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.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
‘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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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.”
Thoughts on Nigeria at 50
THE independence celebration, if it has any significance, should be an occasion for reflecting on the time Nigerians were under servitude.
However, it becomes an event for celebration, when a nation has fared better than when she was under foreign domination.
Now, the question that comes to one’s mind, as one ruminates over the state of the nation 50 years after independence is, has the attained independence by Nigeria 50 years ago impacted on Nigerians?
The post-colonial leaders, mostly nationalists, set the nation on the path of greatness, in spite of the ethnicity problems that plagued the nation then. A leader in each region made meaningful impacts on socio-economic development. Relics of their efforts abound in various parts of the country.
Also, the incursion of the military in Nigerian polity since 1966 truncated the nation building process, because of greed, tribalism and lust for power.
A critical analysis of the post-1966 leadership shows that the mission of past leaders was the same, in spite of different guises. What were the motives of those thirsty for power, both as military or civilian? Similarly, their driving force was avarice, greed, lust for power, self-aggrandisement, etc.
Except for the brief period between 1975 and 1976, and December 1983 through August 1985, when attempts were made to bring sanity and decorum to the Nigerian polity, the story of succeeding governments was that of lost opportunities.
The misfortune the nation witnessed during military regime, manifested in political and economic stagnation in all sectors of the economy. There were also coups and couter-coups, annulment of elections, denials, killings of political opponents, etc.
The high hope Nigerians had about democratic dispensation was disillusioned early enough by greed and avarice of the ruling elite. All the vices that bedeviled the previous dispensations again reared their ugly heads.
In spite of unprecedented foreign exchange earnings accruing to the nation, the condition of an average Nigerian has not improved for the better.
Political leaders are power drunk. Political power has become an end in itself, and not a means to an end.
In all, it is the ordinary Nigerian, on whose behalf the independence was fought and won, that bears the brunt of mismanagement of the God-given human and material resources the nation is endowed with.
However, having survived socio-political upheavals like the Civil War, June 12 crisis, Niger Delta uprising, etc, and still remains a united nation, calls for celebration. But the fact that Nigeria is still contending with problems of nation building 50 years after independence, is a cause for concern. Afterall, nations that started the journey with us, which are even less endowed had left us behind in the race for development.
However, it becomes an event for celebration, when a nation has fared better than when she was under foreign domination.
Now, the question that comes to one’s mind, as one ruminates over the state of the nation 50 years after independence is, has the attained independence by Nigeria 50 years ago impacted on Nigerians?
The post-colonial leaders, mostly nationalists, set the nation on the path of greatness, in spite of the ethnicity problems that plagued the nation then. A leader in each region made meaningful impacts on socio-economic development. Relics of their efforts abound in various parts of the country.
Also, the incursion of the military in Nigerian polity since 1966 truncated the nation building process, because of greed, tribalism and lust for power.
A critical analysis of the post-1966 leadership shows that the mission of past leaders was the same, in spite of different guises. What were the motives of those thirsty for power, both as military or civilian? Similarly, their driving force was avarice, greed, lust for power, self-aggrandisement, etc.
Except for the brief period between 1975 and 1976, and December 1983 through August 1985, when attempts were made to bring sanity and decorum to the Nigerian polity, the story of succeeding governments was that of lost opportunities.
The misfortune the nation witnessed during military regime, manifested in political and economic stagnation in all sectors of the economy. There were also coups and couter-coups, annulment of elections, denials, killings of political opponents, etc.
The high hope Nigerians had about democratic dispensation was disillusioned early enough by greed and avarice of the ruling elite. All the vices that bedeviled the previous dispensations again reared their ugly heads.
In spite of unprecedented foreign exchange earnings accruing to the nation, the condition of an average Nigerian has not improved for the better.
Political leaders are power drunk. Political power has become an end in itself, and not a means to an end.
In all, it is the ordinary Nigerian, on whose behalf the independence was fought and won, that bears the brunt of mismanagement of the God-given human and material resources the nation is endowed with.
However, having survived socio-political upheavals like the Civil War, June 12 crisis, Niger Delta uprising, etc, and still remains a united nation, calls for celebration. But the fact that Nigeria is still contending with problems of nation building 50 years after independence, is a cause for concern. Afterall, nations that started the journey with us, which are even less endowed had left us behind in the race for development.
Nigeria: How Secure is the Nation?
Nigerians and indeed residents of the Federal Capital Territory, woke up on October 1, still basking in the euphoria of the nation's 50th independence anniversary celebrations that was unfolding. Many residents had no premonition that they would be confronted with two deadly bomb blasts that would kill 12 people including civilians and security operatives even as several people were also injured.
This unprecedented terrorist attack took place 500 meters away from the Eagle Square venue of the independence celebrations, where more than 15 heads of government and representatives of other world leaders were seated. President Goodluck Jonathan and his deputy, Namadi Sambo, as well as other top government functionaries were also in attendance.
The questions on everybody's lips have been: who masterminded this dastardly act against Nigeria on the very day it celebrated 50 years of nationhood? Why would anybody detonate bombs on Shehu Shagari Way, a route passed that morning by even foreign leaders who came to celebrate with Nigeria? Was it politically motivated? Was it a terrorist attack? Why now, some months to the 2011 general elections. Are there people in the presidential race with bombing antecedents that we need to watch out for? What were the security agencies doing? Questions, questions and questions.
Outraged by the killing of innocent Nigerians, President Goodluck Jonathan described the developmet as "a low, wicked and dastardly act of desperation by criminals and murderers who do not wish Nigeria well".
The explosions, which appeared to have been planted in a parked car tore to shreds about 26 vehicles parked opposite the Ministry of Justice on Shehu Shagari Way. The incident occurred between 11:15am and 12: 24pm killing about 12 people on the spot while some of the victims died in the hospitals.
"These bomb attacks are the worst anniversary gifts any nation can get," so declared Jonathan. Describing the incident as "sad and unfortunate", Jonathan said the purpose was to ensure that the celebration going on at the nearby Eagle Square was cancelled by all means.
A statement issued by presidential spokesman, Ima Niboro, expressed President Jonathan's grief and sympathy with the families of the victims of the blast, saying, "The president shares their consternation and understands their confoundment, as they mourn while the nation celebrates".
"The president wants these families to know that their loved ones have not died in vain. Rather they have paid the supreme price for our unity; and in their death, they have watered the tree of our freedom," he added.
The government assured that those behind the "vicious acts" would be found and would "pay dearly for this heinous crime". Speaking to journalists at the scene of the blasts which was littered with automobile parts, clothes worn by the victims, sandals, slippers, shoes, human parts, blood and other shrapnels, the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maina Waziri, said eight persons were confirmed dead and described the incident as an act of terrorism.
"I want to begin by thanking the Almighty for this 50th anniversary and also express my profound unhappiness with this incident that is a blight on this momentous day for all Nigerians but in this time of adversity, it is desirable of all Nigerians on this very good day to pray that these irritations that occur in this country is indeed brought to an end.
"The information I have is that there were two explosions which we can say the first explosion apparently planted in a taxi where the bomb exploded. Initial report indicate that there were no casualties, then there was another explosion within the space of ten minutes and that hurt a couple of citizens both members of the uniform cadre and civilians. The resultant effect is that about eight people are confirmed dead and 18 are injured. The casualty of both dead and the injured involve both members of the police and other security agencies as well as very innocent Nigerians," he said.
The minister further said: "I will also plead with them not to blow it out of proportion and allow the security agencies time to conduct their investigations. They should not be put under siege. They should be allowed to display the expertise for which government had spent a lot of money".
According to him, "I have done what I consider the non security interaction with members of the press. You will allow them to do their job. However, bomb blast is not a tea party, it is an act of terrorism".
Alleged MEND's Claims
Prior to the blasts, a group which claimed to be the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta Region (MEND) had issued an alert warning members of the public to avoid parked cars and dustbins. Immediately after the bombings, the same organisation said the high casualty figure should be blamed on the security agencies for failing to carry out their constitutional roles even after it had warned of the impending bomb blasts. This obviously raised the issue of preparedness of the nation's security network.
The first bomb, which had detonated at about 11: 15 am did not record any casualty. Probably because of Nigeria's lack of experience in managing crisis situations such as bomb blasts, stunned passers-by and security operatives massed around the site of the first blast when the second one exploded killing more than 12 persons.
There were also conflicting reports about another bomb which was poorly detonated inside the Eagle Square while some claimed it was accidental discharge which allegedly felled two mobile policemen. But the police said there was no such explosion inside the Eagle Square.
After the incident, the South African authorities promptly arrested Henry Okah, an alleged leader of the group. He had previously been questioned by the South African police and has since appeared in a South African court in connection with the bomb blasts.
Intelligence Alert/Failure of Security?
Did the nation's security agencies receive intelligence alert before the twin bombings? If they did, what did they do with it? At a news conference in Abuja, Assistant Director, Public Relations of the State Security Service (SSS), Marilyn Ogar, did confirm that the service received intelligence information before the blast.
According to her, the bombing was planned for Wednesday September 29, 2010 but was foiled as soon as the information was received during the early hours of September 28. The overriding objective of the group, she said, was to scare foreign visitors from attending the 50th anniversary celebration.
According to her, about 0130 hours on Tuesday, September 28, information was received that the three arms zone (Presidential Villa, National Assembly and the Supreme Court) was to be bombed and six vehicles had already being prepared for the purpose. At this point, she said, the service contacted the military which provided three towing trucks which were added to that of the service thus kick-starting a joint operation. During the joint operation, a total of nine abandoned vehicles were towed away.
"Of these, two were near the SSS headquarters, two facing the villa gate and the National Assembly and two close to police headquarters while one was stationed at the Eagle Square and two at the Apo Legislative Quarters. They were all towed away", she said.
Relevant Links
* West Africa
* Nigeria
* Terrorism
* Conflict
Following the development, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) were co-opted into the operations to move around the capital towing away abandoned vehicles. The measure, she said, lasted till the morning of October 1, during which 65 abandoned vehicles were removed.
"It is worthy of note that out of the seven vehicles removed from the three arms zone, four are yet to be collected", she said.
According to her, when the plan A failed, they resorted to the penetration of the Eagle Square in an attempt to plant explosive devices but was countered by hi-tech equipment in and around the Eagle Square which jammed the detonation of any such explosives.
On October 1, she said, Eagle Square and surrounding areas were cordorned off and appropriate measures put in place while joint efforts by the security agencies were put in place.
"However, the rain showers of that morning provided the leeway for double parking by motorists. In the process, the perpetrators apparently gained access to park on the road side as well," she said."We got the information. After the 9/11 incidents in the US, it dawned on all nations that no singular nation can go it alone when it comes to security issue so there was enhanced collaboration with each nation so we share intelligence and information at that level so definitely we had advanced information that Nigeria was going to come under some form of attack.
"After the 9/11 terrorist bombings in the United States, we share intelligence. Intelligence is no longer the exclusive preserve of any nation. If you assess other people's country and you keep quiet when it is about to affect your country, the other people who have such information will keep quiet. We share intelligence with other foreign nationals concerning our own internal security", she said.
Inter-agency Collaboration
The issue of inter-agency collaboration was also an issue in carrying out investigations by security agencies. Recently, President Jonathan berated security agencies for running parallel investigations and making claims of superiority against each other.
"Our security agencies need to work in harmony to craft effective strategies for containing these challenges. Unfortunately, the glaring disconnect and lack of synergy as well as claims and counter claims over superiority among security agencies have diminished the effectiveness of government's efforts towards combating crime in the society", he said.
The lack of synergy between the security agencies also played out with the Police declaring two suspects wanted while the State Security Service (SSS) said it arrested nine suspects in connection with the incident whom it said had direct links with Henry Okah and other prominent Nigerians.
The SSS spokesperson had said in response to a question raised on the issue of collaboration that: "our mode of investigation is totally different from that of the police. Like I said, I would not know whether the two suspects the police is declaring wanted are on our list. With the ongoing investigations, I might not want to reveal the status of the suspects in our custody".
Henry Okah's Claims/Political Warfare
As expected, Henry Okah's claims in an interview with Al-Jazeera Television that a presidential aide called him to implicate northern politicians in the bomb blasts has generated a lot of controversy.
"On Saturday morning, just a day after the attack, a very close associate of President Jonathan called me and explained to me that there had been a bombing in Nigeria and that President Jonathan wanted me to reach out to the group, MEND and get them to retract the earlier statement they had issued claiming the attacks.
"They wanted me to blame the attack on Northerners who are trying to fight against him to come back as president and if this was done, I was not going to have any problems with South African government. I declined to do this and a few hours later, I was arrested. It was based on their belief that I was going to do that that Jonathan issued a statement that MEND did not carry out the attack", he said.
Okah's claim instantly triggered a bedlam. Other presidential aspirants accused government of complicity while the Northern Political Leaders Forum went one notch further by calling on President Jonathan to resign or be impeached.
The president instantly described the claims as outright lies and asked Okah to name the official that spoke to him and further described his action as that of a "drowning man determined to pull others down with him".
A joint statement signed by the campaign groups of of Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Aliyu Gusau and Bukola Saraki, all presidential aspirants, said Okah's allegations were weighty and sobering and if true, required independent judicial investigation. They expressed dismay with the manner government was handling issues of national security and the respect of the rights of law abiding citizens.
Dokpesi's Arrest
As the fireworks continued, Director General of the Ibrahim Babangida Campaign Organisation, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, was arrested by the SSS in connection with the bomb blasts. The SSS claimed that it established exchange of two text messages between the suspects in its custody and Dokpesi, one claiming to have asked them to come and collect the "balance" of an unspecified amount while the second asked them to come for a meeting at the IBB campaign office.
The IBB campaign organisation also condemned the arrest and described the trend "as the growing politics of intolerance, intimidation, coercion, persecution and harassment". Dokpesi has since been released and is expected to report back to the SSS.
Babangida's Denial
Accusing fingers were also pointed at former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, who is also in the presidential race apparently on the grounds that the first case of bomb explosion, parcel bomb, that killed renowned journalist, Dele Giwa, took place under his watch as military leader.
He said "it will be idiotic for anyone to link me to that bomb blast because I know what the unity of this country means and that was why we fought to keep it together. So why should I get involved in such a mess?
"Naturally, when things like this happen, people will cast their imaginative and fertile minds into action and as we all know, Nigerians have very fertile minds but this is the price we pay for the love of our country and as politicians."
The former military president, who spoke in Minna, blamed the bomb blasts on lapses on the part of securitymen, adding that the security forces were given prior notice before the disaster yet nothing was done to avert the situation.
Politicisation of National Tragedy
True to character, Nigerian politicians especially the presidential aspirants had maximally exploited the situation by making huge political capital out of a national tragedy. The Adamu Ciroma led-Northern Elders' position on the matter had been roundly condemned as hasty and capable of inflaming passions as the natural position would have been to call for an inquiry instead of calling for the resignation or impeachment of the President.
President Jonathan has also reiterated his administration's resolve to get to the route of the matter and called the bluff of those using blackmail tactics to intimidate his government. "Blackmail and intimidation will not stop the Federal Government from doing the right thing. Whoever is found culpable will face the full weight of the law. We would be failing the past, present and future generations of Nigerians if we do not get to the root of this dastardly act and seek justice the way it should be done in a civilised society such as ours," the president said.
Relevant Links
* West Africa
* Nigeria
* Terrorism
* Conflict
He said further: "Dear friends, if the aim of the attackers is to create a sense of insecurity and panic across the nation in order to advance their narrow interests, Nigerians will stand up to them and make it clear that they cannot be intimidated."
From all indications, there is the need for caution by all parties to this debacle. The situation has also called to question the refusal by government to equip security agencies with the state- of- the- art technology as regards bombings and kidnappings.
When will Nigeria embrace forensic investigation? When will the Police bomb detection and disposal units be adequately equipped to work efficiently and effectively? When will CCTVs be installed in the nation's capital like other parts of the world? When will security agencies work in harmony and act fast on intelligence reports and most importantly, when will Nigerian politicians stop playing politics with the lives of innocent Nigerians? These are the questions begging for answers from the political class in and out of government
This unprecedented terrorist attack took place 500 meters away from the Eagle Square venue of the independence celebrations, where more than 15 heads of government and representatives of other world leaders were seated. President Goodluck Jonathan and his deputy, Namadi Sambo, as well as other top government functionaries were also in attendance.
The questions on everybody's lips have been: who masterminded this dastardly act against Nigeria on the very day it celebrated 50 years of nationhood? Why would anybody detonate bombs on Shehu Shagari Way, a route passed that morning by even foreign leaders who came to celebrate with Nigeria? Was it politically motivated? Was it a terrorist attack? Why now, some months to the 2011 general elections. Are there people in the presidential race with bombing antecedents that we need to watch out for? What were the security agencies doing? Questions, questions and questions.
Outraged by the killing of innocent Nigerians, President Goodluck Jonathan described the developmet as "a low, wicked and dastardly act of desperation by criminals and murderers who do not wish Nigeria well".
The explosions, which appeared to have been planted in a parked car tore to shreds about 26 vehicles parked opposite the Ministry of Justice on Shehu Shagari Way. The incident occurred between 11:15am and 12: 24pm killing about 12 people on the spot while some of the victims died in the hospitals.
"These bomb attacks are the worst anniversary gifts any nation can get," so declared Jonathan. Describing the incident as "sad and unfortunate", Jonathan said the purpose was to ensure that the celebration going on at the nearby Eagle Square was cancelled by all means.
A statement issued by presidential spokesman, Ima Niboro, expressed President Jonathan's grief and sympathy with the families of the victims of the blast, saying, "The president shares their consternation and understands their confoundment, as they mourn while the nation celebrates".
"The president wants these families to know that their loved ones have not died in vain. Rather they have paid the supreme price for our unity; and in their death, they have watered the tree of our freedom," he added.
The government assured that those behind the "vicious acts" would be found and would "pay dearly for this heinous crime". Speaking to journalists at the scene of the blasts which was littered with automobile parts, clothes worn by the victims, sandals, slippers, shoes, human parts, blood and other shrapnels, the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maina Waziri, said eight persons were confirmed dead and described the incident as an act of terrorism.
"I want to begin by thanking the Almighty for this 50th anniversary and also express my profound unhappiness with this incident that is a blight on this momentous day for all Nigerians but in this time of adversity, it is desirable of all Nigerians on this very good day to pray that these irritations that occur in this country is indeed brought to an end.
"The information I have is that there were two explosions which we can say the first explosion apparently planted in a taxi where the bomb exploded. Initial report indicate that there were no casualties, then there was another explosion within the space of ten minutes and that hurt a couple of citizens both members of the uniform cadre and civilians. The resultant effect is that about eight people are confirmed dead and 18 are injured. The casualty of both dead and the injured involve both members of the police and other security agencies as well as very innocent Nigerians," he said.
The minister further said: "I will also plead with them not to blow it out of proportion and allow the security agencies time to conduct their investigations. They should not be put under siege. They should be allowed to display the expertise for which government had spent a lot of money".
According to him, "I have done what I consider the non security interaction with members of the press. You will allow them to do their job. However, bomb blast is not a tea party, it is an act of terrorism".
Alleged MEND's Claims
Prior to the blasts, a group which claimed to be the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta Region (MEND) had issued an alert warning members of the public to avoid parked cars and dustbins. Immediately after the bombings, the same organisation said the high casualty figure should be blamed on the security agencies for failing to carry out their constitutional roles even after it had warned of the impending bomb blasts. This obviously raised the issue of preparedness of the nation's security network.
The first bomb, which had detonated at about 11: 15 am did not record any casualty. Probably because of Nigeria's lack of experience in managing crisis situations such as bomb blasts, stunned passers-by and security operatives massed around the site of the first blast when the second one exploded killing more than 12 persons.
There were also conflicting reports about another bomb which was poorly detonated inside the Eagle Square while some claimed it was accidental discharge which allegedly felled two mobile policemen. But the police said there was no such explosion inside the Eagle Square.
After the incident, the South African authorities promptly arrested Henry Okah, an alleged leader of the group. He had previously been questioned by the South African police and has since appeared in a South African court in connection with the bomb blasts.
Intelligence Alert/Failure of Security?
Did the nation's security agencies receive intelligence alert before the twin bombings? If they did, what did they do with it? At a news conference in Abuja, Assistant Director, Public Relations of the State Security Service (SSS), Marilyn Ogar, did confirm that the service received intelligence information before the blast.
According to her, the bombing was planned for Wednesday September 29, 2010 but was foiled as soon as the information was received during the early hours of September 28. The overriding objective of the group, she said, was to scare foreign visitors from attending the 50th anniversary celebration.
According to her, about 0130 hours on Tuesday, September 28, information was received that the three arms zone (Presidential Villa, National Assembly and the Supreme Court) was to be bombed and six vehicles had already being prepared for the purpose. At this point, she said, the service contacted the military which provided three towing trucks which were added to that of the service thus kick-starting a joint operation. During the joint operation, a total of nine abandoned vehicles were towed away.
"Of these, two were near the SSS headquarters, two facing the villa gate and the National Assembly and two close to police headquarters while one was stationed at the Eagle Square and two at the Apo Legislative Quarters. They were all towed away", she said.
Relevant Links
* West Africa
* Nigeria
* Terrorism
* Conflict
Following the development, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) were co-opted into the operations to move around the capital towing away abandoned vehicles. The measure, she said, lasted till the morning of October 1, during which 65 abandoned vehicles were removed.
"It is worthy of note that out of the seven vehicles removed from the three arms zone, four are yet to be collected", she said.
According to her, when the plan A failed, they resorted to the penetration of the Eagle Square in an attempt to plant explosive devices but was countered by hi-tech equipment in and around the Eagle Square which jammed the detonation of any such explosives.
On October 1, she said, Eagle Square and surrounding areas were cordorned off and appropriate measures put in place while joint efforts by the security agencies were put in place.
"However, the rain showers of that morning provided the leeway for double parking by motorists. In the process, the perpetrators apparently gained access to park on the road side as well," she said."We got the information. After the 9/11 incidents in the US, it dawned on all nations that no singular nation can go it alone when it comes to security issue so there was enhanced collaboration with each nation so we share intelligence and information at that level so definitely we had advanced information that Nigeria was going to come under some form of attack.
"After the 9/11 terrorist bombings in the United States, we share intelligence. Intelligence is no longer the exclusive preserve of any nation. If you assess other people's country and you keep quiet when it is about to affect your country, the other people who have such information will keep quiet. We share intelligence with other foreign nationals concerning our own internal security", she said.
Inter-agency Collaboration
The issue of inter-agency collaboration was also an issue in carrying out investigations by security agencies. Recently, President Jonathan berated security agencies for running parallel investigations and making claims of superiority against each other.
"Our security agencies need to work in harmony to craft effective strategies for containing these challenges. Unfortunately, the glaring disconnect and lack of synergy as well as claims and counter claims over superiority among security agencies have diminished the effectiveness of government's efforts towards combating crime in the society", he said.
The lack of synergy between the security agencies also played out with the Police declaring two suspects wanted while the State Security Service (SSS) said it arrested nine suspects in connection with the incident whom it said had direct links with Henry Okah and other prominent Nigerians.
The SSS spokesperson had said in response to a question raised on the issue of collaboration that: "our mode of investigation is totally different from that of the police. Like I said, I would not know whether the two suspects the police is declaring wanted are on our list. With the ongoing investigations, I might not want to reveal the status of the suspects in our custody".
Henry Okah's Claims/Political Warfare
As expected, Henry Okah's claims in an interview with Al-Jazeera Television that a presidential aide called him to implicate northern politicians in the bomb blasts has generated a lot of controversy.
"On Saturday morning, just a day after the attack, a very close associate of President Jonathan called me and explained to me that there had been a bombing in Nigeria and that President Jonathan wanted me to reach out to the group, MEND and get them to retract the earlier statement they had issued claiming the attacks.
"They wanted me to blame the attack on Northerners who are trying to fight against him to come back as president and if this was done, I was not going to have any problems with South African government. I declined to do this and a few hours later, I was arrested. It was based on their belief that I was going to do that that Jonathan issued a statement that MEND did not carry out the attack", he said.
Okah's claim instantly triggered a bedlam. Other presidential aspirants accused government of complicity while the Northern Political Leaders Forum went one notch further by calling on President Jonathan to resign or be impeached.
The president instantly described the claims as outright lies and asked Okah to name the official that spoke to him and further described his action as that of a "drowning man determined to pull others down with him".
A joint statement signed by the campaign groups of of Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Aliyu Gusau and Bukola Saraki, all presidential aspirants, said Okah's allegations were weighty and sobering and if true, required independent judicial investigation. They expressed dismay with the manner government was handling issues of national security and the respect of the rights of law abiding citizens.
Dokpesi's Arrest
As the fireworks continued, Director General of the Ibrahim Babangida Campaign Organisation, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, was arrested by the SSS in connection with the bomb blasts. The SSS claimed that it established exchange of two text messages between the suspects in its custody and Dokpesi, one claiming to have asked them to come and collect the "balance" of an unspecified amount while the second asked them to come for a meeting at the IBB campaign office.
The IBB campaign organisation also condemned the arrest and described the trend "as the growing politics of intolerance, intimidation, coercion, persecution and harassment". Dokpesi has since been released and is expected to report back to the SSS.
Babangida's Denial
Accusing fingers were also pointed at former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, who is also in the presidential race apparently on the grounds that the first case of bomb explosion, parcel bomb, that killed renowned journalist, Dele Giwa, took place under his watch as military leader.
He said "it will be idiotic for anyone to link me to that bomb blast because I know what the unity of this country means and that was why we fought to keep it together. So why should I get involved in such a mess?
"Naturally, when things like this happen, people will cast their imaginative and fertile minds into action and as we all know, Nigerians have very fertile minds but this is the price we pay for the love of our country and as politicians."
The former military president, who spoke in Minna, blamed the bomb blasts on lapses on the part of securitymen, adding that the security forces were given prior notice before the disaster yet nothing was done to avert the situation.
Politicisation of National Tragedy
True to character, Nigerian politicians especially the presidential aspirants had maximally exploited the situation by making huge political capital out of a national tragedy. The Adamu Ciroma led-Northern Elders' position on the matter had been roundly condemned as hasty and capable of inflaming passions as the natural position would have been to call for an inquiry instead of calling for the resignation or impeachment of the President.
President Jonathan has also reiterated his administration's resolve to get to the route of the matter and called the bluff of those using blackmail tactics to intimidate his government. "Blackmail and intimidation will not stop the Federal Government from doing the right thing. Whoever is found culpable will face the full weight of the law. We would be failing the past, present and future generations of Nigerians if we do not get to the root of this dastardly act and seek justice the way it should be done in a civilised society such as ours," the president said.
Relevant Links
* West Africa
* Nigeria
* Terrorism
* Conflict
He said further: "Dear friends, if the aim of the attackers is to create a sense of insecurity and panic across the nation in order to advance their narrow interests, Nigerians will stand up to them and make it clear that they cannot be intimidated."
From all indications, there is the need for caution by all parties to this debacle. The situation has also called to question the refusal by government to equip security agencies with the state- of- the- art technology as regards bombings and kidnappings.
When will Nigeria embrace forensic investigation? When will the Police bomb detection and disposal units be adequately equipped to work efficiently and effectively? When will CCTVs be installed in the nation's capital like other parts of the world? When will security agencies work in harmony and act fast on intelligence reports and most importantly, when will Nigerian politicians stop playing politics with the lives of innocent Nigerians? These are the questions begging for answers from the political class in and out of government
More bank directors ’ll be jailed –Sanusi •Nigeria is world’s 3rd fastest growing economy – IMF
GOVERNOR of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Lamido Sanusi, has vowed that fraudulent directors of banks operating in Nigeria will go to jail. Sanusi said this after he was presented with an award in the United States of America by Euromoney Institutional Investor Plc as an outstanding Central Bank Governor in sub-Sahara Africa in the Emerging Market.
The move is designed to sanitise the Nigerian banking industry of corrupt practices and encourage inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Nigerian economy.
Former Chief Executive Officer of Oceanic Bank International Plc, Dr (Mrs) Cecilia Ibru, sacked by the CBN last year after an indictment by the joint audit report of the apex bank and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), was sentenced to six months imprisonment on Friday by a federal high court in Lagos.
In the ruling of the court, she forfeited assets worth N191 billion after pleading guilty to a three-count charge of misappropriation of depositors’ fund.
Sanusi disclosed on Saturday in Washington DC, that the CBN had enough evidence to jail fraudulent bank directors that mismanaged depositors fund. According to him, “I know what I saw in the report of weak banks investigated by our auditors from the first day and have no doubt these people would go to jail. I have no doubt that everybody we are trying will go to jail.”
Sanusi explained that the sanitisation of the banking industry was not about individuals as the CBN continued with the legal process but was designed to ensure the safety of depositors’ fund.
He said: “A year ago, when we removed Mrs Ibru, the story was that it was not possible and that it would not last. When we started the trial, the story was that in Nigeria, it is not possible to jail a CEO.
The time that people who were rich and were connected would go free when they committed offence is now a thing of the past.”
Sanusi vowed that if any of the directors of banks in Nigeria should commit any offence, they will pay the price for it, no matter the level of connection and political influence. “For the fact that Mrs Ibru today is convicted is a big lesson for the elite, the rich and the powerful people in Nigeria. It is not perfect, it is not ideal but maybe I would have wanted more but in the circumstance, the Justice Ministry has done very well and the minister must be commended for holding firm on the trial,” he said.
“I think it is a good thing for the country. It has shown that the way people think, that maybe because somebody is my friend or from one part of the country, will make them go free if they are caught, will no longer happen,” he added.
Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that Nigeria is the third fastest growing economy in the world after China and India, as a result of the growth of the nation’s economy from 6.9 per cent in 2009 to 7.4 per cent this year.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Olusegun Aganga, who described this rating by IMF as a good development at a time when the economies of the developed countries were contracting, said with new policies being initiated by the Federal Government, the economy would witness a turnaround in a very short time.
“What we need in Nigeria is continuity in policies and leadership to sustain the growth,” he advocated.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Sanusi at the World Bank/IMF meetings in Washington DC, Aganga said the economic prospect was bright because despite the fact that Nigeria was yet to take advantage of opportunities and resources available within the country, it achieved 7.4 per cent growth and 48 per cent increase in revenue in the first half of the year.
Among the advantages he identified were existence of 33 untapped solid minerals, steady increase in the oil revenue and 75 million telecommunic-ations subscribers.
“If we have continuity in policy, a lot will be done in the economy and we will do more as shown with the increase in oil revenue by 46 per cent during the first six months of 2010,” he said.
However, Dr Aganga said “the Federal Government requires N100 billion to finance infrastructure development for the next four years in order to add two per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Nigeria.”
He made reference to the state of the manufacturing sector, where operators put 40 per cent of cost on power generation, saying, if infrastructure in Lagos and other places were upgraded, there would be a major relief across the country.
“This could be our decade. I am more excited about the country today than few years back,” Aganga said.
The finance minister, who also is the chairman of World Bank 2010 annual meeting, confirmed his push for Africa to emerge as the president of World Bank and Managing Director of the IMF.
“Of course and it is clear that since 1946, the president of the World Bank has always been from America and the MD of IMF is always from Europe . We are all in agreement that it should change. The appointment to leadership positions should be open to all members, transparent and based on merit going forward. That is part of the reform.”
He added that he had been making the case to increase the quota of the constituency in Africa.
“Whatever we come out with, it is better that we protect the quota of low-income countries in Africa and small medium countries. That is important because it determines the aids to get and the voice in policy issues,” he assured.
Meanwhile, the CBN has raised concerns over the rate Nigeria’s foreign reserves is depleting, saying that plans are underway to slow the pace of spending from the reserves to defend the naira.
Sanusi told newsmen at the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank meeting, at the weekend, adding that the apex bank must make sure the Federal Government did not have access to “easy money” to continue its deficit spending habits.
A series of factors that had been driving the CBN to draw down its forex reserves in defense of the naira were winding down, as the bank reported that its forex reserves were down by 15 per cent from a year earlier at about $34.57 billion, including a seven percent decline in the last few weeks.
“I think we’ll see less spending, but I think the naira will remain stable,” Sanusi said.
The naira slid to a 13-month low in September amid strong local demand for the United States dollar by gasoline and rice importers.
Sanusi said the current exchange rate was not a level that needed to be maintained “at all costs,” adding that “in the short to medium term, we do believe we can maintain this range.”
It will be recalled that the CBN surprised analysts and investors, last month, by raising its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 6.25 per cent.
The move is designed to sanitise the Nigerian banking industry of corrupt practices and encourage inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Nigerian economy.
Former Chief Executive Officer of Oceanic Bank International Plc, Dr (Mrs) Cecilia Ibru, sacked by the CBN last year after an indictment by the joint audit report of the apex bank and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), was sentenced to six months imprisonment on Friday by a federal high court in Lagos.
In the ruling of the court, she forfeited assets worth N191 billion after pleading guilty to a three-count charge of misappropriation of depositors’ fund.
Sanusi disclosed on Saturday in Washington DC, that the CBN had enough evidence to jail fraudulent bank directors that mismanaged depositors fund. According to him, “I know what I saw in the report of weak banks investigated by our auditors from the first day and have no doubt these people would go to jail. I have no doubt that everybody we are trying will go to jail.”
Sanusi explained that the sanitisation of the banking industry was not about individuals as the CBN continued with the legal process but was designed to ensure the safety of depositors’ fund.
He said: “A year ago, when we removed Mrs Ibru, the story was that it was not possible and that it would not last. When we started the trial, the story was that in Nigeria, it is not possible to jail a CEO.
The time that people who were rich and were connected would go free when they committed offence is now a thing of the past.”
Sanusi vowed that if any of the directors of banks in Nigeria should commit any offence, they will pay the price for it, no matter the level of connection and political influence. “For the fact that Mrs Ibru today is convicted is a big lesson for the elite, the rich and the powerful people in Nigeria. It is not perfect, it is not ideal but maybe I would have wanted more but in the circumstance, the Justice Ministry has done very well and the minister must be commended for holding firm on the trial,” he said.
“I think it is a good thing for the country. It has shown that the way people think, that maybe because somebody is my friend or from one part of the country, will make them go free if they are caught, will no longer happen,” he added.
Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that Nigeria is the third fastest growing economy in the world after China and India, as a result of the growth of the nation’s economy from 6.9 per cent in 2009 to 7.4 per cent this year.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Olusegun Aganga, who described this rating by IMF as a good development at a time when the economies of the developed countries were contracting, said with new policies being initiated by the Federal Government, the economy would witness a turnaround in a very short time.
“What we need in Nigeria is continuity in policies and leadership to sustain the growth,” he advocated.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Sanusi at the World Bank/IMF meetings in Washington DC, Aganga said the economic prospect was bright because despite the fact that Nigeria was yet to take advantage of opportunities and resources available within the country, it achieved 7.4 per cent growth and 48 per cent increase in revenue in the first half of the year.
Among the advantages he identified were existence of 33 untapped solid minerals, steady increase in the oil revenue and 75 million telecommunic-ations subscribers.
“If we have continuity in policy, a lot will be done in the economy and we will do more as shown with the increase in oil revenue by 46 per cent during the first six months of 2010,” he said.
However, Dr Aganga said “the Federal Government requires N100 billion to finance infrastructure development for the next four years in order to add two per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Nigeria.”
He made reference to the state of the manufacturing sector, where operators put 40 per cent of cost on power generation, saying, if infrastructure in Lagos and other places were upgraded, there would be a major relief across the country.
“This could be our decade. I am more excited about the country today than few years back,” Aganga said.
The finance minister, who also is the chairman of World Bank 2010 annual meeting, confirmed his push for Africa to emerge as the president of World Bank and Managing Director of the IMF.
“Of course and it is clear that since 1946, the president of the World Bank has always been from America and the MD of IMF is always from Europe . We are all in agreement that it should change. The appointment to leadership positions should be open to all members, transparent and based on merit going forward. That is part of the reform.”
He added that he had been making the case to increase the quota of the constituency in Africa.
“Whatever we come out with, it is better that we protect the quota of low-income countries in Africa and small medium countries. That is important because it determines the aids to get and the voice in policy issues,” he assured.
Meanwhile, the CBN has raised concerns over the rate Nigeria’s foreign reserves is depleting, saying that plans are underway to slow the pace of spending from the reserves to defend the naira.
Sanusi told newsmen at the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank meeting, at the weekend, adding that the apex bank must make sure the Federal Government did not have access to “easy money” to continue its deficit spending habits.
A series of factors that had been driving the CBN to draw down its forex reserves in defense of the naira were winding down, as the bank reported that its forex reserves were down by 15 per cent from a year earlier at about $34.57 billion, including a seven percent decline in the last few weeks.
“I think we’ll see less spending, but I think the naira will remain stable,” Sanusi said.
The naira slid to a 13-month low in September amid strong local demand for the United States dollar by gasoline and rice importers.
Sanusi said the current exchange rate was not a level that needed to be maintained “at all costs,” adding that “in the short to medium term, we do believe we can maintain this range.”
It will be recalled that the CBN surprised analysts and investors, last month, by raising its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 6.25 per cent.
More bank directors ’ll be jailed –Sanusi •Nigeria is world’s 3rd fastest growing economy – IMF
GOVERNOR of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Lamido Sanusi, has vowed that fraudulent directors of banks operating in Nigeria will go to jail. Sanusi said this after he was presented with an award in the United States of America by Euromoney Institutional Investor Plc as an outstanding Central Bank Governor in sub-Sahara Africa in the Emerging Market.
The move is designed to sanitise the Nigerian banking industry of corrupt practices and encourage inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Nigerian economy.
Former Chief Executive Officer of Oceanic Bank International Plc, Dr (Mrs) Cecilia Ibru, sacked by the CBN last year after an indictment by the joint audit report of the apex bank and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), was sentenced to six months imprisonment on Friday by a federal high court in Lagos.
In the ruling of the court, she forfeited assets worth N191 billion after pleading guilty to a three-count charge of misappropriation of depositors’ fund.
Sanusi disclosed on Saturday in Washington DC, that the CBN had enough evidence to jail fraudulent bank directors that mismanaged depositors fund. According to him, “I know what I saw in the report of weak banks investigated by our auditors from the first day and have no doubt these people would go to jail. I have no doubt that everybody we are trying will go to jail.”
Sanusi explained that the sanitisation of the banking industry was not about individuals as the CBN continued with the legal process but was designed to ensure the safety of depositors’ fund.
He said: “A year ago, when we removed Mrs Ibru, the story was that it was not possible and that it would not last. When we started the trial, the story was that in Nigeria, it is not possible to jail a CEO.
The time that people who were rich and were connected would go free when they committed offence is now a thing of the past.”
Sanusi vowed that if any of the directors of banks in Nigeria should commit any offence, they will pay the price for it, no matter the level of connection and political influence. “For the fact that Mrs Ibru today is convicted is a big lesson for the elite, the rich and the powerful people in Nigeria. It is not perfect, it is not ideal but maybe I would have wanted more but in the circumstance, the Justice Ministry has done very well and the minister must be commended for holding firm on the trial,” he said.
“I think it is a good thing for the country. It has shown that the way people think, that maybe because somebody is my friend or from one part of the country, will make them go free if they are caught, will no longer happen,” he added.
Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that Nigeria is the third fastest growing economy in the world after China and India, as a result of the growth of the nation’s economy from 6.9 per cent in 2009 to 7.4 per cent this year.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Olusegun Aganga, who described this rating by IMF as a good development at a time when the economies of the developed countries were contracting, said with new policies being initiated by the Federal Government, the economy would witness a turnaround in a very short time.
“What we need in Nigeria is continuity in policies and leadership to sustain the growth,” he advocated.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Sanusi at the World Bank/IMF meetings in Washington DC, Aganga said the economic prospect was bright because despite the fact that Nigeria was yet to take advantage of opportunities and resources available within the country, it achieved 7.4 per cent growth and 48 per cent increase in revenue in the first half of the year.
Among the advantages he identified were existence of 33 untapped solid minerals, steady increase in the oil revenue and 75 million telecommunic-ations subscribers.
“If we have continuity in policy, a lot will be done in the economy and we will do more as shown with the increase in oil revenue by 46 per cent during the first six months of 2010,” he said.
However, Dr Aganga said “the Federal Government requires N100 billion to finance infrastructure development for the next four years in order to add two per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Nigeria.”
He made reference to the state of the manufacturing sector, where operators put 40 per cent of cost on power generation, saying, if infrastructure in Lagos and other places were upgraded, there would be a major relief across the country.
“This could be our decade. I am more excited about the country today than few years back,” Aganga said.
The finance minister, who also is the chairman of World Bank 2010 annual meeting, confirmed his push for Africa to emerge as the president of World Bank and Managing Director of the IMF.
“Of course and it is clear that since 1946, the president of the World Bank has always been from America and the MD of IMF is always from Europe . We are all in agreement that it should change. The appointment to leadership positions should be open to all members, transparent and based on merit going forward. That is part of the reform.”
He added that he had been making the case to increase the quota of the constituency in Africa.
“Whatever we come out with, it is better that we protect the quota of low-income countries in Africa and small medium countries. That is important because it determines the aids to get and the voice in policy issues,” he assured.
Meanwhile, the CBN has raised concerns over the rate Nigeria’s foreign reserves is depleting, saying that plans are underway to slow the pace of spending from the reserves to defend the naira.
Sanusi told newsmen at the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank meeting, at the weekend, adding that the apex bank must make sure the Federal Government did not have access to “easy money” to continue its deficit spending habits.
A series of factors that had been driving the CBN to draw down its forex reserves in defense of the naira were winding down, as the bank reported that its forex reserves were down by 15 per cent from a year earlier at about $34.57 billion, including a seven percent decline in the last few weeks.
“I think we’ll see less spending, but I think the naira will remain stable,” Sanusi said.
The naira slid to a 13-month low in September amid strong local demand for the United States dollar by gasoline and rice importers.
Sanusi said the current exchange rate was not a level that needed to be maintained “at all costs,” adding that “in the short to medium term, we do believe we can maintain this range.”
It will be recalled that the CBN surprised analysts and investors, last month, by raising its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 6.25 per cent.
The move is designed to sanitise the Nigerian banking industry of corrupt practices and encourage inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Nigerian economy.
Former Chief Executive Officer of Oceanic Bank International Plc, Dr (Mrs) Cecilia Ibru, sacked by the CBN last year after an indictment by the joint audit report of the apex bank and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), was sentenced to six months imprisonment on Friday by a federal high court in Lagos.
In the ruling of the court, she forfeited assets worth N191 billion after pleading guilty to a three-count charge of misappropriation of depositors’ fund.
Sanusi disclosed on Saturday in Washington DC, that the CBN had enough evidence to jail fraudulent bank directors that mismanaged depositors fund. According to him, “I know what I saw in the report of weak banks investigated by our auditors from the first day and have no doubt these people would go to jail. I have no doubt that everybody we are trying will go to jail.”
Sanusi explained that the sanitisation of the banking industry was not about individuals as the CBN continued with the legal process but was designed to ensure the safety of depositors’ fund.
He said: “A year ago, when we removed Mrs Ibru, the story was that it was not possible and that it would not last. When we started the trial, the story was that in Nigeria, it is not possible to jail a CEO.
The time that people who were rich and were connected would go free when they committed offence is now a thing of the past.”
Sanusi vowed that if any of the directors of banks in Nigeria should commit any offence, they will pay the price for it, no matter the level of connection and political influence. “For the fact that Mrs Ibru today is convicted is a big lesson for the elite, the rich and the powerful people in Nigeria. It is not perfect, it is not ideal but maybe I would have wanted more but in the circumstance, the Justice Ministry has done very well and the minister must be commended for holding firm on the trial,” he said.
“I think it is a good thing for the country. It has shown that the way people think, that maybe because somebody is my friend or from one part of the country, will make them go free if they are caught, will no longer happen,” he added.
Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that Nigeria is the third fastest growing economy in the world after China and India, as a result of the growth of the nation’s economy from 6.9 per cent in 2009 to 7.4 per cent this year.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Olusegun Aganga, who described this rating by IMF as a good development at a time when the economies of the developed countries were contracting, said with new policies being initiated by the Federal Government, the economy would witness a turnaround in a very short time.
“What we need in Nigeria is continuity in policies and leadership to sustain the growth,” he advocated.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Sanusi at the World Bank/IMF meetings in Washington DC, Aganga said the economic prospect was bright because despite the fact that Nigeria was yet to take advantage of opportunities and resources available within the country, it achieved 7.4 per cent growth and 48 per cent increase in revenue in the first half of the year.
Among the advantages he identified were existence of 33 untapped solid minerals, steady increase in the oil revenue and 75 million telecommunic-ations subscribers.
“If we have continuity in policy, a lot will be done in the economy and we will do more as shown with the increase in oil revenue by 46 per cent during the first six months of 2010,” he said.
However, Dr Aganga said “the Federal Government requires N100 billion to finance infrastructure development for the next four years in order to add two per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Nigeria.”
He made reference to the state of the manufacturing sector, where operators put 40 per cent of cost on power generation, saying, if infrastructure in Lagos and other places were upgraded, there would be a major relief across the country.
“This could be our decade. I am more excited about the country today than few years back,” Aganga said.
The finance minister, who also is the chairman of World Bank 2010 annual meeting, confirmed his push for Africa to emerge as the president of World Bank and Managing Director of the IMF.
“Of course and it is clear that since 1946, the president of the World Bank has always been from America and the MD of IMF is always from Europe . We are all in agreement that it should change. The appointment to leadership positions should be open to all members, transparent and based on merit going forward. That is part of the reform.”
He added that he had been making the case to increase the quota of the constituency in Africa.
“Whatever we come out with, it is better that we protect the quota of low-income countries in Africa and small medium countries. That is important because it determines the aids to get and the voice in policy issues,” he assured.
Meanwhile, the CBN has raised concerns over the rate Nigeria’s foreign reserves is depleting, saying that plans are underway to slow the pace of spending from the reserves to defend the naira.
Sanusi told newsmen at the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank meeting, at the weekend, adding that the apex bank must make sure the Federal Government did not have access to “easy money” to continue its deficit spending habits.
A series of factors that had been driving the CBN to draw down its forex reserves in defense of the naira were winding down, as the bank reported that its forex reserves were down by 15 per cent from a year earlier at about $34.57 billion, including a seven percent decline in the last few weeks.
“I think we’ll see less spending, but I think the naira will remain stable,” Sanusi said.
The naira slid to a 13-month low in September amid strong local demand for the United States dollar by gasoline and rice importers.
Sanusi said the current exchange rate was not a level that needed to be maintained “at all costs,” adding that “in the short to medium term, we do believe we can maintain this range.”
It will be recalled that the CBN surprised analysts and investors, last month, by raising its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 6.25 per cent.
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