’s committee headed by the vice-president. We don’t honestly know why we are being invited, since we are not members. Going there as spectators is obviously not going to help in resolving anything.”
Odah also expressed displeasure that the government was prevaricating on the implementation of the minimum wage more than one year after it was jointly agreed on.
He, therefore, hoped the President would “see through the apparently reluctant governors and throw his enormous weight behind the suffering Nigerian workers.”
Odah said, “It is sad that up till this moment, we do not have anything substantial on the table to warrant our not going ahead with the warning strike.
“We note Mr. President’s call for dialogue. If the President calls for dialogue, we won’t disregard such a call.
“Our position is that we have a tripartite agreement in which state governments were represented on the negotiating table. Private employers represented by their umbrella bodies were also part of the agreement.”
When contacted, Sambo’s media aide, Mr. Sani Usara, confirmed that the vice-president would attend the meeting of the National Council on Minimum Wage on Monday (today) in Abuja.
The NLC had on Thursday raised an 11-member committee to mobilise workers for the strike.
A vice-chairman of the congress, Mr. Promise Adewusi, who heads the committee, told journalists in Abuja that TUC was firm in its determination to ensure the implementation of the new wage.
The TUC and NLC had on Friday accused the Federal Government of ‘technically repudiating’ the National Minimum Wage Agreement.
TUC President-General, Mr. Peter Esele, who also spoke with our correspondent on Sunday, said the strike would go on as planned except the government did something between Monday(today).
Esele said the NLC and the TUC would not wait for the outcome of the Sambo-led committee’s report.
President Goodluck Jonathan had, on Saturday, said the Federal Government was ready to discuss with labour unions to avert nationwide strike.
According to Jonathan, the council had agreed to meet in three weeks’ time because of the urgency of the matter.
The President noted that there was the need for due consultation to be made over the matter because of the involvement of the private sector.
He also said there was a need for the National Assembly to pass a bill into law to make the implementation hitch-free.
Monday 11 October 2010
NIA, SSS probe ex-gov over bomb blasts •Operatives download 700-page text messages
NVESTIGATORS probing the twin bomb blasts, which rocked Abuja on Nigeria’s Independence Day, have extended their probe to the doorsteps of a former governor, sources said on Sunday. The Nigerian Tribune was reliably informed that the investigators, including officials of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the State Security Service (SSS) have continued to comb the several communication networks with the aim of isolating information that could provide further leads to the bomb blasts story.
It was gathered that the agencies have pieced together information linking a former civilian governor to the bomb blasts, while other pieces of information regarded as damaging enough are being put together.
The SSS had, last week, secured a court order, which allowed it to detain the suspects already arrested in connection with the bomb blasts, which claimed no fewer than 14 lives.
Sources said that the Special Investigation Panel, set up to coordinate the bomb blasts issue so far has been told of the alleged involvement of the former governor, based on information pieced together by the different agencies.
The source, who refused to give direct insights into the text messages, said that the operatives had been able to track loads of communications with direct links to the bomb blasts of October 1.
It was gathered that in order not to overheat the polity as a result of the investigation, the investigators will for now not make the name of the affected suspect public.
It was also gathered that the top hierarchy of the SSS were unhappy that the Director-General of the Ibrahim Babangida Campaign Organisation, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, went ahead to address a press conference on Saturday where he painted the investigation as political.
Sources close to the investigation stated that the SSS believed that Dokpesi misapplied his freedom, following the decision of the service to allow him report to its headquarters from his house daily.
Said the source: “The press conference granted by Chief Dokpesi is being counted as a step that puts the SSS in a bad light. It was like a stab in the back, because the service granted him the honour of coming for interrogation from his house. It was aimed at avoiding a situation where people would politicise the arrest and overheat the polity but he has used that advantage against the service.
Unfortunately, the SSS does not do politics; it is concerned about the security of everyone, which is an onerous task.”
It was also confirmed, on Sunday, that the agencies had collectively downloaded up to 700 pages of text messages in the ongoing investigations thus far.
A source said that all those remotely connected to the October 1 incident were being closely monitored and that interrogations would be done at every necessary stage.
Another source said on Sunday: “Based on the international concerns on the Abuja bomb blasts, the investigators have seen the need to be cautious and painstaking. They are leaving no stone unturned in the process. So far, I can confirm to you that the investigators especially from NIA and SSS; have downloaded over 700 pages of text messages. All networks are involved and they have found useful information linking the ring leaders.
“Those being investigated include a former governor. The intercepted messages have proved to be very helpful. Because the United Nations is also concerned, the investigations have been far reaching.
The security agencies are saying that this is not politics. It is a national security matter and that they are determined to get to the roots of this.”
Meanwhile, the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation has dismissed suggestions by Dr Dokpesi, that he was considered for the same position in President Goodluck Jonathan’s camp.
A statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Goodluck/Sambo Presoidential Campaign Organisation, Mr Sully Abu, said in Abuja on Sunday that the Africa Independent Television (AIT) owner was never considered for the post as he alleged in a recent interview with the media.
According to the statement, “the attention of the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation has been drawn to certain utterances by the Director General of the Babangida Campaign Organisation, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, to the effect that he was suffering an imagined political persecution because he declined to head our campaign organisation.
“Nothing could be farther from the truth. At no time was Chief Dokpesi considered for such a role. He never made it to anybody’s shortlist or long list.
“In any case, the claim defies political common sense as such a position is normally given to someone outside the geographical zone of the aspirant.”
The statement added that “Dokpesi, being from the South-South as President Jonathan, could never have been considered for such a position.”
It was gathered that the agencies have pieced together information linking a former civilian governor to the bomb blasts, while other pieces of information regarded as damaging enough are being put together.
The SSS had, last week, secured a court order, which allowed it to detain the suspects already arrested in connection with the bomb blasts, which claimed no fewer than 14 lives.
Sources said that the Special Investigation Panel, set up to coordinate the bomb blasts issue so far has been told of the alleged involvement of the former governor, based on information pieced together by the different agencies.
The source, who refused to give direct insights into the text messages, said that the operatives had been able to track loads of communications with direct links to the bomb blasts of October 1.
It was gathered that in order not to overheat the polity as a result of the investigation, the investigators will for now not make the name of the affected suspect public.
It was also gathered that the top hierarchy of the SSS were unhappy that the Director-General of the Ibrahim Babangida Campaign Organisation, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, went ahead to address a press conference on Saturday where he painted the investigation as political.
Sources close to the investigation stated that the SSS believed that Dokpesi misapplied his freedom, following the decision of the service to allow him report to its headquarters from his house daily.
Said the source: “The press conference granted by Chief Dokpesi is being counted as a step that puts the SSS in a bad light. It was like a stab in the back, because the service granted him the honour of coming for interrogation from his house. It was aimed at avoiding a situation where people would politicise the arrest and overheat the polity but he has used that advantage against the service.
Unfortunately, the SSS does not do politics; it is concerned about the security of everyone, which is an onerous task.”
It was also confirmed, on Sunday, that the agencies had collectively downloaded up to 700 pages of text messages in the ongoing investigations thus far.
A source said that all those remotely connected to the October 1 incident were being closely monitored and that interrogations would be done at every necessary stage.
Another source said on Sunday: “Based on the international concerns on the Abuja bomb blasts, the investigators have seen the need to be cautious and painstaking. They are leaving no stone unturned in the process. So far, I can confirm to you that the investigators especially from NIA and SSS; have downloaded over 700 pages of text messages. All networks are involved and they have found useful information linking the ring leaders.
“Those being investigated include a former governor. The intercepted messages have proved to be very helpful. Because the United Nations is also concerned, the investigations have been far reaching.
The security agencies are saying that this is not politics. It is a national security matter and that they are determined to get to the roots of this.”
Meanwhile, the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation has dismissed suggestions by Dr Dokpesi, that he was considered for the same position in President Goodluck Jonathan’s camp.
A statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Goodluck/Sambo Presoidential Campaign Organisation, Mr Sully Abu, said in Abuja on Sunday that the Africa Independent Television (AIT) owner was never considered for the post as he alleged in a recent interview with the media.
According to the statement, “the attention of the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation has been drawn to certain utterances by the Director General of the Babangida Campaign Organisation, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, to the effect that he was suffering an imagined political persecution because he declined to head our campaign organisation.
“Nothing could be farther from the truth. At no time was Chief Dokpesi considered for such a role. He never made it to anybody’s shortlist or long list.
“In any case, the claim defies political common sense as such a position is normally given to someone outside the geographical zone of the aspirant.”
The statement added that “Dokpesi, being from the South-South as President Jonathan, could never have been considered for such a position.”
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