*Driver Speaks On Highway Crushing of Nigerians

By Masterweb News Desk

The truck driver involved in the runover and crushing to death of at least 19 Nigerians on Ijebu-Ode/Sagamu expressway, has spoken out to newsmen. Late last month Masterweb News Desk carried an article on the highway robbery of a Nigerian luxury bus on lagos- benin expressway which led to the truck-crushing death of many people. The article can be read at http://nigeriamasterweb.com/blog/index.php/2010/02/25/nigeria_highway_robbery_aamp_gruesome_ma

The two drivers at the center of the armed robbery attack and crushing to death of passengers controversy, have been arrested by police in Abuja. The drivers are: Osayande Idahosa, 40, who hails from Edo State and driver of the crusher truck with registration number XN 808 BEN and Okechukwu Okafor, driver of the robbed Young Shall Grow luxury bus with registration number XF 285 AKD. Okafor hails from Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State. The arrests followed recent motion by the Senate for investigations into the expressway mayhem that put in doubt police capacity in tackling crime in the country.

Osayande Idahosa, driver of the killer truck, told reporters the incident took place July 31 last year at Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State. Idahosa said on the fateful day, he was driving a Seaner Truck hired by a woman to deliver bags of garri to customers. According to him, he took-off from Benin en route Lagos in company of his conductor and the truck renter. The journey according to Idahosa met heavy traffic jam at Ore which finally paved way to lonely highway up to Obalende area of Ijebu-Ode. On sighting the headlights of a vehicle around 9.45 pm Idahosa said he became more relaxed. “When I saw the lights, I was happy. I did not know that it was an evil light that will continue to haunt me till eternity,” Idahosa told Daily Sun newsmen. According to his account, as they approached the vehicle, he sighted what seemed like barricades of logs of wood on the highway. “I thought it was a police check-point, so I slowed down. But I started hearing gun shots. I saw many people firing at me. Out of panic, I decided to run over what I assumed were logs of woods,” Idahosa speaking in tears told reporters. He said all three of them in the truck panicked as he drove through in high speed, but was thrown in confusion as he heard human cries. The truck wavered through human bodies and ended up in the forest. ( Continues below…… )

Photo Above: Osayande Idahosa, driver of the killer truck

In his words to Sun newsmen Idahosa said: “As my truck ran over the ‘barricades’, I noticed that they were too soft. I also heard gun shots and agonizing cries of people. I suspected that I must have killed some people but I did not know who my victims were. I couldn’t control the vehicle and it ran into the bush. I immediately jumped down and took to my heels. While in the bush, I saw about 20 armed men in civilian clothes searching for me. They were boasting that they would soon fish me out and slaughter me in pieces. At this time, I did not know the fate of my conductor or that of the woman who hired me.” Idahosa said that while the armed robbers where searching his truck, he ran deeper into the forest and hid in a hole. He said he hid in the hole till about 6.00 am the following morning, before finding his way to the highway. He was told by a fellow driver that he had crushed to death 19 innocent lives and advised not to go near the scene of the bloodshed as he would definitely be lynched by the angry mob.

Idahosa got a ride from the driver to Ijebu-Ode junction, where he took an okada (commercial motorcycle) to Obalende police station, where he made a statement to the police. The police took his statement and told him to go back to the scene where at the time, the Commissioner of Police, the Divisional Police Officer and other senior policemen were for an on-the-spot-assessment. Idahosa said when he got to the scene and saw the havoc, shredded corpses after corpses, he wept and surrendered to the police and crowd. He explained: “But rather than stoning me to death, they all started listening to my story on how I unintentionally killed innocent robbery victims who I mistook to be robbers’ barricades. The sympathizers started consoling me, telling me it was not my fault. The policemen took me along with them and I was with them for four days before I was granted bail.” ( Continues below…… )

Photo Above: The killer truck driven by Osayande Idahosa

Okechukwu Okafor, driver of the ill-fated luxury bus, blames the tragedy on bad road condition. According to a statement to Daily Sun newsmen, Okafor said their journey started in the morning of July 31, 2009 at Enugu en route Lagos. He said the trip was smooth until 3.00 pm when they were held up in Ore for four hours by heavy traffic jam. According to him, on reaching a point between the Federal Government College, Odogbolu and Babcock University junction along Ijebu-Ode/Shagamu Expressway, their bus was forced to a stop by armed robbers numbering around 50. Okafor fearing for his life and knowing he did not stand a chance against the intimidating number of the bandits, fled into the forest. He said he heard gun shots and wailing of people in agony while in the forest. In his own words: “I thought it was the robbery gang that was killing my passengers. It was not until the following morning when I found my way out of the bush that I learnt that it was a truck driver who refused to stop for the robbers that ran over my passengers.” Okafor said he weeps when confronted with the tragedy and bloodshed of his passengers. “You know, right from the park at Enugu down to the scene of the ugly incident, we had all become friendly. In fact, in my 22 years of driving, I had not seen or heard such a story that looked like a fairy tale,” Okafor told Sun newsmen.

Police report on the incident states that: “On the 31st of July 2009, at about 11. 30 a.m, a luxurious bus with registration above, loaded with passengers travelling from Enugu to Lagos were attacked by a gang of armed bandits at a spot between Federal Government College, Odogbolu and Babcock University along Ijebu-Ode/Sagamu expressway. During the attack, the suspected armed robbers ordered the passengers of the luxury bus out of the vehicle and made them to lie face down on the expressway. An on-coming truck with reg. XN 808 BEN, driven by one Osayinde Idahosa of Ewetube Egbe Estate, Benin City, who refused to be stopped by the hoodlums, crushed some of the passengers to death. A a total of 19 passengers of the luxury bus which includes 6 females and 13 males were crushed to death by the truck and that there was no Police escort attached to the luxury bus as confirmed by the driver, Okechukwu Okafor who survived the incident. Some of the ten corpses have been collected by their relations for burial after proper identification and documentation and that some of the corpses were crushed beyond recognition and yet to be identified or collected by their relations or kinsmen.”

Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, speaking to reporters said: “Following some offensive photographs being posted on the internet by some mischievous people who made the incident looked like it happened recently, the force would like to inform the public that the ugly accident happened on July 31, 2009.” He said 19 passengers, including six females and 13 males, were crushed to death by the truck, and that the file in respect of the case had been duplicated and forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. Mr. Ojukwu’s comments on mischievous postings on the incident does not apply to Masterweb updated news report, which referenced Sunday Tribune 2/8/09 article on the incident.

Please forward any new information, article or photo you may have regarding this incident to admin@nigeriamasterweb.com. Please include your phone number in your email, so that our News Team can reach you on the phone.

Masterweb News Desk is always scouting volumes of information daily, searching for information relevant to Nigerians, Africa and the world. This is what separates us from most news media. We report all news worthy events for the information of our readers and for news syndication and aggregation. This allows the dissemination of our news articles by our readers, partner news media and RSS feed.

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Photo Above: Helpless Nigerians run over by a trailer after they lay down on the ground on the orders of armed robbers.

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*Tags: Nigerians, Crime, Armed, Robbers, Africa, Masterweb

*Turai: Don’t leave Aso Rock In Shame

By Ihejirika Peter

It is said that those their gods kneaded Fufu for, should eat it in silence. Such could be said of the first family of this nation. Hence going by the array of contestants in the 2007 Presidential election Yar’ Adua would not have been the best option. But for the entire wisdom of Obasanjo, PDP and some of their cohorts who made it possible for him to win the election. Well, everything surrounding the 2007 election is now history though Nigerians can never forget in a hurry. If not the ruse called 2007 Presidential election we would not have been in the mess we are today. President Yar’ Adua mounted the saddle of leadership almost three years ago and since then he has been sick. It would be recalled that mid way into the 2007 Presidential election he broke down and was flown to Germany for medical attention which prompted the then President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to humorously ask “…….Umoru are you dead………?” but in all Yar Adua succeeded and has been piloting the affairs of this great nation as President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces until 23rd of November, 2009 when he was hurriedly sneaked out of the country on health grounds. Since then, things have fallen apart and nobody expected the center to hold. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Nigeria’s First Lady Hajiya Turai yar’Adua

I am not among those who wish the President dead, nor those who are canvassing for his removal due to illness hence Yar’ Adua is a mortal and every mortal being is prone to one ailment or the other at any given time. But my point of departure is the way and manner which the President’s ailment has been politicized by individuals or groups for their self-aggrandizement. Left for me, I would not have wasted an effort to write but for posterity to vindicate me as it was Wole Soyinka who says “.……..the man died who keeps quiet in the face of tyranny…….”. So, those of us who do not go by the barrage of gun should muster as fast as possible all the arsenal in our disposal to condemn in strong terms the near anarchy the country is drifting into. Sentiment apart, if you do not know for the past three months now the country is sitting on a keg of gunpowder, you better think twice and pray fervently for God to bring the final solution to this political logjam. As what is happening in country today is an ill wind that blows no one good. This political debacle is now becoming obvious that an overambitious woman has sworn not to let the country be. A situation whereby our President has been ill and our representatives have been denied access to him. Even the thoughtful effort of the Federal Executive Council to swear in Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as an “Acting” President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces has been flagrantly played down. Hence the purported arrival of the president and subsequent deployment of troops was not known by the acting president who is supposed to welcome the ill president back home. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Nigeria’s Ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua at a Muslim prayer session in Abuja on September 29, 2009.

Well I am not against the abracadabra but my own concern is this nation. Turai Yar’ Adua and people behind her should know that power belongs only to God and nobody does the contrary. Even if they have succeeded in deceiving the people for the past three months it cannot be ad-infinitum. Very soon the cat would be let out of the bag. I remember when the former President, Chief OBJ advised that Yar’ Adua should toe the path honour and resign if he is incapacitated many agents of destabilization called for his head but now the truth is playing out and very soon all these agents of darkness who are bent on fast tracking the United States of American intelligent reports of a possible disintegration of this country by 2015 will unmask themselves. We will not be surprised that our tormentors are from our own kitchen. And anybody who thinks that the country belongs to him or that a section of this country could be seen as second-class citizens is doing so at his own peril. The first lady of this nation should know that her predecessors have come and gone and are remembered for one good thing or the other. She should toe that line of honour and work for the unity and indivisibility of this nation while we pray for the quick recovery of our President. But if she decides to play the pharaoh our time, she might leave the Aso Rock in shame or tears. God forbid! Advice they say, no be curse.

Ihejirika Peter writes from Etche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and can be reached at idpeters@yahoo.com

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*Tags: Nigerians, Turai, Yar’Adua, Wife, First, Lady, Africans, Goodluck, Jonathan, Political, Politics, Leadership, Masterweb

*Extra Judicial killings: A Risk Society & The Nigerian Police.

By Frank Ediagbonya

The video clips from Aljazeera TV now showing on YouTube ( http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlpZr81RucY ) has exposed how unarmed civilians were shot in the head and heart at pointblank by men of the Nigerian Police. These video clips has generated a lot of anger and shock from Nigerians and non Nigerians alike. The question of whether the poor and less privileged Nigerians are safe in the hand of security operatives especially the Nigerian Police Force is being critically examined by concerned Nigerians and Amnesty International.

Is Nigeria a risk society as being portrayed by that shocking video footage?

There are different types of risk; security risk, environmental risk, economic risk and social risk. Modern society have put in place institutions to deal with various risks. For example, the Central Bank or other relevant agencies has the responsibilities to avoid a country’s economic risk while institution like the Nigerian Police Force or it counterparts across the globe is entrenched with the responsibilities to deal with social and security risks as well as protect lives and properties of citizenry. On many occasions the Nigerian Police have been caught in a conflicting duties of a peace makers, law enforcers and executioners.

The duties of the Nigerian Police Force which includes protection of lives and properties of Nigerians irrespective of status or religious affiliation has been seriously compromised after watching those clips of some men in noble uniforms of the NPF committing horrendous murder all in the name of maintaining law and order. The role of the Nigerian Police as a social institution established to maintain social order, enforce laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without fear or favour is now a subject of moral dilemma. The brutal murder of alleged religious activists of Boko Haram as seen on YouTube suggested that the poor and less privileged Nigerians are undervalued by those in authority or those who are bent on tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Police Force so to say.

It is a known fact that the image of the Nigerian Police Force amongst the Nigerian masses is tinted with notions, speculations and stigma of all unrighteousness. Not all members of the Nigerian Police are barbaric or 700 years behind modern civilization like the bad eggs in the Force who are bent to drag the image of the Force to the gutters. Nuhu Ribadu and his likes are good examples of trained and polished officers of the Nigerian Police Force.

Agreed that the Nigerian Police Force have mountain of challenges before them, for example fighting crime in a hi-tech society like Nigeria in the wake of mobile phone and Internet communication technology in all the nooks and crannies of the country; which has boosted violent crime and also taken the police by surprise. They were not prepared for this surprises when the erstwhile President Obasanjo introduced these technology hence, they were being filmed in the act of untold murder, sent to a global TV network while the Police tried to cover up their tracks with their usual tales by the moonlight or cock and bull stories.

I am not impressed that a fellow human being were killed like a chicken at the pleasure of some blood tasty men parading themselves in Police Uniforms who ought to have been detained in psychiatric hospitals. This clips has socially constructed Nigeria as a risk society not knowing who to trust. This is not a good PR for a country that is striving to gain a permanent seat in the UN. The only way to get out of this national embarrassment is to persecute all those involved in a court of law with their trail broadcast live in global media. It has also become imperative for all members of the Nigerian Police Force to be subjected to a mandatory psychiatric examination every 12 months due to their role as protector of lives and properties. (God’s caretakers).

The Federal government of Nigeria should take urgent steps to enact laws banning all religious leaders from incitement, inducement, inflammatory statements capable of creating tribal tension and establish Religious, Ethnic or Tribal equality Commission to deal with tribal or ethnic complaints, nepotism, favouritism and religious inflammatory statements. These steps could reduce religious and tribal tension in Nigeria. ( Continues below….. )

The need for the Nigerian Police Force to build a new image worthy of commendation can not be overemphasised after that obnoxious killings carried out by its men in that video footage. I will strongly suggest that the Police Public Relations Officer or the Inspector General of Police should make a declarative statement disassociating the Nigerian Police Force from that wicked act against man and God. I know it is hard to change existing paradigm be that as it may, the NPF must either claim responsibility for the killings by keeping silent or disassociate itself from it outrightly through an official statement. It is like trying to change from traditional ways of thinking to modern ways of doing things isn’t it?

It is time for the Nigerian Police to draw a framework that could win them back public trust which is a vital social instrument to modern policing. How? They should invest material and social resources into communities that they have taken so much from. They should invest in community projects and community empowerment. The Police should build water projects, amusement parks, help with environmental sanitation, engage individuals in the community in police-citizens sport activities and consultative forum, patrol the streets and ask the locals if they have any problems in their areas or if they need police help etc. The swift action of the new AGF of Nigeria Chief Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN) shows that the Nigerian masses is about to witness a social change package to add more value to their lives crushing all the notions and insinuations that the poor and less privileged Nigerians like the ones asked to lie face to the ground then shot is priceless under Yar’adua’/Jonathan’s administration. I am pleased with the new proposal to punished any security operatives caught in the act of extra judicial killings. Kudos.

“The police is your friend, bail is free, help the police (with information) so that the police can help you” These catchphrases should move from its substantive meaning to a normative and functional meaning. There is a cloud of uncertainty and anxiety among many Nigerians as to whether the police can be trusted again, everything being equal, if the police uses the right approaches or holistic approach to woo the Nigerian masses, the spirit of forgiveness is what the Nigerian masses is Known for.

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*Tags: Nigerians, Police, Governance, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Jobs, Africa, Masterweb

*Dear God, is it a crime to be borne a woman?

( A Critical analysis of Constitutionally Guaranteed Discriminatory Laws against Women )

By Olugu Ukpai

Professor Martha Nussbaum in her classical work Gender, Justice, Development and Rights submit that “women in developing world face numerous problems because of their sex.” Nigeria is one of the developing nations alluded to by the human right and constitutional lawyer. While there are sufficient international instruments designed to secure equality for women, the challenge lies in deciphering means of making the provisions within these instruments a reality. Although Nigeria has ratified major regional and international instruments proscribing gender discrimination, paradoxically, the constitution contains discriminatory provisions whilst legislations that overtly discriminate between sexes are rife. I argue that the first step towards surmounting the discrimination surrounding women’s rights issues is by repealing these discriminatory laws enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, placing men and women at par by way of appropriate legislative measures backed by judicial interventions where cases of violation of the legislations to that effect arise. The philosophy underpinning my argument lies in basic constitutional principles that must be respected and implemented by the governments, as a minimum standard of what respect for human dignity requires. ( Continues below….. )

This article is divided into two parts. The first part examines some equality provisions of the Constitution, while the second part is a critical analysis of salient features of some discriminatory legislations, customs and practices that affect Nigerian women in the law in practice. But first, I will start by defining the working concept of the article. What is discrimination? Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (hereafter, CEDWA) defines discrimination against women as “any distinction or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on the basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, and civil or any other field.”

Domestic guarantees of equality

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria prohibits discrimination on grounds of sex. Section 42 (1) provides that: A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, either ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:

(a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject: or

(b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions.

© Section 17 (1) The State social order is founded on ideals of Freedom, Equality and Justice. Section 17 (2a) every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law.

The Law in practice: Constitutionally guaranteed discriminatory legislation against women

Antithetical to constitutional non-discriminatory guarantees against discrimination, the Constitution itself contains provisions that discriminate against women, and administrative regulations and practices exist which breach these guarantees with impunity. More so, it can also be argued that the Constitution is interpreted as prohibiting discrimination in the public sphere, or by state agents, thus leaving no room for redress where discrimination is perpetuated by non-state actors. There is no known case where the Nigerian Constitution was relied upon to challenge human rights violations of women by a private person. These legislations that will be examined are some examples of statutes that have been in force since independence and/or colonial era and have not been changed, updated or reformed. For instance, most of the common law in force in Nigeria is that in force in England before 1900. This is inconsistent with the characteristic of law. Margaret Davis maintains that law should be in flux, flexible, and not static, enabling it to respond to changes in the society.

The Constitution provides in Section 26(2) that a woman who is or has been married to a citizen of Nigeria may be registered as a citizen of Nigeria, but silent as to whether a woman married to a foreign national can confer Nigerian nationality on her foreign husband. It implies that a woman is incapable to confer Nigerian citizenship on her foreign husband, and this provision exist despite the fact that such provisions have been identified and repealed as discriminatory in other parts of African nations such as South Africa and Botswana, to mention but a few. This is also in direct infringement of Article 9(1) of CEDAW, which posits equality for women in matters pertaining to nationality.

Discriminatory provisions also exist in many public law statutes. For instance, Section 353 of the Penal Code, which applies to the Southern States in Nigeria, provides that an indecent assault against a man is a felony, punishable by three years in prison. But Section 360 holds that the same offence against females as a misdemeanour is punishable with only two years of imprisonment. It is worrisome that this distinction remains on the statute books, especially when indubitable facts exists that indecent assault is an offense that is often committed against women. Here, I have no choice other than to infer that the law implies that, the offense is of less gravity when committed against a woman. Again, this is inconsistent with the cardinal principle of criminal law which stipulates that like cases should be treated alike and all persons should be protected from harm of a similar degree. More so, these provisions are antithetical to Article 2(g) of CEDAW, which requires state parties to repeal all national penal provisions which constitute discrimination against women.

Discriminatory provisions also exist in the 1963 cap 89 Nigerian Penal Code, which is applicable to the northern Nigerian states that have not adopted Sharia law. For instance, Section 55 of the Penal Code provides that:

Nothing is an offense which does not amount to the infliction of grievous hurt upon any person and which is done by a husband for the purpose of correcting his wife, such husband or wife being subject to any native law or custom in which such correction is recognized as lawful.

Thus, the Penal Code permits husbands to use physical means to chastise their wives as long as it does not result in “grievous harm,” which is defined as loss of sight, hearing, speech, facial disfigurement, or life-threatening injuries. Although the constitution provides for equality and freedom from discrimination; there are no laws that criminalize gender-based violence, while some federal laws condone such violence. It is hoped that the law makers should use the ongoing Constitutional reform project to repeal the Penal Code, because women’s rights are human’s rights.

Under the Police Act (Chapter 359, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990), the provisions regulating the conduct of police officers made thereunder provide that an unmarried woman who becomes pregnant shall be discharged from the force and may not be re-enlisted without the consent of the Inspector-General (Regulation 127, Police Act, 1990). Another regulation permits a serving female police officer may only marry, with the consent of the Commissioner of Police, if she has served for at least three years and her intended husband is of good character (Regulation 124 and 125, Police Act, 1990). Here, it instructive that I pause and ask, is it a crime to be borne a woman or to be endowed with the capacity to reproduce? It is hoped that the male dominant National Assembly will find answer to this question in the ongoing Constitutional review.

Nigeria’s personal taxation laws, also contains come discriminatory laws (Personal income tax decree, Chapter 104 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1993). Under these laws, a married woman will only be allowed to claim tax relief based on the number of dependents she has if she can show that she has separated from her husband by deed or by an order of the High Court (Section 3 personal income law decree above). This requirement does not apply to divorced or separated men. This legislation is still based on the premise that married women and their children are maintained by their husbands. As a result, single mothers and wives who bear the main financial responsibility in a household are denied the tax relief that men are entitled to. It is hoped that the Courts should start upturning such gender discriminatory laws. ( Continues below….. )

The Marriage Act (Marriage Act, Chapter 218, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990) provides that written consent is necessary where either party to an intended marriage is under 21 years. However, this consent must be from the father: a mother’s consent is only acceptable if the father is dead or of an unsound mind (Section 118, Marriage Act, 1990). Beyond a shadow of doubt, it is clear that acceptability of the consent based on the gender of the parent is unnecessary, discriminatory and serves no known practical or legal purpose other than to perpetuate the stereotype that treats Nigerian women as chattel and second class citizens.

In conclusion, the legislations detailed above are at variance with Nigeria’s domestic and international law obligations relating to gender rights. For instance, Section 55 of the Penal Code presupposes that a wife can never be considered an equal in a marriage and ought to be expunged. Likewise, in its 2003 report to CEDAW the Nigerian government described wife as ‘the man’s property and she is generally not expected to entertain any measure of equality in whatever form’. Human dignity is firmly established as an international standard and finds expression in the major international human rights instruments. Regionally, it is provided for by the African Charter and the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of women, and necessarily implies that a husband cannot be permitted to legally (or otherwise) beat his wife.

More so, the provisions in the Police Act limiting the reproductive freedom of female police officers are also infringement of Nigeria’s obligations under CEDAW. Policies and practices that have an impact on women’s reproductive rights constitute a form of violence against women as well as denial of a basic freedom to choose because of their sex. These regulations do not impose concomitant obligations on men. These provisions contravenes the right not to be subjected to degrading treatment as provided for under the major international human rights instruments and is contrary to the concept of human dignity and gender justice. The Nigerian born political scientist, Professor Mojubaolu Okome, insists that ‘legal and extra-legal constrains coexist in both the letter of the law and its administration.’ She avers that ‘customs and traditions still persist which prevent the elimination of discrimination against women.’ Professor Christiana Murray, a leading human rights lawyer in her work Constitutional equality for women contend that “No nation can be free [or develop] when one half of it is enslaved. I can do no better than to finish with the 1997 judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal (Enugu Division) as delivered by Chief Justice Niki Tobi, in Mojekwu vs Mojekwu condemning discriminatory laws and customs against women based on their sex: “…In my humble view, it is the monopoly of GOD to determine the sex of a baby and not the parents. Although the scientific world disagrees with this divine truth, I believe that GOD, the creator of human beings is also the final authority of who should be male or female. Accordingly, for …a law [customs and practices] to discriminate against a particular sex is to say the least an affront on the Almighty GOD himself… LET NOBODY DO SUCH A THING.”

*Olugu Ukpai, a Ph.D student, School of Law, University of Reading, sent in this article from UK, and can be reached at oluukpaiolu@yahoo.com

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*Tags: Nigerians, Africans, Leaders, Woman, Women, Masterweb

*Nigeria’s AON, A Disappointing Cartel

By Olumide Ohunayo

Recently, the committee set up by the Federal Government submitted its report on bailout. The airlines represented by Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) were given ten days to report back to the government on modalities for the bailout plan. It took them three months after being lampooned by the authorities for the slow pace of work. On submission, the body had two different and obviously opposite positions on the bailout issue.

One faction supported bailout, the other wanted stoppage of promotional fares and doubling of domestic fares. This is simply absurd! Asking Government to legislate or collude in doubling air fares is regimental and retrogressive in a deregulated industry. If any airline wants to triple its current fares, it can please go ahead by filing the new fares with the appropriate authorities and test the will of Nigerian passengers. It should not be legislated, neither do we want collusion.

We should be reminded that the industry is frowning at and punishing with hefty fines, airlines caught colluding in fixing fares or tariffs. Western countries started it, and it has got to Africa with the current investigation of some airlines in South Africa, who were accused of fixing fares for the upcoming 2010 World Cup. ( Continues below….. )

The promotional fares and online ticket purchase, introduced last year by some Nigerian carriers are laudable and in tandem with multiple fares regime obtained in other climes. It generally increases en-planeing, booking ahead via the internet and improves load factor. The model is a marketing gimmick with the objective of attracting passengers from other transport modes.

Though, it has a low yield initially with appropriate fare mix it generates brand loyalty, market share and becomes profitable in the long run, if properly managed. Profitable low cost carriers world over, have used promotional fares to their advantage at the peril of legacy carriers who are made to slash, burn, run or in the alternative set up competitive low cost carriers.

These airlines have gone further in developing their social media marketing network by placing promotional fares, schedules and related information on facebook, twitter, flickr, youtube e.t.c, while using same to respond to passengers’ complaints. AON also requested for some waivers and lower charges. With recent happenings in the industry, it will be difficult to monitor and ensure that only scheduled operators enjoy such waivers and relief, because the process has always been abused by operators, who have assisted the non-scheduled operators, such as charter operators, businessmen, bankers, jet age preachers, serving and ex-governors, etc to bring in aircraft, spares and other related equipments, thereby depriving the same treasury that will be doling out bailout, the juicy luxury tax and charges. Most of these private and non-schedule operators whose service are for the affluent, later give their aircraft and equipments to registered carriers to manage at a fee and are made to generate revenue for the owners and new managers.

On the issue of outstanding debt to the agencies, it should be negotiated not forgiven and tied to whatever funds that will be released, because the agencies need to meet their responsibilities too. It is also nice to hear AON consenting to Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as the body to advise government on airlines qualified to get bailout. So where was the economic audit team of the NCAA, when these airlines went into a financial tailspin?

The AON surprisingly did not raise the issue of market bailout; simply put - traveling with public funds on a Nigerian Carrier. The American carriers who are happy and cover the domestic market more than the international market had ‘Fly American Act’ in 1974 and have continuously amended it till date. It protects their carriers and keeps public expenditure within the economy, despite the absence of American carriers on most international routes at that period in time. AON seems contented with the “buy some seats I operate to your state” deals with some state governors, while overlooking publicly funded international charters and travels being carted away by foreign registered carriers and aircraft with accompanying crew. ( Continues below….. )

On fuel, which constitutes a huge chunk of operating cost, it will be appropriate to consider fuel subsidies or the Middle Eastern state method of selling at a rate much lower than the market rate-with the acronym PLATTS. Airlines from this region, have quietly enjoyed it while boosting their cash reserve; they have used the cash, to ask for more frequencies and dumping excess capacities on Nigerian routes. Airlines such as Saudia, Etihad, Qatar, Emirates, and Air Arabia are beneficiaries. Also, in the USA scheduled operators pay 21.9 cents per gallon for aviation fuel, while non schedule and private operators pay 36 cents.

The operators, in their presentation preferred the fat cheques and have gone ahead to blame external factors such as fuel price, charges, taxes, meltdown, promotional fares, infrastructure while refusing to address fundamental structural problems such as ownership, management and capacity that have become glaring liabilities for our carriers. It is noteworthy that it was not total doomsday in the industry last year as we are made to believe by operators. Airlines such as American private carriers - Air Tran, Jet blue and Southwest; European carriers -Ryan Air, Easy jet and Lufthansa; South American LAN, COPA (Panama); and Ethiopian Airlines in Africa all declared profits. In Nigeria, we have not seen a financial report, yet we expect serious investors to partner with them.

In aligning with the government disappointment at the submission of the report, we really need to make it clear to AON that scheduled operators should be separated from charter operators. They must guarantee that private aircraft being managed by some of them will not benefit from taxpayers fund or the approved bailout plan and should endeavour to re-engineer their ownership and management processes to attract investors. Most importantly they must stop the ego tripping, divisive bickering and unite with one voice. Anything short of this indicates that we should rather talk of stimulus for the entire industry than having bailout for airlines without clear cut business objectives and national initiative in outlook.

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*Tags: Nigerians, NAMA, FAAN, Abuja, Lagos, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Time To Be Commander-In-Chief, Mr. Acting President

By Kola Alapinni

Dear Mr. Acting President,

I remember meeting you on a courtesy call in your office in Yenagoa a couple of years ago. I was a young lawyer in the company of my bosses and we had wanted to meet your erstwhile boss DSP Alamesiegha who was unavailable. We were prospecting in your territory (Kaiama-Mbiama-Yenagoa axis) as part of our operations in the Niger-Delta. In the little time that I spent in your company you came across as friendly, unassuming and loyal to your boss. These are still character traits that you have displayed particularly in the last 100 days. A 100 days of rubbish that has been displayed to the whole world and has greatly undermined the whole black race. We have been portrayed as a collection of people who do not know their left from the right. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria Acting President

Enough is enough and it is time to end this nonsense. I do not know if in the last few days you have been following the news. I know that when people are in such positions as fate has thrust you into, they are cut away from the reality of the real world. A close knit of people form a tight cordon round you. The result is that you lose touch with the reality of life as being experienced by the normal citizen on the street. In my capacity as a bona fide citizen of our dear country Nigeria, I pose to you a few questions:

(1) Is it true that you as the Acting President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was unaware that your ‘brother’, President Umaru Yar’Adua was being discharged from the hospital in Saudi Arabia? Therefore you could not make adequate preparations to meet him and usher him back home even as we hear that he was brought into the country on a stretcher?

(2) Is it true that troops whom you command with powers vested in you as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of our nation were deployed to the Abuja International Airport without your knowledge? If this is true, what have you done about this?

(3)Have you summoned the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Commanding Officer of the Brigade of Guards to explain their action? Are you aware that this action of theirs borders on treasonable felony and it is perceived as such by the wider peoples of Nigeria in whom you derive your powers as invested on you by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

(4)Are you aware, that the person who instructed those troops to the airport without your knowledge can also instruct the troops to cordon you off in your Akinola Aguda residence and quarantine you from the nation? Are you aware that the implication is that foreign troops can land in Nigeria (right under your nose in Abuja) and take over the airport of the country which you preside over and you will not have a clue and proceed up to the Presidential Lodge without your knowledge? You mean nobody (right from the air traffic controller, the watch-tower where the aircraft got clearance to land, the aviation chiefs et cetera) could let the cat out of the bag to you?

(5) Is it true that Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua (the wife of President Yar’Adua) has kept you (the President and Commander-In-Chief) from physically seeing your sick friend, colleague, brother, boss et cetera? Are you telling us that one particular woman placed a restricting order on you within the Federal Territory of Nigeria? I don’t think so. ( Continues below….. )

Commander-In-Chief Sir, you are playing with fire! If all these allegations are true, now you need to use your Sword of Office before it is used to behead you, so to speak. I would suggest you do the following:

(a) Redeploy all the security that are cordoning off your friend and our President. He is the President of Nigeria and he cannot be held hostage by his wife and cohorts. There must be a change of guards now! Replace them with troops loyal to you. When you do that you will be able to see the true state of health of your friend and brother. Remember that you campaigned for the Presidency together, worked together, dined and wined together. Now that he is ill, you are honour-bound to take care of him. Do as you will be done by. Anybody can take ill, even you and I at any point in time.

(b) When you see him and you are able to ascertain the true state of his health (because all you and I have been hearing is hear-say which is not admissible evidence in law) you must provide the best medical brains available in our country for him. Oh yes! Nigeria has brilliant professors and medical experts who still reside within Nigeria even though previous governments have tried to kill off all our infrastructures. If you spend what has been spent on the trip to Saudi Arabia in the last 100 days on the National Hospital in Abuja or the premier teaching hospital in Nigeria, the University College Hospital Ibadan (UCH) you will be amazed on its transformation. He can be hospitalized there. Do not transform Aso Rock and the Presidential Suites into an ad-hoc infirmary. The Presidency should project vitality, robustness, vibrancy and not this dark cloud of uncertainty, or the gloomy mood of a sick nation or that of a sick President hovering over it. It has a dangerous psychological effect on government and governance and the way we are perceived by foreign dignitaries that come to the Presidential Lodge. We love our President, but he is ill. Sick people go the hospital!

© Stop this ‘Office of the first lady’ sham. Start that by redeploying all staff to other quarters where they can be productive to the country. Instruct Mrs. Yar’Adua to continue looking after her husband as a wife, (emphasis mine) whilst the medical experts continue their job. We did not vote for a first lady. It is unconstitutional, a waste of money and a charade. In our part of the world, it is a virus that must be exterminated immediately by abolishing that office. Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua can support her husband as he recovers. She can also support him in all other ways. A good wife is a praying wife, not one struggling for presidential power with you by virtue of her association with the holder of the office i.e. her husband. The same goes for State Governors wives. The position is illegal, unconstitutional and potentially damaging to the entity of our country as we have all seen now.

Mrs. Yar’Adua and your wife as well can take a cue from Mrs. Michelle Obama of the US and Mrs. Sarah Brown of the UK. They are all supportive of their husband without being disruptive. Please end this idiotic parade. The President and Governors wives can be useful without being brash, corrupt and wasting tax payers money. You start that change by leading by example. Curtail your own wife and others will follow. However, if they are interested in power and governance it is their right as enshrined in the constitution of our country . All they have to do is to go through the ballot box. The famous Margaret Thatcher of the UK, Angela Merkel, (the present German Chancellor) and other women have done so and ruled their countries. Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson is next door in Liberia, she can offer them expert opinion in how to run for the presidency in West Africa and win. Therefore capable women will be given a chance, but you must follow the due process and the rule of law.

(d) After your meeting with your service chiefs and the Commander of the Brigade of Guards, you will have known the truth as regards who tried to undermine your authority. You must now address the nation in a very brief speech not more than 10 minutes and brief us of the state of health of the President. You must also dismiss or retire (depending on how grave the treachery was) the responsible persons for that atrocious deployment of troops. You must do this live on television and name their replacements immediately. You must also make sure that there are no unusual movement of troops within the territory of Nigeria whether for training purposes or otherwise until you have consolidated your hold and the polity cools down.

Remember that you did not lobby for this post, therefore you owe less people political favours. Shuffle the cabinet, if you need to. Surround yourself with capable hands. There is no reason why you can’t call back Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi to come and reorganise our foreign policy. It is in shambles! Prof. Wole Soyinka should be speaking on behalf of Nigeria either at the UN or as your Presidential Special Envoy to the whole world. Bring back Nuhu Ribadu and Nasir El-Rufai and stop the witch-hunting. These are the kind of people that the wider world will listen to. But they will only come and serve you if you assure them of your seriousness and they know that you are truly serious. Time to get busy and send that signal to the whole world.

Fate and circumstance has thrust power on your shoulders. Now prove to us that you are man enough to lead the most populous, potentially prosperous and brilliant black nation in the world. This is the first time in a very long while that the majority of our country will rally round one man. You must remember that Nigerians are very impatient people. Move fast, swift, and decisively. Reform the electoral commission now by use of a digital biometric register to prevent fraud. Use Option A4 to ensure that people are electable by their own communities before they say they want to lead. Restructure our nation and return it to its rightful place internationally. You have been made the Commander-In-Chief for over two weeks. The only person person who can stop you is yourself. I hasten to remind you that in this instance, only ‘goodluck’ will not suffice. Now talk like a Commander, walk like a Commander, be a Commander. The whole world is watching. Or do you still need us to wish you ‘good luck’?

Kola Alapinni is an International Human Rights Lawyer and writes from Birmingham, U.K.

*Tags: Nigerians, Ya’Adua, Goodluck, Army, Military, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria To Start Automatic Billing of Aircrafts in April

By Lateef Lawal

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) said from April, all aircrafts flying within Nigeria’s airspace or over-flying it, would be tracked and automatically billed. NAMA’s Operations Executive Director, Mr. Adebisi Adedara, said that the auto billing would start in April this year, when the Total Radar Coverage of Nigerian (TRACON) project becomes fully operational.

Already, Lagos and Abuja sites are fully operational. Port Harcourt site is almost ready for deployment, while Kano site has crossed 70% completion phase. Adedara said that TRACON was aimed at providing total radar coverage for Nigeria’s airspace. He said that it would enhance civil and military surveillance of aircrafts flying into the country’s airspace as well as eliminate the use of manual billing system.

According to Adedara, the Auto Billing System (ABS) is built into TRACON and can easily capture aircraft that enters or operate within the Nigerian airspace. He said that the project awarded by the Federal Executive Council in 2003 with a completion period of 36 months was 97 per cent completed. ( Continues below….. )

The project which contract was signed between NAMA and Thales S.A of France, will be completed by the end of March. “We were able to get the Federal Government’s support and today the TRACON project is almost completed. Lagos and Abuja are running and Kano will be tested on February 23″, he said. Adedara also disclosed that NAMA had secured government approval for the purchase of Very High Frequency Radio (VHF) coverage of the airspace.

He explained that the VHF navigation aid would improve effective communication of air traffic controllers. He added that contract for the automation of Aeronautical Information System (AIS) unit had also been awarded, adding that the equipment would be manned by trained personnel. According to him, the agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigerian Navy and Air Force on the training of Air Traffic Controllers.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

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*Tags: Nigerians, NAMA, FAAN, Abuja, Lagos, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: The Survival Manual for President Jonathan

By Kola Alapinni

( *Note: Article was submitted 23/2/10, before the sudden return of ailing President Yar’Adua )

Initially this article would have been published two weeks ago titled ‘Wishing You Goodluck President Jonathan’ save for two occurrences. Firstly, events have overtaken that and secondly I lost the initial five or so paragraphs written when my computer lost power. I am trying to incorporate the elements of the lost work into this and we’ll see how it turns out.

The Ignominious Role of Aondoaaka

Well, the first shuffle of cards in the Presidency was dealt the former Attorney-General Michael Aondoakaa. It was hardly a joker or a masterpiece move, it was just a purely Machiavellian strategy. It had to be done and he had to be kept within the palace, right under the ruler’s nose. That explains why he was unceremoniously relieved of the most powerful political law job any lawyer can aspire to and put into the strait-jacket of the Special Duties Ministry. It seems the new ruler knew how much mischief Aondoaaka will cause if let to run loose outside the palace hence why he still has to report weekly for the Federal Executive Council meetings every week. At least, you give him the false impression of being a cabinet member when what you have done technically, is to place him under surveillance. The AG’s office is one of the most cherished legal jobs any citizen can aspire to hold for his country. The AG is the Chief Legal Officer of the nation, the legal mind and brains of the administration. His word is law and woe betide any government or official that disregards it.

The Iraq War Inquiry by the British government amongst other things has revealed that the Tony Blair administration and its American allies had to practically bully the former British AG Lord Goldsmith into overuling the earlier advice given to them that the invasion of Iraq would be illegal without a UN Security Council Resolution empowering it to do so. If Lord Goldsmith had maintained his position that the war would have been manifestly and undisputably illegal. The whole course of history might have been changed because it would have legitimised the British people’s position for Tony Blair not to go to war. Neither would the British have formed a coalition with American forces. Probably, Tony Blair’s legacy would have been different to what he has now as a leader who led his country into an unjustifiable war based on faulty intelligence reports . The rest is history as they say. We are where we are now.

Anyway, Aondoaaka forgot that the enormous powers wielded by the AG is subject to approval in the court of public opinion. Once an AG becomes as unpopular as he or Clement Akpamgbo was under the Ibrahim Babangida regime he is a sitting-duck (ironically the late Akpamgbo called me to the Nigerian Bar in his position then as the Chairman Body of Benchers). It is only a matter of time before one in the volley of shots hit you. The AG’s attempt to engage the Information Minister Prof. Dora Akunyili in a market woman style shout-at-me and I will also shout-at-you politics spectacularly back-fired. An AG must not engage in ‘oyingbo market’ style of politics. It will not work! Especially, not with a woman like Dora emerged to be seemingly more politically astute than the AG, not because she is more knowledgable in state matters. No, far from it. Otherwise she would not have written a memo.

History and contemporary politics teaches us that great political schemes, machinations, reconstructions et cetera are more of an unwritten nature than written. Power is brokered and consolidated in various ways and forms ranging from persuasion, blackmail, pleas, bribery, inducement, adoption, marriage and sometimes even death. The Abacha Indian girls and apple and the Abiola tea episode in Aso Rock is a pointer to the evil twists and turns in the corridors of power (I hasten to add that I am not advocating any of this). But Dora, was simply in touch with the mood of the nation that has become tired of the ‘amala and gbegiri’ politics that ultimately played out before our eyes particularly when we got enlisted as a terror nation. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Seal of The President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is the official symbol of the Nigerian President, first used in 1979 by President Shehu Shagari.

We could not fire a salvo back because there was no one at the head of affairs who had constitutional powers vested in him as the head boy. In Washington, the Americans had no one to talk to because Ojo Maduekwe had fired the Ambassador there. The replacement was refused because his son had been implicated in a criminal matter - Rape is viewed very seriously here in the West - and in Nigeria the senior prefect had simply vanished from the boarding house. Why won’t they kick some sense into our heads? Are we in the position to use our oil has a weapon of international diplomacy and politics? No, we are not. Years of rubbishing the Niger-Deltans has turned them against the unbalanced union called Nigeria. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND) and other splinter groups has ensured an economic sabotage against the polity as symbolised by the government in Abuja.

(A) We do not export the requisite amount of crude oil to warrant that the non-exportation of the product to America would result in an economic blockade. And crucially, we do need the money, since we are not producing enough. Everyday, Nigeria loses money on refining abroad or rather buying back refined petrol from the crude oil we have exported abroad.

(B) Our refineries do not work, therefore we depend on other countries to refine our petrol, kerosine, diesel et cetera which equals to: Nigeria is not independent and therefore cannot afford to call the shots. To say that we are in a prostrate position is not far from the truth since everyone now stamps on us. They only pander to our ego when they need something badly from us. As soon as they get what they want, we are cast away like orange pips.

To conclude, Dora simply knows like the majority of Nigerians that Yaradua is unlikely to return back to the Presidency and even if he does, the office has been dealt a serious blow so much that many people would not want a sick president to lead the nation. It thus confirms the rumours that this man had been ill all along when suspicions arose at the beginning of his tenure. His response on the BBC was to challenge anyone who said he is ill to a game of squash to prove his fitness. If I were in the court, I would hereby say: My Lord, I rest my case.

Electoral Reform and A Digital Biometric Voters Register

There is a saying which says that ‘A fish starts rottening from the head’. The Niger-Delta crisis, lack of petrol, lack of security, power, lack of good roads and amenities all boils down to leadership or the lack of it. Nigeria since perhaps the late Murtala Mohammed or say to a lesser extent the Buhari/Idiagbon regime has lacked a credible leader, a proper statesman who would lead us and restore our dignity as a people and a nation. Fifty years after independence, more times than not we still fill the mould of what Obafemi Awolowo termed Nigeria: ‘a mere geographic expression’. How can we have our fellow countrymen and women performing and achieving outside Nigeria and the country is rubbish? Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Managing Director at the World Bank, Oby Ezekwesili is VP for Africa at the same institution, Bayo Ogunlesi heads Global Infrastructure Partners, they just bought London Gatwick Airport a few months ago. And many others too numerous to mention are exceling in various fields in the developed world.

Yet, Nigeria doesn’t have light, water and security. But we can send troops abroad to bring peace to other countries and serve with distinction. When apartheid fell in Namibia and Sam Nujoma became the President, the Nigerian Police Force re-trained the Namibian Police from scratch they also won accolades. That would have been the first time Namibians would have first seen black policemen en masse. That was how bad the racial discrimination was. These same Nigerian Police men of the N20 fame training another country’s police and security infrastructure with distinction. Yet we are under siege from armed robbers and hired assasins at home. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria Acting President

Let us presume that our absentee President is not going to be fit for purpose after this Saudi trip and I do not think he will because the handwriting is on the wall. The game is over. Therefore, it logically follows that the Acting President would be foolish not to secure and consolidate his position. Secondly, even if he is not going to run for the Presidency next year- I doubt he wouldn’t anyway - he needs to swiftly put a structure in place that would ensure his relevance forever in the polity called Nigeria. So which way out? There has only been one election in Nigeria that could be said to be the free, fair and widely accepted one before Babangida, the ultimate student of Machiavellian manipulations scuttled it. That was the 12 June 1993 elections and the system that produced it was the Option A4 system. The only reason which the ruling class have refused to use it again was the irrefutable power of choice it gave to the masses. The Godfathers of Nigerian politics and the tiny cabal of greedy, twisted-minds that feed fat on the endless supply of ill gotten wealth flowing from the fountain of government in Nigeria would never want an independent electorate. The lure of the easy, cheap no-questions-asked, no-anwers-given supply of money in the political structure and government of Nigeria is our bane. If Jonathan can solve this, he would be catapulted to a statesman as great as Nelson Mandela.

Reforming the electoral process goes to the very root of how we will elect a credible leader. A leader who we choose of our own volition knows he is accountable to us and not to a Godfather who has facilitated trailer loads of rice, salt, cooking oil and N1,000 notes on the eve of the elections to induce votes for his candidate the next day. Are we now surprised when the political Godfather wants to be the one appointing the Commissioner for Finance in the state, appoint the AG, appoint the Commissioner for Works and Housing, appoint the Secretary to the State Government and even appoint the Deputy Governor? He is only trying to recoup his investment.

As a matter of urgency, the Acting President must quickly ensure that the Electoral Commission not only goes digital, it must also go biometric. It does not cost much in finance, it only needs will power and sincerity. How will this work? A mechanism would be put in place ensuring that all voters are registered simultaneously and electronically nationwide. During this registration process, the voters would be registered electronically and biometrically through battery powered devices (where there is no electricity). This will all be linked to a central supercomputer. No person can register under the same identity twice, nor can anyone once register under two identities because there would be a clash of identities. Shikena! Problem solved. This is how the British authorities have resolved the issue of persons using bogus identities to apply for visas. The result for Nigeria would be that there would be no ghost voters, no stealing of ballot boxes and no need for endless printing of voting papers which would also translate into environmental friendliness. One man would equal one vote. One vote equals credible voter power. Voter power equals credible change and accountability to the electorate.

This signals bye-bye to Godfatherism, vote rigging and other manipulations at the voting booth. No need for even party agents anymore. Then it logically follows that we are able to vote for the right man and he would know that he is not indispensable or invincible. He will simply not be re-elected. Then the voted also knows that when the voter threatens not to vote for him at the next election because he has underperformed, he takes this seriously and he can sit up. The elected will know that he cannot subvert the public will by buying his way. Only then can we start having credible change from the neglected in the Niger-Delta to the unemployed ‘agbero’ in the various motor parks. From the disgruntled and disillusioned civil servant to the angry university youth who has lost faith in his country. From the armed forces to the Fulani cattle rearer, credible and merited change would cool the polity.

If the President needs help in this regards, all he needs do is ask. This particular help is available without much fuss. To the contrary, if there is no hope of clearing this mess once and for all even goodluck is not enough for President Jonathan, he simply will not survive the evil machinations of those who continue to suck our blood dry. A word is enough for the wise.

Kola Alapinni is an International Human Rights Lawyer and writes from Birmingham, U.K.

*Tags: Nigerians, Ya’Adua, Army, Military, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: FAAN Revenue Collection Concession Controversies

[ FAAN Demand N293 million Refund from Maevis ]

By Lateef Lawal

The raging controversies over the concessioning agreement on revenue collection between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) and Maevis Nigeria Limited is getting murkier on a daily basis, since the beginning of this month when the media reported the later as complaining about some stumbling blocks within FAAN. The Commercial Department of FAAN was accused of giving waivers to some concessionaires running into several billion naira, against the terms of agreement on revenue/debt collection.

Labour unions in the industry, especially Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria(ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees(NUATE) and Nigeria Union of Pensioners(NUP) are crying foul over the issue and have given both FAAN and Maevis February 28, 2010 ultimatum to present facts before they decide the next line of action.

At a close door meeting with FAAN management, leaders of the unions told FAAN that though they have not all along being supportive of the concession of major revenue points to contractors, there were grey areas they discovered in the agreement entered with Maevis. The union leaders said such areas included the omission of penalty in case of default by either party, especially when revenue expected to be remitted to FAAN are not forthcoming when due. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: FAAN logo On A Nigerian Map in Nigerian Flag Colours

Investigations revealed that at the height of buck passing, a meeting was held between FAAN and Maevis representatives on February 10, 2010. The meeting summoned at FAAN Board Room by FAAN Board of Directors, was in respect of the controversies generated over the agreement between FAAN and Maevis on October 31, 2007.

At the said meeting, FAAN pointed out the urgent need to review the agreement due to lots of inconsistencies in it, especially the “Definition Clause” and the clause regarding “Management Fee and Enhancement Fee". FAAN demanded from Maevis, a refund of N293,124,645.44 paid in error as enhancement fee. They said the error emanated from misinterpretation of the clauses in question. ( Continues below….. )

In addition, it was learnt Maevis was requested to refund the 10 per cent statutory deduction due to Nigerian Meteorological Agency(NIMET) for landing, which is obviously not part of the revenue of FAAN. Other questionable areas raised by FAAN during the meeting include:

*The training of FAAN staff as earlier agreed to acquaint them with the workings of the technology deployed by Maevis which has not materialized two years after the signing of the agreement.

*The Payment Platform.

*The need to have a performance based revenue enhancement fee and the need to have a service agreement that is measurable and other issues surrounding the Concession.

At the meeting and in response to the issues raised by FAAN, it was gathered that Maevis noted that the agreement provided a leeway for amendment and that the company was not against amendments where, it is absolutely necessary.

The National President of ATSSSAN, Comrade Ben Okewu and the Secretary General of NUATE, Comrade Simeon Ogbuji while reacting to the latest development and the outcome of the meeting held with FAAN, said they stood by the February, 28 ultimatum given to both parties. They said they would never tolerate a situation where revenue due to FAAN are not collected, short-changed or diverted in whatever guise. They argued such would eventually affect prompt payment of workers salaries and execution of developmental projects.

In an interview, Maevis Managing Director said his company had performed better than when FAAN staff were in charge of revenue collection. He said that where FAAN workers used to collect N6 billion, his company within a year raised bills for N16 billion and had been able to collect and remit N14 billion into FAAN account.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

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*Tags: Nigerians, FAAN, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Africa, Masterweb

*Robbers Responsible For Truck-Crushing of Many Nigerians

[ Nigeria Highway Robbery & Gruesome Massacre -Updated ]

By Masterweb News Desk

On February 25, Masterweb News Desk reported a posting on CNN iReport by an author with username “flexxybee", where he reported an attack on a Nigerian luxury bus by armed robbers. Flexxybee in the posting alleged the robbers ordered passengers who could not give them money to lie down and at gun point ordered the driver of the bus to run over them. Flexxybee’s posting is reproduced below.

“Horror along lagos- benin expressway!!! Man’s inhumanity to man. A bus was ambushed by armed robbers, the passengers were robbed and raped, those that had nothing to give were asked to lie down on the road face down and the driver olln gun point was commanded by the robbers to drive the bus over them!!!! Will send pics as proof!!!! We need to really pray for ourselves n our loved ones Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Zain Nigeria But why?” -flexxybee. Here is the link (URL) to the posting:- http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-412690

THE TRUTH

In our publication of February 25 on the incident, we sought any helpful information from our readers and the general public in ascertaining the truth as reported on CNN iReport. This led to several mails and phone calls to our news team, all confirming the crushing to death of the victims, but with different versions on how they were killed. The most reliable information came from a reader who only identified himself as “Oudeaf". The reader directed us to two duplicate local publications on the incident. The original news published August 2, 2009 was by Sunday Tribune and the republication by OnlineNigeria website. The crushing of people was by a speeding trailer that failed to stop either to elude the robbers or did not see on time, people lying on the ground as ordered by the robbers. Tribune and OnlineNigeria publications were made without photographs and under titles that did not reflect the true gruesome nature of the incident. This seemed the reason why they did not draw the attention of the public, until our publication which drew over 1000,000 views and 970 comments at the time of this report.

Sunday Tribune article titled “Robbers kill 20 on Sagamu/Benin Road- Trailer crushes 16 to death in Lagos, - As 11 CAC members escape death” and reproduced by OnlineNigeria under a streamlined title “Robbers kill 20 on Sagamu/Benin Road ” is reproduced below.

Robbers kill 20 on Sagamu/Benin Road - Sunday Tribune, 2/8/09.

No fewer than 20 passengers travel ling on the Sagamu-Ore- Benin Expressway lost their lives when a truck crushed them to death during a robbery operation.

The incident which happened in the early hours of Saturday, involved a luxury bus with registration number Edo XF 285 AKD and a truck with number plate Edo XN 808 BEN. Sunday Tribune gathered that another accident that claimed two lives also occurred on Friday night around 10.45 pm, along Ijebu-Ode- Ore end of the expressway.

This accident was reported to have involved a white Toyota Hiace, marked Edo XQ 201 EKY and a blue Bedford lorry marked XA 565 WER.

The fatal accident was said to have happened around Babcock University, Ilisan junction and Odogbolu areas of the highway.

ST learnt that the luxury bus which was on a night journey to the Eastern part of the country, unfortunately, ran into a gang of armed robbers operating on the expressway.

The robbers were reported to have blocked the highway with a huge log of wood and ordered the passengers to disembark from the bus.

The innocent passengers it was learnt, were ordered to lie down on the highway before a trailer said to be on top speed ran over the robbery victims and killed all of them.

Confirming the incident, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC), Ogun State, Mr. Olu-Mike Olagunju, said that he could not ascertain the cause of the accident as at the time of filing this report.

He said that 13 men and seven women lost their lives immediately while two men were reported to have been seriously injured.

He said,” This incident is unfortunate. What we observed is that there was no dent on the luxury bus, which indicated that the vehicles did not run to each other. The most likely cause of the accident could be because of the activities of armed robbers.

“We have said it over and over again that people should avoid night journeys. If people do not travel at nights, there is hardly a way that kind of accident would not be avoided. At least the truck would have seen people lying on the road while the motorists would have even known that robbers were operating on the road.”

Meanwhile, 16 people were also crushed to death at Ikotun Lagos by a trailer, which was descending a slope near synagogue church on Saturday evening, and victims were mainly roadside trailers.

The tragedy was caused by brake failure and many were trapped.

Sympathisers wailed as rescuers retrieved the wounded, who were still gasping for breath. Mutilated bodies, including that of children littered the area.

Meanwhile A man, rushed to a private hospital in Shagamu, Ogun State after being critically wounded in an accident when his brand new Toyota car rammed into a stationary truck on Saturday, at Kilometer 79, Lagos – Ibadan Road, may owe his life to his seat belt.

The accident, involving a Toyota car marked Lagos RA 316 AAA which occurred at about 7.00 am according to eye witnesses, incidentally took place just a few minutes before a 14- seater Toyota commuter bus marked XP 409 GGE chartered by the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Aanu, Apapa in Lagos State for an engagement in Ogun State was also involved in another accident near same spot, sending all occupants to another hospital.

While eye witnesses could not ascertain why the car driver failed to sight the stationary truck, they however agreed on the fact that the man must thank his God for his seat belt, in addition to the timely assistance of two towing vehicle operators, who, in the absence of any policeman came to his rescue, and took him to Owokoniran Hospital, in Shagamu.

One of the towing vehicle operators told the Sunday Tribune that having discovered that the man from all indications would survive the accident if timely assisted, said they felt compelled to offer the little assistance they could by salvaging him from his wrecked car, and spiriting him away to the hospital.

Here is the link to OnlineNigeria republication:- http://news.onlinenigeria.com/templates/?a=6728

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Photo Above: Helpless Nigerians run over by a trailer after they lay down on the ground on the orders of armed robbers.

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*Tags: Nigerians, Crime, Armed, Robbers, Africa, Masterweb

*Yar’Adua ‘Aso Rocks’ Back Home

By Masterweb News Desk

Ailing Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua reportedly, was secretly flown back to Nigeria early this morning at 1.46 am, under the cover of darkness. Yar’Adua had being in Saudi Arabia since November 23, 2009, were he had been receiving medical treatment. According to our sources, a plane from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia landed at 1.46 am at the presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, with another jet landing minutes later. Yar’Adua was flown on the first plane, reportedly a Saudi air ambulance. A presidency source speaking to Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity said: “He just landed at Abuja airport on a Saudi plane escorted by the presidential plane. He is on his way to the presidential villa now.” The planes according to reports left Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, minutes apart, with the first leaving at 8.22 pm Nigerian time.

Heavily armed soldiers from Brigade of Guards, were deployed on the route between the airport and presidential villa (Aso Rock). Soldiers according to sources were ordered for security reasons, to leave their phones behind. Airport staff were ordered out of the presidential wing by soldiers who took over the area. Power supply to the airport was switched to generator for more reliability at 1.15 am, thirty one minutes before the arrival of the first plane. On landing, both planes remained on the runway for a long period of time before an ambulance and a bus parked not too far from the planes drove to where they were. The transfer of Yar’Adua to the ambulance could not be seen due to darkness of the runway. The ambulance apparently carrying Yar’Adua left the runway at 3.00 am, while a convoy of about eight cars drove towards the planes. Both the cars and the bus(still by the planes) left the runway about five minutes after the departure of the ambulance. All vehicles, in total numbering about 18, headed for the presidential villa. The presidential jet and the ‘Saudi air ambulance’ at 3.25 am, minutes apart, taxied to park. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: President Umaru Yar’Adua of Nigeria.

Important dignitaries at the airport to receive Yar’Adua included governors of Kaduna, Bauchi and Katsina. He returned in company of his wife, Chief Security Officer and Aide-de-Camp. It is unclear whether Yar’Adua would be fit enough to resume presidential duties. It is expected he would continue his sick leave at the presidential villa, while Goodluck Jonathan (formerly Vice president) continues as acting president. The chances of early elections in November this year remain high. This means that party primaries would be held between May and June. All things being equal as calculated, PDP, the ruling party would have produced by July, a presidential flag bearer for the elections. A northerner is expected to emerge the winner, as PDP zoned the presidency to the north till 2015. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Seal of The President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is the official symbol of the Nigerian President, first used in 1979 by President Shehu Shagari.

Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, was granted full powers as Acting President by the National Assembly earlier this month. The move filled the power vacuum created by Yar’Adua’s prolonged absence that put the country on the brink. Several lawsuits challenging the manner of the emergence of Jonathan as acting president, have been filed and await hearing. Some of the lawsuits pled the court to determine whether the Senate or House of Representatives could by a resolution, empower Jonathan to act as Acting President. Other lawsuits pray the court to declare as unconstitutional, National Assembly’s declaration of Jonathan as Acting President.

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) commended with caution, National Assembly’s intervention and action on the political logjam from Ya’Adua’s prolonged absence by making Jonathan Acting President. In a communiqué issued at the end of its two day National Executive Council meeting, NBA said the National Assembly’s resolution would only temporarily resolve the leadership crisis that the long absence of Yar’Adua created in the country. The communiqué further stated, NBA would refrain from making further commentaries about the matter until it was resolved at the appellate court.

Ya’Adua’s sudden return came as a surprise to Nigerians, as a six-man ministerial team set up by the Executive Council of the Federation (EXCOF) had only left yesterday to Saudi Arabia to assess his health status. The ministerial team flew directly to Riyadh, the Saudi capital, where they met a representative of the King and expressed appreciation for the hospitality of the Kingdom to the ailing Nigerian leader. Ya’Adua without notice, left for his journey back to Nigeria before the ministerial team could get to Jeddah where he was, a one and half hour flight from Riyadh.

*CLICK LINK BELOW TO READ OUR ARTICLE OF 15/1/10 TITLED “‘Nigerian Army Watches’ As Yar’Adua ‘Aso Rocking’ Back ”

http://nigeriamasterweb.com/blog/index.php/2010/01/15/nigerian_army_watches_as_yar_adua_aso_ro

*Tags: Nigerians, Ya’Adua, Army, Military, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Lufthansa Plans Against Pilots Strike

[ Lufthansa Plans Special Flight Schedule - Cancels Today’s Flight Into Lagos ]

By Lateef Lawal

The management of Lufthansa has taken a pre-emptive measure to ensure that the strike planned by its pilots to begin anytime this week does not totally disrupt its flights in and out of Nigeria. As a result, corresponding adjustments are being made to its flight schedule.

From Monday(today) to Thursday, February 22- 25, about two thirds of the affected Lufthansa operated flights will be cancelled, however Lufthansa regional partners such as Lufthansa CityLine will operate their flights according to schedule.

The daily Abuja flight with continuation to Port Harcourt (four times a week) is going to operate normally. However, the Lagos flight, according to the special flight schedule, is being cancelled on Monday 22 February(today), and Thursday, 25 February.

The special flight schedule for the period of the strike can now be accessed at www.lufthansa.com. It lists all flights which should be operating according to the current planning. Depending upon the actual operating conditions during the days of the strike, further changes could be made to the special flight schedule. ( Continues below….. )

Customers who have purchased a Lufthansa ticket for a flight which is operated by a partner airline (codeshare) will not find the LH flight number known to them in the special flight schedule. Since the partner airlines of Lufthansa are not affected by the strike, their flights will operate as planned.

According to a press release by Lufthansa, the airline said it was doing everything within its power to reach its customers as soon as possible and offer them alternative travel options.

Passengers already booked on a Lufthansa flight during the period from February 22 to 25 can rebook once free of charge on another Lufthansa flight, if they wish to change their travel plans – provided their ticket was issued before February 18, the new travel date is before May 31, 2010 and their arrival and departure destinations remain the same.

Should a flight be cancelled, and the purpose of the journey no longer applies, passengers can cancel their booking free of charge.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

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*Tags: Nigerians, FAAN, Abuja, Lagos, Africa, Masterweb

*Yar’Adua, Nigeria And The Culture Of Silence

By Kali Gwegwe

Human Silence is very deep, pregnant, and multi-faced. Its underlying spirit is influenced mostly by shock, regret, anger, disappointment, shame, pain, law, or desire for peace. The abnormal tight-lip posture demonstrated by President Musa Yar’Adua on the heels of the political tsunami that arose following his hospitalisation at the King Faisal Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia has helped to shed more light on the culture of silence and the collateral effects on a democratic society.

Events in the last two months has made it safe for this writer to suggest that the president’s unexpected silence has something to do with both his personal and forged perception of those people calling on him to activate section 145 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. As a kid, I was told that silence is the best food given to fools. As a matter of fact, Nigerians have been fed with enough bowls of silence about the health condition of their president. I remember vividly how one of my elder brothers nearly injured me for maintaining sealed lips when he sought information about his dinner. In my brother’s blunt opinion, I had called him a fool. By deliberately refusing to write to formally inform the National Assembly of his prolonged absence from office due to ill-health, many Nigerians believe that the president has squandered the goodwill they extended to him. They see themselves as being perceived as fools. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Nigeria’s Ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua at a Muslim prayer session in Abuja on September 29, 2009.

One other important reason for keeping silence is when one is in the premises of a sitting law court. As far as I know, King Faisal Hospital is not a law court and President Yar’Adua could therefore not be undergoing trial there. Like many others, I feel deeply touched by what the president is passing through at this time of his life. This is one strong reason why he still enjoys some amount of sympathy from Nigerians. Nevertheless, the presidency is like a tap root in a presidential democracy. A vacuum or disconnect in Aso Rock would portend danger for our nascent democracy.

Most of the seemingly anti-Yar’Adua campaigns are sincerely aimed at safe- guarding our budding democracy. Frankly, Yar’Adua’s immediate family and close aides did not manage the health issue properly. They painfully forgot that presidents and prime ministers all over the world hardly enjoy privacy. A president is more of a public property. The pro-Yar’Adua army must therefore appreciate this fact and stop seeing those who openly discuss Yar’Adua’s health as being inhuman. More than that, it is not yet a crime to fall sick. Nobody should therefore be ashamed of taking ill. Family members and close aides of Yar’Adua have painted the picture that it is a taboo for the president to fall sick. That was the reason why everything concerning his health condition has been wrapped in deep secrecy. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria Acting President

It is very difficult to explain why of the four official delegations that went to Saudi Arabia to see the president, none was allowed access. Despite this fact, more delegations are being packaged. The latest being that of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Why are we joining in celebrating a culture of silence? It is undemocratic. Due Process, Rule of Law, Transparency, Accountability do survive in societies that revere the culture of silence. Little wonder why there is so much corruption and mal-administration in the polity.

The president’s recent BBC interview opened another big chapter on the crude culture of silence. While many doubted the authenticity of the voice in the said interview, I dismissed it as Bibicitocracy- a sophisticated form of silence made to deceive listeners. As far as Nigerians are concerned, President Yar’Adua has not yet spoken. And he really needs to talk to Nigerians. For now, it is only the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) that can protect Nigerians from the artilleries of lies and deceit launched against them by the apostles and zealots of the culture of silence.

On recently, the federal government raised an alarm that some persons are engaging in campaigns of calumny against Acting President Goodluck Jonathan. The aim of the campaign is clear: To derail the acting president. The amount of success to be achieved by Jonathan would be dependent on how he is able to manage the powerful band of unpatriotic elements that have continued to hold this nation hostage in order to protect their parochial interests. Enough is enough!

Kali Gwegwe writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and can be reached at kali.gwegwe@nigerianfootballpost.com ( 0806 407 4810 )

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*Tags: Nigerians, Yar’Adua, Africans, Goodluck, Jonathan, Political, Politics, Leadership, Masterweb

*Boeing to Test-Fly B747-8F Serie in Nigeria

By Lateef Lawal

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has partnered with Boeing, a major aircraft producing company to test-fly its latest product, the 747-800 series in Nigeria. The Boeing representative, Mr. Jerry Robinson, who met with the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, in Lagos said, “it’s the latest evolutionary variant of the Boeing 747 product from our factory in Seattle, USA”.

Robinson said that Boeing was willing to partner with FAAN towards developing the aviation industry, adding “Boeing is looking for airports that has facilities to test-fly the airplane”. He noted that the standard of facilities at both the Murtala Muhammed International Airport(MMIA), Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport(NAIA), Abuja met the requirements for the operation of the aircraft. Robinson continued that the runway and taxiway at both airports were adequate for the operation of the new 747-800 series.

Mr. Aisuebeogun expressed his delight at working with Boeing as a partner, and noted that FAAN and Boeing had common denominator, which was the desire to foster safety both in the air and on the ground. Boeing according to him, was sourcing for airports that has the capability to accommodate all the needs of the new airplane, which is 250 feet, 2 inches long, a difference of 18 feet, 4 inches longer than the 747-400 freighters. ( Continues below….. )

Nigeria is one of the few countries in Africa to be targeted for the test flight, because a lot of airlines targeted by Boeing ply the route. The technical committee set up by FAAN and NCAA, have already confirmed that the two airports, MMIA and NAIA, has the capacity to accommodate the airplane.

The Boeing 747-8 Freighter successfully took to the sky for the first time Monday, 8 February, 2010. With 747 Chief Pilot Mark Feuerstein and Capt. Tom Imrich in the flight deck, the newest member of the 747 family took off at 12:39 p.m. local time from Paine Field in Everett and landed at Paine Field at 4:18 p.m. According to Feuerstein: “It was a real privilege to be at the controls of this great airplane on its first flight, representing the thousands of folks who made today possible. The airplane performed as expected and handled just like a 747-400.”

This flight was the first of more than 1,600 flight hours in the test program for the newest member of the Boeing freighter family. The airplane followed a route over Western Washington, where it underwent tests for basic handling qualities and engine performance. The airplane reached a cruising altitude of 17,000 feet (5,181 m) and speed of up to 230 knots, about 264 miles (426 km) per hour. ( Continues below….. )

Powered by four General Electric GEnx-2B engines, the 747-8 Freighter will transition its testing program to Moses Lake, Washington, and Palmdale, California, where the other two test airplanes will join it in the coming month. 747-8 Freighter is the new, high-capacity 747 that will give cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any freighter.

The airplane 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long, is 18 feet, 4 inches (5.6 m) longer than the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides customers with 16 percent more cargo volume compared with its predecessor. This translates to an additional four main-deck pallets and three lower-hold pallets.

Boeing launched the airplane on 14 November, 2005 with firm orders for eighteen 747-8 Freighters: 10 from Cargolux of Luxembourg and eight from Nippon Cargo Airlines of Japan. All told, Boeing has secured 108 orders for the 747-8, of which 76 are orders for the new freighter.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

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*Tags: Nigerians, FAAN, Abuja, Lagos, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Bridging The Gaps in Niger Delta

By Ifeatu Agbu

It was just 9.30 am. Ogaga Akpomena, a commercial vehicle driver, has just arrived Warri motor station from Port Harcourt. Sharing a bottle of “ogogoro” with his friends, he was full of joy as the “agboros”[touts] strutted up and down the vicinity of the garage to entice passengers to his bus for a return journey to the Rivers State capital. To Ogaga, driving from Port Harcourt to Warri in less than three hours was worthy of celebration. The reason, according to him, is that until recently, he was spending between four and six hours on the same road because it was ridden with pot-holes. He said: “I thank Setraco, the contractor handling the dual carriageway for the work they are doing. More importantly, I thank the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for repairing most of the bad and dangerous spots, which were responsible for several accidents and armed robberies on the road.”

Thanking God for the improved condition of the Port Harcourt-Warri road is of special significance to Johnson Umeh. About one year ago, he lost his three-month old Toyota Corolla to the deep gullies between Mbiama and Kaiama. He narrowly escaped with his life. For this reason, he avoided the road like a plague for some time. So, he was pleasantly surprised when circumstances forced him to use the road recently. “I was impressed by the tremendous improvement on the road. I saw the signboards of the NDDC on several repaired spots, which I think is a commendable effort. Although a lot still needs to be done, the risk of plying the East/West Road is now drastically reduced.”

The NDDC, has taken up the challenge and is currently undertaking emergency rehabilitation and remedial works on the East/West Road, the main artery across the region. The commission’s rehabilitation works are quite evident in the hitherto very bad sections between Ahoada and Mbiama, Mbiama- Kaima, Kaima-Patani, Patani-Ughelli and Ughelli-Warri. Many of them have been repaired while work is ongoing in others. Similarly, remedial works have been done on other roads in the region. They include, Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Uyo Road in Akwa Ibom, as well as the Itu-Calabar highway in Cross River. The commission is also rehabilitating the Yenogoa-Kolo-Creek-Imiringi-Otueke Road, in Bayelsa state, among others. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Map of Nigeria’s Niger Delta Region showing Port Harcourt

Mr. Lucky Akorodudu, a commuter who said he uses the East/West Road regularly, was full of praises for the NDDC and Setraco for “coming to the rescue of travelers.” According to him, a few weeks ago, the road between Agbaro and Ughelli was virtually impassable. “The road was so bad that some motorists coming from Warri usually diverted to Out-Jeremi/Olumu bridge to Ughelli, which is about double the usual distance.”

The role of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in the face of the deplorable condition of the roads was called to question. Okorodudu, wanted to know if they are sleeping. Perhaps, their lethargy could be explained by the fact that they are supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works, which is often caught in the web of bureaucracy. Fortunately, the NDDC does not suffer from such encumbrances. In fact, in the last couple of years, it has now become a tradition for the commission to come to the rescue of road users in the Niger Delta whenever the roads are crumbling.

In 2008, the entire stretch of the Federal highway between Warri and Port Harcourt virtually collapsed and was impassable. Travelers were spending over 10 hours on a journey that should normally take less than three hours. Promptly, the NDDC waded in. Within a few weeks, it carried out the necessary repairs. It took similar actions on the notorious Ore-Benin Road some years back to alleviate the suffering of commuters, who were not just sleeping on the road but were also susceptible to attacks by robbers and rapists.

Mr. Benson Uwaifo, a driver with one of the transport companies that regularly plies the Port Harcourt-Warri-Benin route, said that if not for the involvement of the NDDC, they would have long abandoned the road. “We suffer a lot on the pothole-ridden road, which takes a heavy toll on human lives and vehicles. But thanks to the intervention of the NDDC,” he said.

As for Asoquo Coco Bassey, a Port Harcourt-based journalist, who frequently visits Calabar through the Itu-Calabar highway, the NDDC has once again made travelling on the road pleasurable and stress-free. “The NDDC has saved us from the nightmare that we used to go through on this road. In fact, motorists using this road are very happy with the commission. It used to take travellers about six hours to commute from Port Harcourt to Calabar, a journey that should normally take about three hours.” ( Continues below….. )

Even as the NDDC provides the palliatives as an interim measure, it has continued to push for a comprehensive transformation of the Niger Delta. Towards the end of last year, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N179.13 billion for the execution of 44 projects by the commission.

Ridding on this, the Board of the NDDC rose from its first meeting this year with an order to contractors handling the newly awarded mega projects of the commission to mobilize to their sites immediately. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Mr. Chibuzor Ugwoha, said that since most of the contractors had been paid mobilisation fees, there was no justification for them to be pussy-footing on the projects. He warned that the commission would no longer tolerate further delays from the contractors, more so when the rains are about to set in.

As part of its mandate to fast-track the development of the Niger delta, the commission has given due attention to the task of opening virgin forests to link up communities that were otherwise cut off by rivers, creeks and swamps. In this category, the 18-kilometre Odi-Trofani Road in Kolokuma-Opokuma council of Bayelsa state stands out. The first day that the NDDC automobiles rolled into Trofani, the people, particularly the children, were overwhelmed with joy. “Moto bodo! Moto bodo!” (Motor has come! Motor has come!), they rejoiced. Priye Adokeme, who hails from the town said: “Before this road was constructed, none of us could come home with our cars. That was very painful. Now Trofani’s sons and daughters can drive home in their vehicles and that has changed the socio-economic life of our people.”

Elder Godsday Orubebe, the Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, said he was impressed by the performance of the NDDC, in tackling people-oriented projects. Orubebe said that it was important for him to be at the commissioning of phase one of the Bomadi-Tuomo Road and the flag-off of the second phase of the Bomadi-Tuomo-Tamigbe Road because it is one of the key arteries that would link up the Ijaws in Delta, Bayelsa and Edo states.

“What the NDDC has done with the completion of the Bomadi-Tuomo Road phase one and the flag-off of the second phase that will connect Tuomo with Tamigbe is typical of what the Federal Government desires for the Niger Delta Region, no matter how difficult the terrain is,” He called on other stakeholders not to abandon the task of developing the region entirely to the NDDC, stressing that with partnership and collaboration, development would be comprehensive.

Chief Edwin Clark, a highly respected Ijaw leader, told the gathering that the NDDC has by this landmark corrected the impression that what the Ijaws desire is only river and water transportation.” I am glad this is happening in my lifetime, the world can see that roads are possible in the most difficult terrain of the Niger Delta Region.”

In Rivers State, the commission came to the rescue of the people of Omuma Local Government Area who were for long separated from their brothers in the neighbouring Etche Local Government Area by a river. The 12-kilometer Okehi-Eberi-Omuma Road with a 120-metre bridge, constructed by the NDDC did the magic. The community Development Committee Chairman, Mr. Ernest Nwosu captured the mood of the people thus: “We have gone through pains and difficult moments because of access road. Previously, the villagers taxed themselves to raise funds for the road project, but this did not succeed. Now, here we are with a fantastic road and bridge. Our people are full of gratitude for what the NDDC has done for them.”

Two brotherly Ohuhu communities in Imo and Abia states share a similar story. The Ekeoba-Umudibia Road links the two next-door neighbours in Abia and Imo states for the first time in history. Before this, the Imo River divided them. Nneoma Uwadirioha, whose farm is on the banks of the river, said that there was celebration in both communities the day the road/ bridge was commissioned. Seventy-year-old Ichie Friday Okeke said that, before the road, “we used wooden canoe to paddle across the Imo River and trek to Eke Ikpa and other places to interact with our kith and kin. Others used canoes to reach their farm lands across the river.”

In Akwa Ibom State, relief would soon come for the Ibeno people, who are waiting for the completion of Iko-Atabrikong-Ikot-Ewang-Okoroutip-Iwuuo Achang road, the first link road in the area. It connects more than 20 villages.Elder Sunday Benson-Akpan, who is already using his pick-up van on the finished part said: “I’m very happy. We are enjoying the road built by the NDDC. It is helping us to move our farm produce to Uyo and Eket".

The head of Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Dr. Christy Atako said that so far, the commission has undertaken about 4,000 kilometres of road projects in its determined efforts to open up the rural areas of the oil-rich region.

Mr. Ifeatu Agbu ( ifeatuagbu@yahoo.com ) writes from Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

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*Tags: Nigerians, Niger Delta, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Jobs, Africa, Masterweb

*Niger President Toppled, Whisked Away

By Masterweb News Desk

Renegade soldiers in armored vehicles yesterday stormed Niger’s presidential palace seizing President Mamadou Tandja and his ministers after fierce gun battle. Tandja was holding a Cabinet meeting at the time of the palace attack. Tandja and the ministers are reportedly being detained at an unknown location. Their whereabouts still remained unknown at the time of this report. The mutinous troops reportedly came from a military barrack in Tondibia, about 7 miles west of Niamey, the state capital. According to Moussa Mounkaila, a presidential driver who witnessed the attack: “Armored vehicles came into the palace and began shooting at the building.” Mounkaila said he saw smoke rising from the damaged palace and jumped over a wall and fled.

The coup leader and spokesman for the junta, Major Adamou Harouna surrounded by a large number of soldiers, announced over state TV that they had staged a successful coup. He announced the suspension of the country’s constitution and dissolution of all state institutions. He said the country was to be led by the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy(CSRD). Harouna called on the people of Niger to “remain calm and stay united around the ideals postulated by the CSRD", to “make Niger an example of democracy and good governance.” “We call on national and international opinions to support us in our patriotic action to save Niger and its population from poverty, deception and corruption,” Harouna added. Col. Adamou Harouna, was former aide-de-camp of Niger’s previous coup leader Major Daouda Mallam Wanke. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: President Mamadou Tandja of Niger

Major Wanke led the 1999 coup, seizing power after Niger’s former military leader was gunned down in what the army dubbed “accidental discharge.” Wanke organized free and fair elections less than a year later, which brought Tandja to power.

Niger’s borders were reported closed with the imposition of dusk-to-dawn curfew in the capital Niamey. An Air France flight that was scheduled to land in Niamey on Thursday, was rerouted to neighboring Burkina Faso. A private plane of Senegalese foreign minister, dispatched by Senegal’s President Abdoulaye Wade met the same faith as it was prevented from landing in Niamey. The situation in Niamey remains tense, but sources say the borders were reopened today. The bodies of three soldiers, casualties from the palace attack, have been deposited at a military mortuary. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Map of Niger

Tandja became president in 1999 after winning what many described as free and fair election. He manipulated the constitution removing term limits that allowed him to hang onto power pass his full term. The amendment also gave him near-totalitarian powers.

Niger became tense and isolated after Tandja’s manipulations. The 15-nation regional bloc of West African states (ECOWAS) suspended Niger from its ranks. The United States suspended non-humanitarian aid to Niger, imposing travel restrictions on some government officials.

*Tags: Nigerians, Niger, Coup, Army, Military, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Corruption and Recruitment of the Unemployed

By Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee

The issue of corruption and its twin brother bribery, has continued to protrude their monsteric heads in all spheres of life, most importantly in the area of employment. To begin with, it is the aspiration of parents of university, polytechnic, etc. graduates that their wards get a well paid and decent job after the completion of their National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) program. Regrettably, the wish, hope and expectations of many parents and their wards are more often than not dashed, no thanks to the corruption infested leadership of this country.

This writer was shocked to the bone marrow when he witnessed colossal turnout of applicants, who came to undertake Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) job interview at the state capital of Imo state, Owerri last year December. I was surprised because I thought not too many will be interested to work as an officer of (NSCDC). The level I placed a paramilitary organization known as Man O’ War was also the same position I regarded the Nigeria Security and Civil Denfence Corps to be. I bothered myself with the question: why are people so much interested in NSCDC job? ( Continues below….. )

First, unemployment has now reached an alarming stage that one can apply for vacancies hitherto overlooked by many in the past. Second, majority of applicants want a Federal Government job that will ensure that they get paid (pension) after their retirement.

While over thirty-seven thousand applicants applied for just less than four thousand job vacancies in the NSCDC, the question is; how will the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps provide five thousand jobs assuming they (5,000 applicants) were successful in their job interview which is more than the number of job vacancies available? According to a confidential officer of the corps, when asked the time names of successful applicants will be shortlisted and released. This was his reply: I don’t know but have you followed it up to Abuja? Which means that it is only those that have impregnable connection to who is who in NSCDC in Abuja as well as the financial backbone to bribe their way in, are in a better position to have their names shortlisted. Quite regrettable, the kind of country we live in.

As it is in NSCDC, so also it is in the Nigeria Immigration service, State Security Service, Nigerian Air Force and others when it comes to bribing one’s in or out. When will the placement of job applicants be based on merit and success and not on cutting corners? When will indigent job applicants in Nigeria secure employment without being frustrated after many years of job hunt by those who know who is who in high places? ( Continues below….. )

The above state of affairs is a factor that has compelled a few unemployed persons to engage in life of crime. They are readily accessible by the political class who use them to advance their inordinate political ambition during electioneering. A handful of politically motivated assassination, though most times played down on by cops, is traceable to unemployment. The stuffing and snatching of ballot boxes by youths is also linked to joblessness.

This trend needs to be reversed by all concerned. I have always looked at existence from an optimistic viewpoint, but what is going on as concerned the subject of this piece (corruption and recruitment of the unemployed) makes me wonder whether the much touted war on corruption as well as rebranding of Nigeria will be won. It is therefore essential to give merit and success a chance in the recruitment of the unemployed, without allowing those who calls the shots to use their positions to favour those who greased their palms heavily or those who are related to them.

My God free Nigeria from this virus – Corruption which has become obstinate and endemic even with presence of an anti-virus agency – EFCC.

Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee, writes from Igboeche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Niger Delta, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: A Vote For An Acting President Or Impeachment?

By Kali Gwegwe

Events following the hospitalization of President Yar’Adua at King Faisal Hospital in Saudi Arabia have clearly unmasked the nature of truth. It has shown that truth is very bitter. People believe and speak the truth not because they do not have tongues. They stand by the truth mainly for the good of the future. Speaking the truth is like sowing seeds. On the other hand, many do not like truth because it does not support injustice and illegality.

Every action of man and society has elements of truth and falsehood. It is very true that President Yar’Adua is human and should therefore be excused for falling sick. Despite the strong argument by some persons in and outside government that the absence of the president from office for more than two months did not create any power vacuum, it was noticeable that the Nigerian federal bureaucracy was being hampered. For the first time in the history of the nation, the Chief Judge of the Federation was sworn-in by a retiring Chief Judge. In the same vein, Federal Permanent Secretaries could not be sworn-in all because the vice president had no powers to do same. There were other functions the vice president could not perform by virtue of the presidential power vacuum. That was the reason why the 2009 Supplementary Budget was taken to President Yar’Adua in Saudi Arabia to endorse. Why was it not given to Goodluck Jonathan to sign if there was indeed no power vacuum? This is the main element of falsehood in President Yar’Adua’s illness. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria Acting President

Like I have highlighted in several of my other publications concerning the current political developments in the country, there is a huge misunderstanding of the real meaning of loyalty. The National Pledge is very clear about this:

I pledge to Nigeria my country; To faithful, loyal and honest; To serve Nigeria with all my strength; To defend her unity; So help me God.

What many government officials have been doing is a misdirected loyalty to President Yar’Adua. Nigeria is bigger than any one individual. Before the intervention of the National Assembly, some self-seeking politicians, traditional rulers, and socio-cultural organisations were almost making a dictator out of Yar’Adua by encouraging him to hang on to power at all cost. By not formally handing over power temporarily to his vice, President Yar’Adua was indirectly doing a disservice to his office and country, which he has sworn to defend. It is unpatriotic for any one to argue that the country should stand still and wait for one man. The main aim of political leadership is to secure the mandate of the electorates to offer quality leadership. It is not to advance and protect parochial interests. All the noise about power sharing agreement is aimed at protecting mostly tribal interests. No healthy country; built on the pillars of justice, fair play, and the rule of law would choose tribal sentiments ahead of noble principles- integrity and patriotism.

It is necessary to point out that in July 1985, President Roland Reagan of the United States temporarily handed over power to Vice President George Bush to enable him attend to his health. Between 2002 and 2007, the junior Bush; as president of the United States also handed over power temporarily to Vice President Dick Cheney twice when he was to undergo medical procedure at Camp David- the presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains. Presidential spokesperson, Tony Snow had told reporters then that, “Vice President Dick Cheney will serve as acting president until the president notifies authorities that he is ready to reassume his powers.” This is a fine example of a decent democratic culture- free of tribal and political sentiments. This is what Due Process and Rule of Law really mean. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: President Umaru Yar’Adua of Nigeria

By attempting to cling onto power at all cost, President Yar’Adua was indirectly saying he does not believe in the spirit of presidential democracy. Apart from tribal sentiments; there was actually no reason why a president cannot trust his vice with power. It becomes even more disturbing with a personality like Goodluck Jonathan; who has an intimidating record of humility. President Yar’Adua therefore never needed to nurse whatever fears about officially handing over power temporarily to his vice. The insinuation by the former Attorney-General, Michael Aaondoakaa that the vice president was already empowered to perform presidential duties was a lie. If not so, why was the 2009 Supplementary Budget flown to Saudi Arabia for the president’s assent? Why was Goodluck Jonathan not asked to swear-in the incumbent Chief Judge of the federation?

On the issue of legality of the actions of the National Assembly in conferring acting presidentship on Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, I make bold to state that the legislators were only being nice, and at the same time chosen an option that will promote the unity of the country. Ordinarily, the president was supposed to have been sanctioned severely for refusing to officially informing the National Assembly of his long absence from office due to ill-health. This writer believes that notifying the National Assembly of his inability to carry out constitutional presidential duties for the time being would have left the presidency on the laps of Goodluck Jonathan. To avoid this, all sorts of tricks were employed. Unfortunately, the National Assembly refused to ignore the wisdom that is buried in the shallow grave of common sense.

It is the aim of every government to promote peace, unity, and progress of man and society. If the Nigerian people; through their representatives in the National Assembly believes the essence of government would be met by making the vice president an acting president, so let it be. What we need to do now is to pray for the quick recovery of President Yar’Adua and also encourage Goodluck Jonathan to deliver on the dividend of democracy pending the return and assumption of work by the president.

Lets us as individuals and groups not play roles or take positions that will not promote the growth of democracy in this country. Posterity will not forgive us if we fail to unite this country because of our parochial interests.

Kali Gwegwe writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and can be reached at kali.gwegwe@nigerianfootballpost.com ( 0806 407 4810 )

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*Tags: Nigerians, Yar’Adua, Africans, Goodluck, Jonathan, Political, Politics, Leadership, Masterweb

*Nigeria: FAAN Loses Billions

[ Commercial Department in illegal waiver scandal ]

By Lateef Lawal

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) may have lost several billions of naira in Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) from both aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue sources. This may have been due to the connivance of some officials of FAAN’s Commercial Department in illegally giving waivers to some companies and tenants of the authority.

FAAN position contrasts Babatunde Omotoba’s (Minister of Aviation) directive that all agencies including FAAN must ensure that all accruable revenue be collected from all debtors. Omotoba further directed that all concessionaires, including oil companies must pay agreement concession fee of 5% and that audited accounts of all concessionaires must be obtained.

Contrary to the ministerial directives, officials of FAAN Commercial Department have allegedly cultivated the corrupt culture of unilaterally waiving debts for personal aggrandizement to the detriment of the authority. This also denies the federal government revenue from taxes payable on such collections not duly paid into FAAN account. debts. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: FAAN logo On A Nigerian Map in Nigerian Flag Colours

One of such illegalities was contained in a memo by a top official in FAAN Commercial Department asking the debt collector of the authority to stop collection of concession fees from oil companies that supply Jet-A1 to airlines at Lagos Airport. It is a known fact that most of the oil marketers are indebted to FAAN and in some cases when they pay, the real amount paid are not reflected in the books. This is evident in one of FAANs the letters reference no: FAAN/500/GM/COMM/495/VOL.1 and titled: RE:Concession Fees Payable On Annual Turnover from Trading Activities by Oil Companies(Jet-A1), it read: Please, be informed that oil companies supplying Jet-A1 fuel to the airlines at the airport do not pay 5% of their annual turnover as concession fees to the authority. Be advised to reverse them accordingly.

Among major debtors of FAAN which the debt collector ought to collect on behalf of the authority include but not limited to-Sahara Oil N532m, Mobil-over N200m, Total N779m and African Petroleum N800m. This is just from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos alone. Similar illegalities are said to be going on at 19 other airports across the country. ( Continues below….. )

It has been found out that Joint User Hydrant Installation (one of the concessionaires) that had been in business in Nigeria for over 15 years did not have any land lease agreement with FAAN and officials in the commercial department did nothing while the illegality continued. Joint User Hydrant only pays rent without lease agreement.

For every liter of Jet-A1 lifted by an aircraft, the sum of N1.60 is expected to be paid as fuel surcharge to FAAN. If for example an aircraft lifts 50,000 liters for a one way flight, N80,000 is payable to FAAN, in one month (30 days), N2.4m and in one year (12 months), N28.8m. A FAAN inside source noted that with the number of aircraft plying the country’s airspace and lifting several millions of liters of Jet-A1 every month, FAAN would be rendered unviable with diversion of the enormous funds from the lifting into private pockets.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

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*Tags: Nigerians, FAAN, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Africa, Masterweb

*Mechanism of Sound Political Leadership

By Kali Gwegwe

The leadership institution is a very fundamental element of every family and society on the face of the earth. It among other things promotes peace, unity, orderliness, and progress. Owing to its very peculiar nature, everybody cannot lead or be a leader at the same time. While some persons are born with leadership qualities, others acquire it through learning. There are still those who are compelled to become leaders by different kinds of circumstances. Despite the category a leader may emerge from, one thing is certain: Leadership is all about offering selfless service to God, man, and society. Being selfless means pursuing a life of honesty and dedication.

Politics is a social exercise largely aimed at securing the mandate of the electorates to offer quality leadership for the good of man and society. While the electorates in Nigeria are at the mercy of politicians, the reverse is the case in developed democracies. The electorates are seen and treated like Kings. This is so because, their votes actually count. It underscores the fact that a credible electoral system is the foundation for good governance. ( Continues below….. )

No doubt, the quality of political leadership in most European countries, Australia, Canada, and the United States is by far higher than what is obtainable here in Nigeria. This is not because politicians in those countries are angels. Rather, their electoral system has practically put power in the hands of voters. This reality has forced politicians to offer quality leadership through selfless service so as to secure the mandate of voters.

Owing largely to the poor electoral framework in Nigeria, politics and public office have been turned into platforms for self-seeking individuals and groups to amass ill-gotten wealth. Little or no thought is given to the feelings of the citizenry. That is the main reason why almost fifty years after gaining political independence from Britain, a greater percentage of Nigerians do not have access to electricity, education, health care, sanitation, safe drinking water, decent transport infrastructure.

The fact that Nigeria is the sixth largest producer of crude oil makes one to wonder why poverty and disease has still continued to grow in the country. Beyond that, it has become obvious that a greater mass of the Nigerian populace is tired of bad political leadership. This could be confirmed by the rising number of pro democracy groups and emergence of the culture of political oppositions at the state and federal levels of the country within the last ten years. ( Continues below….. )

It would not be worth the effort if this writer fails to draw the attention of readers to one fundamental source of failed political leadership in Nigeria. Let me therefore emphasise here that corruption and tribalism are the major reason why our leaders have not been able to respond to the yearnings of the masses. Owing to very deep tribal interests, past military and political leaders could not locate proper solutions to combat the hydra-headed problems of corruption. It is strictly unNigerian to indict or expose a fellow tribesman for corruption. Colonial Britain planted the seed of tribalism in Nigeria. She did this for her own selfish economic interests. Before the birth of the Nigerian nation following the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914, the numerous tribes were not offered any opportunity to discuss their future. Such discussion would have enabled the tribes to set safeguards and standards on how they would co-exist. This arrangement would have also helped to protect the rights and privileges of both the major and minor tribes so as to avoid conflicts.

Every sincere Nigerian would agree that that the constitutional crisis that arose from President Yar’Adua’s long absence due to ill-health was uncalled for. It was simply the idea of a few government officials who were only pursuing their personal and tribal interests. Not minding the impression they were creating, most of the pro-Yar’Adua group clearly betrayed their parochial lust. They never had the interest of Nigeria at heart. This was the only reason why government officials could direct their loyalty to an individual- instead of Nigeria as clearly suggested by the National Pledge: I pledge to the Nigeria my country To faithful, loyal and honest To serve Nigeria with all my strength To defend her unity And uphold her honour and glory So help me God.

There is no portion in the National Anthem that directs loyalty to the president. Blind loyalty is only practiced in a military government. As humans; while it is necessary for us to identify with those that are sick, it would be unpatriotic for any one to suggest that the country be shut down for this sake. Until the National Assembly made Dr. Goodluck Jonathan the Acting President, Nigeria was grinding to a halt. If he could neither swear-in key public officers nor endorse appropriation bills; what then makes any one to believe there was no vacuum in the presidency? Let us stop deceiving ourselves!

Kali Gwegwe writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and can be reached at kali.gwegwe@nigerianfootballpost.com ( 0806 407 4810 )

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*Tags: Nigerians, Yar’Adua, Africans, Goodluck, Jonathan, Political, Politics, Leadership, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Arik Air, Largest Operator, Biggest Debtor

[ Owes Govt., Agencies & Fuel Marketers N10b ]

By Lateef Lawal

Arik Air, the airline that prides itself as the largest operator in the country, has now been discovered to be the biggest detor airline in Nigeria. Arik is indebted to various agencies in the industry to the tune of about 10 billion naira. The regulatory agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA) confirmed yesterday that Arik is indebted to it in the tune of N1.1b.

This was disclosed by the Director General of NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren while fielding questions from journalists at the opening of a three-day workshop on the new Nigerian civil aviation regulations organized for airline operators and other stakeholders at Tamarin Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to Demuren, series of meetings were held with Arik management with the aim of persuading them to pay, but would raise issues of errors in billing which the authority is looking into. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: A landing Arik Plane

Further checks in the industry indicated that Arik is also owing the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) N1.66b in unpaid navigational charges for over two years.

Meeting had been called twice last month by NAMA aimed at reaching an agreement on how Arik would start installmental payment on the debt. Arik management both times turned down the invitation.

Arik is also discovered to owe various oil Marketers over N3b for the fuelling of its aircraft over the past 12 months. Lately, some of the marketers now operate on cash-and-carry basis with the airline, while waiting for their past bills to be settled. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria.

In the same vein, the airline is said to be owing both the newly privatized ground handling company - Skyway Aviation Handling Company(SAHCOL) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) N1.3b and about N1b respectively.

Almost all the officials of the creditor government agencies refused to be quoted on the debt situation with Arik. They claim that the owner of Arik is so powerful that he could get the Presidency to deal with them, if they dare talk to the press.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

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*Tags: Nigerians, Arik, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Jos, Africa, Masterweb

*New Civil Aviation Regulations in Nigeria

[ NCAA Tasks Operators On 100% Compliance or Get Penalized ]

By Lateef Lawal

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA) organized a three-day workshop in Lagos on the New Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations(NCARs) 2009. It was specifically targeted at all airline operators, parastatals in the industry and other stakeholders, to get them to understand the rational behind the revised NCARs, such as the general policies, procedures and definitions of aspects of the new regulations.

The new regulations cover among others, General Licensing Requirements, ATC License, Flight Crew Licensing, Aero Medical, Cabin Crew Licensing, Approved Training Organizations(ATOs), Aircraft Registration and Marking, Approved Maintenance Organization(AMO),Operations and Air Operator Certification among others. ( Continues below….. )

The Director General of NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren after the opening session, spoke with aviation journalists on the workshop and other industry issues. Below is excerpt from Demuren’s press encounter:

Press Question: What informed the workshop? Answer: Aviation is changing everyday and the requirements for safety have become paramount to all of us. As we move higher to achieve our safety ysstandard and make sure we can have a safe operation, we need enduring safety regulations. This safety regulation, is asking for 100 percent compliance. Things have changed in the industry. In the last two years, you will find out that we have not actually failed. That is the way to do it and that is the way we are going to meet up. We will be looking at various regulations. You must train your people do maintenance.

On Expectation at the end of the workshop

Demuren Says - At the end of this conference, the entire industry will be aware exactly what the new regulations are, as regards compliance and enforcement. If there is anything like violation, there is going to be very strict penalty. The consequences may be very severe. You may get your licenses suspended, withdrawn or revoked. If we are sure that an airline is no longer in a position to carry out safe operation, we will revoke the AOC of the airline. The people are aware of this and they are doing everything to make sure they comply, while airlines that are grounded or suspended operations are doing their best to make sure they come back. Arik’s Debt to NCAA is over 1.1 billion naira. We have held two meetings with their management during which they raised questions over billings. We are doing something about this. Let me clarify the issue of Bellview and Afrijet’s AOC. Afrijet and Bellview AOC’s were not revoked. They have shown interest to start operations and they are talking to us. They stopped operations and their AOC’s were not revoked. We are looking into that. Our officials are looking into their papers, including their finances. They must comply before they can come back. They must comply with the requirements.

Still On the Conference

Demuren - This is a safety conference. It is not organized because of what happened in Nigeria. We ought to have done it before the incident of December. It was postponed by ICAO.

On Requirements by aviation agencies

Demuren Says - There is something about meeting regulatory requirements. There are certain minimum requirements that you must meet. We bring a lot of people with experience from the industry to come and implement what they have. They are only temporary staff and it does not affect the workers’ promotion. It is a short time measure.

On Nigeria’s pursuit of attaining CAT 1

Demuren Says - We are very well. We are very hopeful. Notwithstanding what has happened (Attempted bombing of a Northwest aircraft in Detroit, US by a Nigerian, Abdulmuttalab), we have already done most of the work. We virtually finished before that incident occurred. So we are on course. We just have to tidy up things.

On screening machine

Demuren Says - FAAN is doing very well to install screening machines. The latest is that FAAN is being placed on a priority list. Many nations have placed orders for screening machines, but the good news is that Nigeria is on the priority list for shipment. We are proud of this.

Lateef Lawal ( NigerianAviationNews )

Photo Above: Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria.

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*Tags: Nigerians, Aviation, Africans, World, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Akunyili’s Memo, FEC & The Presidency

By Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee

The way Nigeria ship of political destiny is sailing since the absence of Mallam Musa Yar’ Adua as a result of his ill health of which he went to Saudi Arabia to attend to, has continued to agitate my whole being following the hullabaloo in and around the rank and file of the political heavy weights. While a few patriotic Nigerians have stood up to be reckoned with in the political history of this forced marriage and entity called Nigeria, by asking President Umar Musa Yar’ Adua to allow the Vice President to be acting as the President of Nigeria, pending when he (Umar Musa Yar, Adua) recuperates fully well or if need be hand over power completely to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, some mischievous political faggots, albatross, squandermeniac , whose stock in trade is to truncate our dear invaluable democracy for their parochial and selfish interest to the detriment of the citizens of this country and foreign nationals have continued to their hide and seek game with fate of this nation ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Professor Dora Akunyili, Nigeria Minister of Information.

This is what I consider as the ultimate disservice any politician whether elected or appointed could extend to us all. The happenings in this country at present is a good enough reason for the khaki boys to usurp administration of this nation. But God should not allow it to be, because many have argued that the worst civil rule is better than that of the military. I still want to urge the present crop of military men and women to tolerate the politicians and the political logjam and quagmire which those at the corridors of power have immersed us in while patiently waiting for its resolution till only God knows when.

The likes of Minister of Information and communication should be commended, though for their belated demonstration of good will and rationalism, following her presentation of memo to the FEC which has continued to generate mixed reactions. While others have commended her dogged stance as regards the presentation of the memo which will allow Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to assume the full authority of the President, some unprogressive have surreptitiously and overtly pitched their tents against her by calling for her resignation. While others see her action as betrayal of trust, I am moved to ask; shall we continue to sin so that grace may abound? You answer is as good as mine. At the age of almost 50 years, this nation is to big for a few individuals or cabal who have no meaningful contributions to make, except to line their bottomless infested pocket and to hold the nation to ransom. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: President Umaru Yar’Adua of Nigeria

My advice to the Minister of Information and Communication is that, she should not retract whatsoever she must have said pertaining to the memo and if the worse comes, she should take the path of honour and morality according to OBJ. I therefore urge all to ask for that which is right to be honestly followed.

For the FEC, Hon. Dora Akunyili, the presidency, National House Assembly, civil rights activists, etc the right or wrong decisions we make today, whether morally right or wrong, will surely affect us and generations yet to come positively or negatively. Toe the right path to save Nigeria from further international disgrace and shame, chaos or military take over by swearing in Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as the acting President with unhindered presidential powers.

May God bless this good people and great or intractable nation, Nigeria.

Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee, writes from Igboeche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Niger Delta, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Peter Obi Holds Post-Election Press Conference

By Masterweb News Desk

[ A Press Conference Speech On Sunday, February 7, 2010 By Peter Obi, Incumbent Governor of Anambra State, On His Re-Election Victory At The Polls. ]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to address you and indeed the entire world on the Gubernatorial election which was conducted in Anambra yesterday.

This election was unique in several respects: one, it was the only one that was conducted throughout Nigeria yesterday. Two, the entire world literally monitored it either directly or indirectly. Thirdly, although the age-old inadequacies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in terms of poor preparation, late arrival of electoral materials, etc, manifested, they were minimal.

However, in spite of the foregoing, vote-counting, collation and announcement of results were relatively transparent. I wish to commend the INEC, election observers and monitors in this connection. For this singular reason also, I accept the result of the election as declared by INEC, namely, that I won this election.

May I take this opportunity to thank the good people of Anambra State for their massive support for me. By returning me for a second term, you have shown that you support our modest efforts at transforming our dear State. I promise you that my team and I will even do more in our second term to better your lot.

As for my brothers and sisters who contested the election with me, I commend them for their patriotism and desire to serve our people. You have no doubt put up a gallant fight. What is most important now is that we remain good brothers and sisters that we have been over the years and join hands in building a better Anambra State for ourselves and our children.

Finally, may I sincerely thank everyone – the security agencies, journalists (local and international) , the political class, election monitors and observers, the clergy – just everyone who has contributed one way or another in ensuring that this election succeeded in spite of some odds.

May God bless all of us!

Peter Obi, Governor, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Photo Above: Anambra State Governor Peter Obi

Josiah Uwazuronye, Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), late Sunday declared incumbent Governor Peter Obi winner of the state gubernatorial election held on Saturday. In his announcement Uwazuronye said: “Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and his return elected.”

According to INEC announcement, Governor Obi overwhelmingly won the election with 97,843 votes, ahead of closest rival Chris Ngige of Action Congress (AC) opposition party, who amassed 60,240. Chukwuma Soludo of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came in third with 59,365 votes.

Emeka Anyaouku, former Commonwealth Secretary General told newsmen in Lagos that Anambra election would shape the direction elections take next year, adding that Nigeria was at a crossroads where its affairs were not as bright as they should be. Dora Akunyili, Nigeria Information Minister speaking with local AIT television news crew at the INEC office in Awka, said the election showed the need for electoral reform. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Governor Peter Obi (Left), Wife (Right)

Election results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) early Sunday morning from 5 local governments put incumbent Governor Peter Obi ahead of 24 other gubernatorial contenders. Peter Obi, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) flag bearer, amassed a total of 23,337 votes from Anambra East, Onitsha South, Awka South, Dunukofia and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas. He is trailed by Chris Ngige, Action Congress (AC) candidate, who rolled in 13,270 votes. Chukwuma Soludo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer came in third with 12,607 votes. INEC is yet to announce results from 16 local government areas. There are a total of 21 local government areas in Anambra State.

Unofficial results compiled by unconfirmed sources on Saturday from 13 local government areas, put Peter Obi ahead of other candidates. INEC declaration of Obi, the winner, and the precision of the prediction of Saturday’s unconfirm sources shows the extent private election monotoring has grown in Nigeria.

Anambra Election Watch Log for Saturday, February 6, 2010.

[ INEC went ahead and held Anambra gubernatorial election Saturday, despite a Federal High Court ruling barring it. INEC said it had not been served any court order barring the election. ]

Election News Update - Saturday, February 6, 2010

[8.00 am - 9.00 am] - Electoral materials leave INEC’s office for polling centers amidst tight security. Buses conveying electoral materials followed by opposition parties in hired buses.

9.00 am - Scores of policemen are stranded at the Police Divisional Headquareters in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA, with no vehicles to convey them to their assigned polling stations. Many are hitch hiking rides on both private and commercial vehicles. Officially polling boths are to open at 8.00 am.

9.00 am - There are no INEC staff nor election materials at several polling boths. INEC blames the police for the delay in the arrival of election materials.

9.30 am - Thugs beat up Olufemi Aduwo, INEC monitoring Committee member after he claimed to have discovered a list of INEC officials set up for bribery. Violence between suspected PDP thugs and some election monitors at Barn Hotel, Awka.

10.00 am - Election officials and materials arrive Oko, hometown of Alex Ekwueme. Voters are just now beginning to queue up in line to cast their votes. There are no election officials nor materials at Isuofia, hometown of Chukwuma Soludo, PDP gubernatorial candidate. Voters are patiently waiting at polling stations.

10.40 am - Election materials for to the various polling centers are just now being distributed at Ekwulobia Central School. A fake policeman arrested at the headquarters of Oyi Local Govt. as he tried to enter a police escort van.

11.00 am - Police at Awka North LG orders voting to stop at booths without security agents. Youth Corpers recruited as election officials are stranded at Aguata LG headquarters, because there are no vehicles to take them to their polling stations.

11.30 am - Voting yet to start at Uga, hometown of Andy Uba. Tension mounts in Achalla, Awka North Local Govt. as people await election officials and materials.

12.00 pm - Voting materials at Isuofia, Aguata LG reportedly loaded in a van and driven away to an undisclosed location. Election materials arrive Okpuno Ezinifite, three hours behind schedule. Most voters at Ojoto cannot find their names in the register.

12.15 pm - Voting has not started at Ogbunike and Umunya, both in Oyi LGA. Thugs moving around town in buses at Ogbunike.

1.00 pm - Uwazuruonye, a member of Anambra House of Assembly arrives at the office of the resident electoral commissioner in Awka South LG. complaining voting is yet to start at his ward, Awka VII.

1.30 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces that the elections must stop at 4.00 pm as scheduled. According to the statement, after that hour, no voter would be allowed into any polling station, but people already in line could continue voting. Fighting reported at Ifitedunu.

1.45 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces extension of voting across the state to 5.00 pm. Many names are reportedly missing from voters’ registers across the state.

2.00 pm - Fierce fight reported in Agukwu Nri in Aniocha LGA between PPA and APGA supporters. Damien Ejidike, a PDP member, arrested with voters’ cards at Ichi in Ekwusigo LGA.

3.15 pm - Damien Ejidike released.

3.30 pm - Ballot box missing at Uli Ward I, Unit 26. Ballot boxes been snatched at Okpokp Ward VI by thugs.

4.00 pm - Thugs armed to the teeth invade several polling stations snatching ballot boxes as voting winds down for counting at the polling boths. Security agents unable to contain thugs as they are armless at the boths as ordered by INEC.

4.10 pm - Igboukwu polling station attacked by heavily armed thugs in two green buses(one without license plates) shooting into the air and threatening security operatives and INEC officials with death. Thugs load up ballot boxes into buses, but were challenged by the army as they drove off. In a fierce shootout with the army, they abandoned the buses and as they fled four were captured and taken to Aguata police station.

4.20 pm - Voting ends in a couple of LGAs that did not witness armed snatching of ballot boxes by thugs, Dunukofia LGA one of them. Counting begins at these LGAs.

5.30 pm - Gov. Peter Obi (APGA candidate) is reported leading in Ihiala, Onithsa North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Aniocha, Ogbaru and Aguata LGAs. Chris Ngige (APGA candidate) reportedly leading in Idemili South and Idemili North LGAs. Uche Ekwunife (PPA candidate) leads in Dunukofia her home base, according to our source. Chukwuma Soludo (PDP candidate) has not won any LGA so far according to the same source.

6.00 pm - According to sources, incumbent Governor Peter Obi is leading in 13 out of the 21 local government areas of the state. Chris Ngige (AC) is said to be trailing Obi with Soludo (PDP) third, Andy Uba (LP) fourth and Ekwunife (PPA) fifth. Olisa Metuh, National Vice Chairman of PDP SE zone, describes the election as a charade, saying what took place could not pass for a credible election. Labour Party candidate, Andy Uba, describes the election a “complete mess”, wondering how a winner could emerge from it. APGA leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu showered praises on INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Friday, February 5, 2010

12.00 pm - Security forces are on high alert in Anambra State, as count down to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday begins. Masterweb correspondent reports that as at 12.00 pm today 10,000 Civil Defence Officers were in front of the Anambra State Police Headquarters awaiting deployment.

*Tags: Nigerians, Anambra, State, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Peter Obi Leads Anambra State Poll

By Masterweb News Desk

Election results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) early this morning from 5 local governments put incumbent Governor Peter Obi ahead of 24 other gubernatorial contenders. Peter Obi, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) flag bearer, amassed a total of 23,337 votes from Anambra East, Onitsha South, Awka South, Dunukofia and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas. He is trailed by Chris Ngige, Action Congress (AC) candidate, who rolled in 13,270 votes. Chukwuma Soludo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer came in third with 12,607 votes. INEC is yet to announce results from 16 local government areas. There are a total of 21 local government areas in Anambra State.

Unofficial results compiled by unconfirmed sources yesterday from 13 local government areas, put Peter Obi on the lead. If these sources are anything to go by, Obi is predicted to win the election. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Anambra State Governor Peter Obi

Anambra Election Watch Log for Saturday, February 6, 2010.

[ INEC went ahead and held Anambra gubernatorial election Saturday, despite a Federal High Court ruling barring it. INEC said it had not been served any court order barring the election. ]

Election News Update - Saturday, February 6, 2010

[8.00 am - 9.00 am] - Electoral materials leave INEC’s office for polling centers amidst tight security. Buses conveying electoral materials followed by opposition parties in hired buses.

9.00 am - Scores of policemen are stranded at the Police Divisional Headquareters in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA, with no vehicles to convey them to their assigned polling stations. Many are hitch hiking rides on both private and commercial vehicles. Officially polling boths are to open at 8.00 am.

9.00 am - There are no INEC staff nor election materials at several polling boths. INEC blames the police for the delay in the arrival of election materials.

9.30 am - Thugs beat up Olufemi Aduwo, INEC monitoring Committee member after he claimed to have discovered a list of INEC officials set up for bribery. Violence between suspected PDP thugs and some election monitors at Barn Hotel, Awka.

10.00 am - Election officials and materials arrive Oko, hometown of Alex Ekwueme. Voters are just now beginning to queue up in line to cast their votes. There are no election officials nor materials at Isuofia, hometown of Chukwuma Soludo, PDP gubernatorial candidate. Voters are patiently waiting at polling stations.

10.40 am - Election materials for to the various polling centers are just now being distributed at Ekwulobia Central School. A fake policeman arrested at the headquarters of Oyi Local Govt. as he tried to enter a police escort van.

11.00 am - Police at Awka North LG orders voting to stop at booths without security agents. Youth Corpers recruited as election officials are stranded at Aguata LG headquarters, because there are no vehicles to take them to their polling stations.

11.30 am - Voting yet to start at Uga, hometown of Andy Uba. Tension mounts in Achalla, Awka North Local Govt. as people await election officials and materials.

12.00 pm - Voting materials at Isuofia, Aguata LG reportedly loaded in a van and driven away to an undisclosed location. Election materials arrive Okpuno Ezinifite, three hours behind schedule. Most voters at Ojoto cannot find their names in the register.

12.15 pm - Voting has not started at Ogbunike and Umunya, both in Oyi LGA. Thugs moving around town in buses at Ogbunike.

1.00 pm - Uwazuruonye, a member of Anambra House of Assembly arrives at the office of the resident electoral commissioner in Awka South LG. complaining voting is yet to start at his ward, Awka VII.

1.30 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces that the elections must stop at 4.00 pm as scheduled. According to the statement, after that hour, no voter would be allowed into any polling station, but people already in line could continue voting. Fighting reported at Ifitedunu.

1.45 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces extension of voting across the state to 5.00 pm. Many names are reportedly missing from voters’ registers across the state.

2.00 pm - Fierce fight reported in Agukwu Nri in Aniocha LGA between PPA and APGA supporters. Damien Ejidike, a PDP member, arrested with voters’ cards at Ichi in Ekwusigo LGA.

3.15 pm - Damien Ejidike released.

3.30 pm - Ballot box missing at Uli Ward I, Unit 26. Ballot boxes been snatched at Okpokp Ward VI by thugs.

4.00 pm - Thugs armed to the teeth invade several polling stations snatching ballot boxes as voting winds down for counting at the polling boths. Security agents unable to contain thugs as they are armless at the boths as ordered by INEC.

4.10 pm - Igboukwu polling station attacked by heavily armed thugs in two green buses(one without license plates) shooting into the air and threatening security operatives and INEC officials with death. Thugs load up ballot boxes into buses, but were challenged by the army as they drove off. In a fierce shootout with the army, they abandoned the buses and as they fled four were captured and taken to Aguata police station.

4.20 pm - Voting ends in a couple of LGAs that did not witness armed snatching of ballot boxes by thugs, Dunukofia LGA one of them. Counting begins at these LGAs.

5.30 pm - Gov. Peter Obi (APGA candidate) is reported leading in Ihiala, Onithsa North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Aniocha, Ogbaru and Aguata LGAs. Chris Ngige (APGA candidate) reportedly leading in Idemili South and Idemili North LGAs. Uche Ekwunife (PPA candidate) leads in Dunukofia her home base, according to our source. Chukwuma Soludo (PDP candidate) has not won any LGA so far according to the same source.

6.00 pm - According to sources, incumbent Governor Peter Obi is leading in 13 out of the 21 local government areas of the state. Chris Ngige (AC) is said to be trailing Obi with Soludo (PDP) third, Andy Uba (LP) fourth and Ekwunife (PPA) fifth. Olisa Metuh, National Vice Chairman of PDP SE zone, describes the election as a charade, saying what took place could not pass for a credible election. Labour Party candidate, Andy Uba, describes the election a “complete mess”, wondering how a winner could emerge from it. APGA leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu showered praises on INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Friday, February 5, 2010

12.00 pm - Security forces are on high alert in Anambra State, as count down to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday begins. Masterweb correspondent reports that as at 12.00 pm today 10,000 Civil Defence Officers were in front of the Anambra State Police Headquarters awaiting deployment.

Photo Above: Map of Anambra State, Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Anambra, State, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Peter Obi Winner of Anambra Election

By Masterweb News Desk

Josiah Uwazuronye, Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), has today declared incumbent Governor Peter Obi winner of the state gubernatorial election held yesterday. In his announcement Uwazuronye said: “Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and his return elected.”

According to INEC announcement, Governor Obi overwhelmingly won the election with 97,843 votes, ahead of closest rival Chris Ngige of Action Congress (AC) opposition party, who amassed 60,240. Chukwuma Soludo of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came in third with 59,365 votes.

Emeka Anyaouku, former Commonwealth Secretary General told newsmen in Lagos that Anambra election would shape the direction elections take next year, adding that Nigeria was at a crossroads where its affairs were not as bright as they should be. Dora Akunyili, Nigeria Information Minister speaking with local AIT television news crew at the INEC office in Awka, said the election showed the need for electoral reform.

Election results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) early this morning from 5 local governments put incumbent Governor Peter Obi ahead of 24 other gubernatorial contenders. Peter Obi, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) flag bearer, amassed a total of 23,337 votes from Anambra East, Onitsha South, Awka South, Dunukofia and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas. He is trailed by Chris Ngige, Action Congress (AC) candidate, who rolled in 13,270 votes. Chukwuma Soludo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer came in third with 12,607 votes. INEC is yet to announce results from 16 local government areas. There are a total of 21 local government areas in Anambra State.

Unofficial results compiled by unconfirmed sources on Saturday from 13 local government areas, put Peter Obi ahead of other candidates. INEC declaration of Obi, the winner, and the precision of the prediction of Saturday’s unconfirm sources shows the extent private election monotoring has grown in Nigeria. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Anambra State Governor Peter Obi

Anambra Election Watch Log for Saturday, February 6, 2010.

[ INEC went ahead and held Anambra gubernatorial election Saturday, despite a Federal High Court ruling barring it. INEC said it had not been served any court order barring the election. ]

Election News Update - Saturday, February 6, 2010

[8.00 am - 9.00 am] - Electoral materials leave INEC’s office for polling centers amidst tight security. Buses conveying electoral materials followed by opposition parties in hired buses.

9.00 am - Scores of policemen are stranded at the Police Divisional Headquareters in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA, with no vehicles to convey them to their assigned polling stations. Many are hitch hiking rides on both private and commercial vehicles. Officially polling boths are to open at 8.00 am.

9.00 am - There are no INEC staff nor election materials at several polling boths. INEC blames the police for the delay in the arrival of election materials.

9.30 am - Thugs beat up Olufemi Aduwo, INEC monitoring Committee member after he claimed to have discovered a list of INEC officials set up for bribery. Violence between suspected PDP thugs and some election monitors at Barn Hotel, Awka.

10.00 am - Election officials and materials arrive Oko, hometown of Alex Ekwueme. Voters are just now beginning to queue up in line to cast their votes. There are no election officials nor materials at Isuofia, hometown of Chukwuma Soludo, PDP gubernatorial candidate. Voters are patiently waiting at polling stations.

10.40 am - Election materials for to the various polling centers are just now being distributed at Ekwulobia Central School. A fake policeman arrested at the headquarters of Oyi Local Govt. as he tried to enter a police escort van.

11.00 am - Police at Awka North LG orders voting to stop at booths without security agents. Youth Corpers recruited as election officials are stranded at Aguata LG headquarters, because there are no vehicles to take them to their polling stations.

11.30 am - Voting yet to start at Uga, hometown of Andy Uba. Tension mounts in Achalla, Awka North Local Govt. as people await election officials and materials.

12.00 pm - Voting materials at Isuofia, Aguata LG reportedly loaded in a van and driven away to an undisclosed location. Election materials arrive Okpuno Ezinifite, three hours behind schedule. Most voters at Ojoto cannot find their names in the register.

12.15 pm - Voting has not started at Ogbunike and Umunya, both in Oyi LGA. Thugs moving around town in buses at Ogbunike.

1.00 pm - Uwazuruonye, a member of Anambra House of Assembly arrives at the office of the resident electoral commissioner in Awka South LG. complaining voting is yet to start at his ward, Awka VII.

1.30 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces that the elections must stop at 4.00 pm as scheduled. According to the statement, after that hour, no voter would be allowed into any polling station, but people already in line could continue voting. Fighting reported at Ifitedunu.

1.45 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces extension of voting across the state to 5.00 pm. Many names are reportedly missing from voters’ registers across the state.

2.00 pm - Fierce fight reported in Agukwu Nri in Aniocha LGA between PPA and APGA supporters. Damien Ejidike, a PDP member, arrested with voters’ cards at Ichi in Ekwusigo LGA.

3.15 pm - Damien Ejidike released.

3.30 pm - Ballot box missing at Uli Ward I, Unit 26. Ballot boxes been snatched at Okpokp Ward VI by thugs.

4.00 pm - Thugs armed to the teeth invade several polling stations snatching ballot boxes as voting winds down for counting at the polling boths. Security agents unable to contain thugs as they are armless at the boths as ordered by INEC.

4.10 pm - Igboukwu polling station attacked by heavily armed thugs in two green buses(one without license plates) shooting into the air and threatening security operatives and INEC officials with death. Thugs load up ballot boxes into buses, but were challenged by the army as they drove off. In a fierce shootout with the army, they abandoned the buses and as they fled four were captured and taken to Aguata police station.

4.20 pm - Voting ends in a couple of LGAs that did not witness armed snatching of ballot boxes by thugs, Dunukofia LGA one of them. Counting begins at these LGAs.

5.30 pm - Gov. Peter Obi (APGA candidate) is reported leading in Ihiala, Onithsa North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Aniocha, Ogbaru and Aguata LGAs. Chris Ngige (APGA candidate) reportedly leading in Idemili South and Idemili North LGAs. Uche Ekwunife (PPA candidate) leads in Dunukofia her home base, according to our source. Chukwuma Soludo (PDP candidate) has not won any LGA so far according to the same source.

6.00 pm - According to sources, incumbent Governor Peter Obi is leading in 13 out of the 21 local government areas of the state. Chris Ngige (AC) is said to be trailing Obi with Soludo (PDP) third, Andy Uba (LP) fourth and Ekwunife (PPA) fifth. Olisa Metuh, National Vice Chairman of PDP SE zone, describes the election as a charade, saying what took place could not pass for a credible election. Labour Party candidate, Andy Uba, describes the election a “complete mess”, wondering how a winner could emerge from it. APGA leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu showered praises on INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Friday, February 5, 2010

12.00 pm - Security forces are on high alert in Anambra State, as count down to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday begins. Masterweb correspondent reports that as at 12.00 pm today 10,000 Civil Defence Officers were in front of the Anambra State Police Headquarters awaiting deployment.

Photo Above: Map of Anambra State, Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Anambra, State, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

*Anambra Election Watch Log for 6/2/10

By Masterweb News Desk

[ INEC insists Anambra gubernatorial election would go on today as scheduled despite a Federal High Court ruling barring it. INEC says it had not been served any court order barring the election. ]

Latest Updates Saturday, February 6, 2010

[8.00 am - 9.00 am] - Electoral materials leave INEC’s office for polling centers amidst tight security. Buses conveying electoral materials followed by opposition parties in hired buses.

9.00 am - Scores of policemen are stranded at the Police Divisional Headquareters in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA, with no vehicles to convey them to their assigned polling stations. Many are hitch hiking rides on both private and commercial vehicles. Officially polling boths are to open at 8.00 am.

9.00 am - There are no INEC staff nor election materials at several polling boths. INEC blames the police for the delay in the arrival of election materials.

9.30 am - Thugs beat up Olufemi Aduwo, INEC monitoring Committee member after he claimed to have discovered a list of INEC officials set up for bribery. Violence between suspected PDP thugs and some election monitors at Barn Hotel, Awka.

10.00 am - Election officials and materials arrive Oko, hometown of Alex Ekwueme. Voters are just now beginning to queue up in line to cast their votes. There are no election officials nor materials at Isuofia, hometown of Chukwuma Soludo, PDP gubernatorial candidate. Voters are patiently waiting at polling stations.

10.40 am - Election materials for to the various polling centers are just now being distributed at Ekwulobia Central School. A fake policeman arrested at the headquarters of Oyi Local Govt. as he tried to enter a police escort van.

11.00 am - Police at Awka North LG orders voting to stop at booths without security agents. Youth Corpers recruited as election officials are stranded at Aguata LG headquarters, because there are no vehicles to take them to their polling stations.

11.30 am - Voting yet to start at Uga, hometown of Andy Uba. Tension mounts in Achalla, Awka North Local Govt. as people await election officials and materials.

12.00 pm - Voting materials at Isuofia, Aguata LG reportedly loaded in a van and driven away to an undisclosed location. Election materials arrive Okpuno Ezinifite, three hours behind schedule. Most voters at Ojoto cannot find their names in the register.

12.15 pm - Voting has not started at Ogbunike and Umunya, both in Oyi LGA. Thugs moving around town in buses at Ogbunike.

1.00 pm - Uwazuruonye, a member of Anambra House of Assembly arrives at the office of the resident electoral commissioner in Awka South LG. complaining voting is yet to start at his ward, Awka VII.

1.30 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces that the elections must stop at 4.00 pm as scheduled. According to the statement, after that hour, no voter would be allowed into any polling station, but people already in line could continue voting. Fighting reported at Ifitedunu.

1.45 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces extension of voting across the state to 5.00 pm. Many names are reportedly missing from voters’ registers across the state.

2.00 pm - Fierce fight reported in Agukwu Nri in Aniocha LGA between PPA and APGA supporters. Damien Ejidike, a PDP member, arrested with voters’ cards at Ichi in Ekwusigo LGA.

3.15 pm - Damien Ejidike released.

3.30 pm - Ballot box missing at Uli Ward I, Unit 26. Ballot boxes been snatched at Okpokp Ward VI by thugs.

4.00 pm - Thugs armed to the teeth invade several polling stations snatching ballot boxes as voting winds down for counting at the polling boths. Security agents unable to contain thugs as they are armless at the boths as ordered by INEC.

4.10 pm - Igboukwu polling station attacked by heavily armed thugs in two green buses(one without license plates) shooting into the air and threatening security operatives and INEC officials with death. Thugs load up ballot boxes into buses, but were challenged by the army as they drove off. In a fierce shootout with the army, they abandoned the buses and as they fled four were captured and taken to Aguata police station.

4.20 pm - Voting ends in a couple of LGAs that did not witness armed snatching of ballot boxes by thugs, Dunukofia LGA one of them. Counting begins at these LGAs.

5.30 pm - Gov. Peter Obi (APGA candidate) is reported leading in Ihiala, Onithsa North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Aniocha, Ogbaru and Aguata LGAs. Chris Ngige (APGA candidate) reportedly leading in Idemili South and Idemili North LGAs. Uche Ekwunife (PPA candidate) leads in Dunukofia her home base, according to our source. Chukwuma Soludo (PDP candidate) has not won any LGA so far according to the same source.

6.00 pm - According to sources, incumbent Governor Peter Obi is leading in 13 out of the 21 local government areas of the state. Chris Ngige (AC) is said to be trailing Obi with Soludo (PDP) third, Andy Uba (LP) fourth and Ekwunife (PPA) fifth. Olisa Metuh, National Vice Chairman of PDP SE zone, describes the election as a charade, saying what took place could not pass for a credible election. Labour Party candidate, Andy Uba, describes the election a “complete mess”, wondering how a winner could emerge from it. APGA leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu showered praises on INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Friday, February 5, 2010

12.00 pm - Security forces are on high alert in Anambra State, as count down to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday begins. Masterweb correspondent reports that as at 12.00 pm today 10,000 Civil Defence Officers were in front of the Anambra State Police Headquarters awaiting deployment.

Photo Above: Map of Anambra State, Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Anambra, State, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

*Anambra Election Watch Log for 5/2/10

By Masterweb News Desk

Security forces are on high alert in Anambra State, as count down to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday begins. Masterweb correspondent reports that as at 12.00 pm today 10,000 Civil Defence Officers were in front of the Anambra State Police Headquarters awaiting deployment.

Photo Above: Map of Anambra State, Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Anambra, State, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria’s Port Harcourt Airport Radar Begins Operation

By Lateef Lawal,Lagos

The management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) has deployed into operations the newly installed Radar at the Port Harcourt International Airport. This brings to three, radar sites that are fully completed by Thales ATM of France, the contractor handling the multi-billion naira Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria(TRACON) project. According to Supo Atobatele, NAMA Public Affairs General Manager, controllers started vectoring traffic from the Radar site since 29th January, 2010 with NOTAM (Notice -To -Air -Men) already issued by the Nigerian Airspace Management agency to airline operators. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Port Harcourt International Airport, Nigeria

Lagos and Abuja sites have been in operation since last year, while that of Kano is expected to be completed by the end of this month. Quoting Alhaji Ibrahim Auyo, Managing Director, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Atobatele said the new radar will greatly enhance efficiency and safety of flights in and out of Port Harcourt airport and the adjacent airports of Owerri, Calabar, Enugu, Eket, and Escravos, which are to be adequately covered by the radar. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Map of Nigeria’s Niger Delta Region showing Port Harcourt

The Port Harcourt Airport radar, will also ensure safety of helicopter operations within the Niger Delta Area. Director of Operations, Mr.Adebisi Adedara remarked shortly after the commencement of operation that the radar service would reduce the spate of air miss along the Port Harcourt axis, just as his counterpart in the Engineering Directorate, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh described the radar service as a new dawn in the aviation industry.

A technical and operational inspection team from NAMA and NCAA were at the airport to confirm the Radar system as “safe and effective” for the control of aircrafts.

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, Niger Delta, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Jobs, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Akunyili’s Memo To FEC on Yar’Adua

By Masterweb News Desk

Unanimity of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on its stance that President Yar’Adua was fit to govern cracked Wednesday, February 3. Professor Dora Akunyili, Minister of Information, broke from the official stance and submitted a memo calling on FEC to own up to the president’s incapacitation on health grounds. FEC hawks overcoming the shock, rallied to reject the memo from discussion on the day’s agenda. Akunyili vowed to represent it today for listing for discussion at FEC reconvened scheduled meeting for the day. Akunyili’s memo is republished below.

STATE OF THE NATION

1. I want to start my humble submission by stating that I am a 100 per cent loyalist of President Yar’Adua. He appointed all of us because he trusts us and wants us to help him to run government effectively and efficiently. Mr. President has given all of us seated in this chamber the opportunity to serve our nation as members of this council. I believe that in the choice of all of us, as individuals and group, Mr. President must have considered our ability to guide him aright to serve our people better, promote and protect the constitution in line with the oath of office taken before him in this chamber by each and every one of us. President Yar’Adua is very dear to me just as he is to all of you.

2. We are all aware of what has been happening in Nigeria, especially as it concerns the issue of making the Vice President an acting President. There have been debates for and against.

3. Some have argued that there is no vacuum and that it is okay for the Vice President to function as Vice President, not as Acting President pending the return and recovery of Mr. President. For the proponents of this theory, I want to remind them that Permanent Secretaries had been waiting to be sworn in for over two months now. Consequently, many ministries are without Permanent Secretaries including my ministry. As it is today, the Vice President cannot take any document to National Assembly. In a very desperate situation like the recent Jos crisis, the Vice President deployed troops to Plateau, but many have openly said that he does not have the right because there cannot be two Commanders-in- Chief at a time. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Professor Dora Akunyili, Nigeria Minister of Information.

4. Just recently, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, has opted out of the amnesty and resumed hostility. They argued that they have been kept in limbo since the President took ill and they appeared to have been abandoned since nobody could talk to them or keep the promise made to them. Our economy is once more being threatened.

5. The past Chief Justice of the Federation swore in his successor for the first time in the history of our nation. The power vacuum at that level has also compounded our ‘poor image’ at the international level because of our failure to rise to international expectations, commitments and engagements that require the presence of our President. Many of those opportunities have existed in the past 70 days that I do not need to recount. I do not need to repeat the uncomplimentary statements made by United States, United Kingdom and EU concerning the current state of affairs in Nigeria .

6. There has been persistent agitation by the public for members of the Federal Executive Council to do something. Nigerians expect us to rise to this challenge on behalf of our President as the leader of this administration. Some eminent citizens have spoken. They include former Heads of State and others who have served our nation in various capacities. The Senate has also taken a position of which we are all aware. The looming crisis in the system is over boiling. Our hard earned democracy is being threatened by the day.

Threat To Democracy

7. What went wrong? We love our President but we should remember that he is not infallible. Before he left Nigeria he had a moral and constitutional obligation to officially inform the Senate and hand over the mantle of leadership to the Vice President pending his return and recovery. That did not happen. Yes, the mistake has been made by our Boss and our brother.

Mr. President is ill and did not choose to be sick. But while we continue to pray for his recovery, we should try to right the wrong. 8. Some have argued that he left the country in a hurry. This argument has been punctured by the fact that he signed the Appropriation Bill for National Assembly. If he could sign the Bill, why did he not sign a letter for Vice President to act on his behalf until he is well enough? ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Seal of The President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is the official symbol of the Nigerian President, first used in 1979 by President Shehu Shagari.

9. We have a local proverb that says that “A goat does not get strangulated by the rope used in tying it when an adult is present.” We are all in a better position to know that the polity is overheated to a frightening level. Posterity will judge us harshly if we do not positively intervene to resolve this logjam.

10. I wish to call on the Federal Executive Council to act now in the best interest of our dear President and our dear Nation. We also need to save ourselves from shame because our stand is becoming very embarrassing. He has been away for about 70 days now, even if he returns tomorrow, is it not better for him to rest and recover before taking over from the Vice President?

11. We need to do what is morally right and constitutional for the President to officially hand over to the Vice President to function as Acting President. If he does not, we can evoke whichever aspect of the constitution that should make the Vice President an Acting President. On the other hand we can take advantage of the 14 days ultimatum by the court which will expire on Friday. When the President resumes duty as soon as he recovers, by the grace of God, he takes over his position.

12. I am not saying that President Yar’Adua should resign or condemn him for being sick. He did not choose to be sick. We will continue to pray for him, but all I am saying is, let us encourage him do the right thing so that our hard earned democracy will not be truncated. Anybody who feels otherwise is unfair to our President (who has been preaching the rule of law), and utterly unfair to our country.

13. The name of our President and all his achievements are being rubbished by this unfortunate debacle. The President and his family are also being put under undue pressure which will not help his recovery.

14. If we fail to act now, history will not forgive us. I rest my case.

Prof. Dora Akunyili, Federal Minister of Information, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Niger Delta, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

*Preparing Nigeria for disintegration

By Kali Gwegwe

The unusual long absence of President Musa Yar’Adua from office owing to his ill health has revealed how shallow the socio-political foundation of Nigeria lies. It has also abruptly unmasked the real enemies of the Nigerian nation. The actions and inactions of these anti-democratic elements have clearly turned Nigeria into a baobab tree standing on the edge of an erosion prone river.

Events following the official admission that President Yar’Adua was suffering from severe pericarditis and on admission at the King Faisal Hospital in Saudi Arabia has pointed to one ominous reality: The multi-faceted leadership institution in Nigeria is unarguably not built on the pillars of justice, fair play, and the rule of law. As a result of this anomaly, tribal and religious sentiments now shape the opinions of government officials. Instead of nursing policies that will unite and improve the lives of the citizenry, public servants now take pride in pursuing parochial tribal agendas.

There is no gainsaying that the die hard attitude by some key government officials in ensuring that President Yar’Adua does not hand over power temporarily to Vice President Jonathan is clearly a narrow minded agenda, plotted to deny a southerner from assuming the political leadership of Nigeria at this time. It shows how treacherous and unconcerned some of us are about the survival of democracy and Nigeria as a country.

Not minding whatever unofficial power sharing arrangement between the north and south, one must not ignore the fact that issues are not supposed to dislodge substance in every society where justice and rule of law are celebrated. In a presidential system of government, the presidency is a 2 in 1 ticket shared by the president and the vice president. The prevailing issues as they relate to Yar’Adua’s long absence from office bothers mainly on the headship of the Nigerian presidency by natives of the northern belt of the country up till 2015. On the other hand, there is also the case of substance regarding the culture of a presidential system of government, which clearly prescribes the order of succession. ( Continues below….. )

This writer is of the opinion that whenever issues and substance clash like it has in the case of Yar’Adua’s ill health, common sense should be applied. It would however be necessary at this point to expose the fact that the office of the vice president is nothing more than a spare tyre in a presidential democracy? Jonathan had known this since when he served as deputy governor under Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha in Bayelsa State. Many persons believe a deputy governor or vice president should exercise equal powers with their principals. Jonathan does not think so and has chosen to pursue his beliefs about the tradition of political leadership in a presidential democracy. While some had excused him, others did not. This is mostly responsible for the very wrong picture several commentators have painted of Jonathan as a politician. They would quickly dismiss Jonathan as a lily livered man, not fit to hold a tasking public office. Would Nigerians sincerely prefer the Atiku/Obasanjo option, where the president and vice president were at each other’s throat all through their second term in office? Of course not!

Perhaps, one should also remind the few tribal zealots and other self-seeking Nigerians bent on ensuring that the vice president is not made an acting president even in the face of glaring constitutional necessity that Jonathan is not responsible for Yar’Adua’s ill health. He should therefore not be treated as if he plotted his boss’ predicament. More than that, the matter on ground is not about Goodluck Jonathan. It is all about justice, fair play, and rule of law. Let me recall that it was clearly as a result of glaring injustice in the sharing of oil and gas revenue that gave rise to militancy in the Niger Delta region. Like the Nigerian civil war, we are still counting the colossal loss.

Furthermore, Nigerians are eager to taste the fruits of good governance through rapid social and infrastructural development. Ghana and South Africa have all left Nigeria far behind in terms of democracy, economy, science, and technology. Continued denial of the vice president sufficient powers in the present circumstances may push Nigeria deeper down the ladder of developing nations.

It is necessary to remind the band of Nigerians that have placed their personal and tribal interests above national concerns that a day will come when questions would be asked regarding the inglorious roles they are playing today. Their children too would be reminded of the shameful roles played by their parents in attempting to warp the entity called Nigeria. ( Continues below….. )

Frankly, Nigeria will not lose anything if President Yar’Adua hands over power temporarily to Goodluck Jonathan. But Nigeria will definitely lose her poise and shape if Yar’Adua is coerced into pushing a dishonourable and illegal tribal agenda. In July 1985, President Roland Reagan of the United States temporarily handed over power to Vice President George Bush to enable him attend to his health. Also between 2002 and 2007, the junior Bush; as president of the United States also handed over power temporarily to Vice President Dick Cheney twice when he was to undergo medical procedure at Camp David- the presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains. Presidential spokesperson, Tony Snow had told reporters then that, “Vice President Dick Cheney will serve as acting president until the president notifies authorities that he is ready to reassume his powers.” A fine example of a decent democratic culture- free of tribal and political sentiments. This is what Due Process and Rule of Law really mean.

Within the last four weeks, a number of shallow excuses have been advanced by the “Power Sharing” army, outlining the reasons why Goodluck Jonathan would not be given any opportunity of becoming the acting President of the federal republic of Nigeria. Chief among them is the charge that Jonathan is a political son of ex President Olusegun Obasanjo. I will not want to bother my readers with arguments about whether this charge is true or false. This is because; no part of the Nigerian constitution has barred any citizen from being a political son. Yar’Adua himself too is one of the many political sons of Obasanjo. More than that; it is not yet criminal for the political son of a former president to become an acting president in Nigeria. Let those that have personal and political problems with Chief Obasanjo settle same in the law courts and save Nigeria from disintegration. Nigeria is bigger than Obasanjo.

The Nigerian civil war of 1967 to 1970 was remotely a battle over the control of the oil wealth of the Niger Delta people. No doubt, the war would have been avoided if the spirit of justice and fair play were respected. The Ijaws were denied commensurate benefits from the sale of crude oil buried in their swamps. Consequent upon this, the late Major Isaac Adaka Boro decided to pull the Ijaws out of Nigeria on the 23rd day of February, 1966. It was a massive protest against the Ibo dominated Eastern Nigeria administration. On the other hand, the Ibos were emboldened by the oil wealth of the Niger Delta people to halt the ruthless and overbearing nature of the Hausas by seceding from Nigeria. In order to weaken the Biafra dream, Rivers and South Eastern States- the main oil producing areas were carved out of the Eastern Region on the 27th of May, 1967.

The present scenario in the country is getting quite close to detonating tribal bombs. However, the 2nd Nigerian civil war will be fought not over the control of Niger Delta oil. The bone of contention this time around would be political power. Let every true Nigerian pray that tribal zealots in and outside of government does not cut the rope that binds the numerous Nigerian tribes. It has been widely reported that the United States is afraid Nigeria may break up soon and has already put in place plans to face the challenges that such reality may throw up. Quite unfortunately for the Nigerian nation, her political and traditional leaders are oblivious of the negative implications of their parochial and self serving agendas.

Kali Gwegwe writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and can be reached at kali.gwegwe@nigerianfootballpost.com

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*Tags: Nigerians, Yar’Adua, Africans, Saudi, Arabia, Masterweb

*CAF’s Togo Ban: Issa Hayatou, you got it wrong!

By Kola Alapinni

On the 8th of January 2010, the Togolese national team - The Hawks - set out for Cabinda, Angola from the Congo to commence their campaign in the African Cup of Nations. A brief domestic risk assesment of this strategy would show that it was fraught with danger. And it has proved to be a serious error of judgment.

The Cabinda region is almost totally engulfed by the two Congos on its northern, eastern and southern borders. It has the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Congo had been particularly strife-ridden since the twilight days of the late Mobutu Sese-Seko. By the time Laurent Desire Kabila (Kabila Snr) was head of state, six separate armed conflict were on-going in the Congo. Congolese rebels were challenging Kabila Snr (they are still challenging his son Kabila Jnr); Rwanda had pushed the Interhamwe rebels deep into DRC territory and fighting was reported frequently; Uganda was fighting her rebels in the Congo; Sudan was doing the same; Burundian authorities and FFD rebels, Congo-Brazzaville and forces loyal to their deposed former President Lissouba; and between the Angolan government and UNITA rebels. This conflict became known as Africa’s Seven-Nation War. At some point in time even Namibia and Zimbabwe as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had troops stationed in the Congo.

The Cabinda region has been - to put it lightly - unstable for three decades. The area could be likened to the Niger-Delta area of Nigeria. It is oil-rich but poverty stricken. Reportedly more than half of Angola’s oil reserves are situated in the Cabinda region and disgruntled separatist movements believe that the central government in Angola takes too much of it’s revenue. In the last decade hostilities have heightened in the Cabinda region with the emergence of the Renewed Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC-RENOVADA). One of its modus operandi is to target foreigners to try to gain international attention and news coverage for its movement to gain independence from Angola. Though there appeared to have been some sort of peace pact between Angola and FLEC, it appears not all within the separatist group had been carried along. It was this splinter group that ‘machine-gunned the team like dogs’ according to Togolese striker Thomas Dossevi. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) & Chairman of the 2010 World Cup Organising Committee.

I have set this background so that we can get a brief glimpse into the international power play and geo-politics that existed and still exists to certain degrees in that theatre of conflict. This ban by CAF headed by the Cameroun’s Issa Hayatou has now brought up a series of serious wide ranging issues that goes beyond slapping Togo on the wrist or the face, depending on which side of the fence you are.

To begin with, the Togolese authorities need to ask the following questions:

1. Who was responsible for the bus trip?

The Vice President of the Togolese Football Federation Gabriel Ameyi told the Associated Press (AP) ‘They should not have travelled by road. They did not tell CAF that they were travelling by road. They should have flown to Angola.’ It does seem to me that there was a breakdown in the chain of command when the No. 2 man of a nation’s football body does not know the Itinerary of his boys.

2. Why were the Togolese authorities not informed of the bus trip?

3. Why were the Angolan authorities and CAF not informed when a change of plans became imminent?

4. What measures were taken to ensure that an adequate security plan was in place before the team ventured into enemy territory?

There was tangible reason for the team to have flown into Angola. The reason simply is that the team would have bypassed ground risk which caused this kind of fatalities. Also, Angola had been locked in a deadly civil war since the late 70s that only lulled when the rebel leader Jonas Savimbi was ambushed and killed. One of the legacies of that war is that Angola remains one of the most landmined country in the world! Some experts say between 500,000 to one million mines remain buried under Angolan soil. Others say it may be up to six million. Everyday there are dozens of landmine victims in Angola - many are women and children. There is a proverb of the Yoruba people of Western Africa and it literally translates: ‘The visitor has eyes, but he cannot see.’ There is no way the Togolese delegation or any foreigner could have known Angola more than the Angolan government. Local knowledge of the area is invaluable. I remember vividly a field trip to Rwanda in 2001, we were guests of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Kigali. We travelled the lenght and breath of Rwanda viz; Kigali, Butare, Gitarama, Murambi (I can’t remember the other cities now) under UN escorts to visit the UN facilities, the Gacaca Commission, Gacaca Courts, the prisons, various genocide sites et cetera. Everyday we were briefed on the risk assesmentment indicator and I think a trip to Gisenyi a border town to the DRC had to be cancelled. One of the drivers told me on one occassion that the DRC was just about 60 km away. That is what risk assessment is about and you must remember this was even seven years after the 1994 genocide. Sometimes when the foreign clubs which pay the huge salaries of these players are scared to release them, the risk assessment plays a part. The clubs have a vested interest in protecting the huge investments they made on their players. God forbid, imagine if it was Emmanuel Adebayour that was hit? I think Manchester City’s lawyers would have gone for the jugular of all parties involved, namely the Togolese and Angolan authorities and most especially CAF. I think Issa Hayatou would have been battling with a negligence law suit right now. Not in his personal capacity of course, but as the corporate face of CAF.

Granted the Angolan authority might have wanted some of the games to be played in Cabinda. It is a political decision. It was meant to appease the disgruntled region and to make them feel a sense of belonging to the Republic of Angola. The Angolan government also realises the power of sports. Football is like opium, it gives you a high. It transports you away from reality especially if your team is doing well. When the freest and fairest elections widely believed to have been won by the late MKO Abiola was cancelled by the Nigerian military in 1993, the anniversary of this shameful act coincided with the World Cup campaign in the US in 1994 Nigerians conveniently forgot that their mandate had been stolen; forgot the fuel scarcity and the long queues at the petrol pumps due to oil workers strike; forgot the skyrocketing food prices; forgot that the universities were shut down due to lecturers strike action forgot; that Abiola had declared himself as President and gone into hiding. As soon as Roberto Baggio literally kicked us out of the World Cup, The country woke up from its slumber and Nigeria burned. But every time Nigeria burnt, and we won trophies like the Tunis Cup of Nations in 1994, the Olympics Soccer Gold in 1996 it was a soothing balm on the festering sore of the nation’s political wounds and the international sanctions leveled at the military junta of General Sanni Abacha. Ironically, Nigeria did well in the sporting world under him and he used this as a trump card in international politics. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Map of Cabinda, Angola

Thus when CAF say politics should be kept away from football the reality cannot be more far from this. The power of sports in international politics cannot be underrated. The hosting rights given to South Africa for 2010 is political. Germany robbed her of that glory in 2006 when Franz Beckenbauer of Germany ran a very effective lobbying campaing to persuade the Oceania delegate Charles Dempsey, who had initially backed England. He had been instructed to support South Africa following England’s elimination. He abstained, citing “intolerable pressure” on the eve of the vote. Had Dempsey voted as originally instructed, the vote would have resulted with a 12-12 tie and Sepp Blatter who favoured South Africa would have casted the deciding vote. I rememember even the goodwill of President Mandela didn’t get the hosting rights for South Africa that year and he gave them a very strong worded piece of his mind. I can’t remember FIFA slapping a ban on SA because of that. Recently, the US President Barrack Obama had to appear in Copenhagen to lobby for his city of Chicago to host the 2016 Olympics. Brazil asked Pele to lead Rio De Janeiro’s campaign. I leave it to you to conclude whether we can separate power play and political intervention from sports? However, Hayatou should have told the Angolan authorities that Cabinda was not going to get the nod giving the political and security assessment of the region. I am sure the Angolans would have accepted that than to lose the hosting rights of the tournament. And that leads me to the more serious error of CAF’s policy making judgment.

Here is a team that was subjected to a 20 minute unprovoked machine gun fire resulting in the death of three people.The goalkeeper was seriously injured and had to be flown to South Africa for emergency surgery. We could all see the shocking pictures on television and the players were traumatized. There was indeed conflicting information coming out of the Togolese camp. That information could have been properly managed. At some point they wanted to play, some did not want to. Eventually the Togolese government came out with a position -Come home! That decision would not have been taken lightly. Some of your citizens are dead, one severely with a career threatening injury, the rest are traumatized, your nation is mourning, some parents will never see their children again, some children their fathers, some families their breadwinners. That incident almost automatically undermined the hosting of the World Cup in South Africa. The international community panicked and rightly so! South Africa had to bring out its PR machine to contain the situation. The sensible thing for CAF would have been to just kept quiet and pray that the incident blows away quietly or they could have come out with a more compassionate and humane disposition to Togo.

It seems to me that Hayatou wants to score a political point with the Togolese authorities here. It sends a message of: ‘I am in charge! How dare you try to scuttle my tournament. I will send you away for the next two tournaments, you will also pay me $50, 000 for daring to pull such a stunt’. ‘Nonsense, nonsense upon stilts’ apologies to Jeremy Bentham. I was taught Jurisprudence and Legal Theory at the premier University of Ibadan by the revered Professor Agbede and he posits that the notion ‘Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely’ is wrong. Agbede submitted that ‘Power tends to corrupt,and absolutely power tends to corrupt absolutely’. He cited the great Nelson Mandela as the example of his theory and an exception to the rule. Mandela was wrongly jailed for 27 years, became the most powerful man his country, never took revenge on the white minority government and relinquished power after four years. Hayatou became President of CAF in 1988 and it is a shame that after being the helmsman of CAF for about 22 years the best he can come up with to deal with this situation is to apply the letters of the law without examining the spirit of the laws. The draftsman did not have it in mind that when a country is the object of a terrorist attack; the nation’s morale low; families in tatters; and it says come home my children let us cut our losses and bury your fallen comrades you must ban them and slap them with fines. What the legal draftsman had in mind is that governments should not use it’s power in hiring and firing Football Association officials or to use government machinery to rig and impose officials. The law is not only there to ensure stability and independence but for the greater development of the sport! Hayatou has done the exact opposite in this case. Once again Africa brings under scrutiny the mentality of our leaders. This decision has made us the laughing stock of the world. What is wrong with Africa? Why must we always put ourselves in a position of mockery? The consequence of this ruling is that it will not stand on appeal, and the court of public opinion has condemned Hayatou. I think the honourable thing for him to do is to stand down as CAF President and allow room for fresh blood, fresh ideas for a more humane and compassionate CAF. Hayatou’s ridiculous decision is an indicator of why we are where we are in Africa today.

Kola Alapinni is an International Human Rights Lawyer. He writes from Birmingham, UK.

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*Tags: CAF, Togo, Ban, Issa, Hayatou, Nigerians, Masterweb

*Nigeria & Its Prebendal Public Office Holders

By Charles M. Oluchukwu

Richard A. Joseph, director of The Program of African Studies at Northwestern University, is usually credited with first using the term prebendalism to describe patron-client or neopatrimonialism in Nigeria.[1] Since then the term has commonly been used in scholarly literature and textbooks.

Joseph used the term to describe the sense of entitlement that many people in Nigeria feel they have to the revenues of the Nigerian state. Elected officials, government workers, and members of ethnic and religious groups to which they belong, feel they have right to a share of government revenues.

Joseph wrote in 1996, “According to the theory of prebendalism, state offices are regarded as prebends that can be appropriated by officeholders, who use them to generate material benefits for themselves and their constituents and kin groups…"[3]

The Yar’Adua administration that promised to fight corruption headlong in Nigeria seems to have lost focus, as many corrupt public officers still parade themselves in Nigeria with their ill gotten wealth. Waziri, head of EFCC, seems to have totally forgotten why she was appointed. The scenario today is government officials selling government properties without recourse to what the public thinks about them. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Tafa Balogun, Nigeria’s former Inspector-General of Police in cuffs being taken to court April 4, 2005, after arrest for corruption.

Worse still, our elected parliamentarians also lost grip of the constitutional duties of making laws but concern themselves with taking bribes to thwart decisions, passing laws that are inimical to the generality of the Nigerian masses. They occupy themselves with inflating their share from the national budget, asking for accommodation, furniture, revenue and repairs.

The 2010 electric power for all in Nigerians, today is a mirage as even the government budgets money for generator purchase, fueling and maintenance …what a shame? Most government officials, are owners of one oil bloc or another, importers of power generation sets. So when will this dilapidation end?

No doubt Joseph described the Nigerian public officials as such; people that mortgage public interest for their selfish ends. Public funds are mismanaged, looted with utmost impunity, yet no one raises an eyebrow, and those that try doing so are sent to the world beyond or intimidated to shut their mouth and remain quiet.

Public outcry to government policies are disregarded, no one calls for referendum or even plebiscite to decide on crucial policies. The whims and caprices of those in power and at the corridors of power prevail. Those that looted public treasury are eulogized, as many people or communities ask their kin what they achieved while in office.

Time for revolution will soon come and definitely all that have contributed to giving Nigeria bad image, and misappropriating public funds for private use will be judged. Yar’Adua should better follow the part of honour and give Nigerian a chance, so we can see what Jonathan might offer us.

[ Charles M. Oluchukwu writes from Port Harcourt. ]

Photo Above: Nigerian Ex-Bayelsa State Governor( Diepreye Alamieyeseigha ) Plush London Manson. *Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was governor of Bayelsa State, Nigeria from May 29, 1999 to December 9, 2005. He was arrested and detained in London on charges of money laundering in 2005. Alamieyeseigha jumped bail in December 2005 from the UK disguised as a woman. He denied disguise as a woman. He was impeached by the Bayelsa State Assembly on December 9, 2005 and later arrested for prosecution by Nigerian authorities. On July 26, 2007, Alamieyeseigha pled guilty in court to six count charges and was sentenced to two years in jail on each count. The sentences were to run concurrently and to be counted from the time of his arrest, nearly two years before the sentencing. On July 27, a few hours after being jailed, he was released due to time already served. Alamieyeseigha is currently seeking reinstatement as governor of Bayelsa State in court.

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*Tags: Nigerians, Yar’Adua, Africans, World, Corruption, Masterweb

*IATA Submits Geodetic Survey of 4 Nigerian Airports

By Lateef Lawal

The report of the first phase of the World Geodetic Survey [WGS-84] of the country’s Airports carried out for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) by the International Air Transport Association(IATA) has been completed and submitted to the agency.

According to sources, the full survey reports for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Port Harcourt International Airport as well as their Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS) Procedure design(Airspace Concept) have been submitted to the Managing Director of NAMA, Alhaji Ibrahim Auyo.

The actual survey of the four airports (Kano, Lagos, Abuja and P.H) commenced on 29th August, 2009 and ended on 26th September, 2009. The IATA Surveyors were Messrs Mark John Prince and James Reid. NAMA surveyors (Messrs P. Akonti and B. Asifat) worked alongside them for hands-on-training and transfer of competence, as well as to ensure that the survey conformed to specifications. The surveyors left for UK on 28th September for the preparation of the survey report of the four airports completed. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Port Harcourt International Airport, Nigeria

IATA Surveyors arrived on Thursday, 21st January this year, for the second survey mission to cover 8 - 9 airports as follows: Benin, Osubi, Calabar, Eket, Owerri, Enugu, Ibadan, Akure and Ilorin. As at the time of this report, Benin airport has been fully surveyed as the first in the series.

The military airfields of Kainji and Makurdi as well as some private/state owned airports of Escravos, Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Bebi, are not covered in the contract. It was recommended that the operators of these airports be contacted and advised to take advantage of the on-going process to have their airports surveyed/charted on WGS-84 platform at very reasonable cost.

It could be recalled that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in her pursuit of ensuring enhanced safety in the provision of Air Navigation Services, embarked on the World Geodetic Survey WGS-84 of 22 Nigerian Airports. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria.

The advent of Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) as a modern trend in air navigation, requires that spatial co-ordinate of terrestrial points be established on an ICAO acceptable International Terrestrial Reference Framework known as WGS-84, and the accuracy requirement in positioning must also be improved to meet the challenges of safe air navigation.

When fully put into operation, pilots in flight will depend more on the satellite to navigate into airports covered by the survey and less on land based navigational aids. The contract was awarded to IATA by NAMA after obtaining necessary approval from the Federal Government at the cost of N360 million on 14th May, 2009. A mobilization fee of 15% amounting to fifty four million naira(N54m) was paid to IATA to commence the survey.

Lateef Lawal ( NigerianAviationNews )

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*Tags: Nigerians, Aviation, College, Africans, World, Masterweb

*Whither Nigeria

By Charles M. Oluchukwu (Mazi, O.)

So many years ago, a musician from Nigeria, Evang. Sunny Okosun sang “which way Nigeria, which way to go?". This question remains vivid, vital and crucial. Many would have wondered why the song, as at the time, but the answers are not far fetched today. Nigeria as a nation has lost grip and hence is falling. This arises from the leaders’ actions and inactions, which have today made the nation a laughing stock amongst comity of nations.

The nation, which witnessed many years of military dictatorship, is today a symphony democracy ruled by a parasitic political class, whose major objective remains to misappropriate illegally the nation’s treasury, at the expense of the 150 million citizens. Marginalization of the ethnic groups viewed as enemies of the ruling ethnic nationality becomes sin qua non.

According to the theory of Prebendalism, public treasury is regarded as prebend that can be misappropriated by officeholders for personal benefits and those of their families and close friends. This ugly situation of prebendalism have remained a reoccurring decimal in the body politic of Nigeria, leading to decayed infrastructural development, lack of social amenities and security, corruption in every sphere of the nation’s three tiers of government, killing and kidnap of opposition groups. These monsters have led to every Nigerian becoming a criminal suspect in foreign countries. ( Continues below….. )

Today, the nation suffers migraine headache, as all ethnic nationalities seek to acquire power by all means, leading to tribal conflicts and religious upheavals. From Maitasine to Boko Haram, to Jos crisis, to Niger Delta agitation, to Ogoni MOSOP and MOSSOB.

Thank God, today the north through the Arewa Consultative Forum ACF has accepted responsibility on behalf of the north for the so many failures of the Nigerian body politic. What remains is for those in the corridors of power to accept the truth and make a total reverse, changing for the better.

It is now unimaginable that the so acclaimed giant of Africa now looks unto Ghana to learn from, on how to conduct free and fair election, and how to eliminate political killing, brigandage, thuggery and other social vices associated with conduct of elections. WHICH WAY NIGERIA? ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: President Umaru Yar’Adua of Nigeria

Our elders, former leaders and the international communities are now calling on Yar’dua to follow the part of honour and resign, or hand over power, but the sit-tight syndrome of the Nigerian political class will not allow him, but keep him till he is disgraced out of office.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. This parasitic politicians should let go now or lead the nation to disintegration. If Nigeria fails, our heroes past, who fought with their blood and life to gain freedom from the colonialists, will never forgive them, neither will posterity forgive them.

Charles M. Oluchukwu (Mazi, O.) writes from Port Harcourt.

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*Tags: Nigerians, Yar’Adua, Sunny, Okosun , Africans, World, Saudi, Arabia, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Disunity in Unity - A Paradox

By Charles M. Oluchukwu (Mazi, O.)

Nigeria is an artificial creation of the whims and caprices of the British, without recourse to the desires and aspirations of its citizenry. This, we now observe to be the major bane to unity, even when the leaders pretend and the entire nation have sufered for their pretence.

The biggest and most populous black nation has witnessed one form of violence, inter and intra ethnic crises. Series of nation building discuss and dialogue have been held, yet there seems to be no end to the numerous fracases that have bedeviled the Nigerian state.

Residents of Jos waking from the last homicide commited by northern moslems with absolute support of their clerics and monarchs late last year to witness yet another gruelling killings. This crisis has claimed over 450 lives as reported in the dailies, why remain as a nation.

Niger Delta during their fight never fought along tribal or ethnic lines, rather they sought for end to the continued marginalization of their zone which lays the golden egg that feeds the nation. Their fight was directed against the multinational companies and the government. Why then shouldn’t the north allow people from other parts of the federation to live among them?

If it is not Maitasin, it will be Boko Haram or Jos crisis. Should other parts of the federation continue to die in silence? Should they continue to lose their relatives in a nation that offers nothing but suffering? Maginalization in Nigeria is a product of the northern ruling class, that had hitherto held the nation spell bound, especially during the military dictatorships. ( Continues below….. )

The nation should go back to the drawing table and renegotiate the basis of being one nation, and if need be ( which must ) disintegrate, or form a union of confederating states with less powers at the center.

Nigeria today sufers without a head or president, and the north has refused to see reasons, just because of the illegal zoning formula. Should ethnic or sectional sentiments continue to overide national interest, growth and developement?

Worsening the situation are the political gladiators that benefit from this dysfuntional system at the detriment of people of their ethnic zones. One wonders why Gowon fought for this nation to be one, when Ojukwu sought for the independence of the South East, considering the level of dilapidation of infrastructure and social amenities in the region.

One wonders why Gideon Okar fought but was killed in his effort to divide the nation. The north should tell themselves the truth on what stake they have in this country called Nigeria, other than reaping the products and revenue accruing from the southern parts of the nation.

The country should better be a confederation or better still be balkanized into different nation-states to allow peace to reign. The problems that necessitated the Nigeria-Biafran civil war are still glaringly evident and might lead to another civil war which this time might be more disastrous for the nation.

A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE…

Charles M. Oluchukwu (Mazi, O.) writes from Port Harcourt.

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*Tags: Nigerians, Britain, South, East, Gowon, Civil, War, Africa, Masterweb

*Compulsory Retirement At Nigerian Aviation College

[ 7 Instructors Drag Rector To Court ]

By Lateef Lawal

Seven Chief Instructors of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology(NCAT), Zaria, compulsorily retired late last year have dragged the management of the institution to the Federal High Court, Kaduna . The affected instructors who are challenging their retirement from the services of the College are: Captain J.Achimugu, Engineer V.A Nwobia, Engr A.A Onipede, Engr J.Ikhigbonoaremen, Engr Kole Uhuegho, Engr E.O Onwuka and Captain(Mrs) Chinyere Kalu.

Kaduna Federal High Court fixed January 28, 2010 for the hearing of the suit following the filing of motion on notice by the counsels of the plaintiffs. The instructors claim that contrary to the Federal Government circular ref: HCSF/061/S.1/111/68 dated August 26, 2009, directing that all Directors and Permanent Secretaries be compulsorily retired upon serving eight years in office, they were retired. They argue they are neither Directors nor Permanent Secretaries and consequently wonder why they should be retired.

The instructors in their suit, claim said they were purely classroom teachers by virtue of their job functions, just like lecturers in tertiary institutions (Polytechnics, and Colleges of Technology) of learning. They explained that such functionalities involved essentially the impartation of skill, knowledge, and attitude. Counsel to the instructors in their brief argued NCAT was on CONTISS salary structure just like other colleges that their teachers were not retired based on the circular in question. They went further to state that their clients were licensed professional Aviators that specialized in Aviation manpower training and development in the core competences of the Aviation Industry. ( Continues below….. )

Investigations reveal that none of the retired Chief Instructors attained the retirement age as stipulated in the College Conditions of Service. When all the above facts were made known to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Aviation, a directive was issued to the Rector of the College, Captain Bayo Araba vide letters Ref No. HCSF.LU/MCAT.133/9 and Ref No. FMA/PS/001/1/231 of October 2009 to reverse the decision.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, in his good office, has gave directives to NCAT Rector for reinstatement of the retired instructors. This was transmitted vide Letter Ref No. FMA/PS/001/S.1/1/26 of November 17, 2009. When these directives were not complied with, the retired officers made representations to the Minister of Aviation and the College Board of Governors.

On the 16th of December, 2009 when despite all the peaceful moves by the Instructors failed without response from the Minister and the Board, they embarked on the Federal High Court action for redress. Over the years, NCAT suffered from dearth of skilled professionals in the instructional cadre, and government in its wisdom made several significant interventions to ensure professionalism in NCAT instructional cadre.

One of the senior staff of the college speaking to press said: “It is however worrisome that the Rector should contemplate throwing out capable hands before their statutory retirement age.” The dependence on retired experienced Instructors on contract by NCAT, some even over ten years after retirement, suggests that there is acute shortage of qualified and experienced personnel to adequately deliver in virtually all the core competency areas.

One of the retired officers, Capt Kalu Chinyere, it was gathered was recently given a contract appointment with effect from January 1, 2010. Another staff of the institution speaking on condition of anonymity observed that: “The concerted and determined efforts directed to ensure implementation of the Federal Government circular ref GCSF/061/S.1/1/68 of 26th August 2009 by the Rector appears suspect and calculated to dismantle the training capabilities of the College, since no other similar institutions(Tertiary/Training) has implemented the said circular.”

He added, :’The rationale behind compulsorily flushing out classroom teachers who rose to the positions of Chief Instructors after several years on the job with varied experiences in training and higher degrees therefore becomes highly questionable, more so when the College is aspiring to upgrade its status to a Degree awarding institution by commencing processes of affiliation with a foreign University’.

Lateef Lawal ( NigerianAviationNews )

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*Tags: Nigerians, Aviation, College, Africans, World, Masterweb

*For How Long Can Nigeria Hang On?

By Benjamin Aliu, Snr.

The question in the minds of those watching events in Nigeria, is can Nigeria survive the present situation as a country and for how long are those perpetrating the situation willing to continue with their evil manipulations? The present political climate in the country cast into doubt and uncertainty the future of the country, and unfortunately those in the corridor of power are either ignorant or they just don’t care, so long as they are making millions out of the situation.

The future of Nigeria as a country has become very unpredictable and no investors in their right mind want to invest their hard earned money in a country that is unstable, a country with no steady supply of electricity, a country with no Security, a country with crumbling infrastructure, and over and above, a country without a Leader.

I heard that Coca Cola and other multinational companies, including Shell BP are relocating out of Nigeria, yet those in the corridor of power and the leadership of the ruling PDP do not seem to comprehend the damage that such pull out would do to the country. Our Idiotic and Myopic leadership of the National Assembly who can not see beyond their noses, lack leadership qualities, are yet to realize that Nigeria is fast becoming irrelevant in the international Community. ( Continues below….. )

It is unfortunate that due to personal interest and greed, members of the National Assembly choose to put the destiny and future of our country in jeopardy. The National Assembly could have resolved the situation long ago, but due to what they are making from allowing the situation to continue, they look the other way and make all kinds of flimsy excuses for not being able to do anything. For example, in the 2009 Supplementary Appropriation which both Houses hurriedly signed into law after it was purportedly signed by Yar’ Adua in Saudi Arabia, even though they all knew it was not signed by him. In the bill, there is a provision of 123 billion naira for members of the National Assembly to travel around the world. That puts more than one hundred million naira in the pocket of each member and that is on top of the huge salary and allowances each member is already collecting. It is obvious that the National Assembly is not going to do their job unless they are forced to and I say once again that it is time for a civil disobedience all over the country. Every body – tanker drivers, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Nigeria Labor Congress, students, NUT, ASU, etc. should all be involved. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Nigeria National Assembly Complex

I am dumb founded and lost for words that the People of Niger Delta are quiet about what is going on. The present situation in the Country is a dirty slap in their faces. The money that keeps the country going comes from their land yet their son – the V.P. who the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria said should be in charge right now is not allowed to, by a few individuals for their own selfish reasons. If the situation in the country is not a uniting factor and a call for action for the people of the Niger Delta, then they should all bury their heads in shame and forever be silent. It shows that those who claimed to be fighting for the control of the destiny of the Niger Delta are cowards and opportunists.

At a time when one expects our so called elder statesmen to speak out on issues that affect the destiny and future of the country, they are missing in action. Where are the Obasanjos, the IBBs, the Shagaris, the Gowons, Ekwuemes, Abubakars, Shonekons, Alhaji Adu Bayero, Oba of Bini, Oni of Ife, etc. It is time for them to speak out and let every one know their stand. Nigeria is falling apart and if they choose to be silent, then they should forever be silent on any national issue, should Nigeria survive as a nation.

Finally, it is laughable that the whole world knows that the President of Nigeria is seriously sick and therefore incapacitated to perform his duties, yet members of the Nigerian National Assembly do not know this –what a bunch of idiots. It is obvious that Yar’Adua’s kitchen cabinet has hijacked the National Assembly. It is either the Nigerian people engage in massive and sustained civil disobedience to force the National Assembly to enforce the constitution they all swore to defend, or allow the country to disintegrate so that every body will go to their fatherland and manage the resources within their enclaves.

Benjamin Aliu, Snr. writes from New York, U.S.A.

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*Tags: Nigerians, Yar’Adua, Obasanjo, Africans, Niger, Delta, World, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Akwa Ibom To Spend N25b On Agriculture

By Lateef Lawal,Lagos

Akwa Ibom State is to spend over N25 billion on the development of the agricultural sector, as part of efforts by the government to open up the State’s socio-economic development as well as the creation of job opportunities for the teeming youths. Governor Godswill Akpabio disclosed this in an interview at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while speaking on plans by the state government to interface with Israeli farmers who were in the state to explore investment opportunities in the agricultural and allied sector.

He explained that plans are also afoot by the state government to open up rural areas through massive construction of roads, to enable farmers have access to the market for their products which could be used as raw materials for local industries.

Akpabio also spoke of plans to encourage indigenes of the state to embark on the cultivation of rice through collaboration with some investors from Thailand, to teach the people how to grow rice to contribute to the economy of the state as rice is accelerating the economic development of Thialand as the world’s largest exporter of the commodity.

The governor further explained that plans were also underway to fast track the growing of fruits such that the juice industry could group up in the state for export purposes. ( Continues below….. )

Akpabio speaking to reporters said: “The reality is that any nation that can not feed itself can not claim greatness. So, it has always been my vision that Akwa Ibom should be able to feed itself and particularly with the current economic meltdown and the global food insufficiency; it is important for us to make hays why the sun shines. And in this year’s budget, we have left a large chunk for the agricultural sector and we have started to reach out to a lot of international partners, among them, Israeli farmers.”

Akpabio continued: “They are coming here because they have been able to develop a technology that you can do what is called integrated farming. You can use a football field to feed a whole community without necessarily having a large expanse of land as a result of nothing, but technology. For us, we believe strongly that we can learn a lot from Israel . So, that partnership is already working. We are going to Israel in February to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable them come down to assist us in the agric sector. We are doing the same thing with rice. The Vietnam farmers are already in Akwa Ibom; they have started the rice project in the state. They can bring technology down so that they can assist us in developing rice in that sector. And I can tell you with the airport already developed, it would be very easy for the agro-allied industry to spring up and of course, complemented by the independent power plant.

So, that is the sort of things we are hoping for at the end, we can produce something that will make it possible for raw materials to be used for the agro-allied industry on a large scale, which will also make it possible for a lot of small agro-allied industry to come.”

For instance, here in Lagos , you see all this Ribena products and co, those things are not in the East or South-south.. They are either brought down from Lagos or imported into the country. We are hoping we can produce fruit juices through our own soil.”

On the products that the state will go into, Akpabio said: “Particularly, look at cassava production, we have acquired a very robust plan of what we called Akwa Ibom State Integrated Farmers Scheme and outside that, we want to add value so that we can also have a kind of thing that Nigeria has. You buy things from the farmers to avoid loss.

So, we are encouraging people also in the cassava area because from cassava, you can have a lot of flour and starch, which can also develop an agro-allied industry that will now lead to extraction that come with cassava that can assist a lot in the area of medicine.”

For me, I think the future lies in agriculture and there is no gainsaying that it remains the greatest employer of labour. So, if you really want to create employment opportunities for children and youths in 2010, almost all the states of the federation must look at agriculture.”

On the financial implication for the state, Akpabio said : “It is something you can not even quantify for now, but from the state level, we expect nothing less than N25 billion in the area of agriculture and I assure that it may even go above that as time goes on. It depends on the income that comes into the state. I’m very determined to make a difference in agriculture this year. ”

Lateef Lawal ( NigerianAviationNews )

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*Tags: Akwa, Ibom, Agriculture, Nigerians, Niger Delta, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Jobs, Africa, Masterweb

*Terror Watchlist: Nigeria’s Response

By Kola Alapinni

In the last few days, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs (MFA) Ojo Maduekwe had addressed the world through two poignant fora. One was the BBC Hardtalk program and the second, a news conference in New York. The two provided a critical view of what might be going on in the Nigerian seat of power.

The facts were that a young man of 24, estranged from his parents after a lonely and long sojourn in British educational institutions abroad (whether he should have been allowed to leave home at such a young age for boarding school abroad is another matter entirely) was poached, schooled and nurtured by elements now identified as the Al Qaeda group. He attempted to blow up an airplane over Detroit and he thankfully failed. It emerged that his father had warned the US authorities of his strange behaviour and rising religious fundamentalism. Yet, the US authorities never cancelled his visa and this allowed him to board a US bound plane. Airport security has never remained the same again. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s battered image took more than its fair share of the hit. It is American security and its embassy officials that failed, not Nigeria! And it is not the first time that the gargantuan American security apparatus has failed her nation. It even recently failed to secure the White House properly and allowed unauthorized persons to gatecrash a State Banquet being held for the visiting Indian Prime Minister.

In 1998 the American Embassies were subject to terror attacks in Kenya and Tanzania. Out of the 224 people killed in Nairobi, 12 were Americans, 201 Kenyans and 11 other Africans. Testifying in a New York court, a former Al-Qaeda operative, Jamal Ahmed al-Fadl revealed that the US authorities were informed of the impending attack. The US security agents admitted that they were warned and the former US Secretary of State Madeline Albright ‘criticised the State Department for not doing more to safeguard US missions’ (Aide ‘warned US of bombings’, 2001). Up till now Kenya and Tanzania are not on the terror watch list. Neither did Kenya make any watch list whatsoever when rival political groups struck inflicted terror on innocent people and political opponents during the last Kenyan Presidential elections. Could the present US authorities be turning a blind eye towards Kenya because President Obama’s father is from there? ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Recent undated photo of Abdul Mudallad, Nigerian accused in the failed blow-up attempt of Northwest Airlines Flight 253

Saudi Arabia was not demonised when Osama Bin Laden, a Saudi national was fingered in the 9/11 attacks on America, more importantly about half of the 19 hijackers were Saudi citizens. Britain was not and is not on the US watch list after the ‘British shoe bomber’ failed in his attempt to blow up a transatlantic plane heading to the US. The same offence the young Nigerian boy is accused of. If this is not discrimination there must be another definition for the word. But of course when America and the West fail to get it acts together, it is a systemic failure. When a man reports his son to the US security to be on the lookout for him and the US fails to act appropriately, his country is named a terrorist nation. May we remind the American government that Timothy McVeigh (the Oklahoma bomber), Theodore John Kaczynski (the Unabomber) and of course the fundamentalist religious leader David Koresh of the infamous Waco Siege incident were all US citizens who perpetrated terror against the society as a whole. America has not become less of a terror threat to herself or other nations since these three men neither has it become terror proof since they apprehended Umar Farouk.

It is imperative to note this doctrine of cynicism as practised by the last two American governments and particularly the Obama administration against the Nigerian peoples and government vis-à-vis how they have responded to one or two other nations involved in the same situation as Nigeria, if not worse. Nigeria has to start calling a spade a spade. It must engage on a more robust foreign policy that protects Nigeria’s interests and more importantly her citizens both home and abroad. In my own view there is a way out of this quagmire we are fast allowing our Nigeria to wallow in. It is of the utmost importance for Nigeria to start asserting herself more robustly like we did under the Military government of the no nonsense duo Generals Buhari-Idiagbon Regime. One cannot but remember with a sense of patriotism what has come to be known as the ‘golden era of Nigeria’s foreign policy’ the periods when the Foreign Ministry was led by Ibrahim Agboola Gambari and later by Bolaji Akinyemi.

An incident occurred on 5th July 1984 when a Nigerian Airways plane was impounded on British soil the by the British authorities for being implicated in the botched forceful removal of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) politicians that fled Nigeria in the wake of the coup d’état that brought in the army on New Years Eve in 1983 The Nigerian authorities responded immediately by ordering back a British Caledonian plane forty-five minutes after it took off in Lagos due to ‘security reasons’ it said. There was a diplomatic standoff and eventually the British authorities were forced to release the Nigerian plane in Stansted airport and we released theirs. It took just a few days for the British authorities to see that the new regime would tolerate no nonsense from its former colonial lord. As a matter of fact the then British Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe ‘emphasised that Nigeria was ‘a friendly Commonwealth country’ with ‘a very substantial trading relationship’ with Britain. UK sales to Nigeria were worth nearly Pounds 800m last year, and there were about 12,000 Britons living in the country’ (Strong protest over kidnapping : BRITISH JET HELD IN LAGOS by K.Brown & A.Gowers, 1984); See also (The Kidnap of Umaru Dikko by Max Silloun, 2008).

Photo Above: Northwest Airlines Flight 253 sitting on the runway after arriving at Detroit Metropolitan Airport from Amsterdam on Dec. 25, 2009.

The lesson here is poignant, it is not just enough to accuse a larger nation of bullying you. It is important for you to strike back appropriately where it hurts the most, coupled with the element of surprise. Bullies are always and most certainly felled in an embarrassing manner. The retaliatory response by the bullied nation is always certainly a morale booster to her citizens. This is exactly what has created an excruciating defeat for most Nigerians worldwide right now. Our government fails us without firing a proper salvo in the direction of Washington to let President Obama know that he is not actually in the position to deride Nigeria. It is as if the persons in authority have personal interests to protect abroad. If these were not the case, there is no reason for these atrocious trampling on Nigeria with so much disdain by the US authorities and if I may add by almost every country these days.

This is the major crux that is apparent in Ojo Maduekwes two press outings. On BBC Hardtalk he failed to robustly project a serious Nigeria on the platter of gold offered by the BBC. His performance was dour compared to say a Tom Ikimi under Gen. Sanni Abacha. As the nations MFA even if the President was lying ill in China, are all the members of the Federal Executive Council, The Council of State and The National Assembly also ill? Even if the Vice-President has not been declared as the Acting President yet, the structure is there for us to have put a more appropriate response back to the US. The rambling question/statement put to the MFA in New York by Omoyele Sowore sounded more like the usual student union activist approach to demands from university authorities in Nigeria. He ought to have decided if he wanted to be an objective journalist or a passionate activist. That was the flaw of his exchange with Ojo Maduekwe. Which other mandate or directive does the MFA require to project our country’s position? He is not seeking an election, is he? He has already been sworn into the job. Maduekwe thus fell into the trap of allowing petty chat to overshadow the thrust of the direction Nigeria wants to be seen as taking.

Herein lays the bane of our problems, the inability to arise above pettiness and keep our eyes on the ball. What we could have done, was to highlight all the flaws of the American security system. America suffers from a perennial Achilles heel, it’s security organs and the ability to respond appropriately is in shambles! The Obama administration prefers referring to it as ‘systemic failures’. The logic is that if America is suffering from systemic failures, then Nigeria is not safe from attacks from American nationals simply because American intelligence cannot be relied upon. It is time to hold the bulls by the horn. As a matter of urgency, Nigeria ought to have responded immediately by putting America on it’s own terror watch list, subject all passengers coming from America to full body searches. And deploy the usage of body scanners when it concerns citizens from these countries with particular emphasis on flights from the US. Nigeria ought to have gone on a huge propagandist mission to major news networks with a combined strategy of interviews, press conferences and sponsored advertorial. If Nigeria does not do this, I am afraid it has dug a hole for herself to be buried in.

Kola Alapinni writes from Birmingham, U.K.

Works Cited

Aide ‘warned US of bombings’. 2001. BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1159722.stm. [Online] February 8, 2001. [Cited: January 24, 2010.]

Strong protest over kidnapping : BRITISH JET HELD IN LAGOS by K.Brown & A.Gowers. 1984. [Online] July 7, 1984.

The Kidnap of Umaru Dikko by Max Silloun. 2008. Nigerians in America. http://www.nigeriansinamerica.com/articles/2400/2/Israel-And-Nigeria-The-Kidnap-Of-Umaru-Dikko-Conclusion/Page2.html. [Online] February 4, 2008. [Cited: January 24, 2010.]

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*Tags: Terrorism, Terrorist, Africans, Abdul, Mudallad, Abdulmutallab, World, Nigerians, Masterweb

*The Sickness of Nigerian Leaders Diagonised

By Olugu Ukpai

Sometime ago, I had a need for a legal practitioner but I did not have any in mind. In my quest to get one, I saw an inscription, “Ruthless and brutal frankness is our motto” and I walked in. I ended up contracting the legal firm because there was the need for a bitter truth and frankness at the time. This article will say many things that are unconventional because there is need for bitter truth. The Nigerian society is sick, very sick indeed. Only the truth will heal her. The truth is like a medicine. It is usually bitter, with adverse side effects, but it cures the disease and heals the patients. The Nigerian state is afflicted by a disease called “Mathewnomics” that could easily become terminal if not severely treated. The Nigerian patient therefore requires a large dose of very bitter medicine i.e-bitter truth. It was Wanye Booth who signifies that “The scholar is the only person charged by society to carry the burden of thought to its extremes, even when thought hits back.” Therefore as a scholar, I am qualified to administer the medicine.

Since it is not possible to examine in totality the legion of manifestations of “Mathewnomics” diseases in the contemporary society, a hand full will be examined. Definitely, contemporary Nigeria is a more sophisticated criminalized version of Babylon. It is an unjust, sick, wayward, unpatriotic, deadly state-governed and devil-driven modern Sodom.

Okowa in his syllogistics signifies that “Mathewnomics” is derived from two words: Mathew and Economics.

Whoever has will be given more, and he will heaven abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. (Matthew Chapter 13; verse 12)

For everyone who has will be given more and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. Matthew Chapter 25; verses 29).

He contends that the political economy of the contemporary Nigerian political economy is built on the logic of Mathew: The use of the instrumentality of the state to expropriate loot and siphon the resources of the poor and weak majority for the benefit of the wealthy and powerful minority according to Mathew. Now let’s examine a few of the manifestations of “Mathewnomics” in our beloved Nigeria:

Education:

There was a time in the history of Nigeria that Ghanaians and even the West came to Nigeria for a better living and education. The reverse is now the case. We are witnesses to how much the “Rogue Republic” Nigeria has been relegated to, because of systemic failure, bad governance and greed. The British pounds matched 1 for 1 pound then. Having so messed the economy and our once cherished educational system by the few political “rogues”, they now prefer to whisk their children abroad for a better now “turned bitter” education. And that is why Nigeria can afford to be in this basterdised act of attempted “bombing heaven” of Umar Farouk who has studied abroad all his life until 25/12 incident that stopped him. Nigeria is now enlisted as a ‘country of interest’ nation among Afghanistan, Iran and 13 others. The evil that men- “Nigerian Rogue political class” do live with them. Now the rich also cry. Let me ask, is it not from looted Nigerian treasury that Mr. Umaru Mutallab, the alleged “terrorist’s father” sponsored his son’s lavished life abroad? It is still a mystery to me, how a chap of 23 years suddenly became a self acclaimed “Minister of Tourism”, jetting in and out of London, Yemen, Dubai, Togo, Ethiopia, Ghana and Dubai all of where he supposedly studied? Daniel Adewumi wrote in my blog that “This boy lived in an “appartment"(sick) building worth 4.2Million Pounds” per annum in London. Where did his father got such money? It is time to probe his activities as a once Chairman of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). If Nigerians cares to listen, we are getting clues on why the sudden collapse of our banking industry. The likes of Cecilia Ibru, the self arrogated female role-model cum looter who bought over 103 houses all over the world and 77 shares with various companies. What of Erastus Akingbola? Birds of the same feather that flock together. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Undated photo of Abdul Mudallad (on a school trip to London), Nigerian accused in the failed blow-up attempt of Northwest Airlines Flight 253

The political elites have totally destroyed our institutions of higher learning.”Today the dominant issues in higher institutions of learning are fashions, music, cultism and other social vices. Books, studying and learning have taken second place in the priority of many Nigerian’s future leaders. (Tell Magazine, no.45, Nov. 8, 2004, p.42).

More on how the Nigerian political elite “rogues” contributes to the rot in our institutions of higher learning, Tell further reports:

“That is why on some campuses today, prostitution is widespread. On the campuses, those who have money use it to ‘settle’ their lecturers, those who are not yet privileged pay in “kind”. Others ply their trade outside their campuses. At different social gatherings, organized mainly by government officials and the rich, female undergraduates are recruited ostensibly to serve as hostesses but later end up on their host’s beds.” (Tell Magazine, no. 45, Nov. 8, 2004, p.43).

Had our universities been functioning, the present shame would have eluded Nigeria because the “radicalized lad” would have schooled in Nigeria. Thus, the political elites are “connected” with the “Failed Bombing Heaven”. They have questions to answer.

Nigerian Cronies’ Democracy:

What do I mean? In America and elsewhere Democracy obtains, it is defined as “the government of the people by the people and for the people”, while in Nigeria; it is “Government by crony and for the cronies, the hangers-on and recipients of favours for old times’ sake.”

It was George Washington who said, “Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.” Across our political landscape are a dysfunctional and dangerous conglomerate of business-as-usual cronies who openly claim to be the friends of men in power, who in turn use their position to protect these influence-peddling felons. Today in Nigeria the rule of law has become the ruse of law (‘ruse’: an action intended to mislead, deceive or trick).

Thus, Nigerian’s ruling class has violated the 8th commandment in the Bible and Quran.

“Thou shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15).

“As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power.” (Qur’an 5:38).

But in Nigerian, we cut off the hands of hungry citizens who steal yam and rice, while those who steal millions “the cronies” shouts “don’t let him go.”! Those who steal in millions and billions, use their stolen wealth to rig themselves into power, lesser thieves who steal to survive, lose their hands or are roasted alive. One Nigeria! The moral is rather unfortunate: petty thieves are criminals; mega-thieves are “Commanders of the Order of the Negro, (CON).” Of course, owners of CON are conmen. Nigeria in reality therefore operates one law for the rich and powerful, another one for the poor and weak.

Pastor Tunde Bakare once wrote that “Those who serve at the altar in Nigeria’s Public Service do not only partake of the offerings at the altar”, they carry the altar away even to foreign lands and every attempt to make such people face the law is sabotaged by their cronies in power.”

Such people forget what the Bible or Quran says (with which they “stupidly and hopelessly”, took oath of office with (in the words of Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai). Proverbs 29:24 - “Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He swears to tell the truth but reveals nothing.” When you add the Preacher’s verdict in Ecclesiastes 8:11 to all these, then you realize why we are in this State of Lawlessness: “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”

No wonder the late Very Rev. Dr. James Ukaebgu once wrote that “If God fails to punish Nigeria; he should write an apology letter to Sodom and Gomorrah.”

The Judiciary and Jungle Justice:

The legal icon, Professor Uche Ewelukwe maintains that Nigerian courts are yet to develop concrete and equitable standards to guide their interpretation of the law. Much is therefore left to individual judges. The standard of natural justice, equity and good conscience is “at best vague and at worst reflects the views of the dominant power in the society.” She avers that during the colonial rule, it reflected the views of the white colonial officers. Today in Nigeria, it reflects the views of male dominated judiciary, giving jungle justice under the whims and caprices of the rich.

For instance, in December 2009, a Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State discharged and acquitted the former Delta State governor James Ibori of all 170 charges of corruption brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “This Court is the highest one in the land, but you can appeal to God”, my learned friends would say. “Wonderful!! Shame to those who ignorantly say that the Nigerian judiciary is the last hope of the common man. In fact, if not for the sake of the sick president whose name is even missing in the Saudi Arabia’s hospital (Jeddah) patients’ manifesto where he is supposedly being treated, I would have urged the CJ to issue an injunction restraining the Judge from practice. Oh, is the newly sworn in CJ himself not even illegitimate? My hands are tied. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Nigerian Ex-Bayelsa State Governor( Diepreye Alamieyeseigha ) Plush London Manson.

“Babangida stole billions of dollars in Nigerian state resources and mismanaged the rest. His children and cronies became rich overnight. But most importantly, Babangida is yet to answer to his crimes against humanity and the Nigerian people, including the killing of Dele Giwa? To show his disdain for the dead journalist and the constitution, Babangida refused to testify before the “best Nigerian entertainment”, the hapless Oputa Panel; Human Rights Panel about Dele Giwa’s murder. What pains me most is that Dele Giwa “was killed via a bomb with a parcel bearing the coat of arms of the Nigerian state.” Where is Gani? Where is Gani? I cry for my country. The late legal luminary’s suit against IBB, the evil genius and Maradona on Dele giwa’s murder is still pending with the Judiciary. I challenge the Nigerian Judiciary to fish out the killer(s) of Delegiwa.

Gania, a foreign commentator sums it all when he wrote “I am not a Nigerian and I want to say that I am surprised about what people say about IBB….The Nigerians I know have always spoken about IBB as if he were a genius. They seem to be very proud of him only because they regard him as a master deceiver. I have never seen a Nigerian that expects a president to be honest because this is not a part of the Nigerian culture. Even the [some of] churches in Nigeria are just another form of 419.”

Constitutionalism:

THERE are really no significant changes in the 1999 Constitution from the 1963 Constitution, save for the nomenclature of the Queen and the finality of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Accordingly, Nigeria became a legal sovereign and its appeals no longer lay from the Supreme Court of Nigeria to the Privy Council in the United Kingdom. I submit that Nigeria still operate with the colonial Constitution. Save Nigeria Group (SNG) describes the Nigerian Constitution as “A dictatorship Constitution brought about by a treasonable power clique which tells lies about our rights is unfit for us.” For Pastor Tunde Bakare, “Nigerian Constitution is a wayward child of British colonialism.”

An imposed constitution cannot serve the same purpose as a people’s Constitution and it is a matter of time, the people’s will shall prevail. The National Assembly is playing politics as usual with the Constitutional review. We want a peoples’ Constitution.

Economic Development:

By God’s design, every nation is to develop at her own pace. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals and all the surrounding politics will only benefit those who designed it. Whereas no nation can be an island in this age of globalization, we must learn to develop at our own pace, one sector or domain at a time and do so thoroughly except where the available resources in the hands of selfless leaders can be utilised to accomplish simultaneous development of all domains. What Nigeria has spent so far and what we still need to spend to attain the MDGs could have been put into some productive use in developing vital domains of our society and by now we would have something to show for credible governance.

Time has come for us to stop running the race of our national development looking at the clocks of other nations except those truly interested in our not becoming a failed state. It will do this nation a lot of good if our leaders can remove their political and chieftaincy caps and wear thinking caps for a change in the overall interest of our survival and development as a nation. At best, I can describe President Yar’ dua’s seven points agenda as “seven pockets agenda.” Seven more better, tailored pockets to loot the Nigerian treasury.

President Uma Yar’dua and His “Ruse of Law”: (‘ruse’: an action intended to mislead, deceive or trick). How did Uma Yar’dua clinched power? Is it not by “stealing and robbery” of people’s mandate? If so, that is why he will lead Nigeria into destruction.

“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber….The thief comes, only to steal and kill and destroy; … (St. John’s Gospel, Chapter 10, verses 1-10).

If President Yar’dua clinched power through “robbery” what do you expect from the cabinet that he has formed? The offering of a hawk cannot fail to devour chicken. Barrister Christopher Onwuekwe wrote that the “Federal Executive Counsel is an illegality and has not done its job under the constitution…” (Punch newspaper of January 15, 2010).

You can agree with me why President Uma Yar’Adua and his philosophy of Rule of Law is “ruse of law” along with most of his cronies Ministers, especially the Attorney General, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN). They should be regarded as greatest jokers of Nigerian stumbling historical Silver Jubilee? (If I am right Nigeria, turns 50 years of independence come October, 1 2010).

Let’s examine a few of the Nigerian “Rogue” Political cronies:

The Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu is the worst educated illiterate and the worst Education Minister that the country has ever had. He quickly forgot the pace that he had set for himself as the Ebonyi State Governor where his educational policy was the loudest and a model. Soon after being appointed as the Education Minister, he became a “mathewnomist” and allowed the cronies’ syndrome in the “Nigerian Rogue Republic” to destroy his hard earned reputation. If not for the smart move of the sick president to engage Edo State Governor, Comrade Oshiomole, the university lecturers would have still been on strike by now. My condolences.

What of the information Minister, Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili? Is she not a paid town crier or better put, a paid piper. It is said that he who pays the piper detects the tune. Her once reckoned integrity as a NAFDAC boss is rather fast going down the drain as she hurriedly joins the cronies as evidenced in her mouth-watering “Nigerian Re-branding Project.” The first of such white elephant “re-branding” cost taxpayers 1.05billion; 750million in 2007 and 300million in 2008. In fact let Dora submit why she should not be stoned for failure to first, start rebranding herself and her cronies. The government favours the most diplomatic language. That’s why any proposal letter that Dora writes as long as it starts with, “Dear turkeys and foul maggots…", the money must be approved.

Vindication came to my way when a renowned World Evangelist, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai describes Dora’s “Rebranding Nigerian Project “as [an] other funny paper work” as reported by the PUNCH newspaper of Nov. 7th, 2009. Responding to the question “Do you believe in the campaign to rebrand Nigeria?” this highly respected and a balanced international gospel minister who has been described as belonging to the “class of Elijah the Tishbeth” retorts:

“If you want to rebrand Nigeria, where do you start because we are so neck deep in corruption? If we are going to rebrand Nigeria; I want to hear of one man who stole government money and returned that money to us. I want to hear of somebody who gave false accusation and send somebody to jail to rise up and say I told lies. I want hear a man who put his sister in-law in a family way to rise up and say, I did something I shouldn’t have done. I want to hear a woman say the child I am carrying does not belong to my husband. I want to hear the Police say we locked up somebody not because he was guilty but because he insulted us. Until the source of the spring is clean, the main river will never be clean. To me that is the beginning of rebranding. You cannot conquer what you cannot confront.”

I do not want to waste time talking about the petroleum Minister, Rilwan Lukman, the oldest minister “crony” who has been consolidating “Mathewnomics” since 1970s in which he has enjoyed one appointment or the other. He slammed the Vice President’s order and jetted out of the country to enjoy himself abroad while Nigerians suffer fuel scarcity. His grey hair is a disgrace to wisdom. Can Lukman leave his family while his house is on fire? He is a ruler, not a leader. Aondoakaa & Rilwan Lukman should be immediately shown the exit door because they have proved to be arrogant and lacks any respect for Nigeria (not even the VP). Lukman has outlived his usefulness to Nigeria, he has become a burden. This man has been in the system since 1970s and the rot in the oil industry has been increasing at high magnitude. He is part of the problem than solution. The energy Minister also should be sacked for his failure in delivering good results, in delivering 6000 megawatts of electricity in December 2009.

Professor Okowa sums it all when he wrote that “only the fool, the poor, and the weak may respect the law. The smart, the rich and the powerful owe the nation a duty to disrespect the law. Indeed, one could say that in contemporary Nigeria, a man’s importance may be measured by his ability to disregard the law, no thanks to the elite operators of the state.

At the 8th December, 1982 at the U.P.N. Congress (28 years ago, when Nigeria was only 22), VINTAGE AWO appears to be referring to the Dora’s “paid-paper work” of “Re-branding Nigerian Project when he said:

“Our current leadership is totally bereft of new ideas, and utterly incapable of evolving or devising solutions to our problems. It is also incapable of appreciating effective solutions or of how to apply them, even when these are presented to it unsolicited and on the platter.”

“Our Government is a source of despair at home and a disgraceful laughing-stock on the international scene. “We are regarded as a chicken-hearted giant with jelly-like physique. Africa has waited in vain for years for this giant to be conscious of its destiny and give the desired leadership: the world has also waited for it to realize its unique potential strength and make its influence felt in wholesome directions: but the world has, so far, had to wait in vain.”

How the Ruled Class Have failed Nigerians:

I now turn to the ruled class who, because of poverty sell their votes, and then sacrifice not only their future, but also that of their great grand children because of the pleasure of the present. When the ruled class mortgages their vote, that signifies sending a UPS letter to pick crumbs, and selling the conscience to challenge the leaders because you cannot eat your cake and have it. Every one of us is only as strong as members of the inner circle (the political elites) when we cast our votes wisely. Nobody can rise above us when we refuse to sell our birth right with a port of porridge. Let’s use our vote wisely and vote them out. Thus, the ruled class is also connected in the failed “bombing heaven” because of our inability to control our materialistic wishes and vote them out. They continues looting our treasury and sending their children abroad to study after messing ours.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole beate his chest and bragged that her “junior sister graduated from Oxfod University about two weeks ago…” and concludes “no one can stop [them, political elites] from sending their children abroad for quality education” (Vanguard, 21st Jan. 2010).Therefore we should expect more “bombing hell.” Except if we resolve to vote them out.

However, some critics who never have faith again in the “business call Nigeria” may be pessimistic given the rigging theory of the Nigeria’s ruling party, People’s Destructive Party, as Orji Uzor Kalu prefers. But I do not even agree with him. There are two other lesser known political parties that rules Nigeria, not even PDP. I will describe below.

The Only Two Political Parties in Nigeria:

Although INEC claimed to have currently registered about 57 political parties, I contend that they are two functioning political parties in Nigeria. They are Barabalistic Political Party (BPP) (Politics of Barabbas) and Abdulistic Political Party (APP) (Politics of Abdulahi) aka “Business Party.”

Barabalistic Political Party (BPP) (Politics of Barabbas):

It was the ebullient Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, who spoke of what he described as the politics of Barabbas. The Scriptures tell us that when Jesus was about to be crucified, a renegade known as Barabbas also faced the same fate. Pontius Pilate asked the crowd to choose whom they wanted executed, and they said they wanted the head of Jesus. So, they executed the man who brought them salvation and spared the bandit. When Abiola disengaged from the NPN. He said it was “a liberation from darkness in the search for truth.” He then quoted Christ who said “and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Abiola, the second best president that Nigeria never had (besides Awo, quoting Dan Agbese), and Murtala Mohammed were killed, while the Barabbas cliques, the likes of James Ibori, have been discharged and acquitted by the crony’s neo-colonial, and maggot infested court. BPP is a political party that does not allow the good ones: the Abiolas, Murtala Muhammed, the Joshuas and Calebs that will lead Nigerian nation to the promise land to remain alive. They are “wasted overnight.” Like Delegiwa, they are murdered with letter bomb or assassinated one foot away from police check point. The Nigerian police “fault” in turn shoots into the thin air, while the government opens up a legalized “pocket for stealing” and connect their cronies to loot Nigerian treasury in the name of “Commission of inquiry” whose inquest are never made known. Such commission of inquiry’s report on the gruesome murder of Delegiwa is yet to be submitted up till date. If they have submitted, of what use? Who then killed Delegiwa? Fela has the answer.

Abdulistic Political Party (APP) (Politics of Abdulahi) aka “Business Party”:

This reminds us of the legendary Abdul who want to make money without working all his life. It is Abdulistic political party that gave birth to the “Business Party” called Nigeria. The manifesto of APP is to teach people how to make money without working. We have a situation now in which those who work very hard typically have little to show for their hard work. On the other hand, those who are well connected to the controllers of the state can easily connect themselves to the fabulous wealth without working. Increasingly therefore, Nigerians are abandoning hard work as they try to get connected to the state. One time Senate President, Pius Anyim, once said that “The problem of Nigeria is not the uniform [Military rule] but with the psychology of Nigerians, because every Nigerian sees himself as an adventurer into the business call Nigeria and so, is concerned mainly with how much enters into his pocket.” (Punch of Sept. 14, 2001).

Terrorism:

Terrorism refers “The calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear).” On the other hand, there is also “State terrorism which refers to acts of terrorism conducted by governments.” Who are terrorists in Nigeria?

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has the answer when he said “They [Nigerian political elites/government are the terrorists] have a history of using state apparatus to kill, to maim and to detain and I am warning them, the world is running out of patience with Nigeria, the world is mad that Nigeria cannot get its act together because of the activities of few criminals among us.” “But the problem is not with Nigerians; the problem is a small group of discredited politicians who have always lived fat on our people.” (Guardian, Jan. 20). Why the incessant wars and wanton destruction of lives and properties in the Northern Nigeria? Why Northern Nigerian all the time? Why Niger Delta? Why? What is the role of the “lame government”?

“The world cannot understand why an election in Nigeria will be equivalent to war, the world cannot understand why a politician will insist that whether his people want him or not, he must win an election, that is why the world is dismissing Nigeria as a failed state because when the state cannot guarantee free and fair election, what can it guarantee?”When you hear America said that we are on the watch-list of terror, it is because the Americans are frustrated by the inability of the Nigerian state to organise itself because of the problem of abuse of office, the impunity with which elections are rigged and the level of corruption in our environment - those are the issues that the world is angry with Nigeria about. They can’t understand why Sierra Leoneans can do election, Nigeria cannot, they cannot understand why Ghana can do elections, opposition party defeats the government of the day and Nigeria cannot. If at 80, we are still into criminality, at 80 we are perfecting how to rig election, at 80 we are begging Inspector General of Police to give us policemen to help us commit crime, when we go because we won’t live for more than 100, this is the report card our God the creator will show us.” Contemporary Nigeria is a more sophisticatedly criminalized version of ancient Babylon.

Conclusion: In the Words of Nigerian Founding Fathers:

I can do no better than to end this piece with the Awo’s reflections on Nigeria. On the 8th of December, 1982 at the U.P.N. Congress (28 years ago, when Nigeria was only 22), VINTAGE AWO appears to be referring to our corrupt-maggot infested political elites in particular and the systemic corruption general of the present Nigerian state when he said:

“The society is getting more and more insecure. More people are going into crime and they are getting more ruthless, desperate and sophisticated. With the way the society is, it is a predictable result of a malignant environment dominated by man’s insensitivity to man.”

“The good people of this country, the entire lot of them, are entitled to live in reasonable comfort. Nature herself commands that this should be so. Our natural and mineral resources are super-abundant. Our human resources are just adequate for our purposes – not more, not less. The latter are awaiting to be fully developed and fully utilized, in order that we may explore and exploit the former to the optimum level. But so far they have been largely neglected.

“And the agglomeration of obtuse, supine and unawakened minds that are responsible for this criminal neglect want to continue – indeed perpetuate themselves in office.

“From all accounts, it can be said, without fear of valid contradiction, that Nigeria is about the most unsafe country in the world to live in, robbery by violence is endemic and is committed with impunity, even in broad day-light. Our roads, instead of being safe means of egress and ingress, are quicker avenues to death than any known deadly disease. Corruption is extolled and largely emulated: mediocrity is enthroned: industry and hard work is discouraged.

“The society is getting more and more insecure. More people are going into crime and they are getting more ruthless, desperate and sophisticated. With the way the society is, it is a predictable result of a malignant environment dominated by man’s insensitivity to man.

“The most serious of these negative consequences is the complete breakdown of law and order. Lawlessness is pervading now in Nigeria and the law enforcers are being overworked, stretched and overtly pressurised…we must all act concertedly now to forestall the likely natural occurrence of complete chaos because then, neither the oppressed nor the oppressor will have either succor or respite. When the morning of doom dawns, even the soldiers and the police will run for their lives. World histories have confirmed this.”

Unlocking the Mind of Our Nation With Our Votes:

How can the poor match against the rigging of their votes given the often used security operatives to perpetuate their rigging? But Professor Sam Omatseye reminds us that “Starvation is a legitimate greatest weapon of war.” The Nigerian police “fault” cannot match with the 150 million hungry-militarian Nigerians who live below 99 cent USD a day. It is the inability of the ruled class to use their vote wisely to vote out the rogues that perpetuates them in office. Let us rise, use our votes wisely and vote them out!

Neither BPP nor APP will rule us again. It is character that will determine whom we shall vote in. Without character, we will still have the usual promise: “to build bridge where there is no water” to borrow the words of Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai. It is only those with character that can deliver their economic promises. President Bill Clinton gave America its greatest economic expansion in history. Yet, when Al Gore, his vice-president and fellow traveler through those robust years, decided to run, they changed the message. The election, the Republicans said was about character. The Monica Lewinsky scandal helped to make George W. Bush the president.

The Power of Our Votes-More Powerful than Gun:

Speaking on the power of our votes, Lyndon B. Johnson wrote that “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men”. For Abraham Lincoln “Ballots are the rightful and peaceful successors to bullets.” Franklin D. Roosevelt caps it all when he wrote “Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us.

The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.” Fellow citizens, it’s time to fundamentally change the way that we do business in Nigeria with our votes. To help build a new foundation for the 21st century, we need to reform our government so that it is more efficient, more transparent, and more creative. That will demand new thinking and a new sense of responsibility from every one of us. LET’S USE OUR GREATEST WEAPON, OUR VOTES TO VOTE THEM OUT!

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

May God bless Nigeria!!

Always, a proud Nigerian.

*Olugu Ukpai, a Ph.D student, School of Law, University of Reading, sent in this article from UK, and can be reached at oluukpaiolu@yahoo.com

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*Tags: Nigerians, Africans, Leaders, Mathewnomics, Sickness, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Arik Air Resumes Flights Between Lagos & Jos

By Lateef Lawal

Arik Air has resumed services between Lagos and Jos, capital of Plateau State. The airline suspended services to Jos on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 following the outbreak of religious riot in the city and the imposition of 24-hour curfew in the troubled city by the State government.

Arik Air’s Managing Director, Mr. Jason Holt said: “The safety of our passengers and employees is always paramount. During the three days, the airline’s security team has been monitoring the situation in Jos closely and our local management has been liaising continuously with authorities. At this time, there is consensus that it is safe to resume our services.” ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria.

Arik Air Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Suraj Sundaram added: “The resumption of flights means that Arik Air once again offers our guests daily flights between Lagos and Jos. Flights depart Lagos at 11:55 am, arriving Jos at 1:20 pm, while the return flight leaves Jos at 1:50 pm and arrives Lagos at 3:15 pm.”

Arik Air operates a fleet of 31 state-of-the-art regional, medium haul and long haul aircraft. The airline serves 22 airports across Nigeria as well as Accra (Ghana), Banjul (Gambia), Cotonou (Benin), Dakar (Senegal), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Niamey (Niger), London Heathrow (UK), Johannesburg (South Africa) and New York JFK (USA).

The airline currently operates over 130 flights daily from its hubs in Lagos and Abuja. It employs a workforce of more than 1,800.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

Photo Above: An Arik Plane

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*Tags: Nigerians, Arik, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Jos, Africa, Masterweb

*Shortcut To Good Governance In Nigeria

By Frank Ediagbonya

The Nigerian National Anthem sings that “the labour of our past heroes shall never be in vain". Available evidence and the unpatriotic attitude of Nigerian leaders has put the labour, struggle and selfless effort of the early Nationalist leaders who took daring risks to set Nigeria free from the scourge of colonialism in vain. The motives for which Nigerian independence was fought and attained have been defeated by greed and hypocrisy of today’s Leaders.

For those who thought Nigerian independence would bring Peace, justice and freedom to all Nigerians and those who dreamt that the national treasury will be secure from foreign exploitation at the same time and the many who thought that the non existence colonialism would restore their human dignity, these thoughts and dreams turn out to be fortified and consolidated with a huge disappointment from their own leaders. What is on ground in Nigeria nearly five decades after independence is disgraceful, unwarranted and fall short of the great expectations many Nigerians had wished for. Those who wanted succour from good governance from their own people are now having a moment of rethink and regret.

Chief Anthony Enahoro would tell Nigerians that the reason why he moved the motion for independence in 1953 and then 1958 were not as critical as the exploitation and inhumane treatment Nigerians are now receiving from their own leaders today. What Nigerians thought were hardship in colonial era would have been considered as the best regime in today’s Nigeria after all the colonial masters listened to the wish of the majority and granted Nigeria independence. Chief Anthony Enahoro is still available for comments and clarifications on this issue.

The quest for good governance, freedom of thought, quality education, good health-care system, standard infrastructural facilities, respect for human rights and dignity, freedom of the press, freedom of movement and better standard of living for all Nigerians was what prompted Chief Enahoro, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Raymond Njoku, Alhaji, Sir, Tafawa Belewa, Herbert Macaulay, etc to seek for political and economic self determination by the Nigerian people from the British Government which was realised in 1960. ( Continues below….. )

Most Nigerians in corridor of power see themselves as a replacement for colonial masters the differences between them and the colonial master is that they are not prepared to listen to the wishes and aspirations of the majority. As an occupational force; Nigerian politicians should not bank on the notion that fear factor would keep good governance at bay forever. A new nationalist movement can override fear factor and the attainment of fresh independence from the oppressors of the masses and the hijackers of the peoples’ mandate realised. Nationalism is not a one off thing, it is a continuous process which must be encouraged until Nigeria is set free from the siege of bad leaders.

About a decade ago, in a one hour interview granted to CNN, Professor Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Prize Winner of Literature in 1984 lamented seriously over the way Nigeria has been and is being governed. He highlighted the deplorable conditions the military and politicians have left Nigeria and he reiterated that these governments have rendered many Nigerian youth a wasted generation. Providence has prove Wole Soyinka right, he has been vindicated by his own predictions about Nigeria just like many great Nigerians like him who saw Nigeria’s tomorrow from the happenings of today. The conclusion of Soyinka’s CNN interview were suggestions of shortcut to good governance in Nigeria. He suggested among many:

*A sovereign national conference

*True Federalism

*Devolution of Power; i.e regional governments and a reduction in the power of the President.

*Credible electoral processes.

*Transparency and accountability of the leaders to the leads. etc.

Few years after that memorable CNN interview, Soyinka messages fell on deaf ears, the political and social problems of Nigeria grew rapidly and has now spiral out of control. These problems have been diagnosed with many complications by local and international experts and the solutions appears to be hidden among the politicians in Abuja and some forces working against the progress of Nigeria. There is no Nigerian problem without a solution.

Wole Soyinka mounted the podium in Abuja a few days ago, addressing Great Nigerians, urging them to protest against Nigeria’s interregnum, his messages and protest generated a lot of controversy from never listening power-mongers of Nigeria. Soyinka’s protest march was met with a counter protest march. Soyinka has called for civil disobedience which has gained the support and disagreement of many Nigerians from the North, South, East and West. It seems that there is no threat dreadful enough to panic the present day rulers of Nigeria not even the hardship and supplications of the majority. Nigeria is under siege of a cartel who handles National issues like their private estate if not why are the Nigerians in the corridor of power treating their fellow countrymen and women as tenants in their mother’s land? Are there no shortcut to good governance in a country like Nigeria? Does good governance fall from heaven like manna? Does good governance exist anywhere in the world? With what comparison can good governance be measured? ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: President Umaru Yar’Adua of Nigeria

Agitation for a dependable, reliable and sustainable government in Nigeria is not a new development, historical evidence shows that from colonial era till date, there is an overloaded desire by many Nigerians to experience good governance for at least a presidential tenure in their life time. This desire or quest is developing gradually into a social movement which could soon overthrow the current regimes of bad governance in Nigeria. Be that as it may, good governance does not come on a platter of gold, with the magic word of abracadabra or from lip service of those who are perpetuating bad governance.

Many campaigners of good governance in Nigeria have lost their freedom, properties, constitutional rights and privileges, many have been socially excluded from the scheme of things for seeking an alternative social system to bad governance, many have been declared public enemy number one, many have been given death threats, many have seek refuge in far away countries while many have been assassinated despite all these, the quest for good governance is waxing stronger in Nigeria.

Good governance is borne out of bad governance. Developed countries of the world which many Nigerians envied today, countries which some rich Nigerians even travel to for medical treatment or send their children for studies were once like Nigeria before they chose the path of good over evil. There were evidence of bad governance in England in 1640-1660 which led to the execution of King Charles and his Cavaliers. Jerry John Rawlings overthrown bad governance in Ghana on 31st Dec. 1981. France 1789 bad governance led to the execution of Louis XVI, March 1st 1881 Czar Alexander II was executed for bad Governance, the Spanish revolution of 1820, 1830 and 1863 happened as a result of bad governance. The Austria revolution of 1848 was a quest for good governance. The American revolution, the American war of independence were all quests for good governance. Government changes through credible elections and these changes are manifestation of good or better governance.

Where does the quest for good governance leave Nigeria and Nigerians? Nigeria inherited a parliamentary system from the British, a system that has worked perfectly well in Britain for more than 600 years, same system has worked in many countries that inherited or copied it from Britain but it was a complete disaster in Nigeria. Policy marker in Nigeria opted for the American Presidential system, a system that is being successfully practised by many countries of the world and yet it is proving to be a huge failure in Nigeria because anything done in Nigeria involving money, religion or tribe, all hell would break loose.

It is sad that Nigeria is in a crossroad after all the sympathy the leaders have received from their helpless and tolerating followers, Nigeria is in a political impasse the second time in 18 years, an evidence of gross irresponsibility on the part leadership, a cast iron proof that things have fallen apart with the centre in a partial or complete disarray. The root of Nigeria’s social problems lies with those who are manipulating the system to suit their personal needs at the expense of national interest and beside, the shortcut to good governance lies not with today’s unpatriotic politicians but the people’s voting power if credible elections is instituted in Nigeria.

The imposition of good governance in those countries mentioned above were not an ambitious one. It happened with the support of the military and the police who respected and uphold the will of the majority. The hypocrisy of the Nigerian politics is so pronounced and confusing so much so that the blame of Nigeria gradually becoming a failed state is being traded between the leaders and their followers. Who are the bulk passers?

Good governance is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians whether you are a soldier, police, air force, tax collector, in the diaspora, medical doctor, chemist man, petty trader, journalist, politicians, teacher or a market woman. The need for a new nationalist movement for the enthronement of good governance by desperate means can not be overemphasized.

The reward of good governance could be good network of operational roads, workers salaries and retirees pensions could be paid as at when due, education in Nigeria could regain its lost glory. With good governance hospitals would become fully functional and equipped that the need to seek medical treatment oversea may be history and more lives could be saved. Good governance could create millions of jobs for many Nigerians and brain drain would cease to exist, violent crime like armed robbery, ritual killings and kidnapping would become history or could plunge by up to 95%. 419 would be cast away, free and fair election would rule Nigeria. Nigerians could then look inward for all their needs when good governance becomes fully operational in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. Politicians who dare to steal public money as they are doing right now, would be guillotined. With good governance Nigeria can aspire to stand shoulder by shoulder with great countries like USA, Britain, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, Spain, Russia etc because they have their credibility in place and they won’t be begging for handout from rich countries. If Nigerians continue to perpetuates evil over good, bad governance over good governance, shot at sight over common sense then Nigerian problem is far from being over.

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*Tags: Nigerians, Governance, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Jobs, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Niger Delta Needs Development Not Endless Planning

By Ifeatu Agbu

The precarious situation in the Niger Delta has got to a point where the Federal Government must stop setting up one committee after another under the guise of generating new ideas on how to develop the region. The shelves are filled up with reports of similar committees set up over the years awaiting implementation. Now, actions must begin to speak to the long-neglected people that host Nigeria’s oil wealth. The message from Niger Deltans is clear and unambiguous: “Develop our land and spare us this rigmarole.”

It is surprising that in spite of this clear message, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has allowed itself to be bugged down by all kinds of committees and sub-committees. Chief Ufot Ekaette, the minister, says he is waiting for the Infrastructural Development Sub-committee of the Amnesty Program to come up with the schedule for providing more infrastructures in the Niger Delta region. At a recent meeting in Abuja, he challenged the committee to produce plans that would aid the provision of critical infrastructure for the region. ( Continues below….. )

It would appear that when it comes to developing the Niger Delta, there is a penchant for endless talk-shops and planning committees. Yet, we all know that they would add nothing significant to the body of ideas already generated in the various forums on how best to fast-track the development of the oil-rich region. To say that the people are tired of endless developmental plans is simply stating the obvious, and the disenchantment is beginning to manifest.

A core militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), said recently that it was reviewing its indefinite ceasefire announced on October 9, last year, threatening to resume hostilities anytime soon. It declared: “General Abbe, the current defence minister and his cohorts, rather than encourage the government of Nigeria to address the core issues as demanded by true agitators for justice in the Niger Delta, are still inaugurating one dubious committee after another in a bid to continue stealing funds supposedly allocated for the development of the Niger Delta.”

The only way to silence MEND and other militant groups is to immediately commence the massive development of the region. The people should feel and see a remarkable improvement in their lives before they could be convinced to drop the garb of militancy. So far, the execution of development projects in the area has been anything but massive.

Unfortunately, rather than oil the wheels to quicken the pace of implementing the several existing plans on how to develop the region, the Ekaette-led ministry is still waiting for new committees’ reports that would, perhaps, provide “extra-ordinary” answers to the Niger Delta challenge. These are the same answers that have been elaborately articulated in the past by seasoned experts in several forums. The most comprehensive of them all is the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan, which the Federal Government itself accepted. The President had said at different occasions that the master plan now being implemented by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and other stakeholders has the capacity of adequately addressing the development challenges of the region. ( Continues below….. )

The NDDC, as an interventionist agency, that facilitated the drawing up of the master plan seems poised to spearhead its implementation. The commission has through its Partners for Sustainable Development [PSD] Forum brought all the stakeholders under one umbrella to aid the process of harmonizing projects in the Niger Delta as enunciated in the plan.

Actually, there is nothing wrong with fine-tuning plans and reviewing strategies several times over. Perhaps, it may help to deepen insight or to highlight new angles that were overlooked in the past. However, there is a tendency that too many committees may become sources of distraction. For instance, how do you focus on implementing the master plan when people are busy tinkering with ideas for a version of another master plan? All these committees upon committees may really be no more than ingenious devices to squander the scarce financial resources available for the development of the Niger delta.

The point to note is that there is a generally accepted work-plan on our hands. It is only reasonable that we try to make the best out of it, while adjustments are made as the need arises. Of course, there would be cause to amend the Master Plan now and again. The NDDC Managing Director, Mr. Chibuzor Ugwoha said as much recently, when he played host to members of the Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners . He said: “The Master Plan is not cast in stone, it is due for review, I urge you to look at it and the region as a whole and give your opinion as a body”.

So, the regional plan is a dynamic document that would lead all stakeholders to the desired destination. What is required is an undiluted commitment to the roadmap. Otherwise, those who had said that the problems of the Niger Delta was not lack of ideas on what to do but lack of political will to apply the solutions will now feel justified. Professor Wole Soyinka, a Nobel laureate, shared this view. He said that the master plan, no matter how good would not resolve the problems of the Niger Delta, except it is implemented to the letter. He said that past efforts to intervene in the region did not succeed because the government failed to show commitment to the cause of the people.

The ministry should not waste time on developing new plans as it is not going to re-invent the wheel. It has to start work immediately, using the master plan as its working document. Some modifications to the plan may emanate from the recommendations of the Niger Delta Technical Committee. Even then, that will not significantly change the main focus of the Master Plan which holds the key to the realization of the goal to fast-tracking the development of the oil-rich region.

The Master Plan is a product of elaborate consultations with oil-bearing communities, local, state and federal governments, international donor agencies, oil companies, among others. It is generally acclaimed as a worthy compass for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta. What is needed at this stage is the provision of adequate funds, which should be properly monitored, for the implementation of the regional plan.

Now that the development efforts in the region are expected to be driven by the Master Plan, there is bound to be better coordination and faster delivery on projects that would make profound impact on the lives of the people. The ministry should join the NDDC to drive the Master Plan. The 15-year period of the plan must not be allowed to run out without any significant impact on the Niger Delta. Already, about three or four years have rolled by since its implementation started.

The Niger Delta Technical Committee, which synthesized all the previous reports and recommendations on the Niger Delta crisis, has long completed its assignment. The consequences of not implementing the recommendations of the Ledum Mittee committee should rather be imagined than witnessed. It will not only be a grave setback to the Federal Government’s avowed commitment to addressing the Niger Delta question but it may exacerbate the volatility and restiveness in the region.

It is only tangible development that can change the mindset of a people that have been unjustly treated for decades. The Mittee Committee Report and recommendations sum up what is needed to usher in peace and development in the region.

The strident voice from the South-South has got all Nigerians listening. The message that comes across is that Niger Delta needs massive development in the shortest possible time. It may sound like a dooms-day prophesy, but the truth is that time is running out and further delays in addressing the Niger Delta crisis would certainly not augur well for the nation.

Mr. Agbu writes from Port Harcourt.

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*Tags: Nigerians, Niger Delta, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Jobs, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Day Pigeons Refused To Fly

By Soji Alabi

It was at the climax of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration 2010 on 15th January 2010, during the parade and laying of wreathes at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph in Umuahia, the state capital of Abia State.

The state governor after performing the traditional laying of wreath with the other Service chiefs and dignitaries was to perform the next assignment of releasing the pigeons to symbolize peace in the state. There were eighteen pigeons to be released, each pigeon representing each of the seventeen local government areas in the state and the last one for Abia state as a whole. The governor was to pronounce peace on the pigeons starting with Abia State before releasing the pigeon into the air. A bird was released into the air followed by “may peace be upon Abia state” by the governor. ( Continues below….. )

Dramatically, the pigeon instead of flying away fell on the ground, the next one “let there be peace in Aba South” echoed the governor, and yet the poor bird fell on the ground. The next was Aba North, not even the plea by the governor to the bird to “please fly now” could make the bird to fly. The other local government areas were called and the birds refused to fly. The governor had to pour water on the ground for the pigeons to drink, and at the point the birds were very happy. The interesting part of the whole episode was that from my observing position, I could hear people saying after the governor has mentioned each of the local government what characterized the particular Local Government. For instance when Abia South and North were mentioned people chanted no salary for workers for the past one year, Isiala Ngwa North and South , home of kidnapping, Obingwa home of armed bandit, it goes on and on like that.

Ironically, pigeons are birds bred for their navigational abilities and they symbolize peace wherever they are found. It is a common sight of joy and excitement for any visitor to Trafalgar Square in London where thousands of pigeons are let loose to fly about visitors innocently without any form of restriction. Little wonder when William Hamilton, a Scottish Politician said in My Queen and I that “the Tourists who came to our Island take in the Monarchy along with feeding the pigeons in Trafalgar Square” to show the importance Britons and the rest of the world attached to pigeons. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Map of Abia State, Nigeria Click Adjourning Link For Enlarged Photo:- http://nigeriamasterweb.com/Etc/AbiaMapLarge.jpg

While sitting back to monitor how the ceremony went all over the nation on the Nigeria Television Authority network news, I could see the speed at which pigeons released by the other state governors flew out of their cages where they were kept. One could then imagine why Abia’s (Governor T.A Orji’s) pigeons refused to fly. Perhaps, the reasons may not be far-fetched. It is the same story all over the state. Workers are not paid their salaries for months, there is insecurity all over the place, crime and crime rate are on the increase, teachers’ wages are being withheld, and small scale industries are under the yoke of heavy levies by the state government. Some prominent citizens have had to relocate to neighboring states for fear of being kidnapped, and all of these have led to bad governance in the state.

That little side attraction of the event of that day did not just happen as a coincidence, but it portends a deplorable situation of things in the state . It then became understandable why the pigeons refused to fly, apparently, the pigeons have not been fed for some days while they were been caged, hence they have no strength to fly. The truth remains that nobody talks about feeding common pigeons when human beings are hungry and starving.

This is a food for thought.

*Soji Alabi is a media consultant, and he writes from Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. He can be reached at sojialabi@yahoo.com

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*Tags: Abia, State, Umuahia, Africa, Nigerians, Masterweb

*A Writer’s Vindication To Nigerian Senate Commendation

By Olugu Ukpai

It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who signifies that “Character is higher than intellect.” Similarly, Professor Chinua Achebe wrote that “one of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.”

I am writing to commend the Senate, especially the Deputy President, Ike Ekweremadu for moving the “failed motion” and “nine others” for supporting the motion to reward Dr. Umar Abdulmultalab. The Senate has taken the right step in line with the candid opinion of the writer. The Senate ended up honoring Mr. Umar Abdulmultalab with “Official Commendation Letter” for putting national interest first, as evidenced in setting aside blood bonds to report his son’s newfound religious extremism to the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria.

Since the December 25th 2009 pandemonium caused by the failed attempted air bus bomb by Farouk Abdulmultalab (Jnr), the writer has been at the forefront in condemning the act as un-Nigerian as well as canvassing for a Global Citizen Award and National Merit Award for Mr. Umar Abdulmultalab both in national and international media as an exemplary Nigerian. It is a step in the right direction towards re-branding Nigeria and sending a strong message across the globe on Nigeria’s position on terrorism for those who are yet to know. For instance, on my various policy opinions to honour Mr. Umar Abdulmultalab with a national award, see “Is Nigeria the New Den of Terrorists? And “Is Overseas Education Still A Safe Haven For Nigerian Students? published by Nigeria Masterweb Daily News on December 31st, 2009, and January, 7, 2010 (available at http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/paperfrmes.html). Also see international publications, “Nigerians Parents Fear for Students Studying Abroad” published by New America Media (NAM) (San Francisco, CA), January 5, 2010, (available at http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=62b8df9b177f3e999bd3cbb52305b8d4; and has been subsequently republished in Dubai, Egypt, Togo, and Germany. Orlando Advocate (http://www.orlandoadvocate.com/j15/discussions) has also carried the article as well as Muslim Media Network titled “Study Abroad Holds Peril for Nigerians” (MMN), January 7, 2010(Farmington, MI, US) http://muslimmedianetwork.com/mmn/?p=5627.(The Muslim Observer, 12-2, International, Volume 12) as well as africapchome.com; to mention but a few.

Re-branding does not exist in a vacuum; it is not in spending tax payers’ money in frivolous seminar talks. But it lies in practical demonstration, encouraging and rewarding good deeds, integrity and honesty that others may learn and follow suit. What the information Minister, Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili is doing is not only disappointing but regretting. As the information Minister, Professor Dora should have been at the forefront in the campaign to reward Mr. Umar Abdulmultalab with a national honuor. She could have seized that window of opportunity to capitalize on Umar Abdulmultalab’s singular act of honesty as a practical symbol of her re-branding project and to re-present Nigeria to the world. The 21st century world has gone beyond rhetoric or abstractions to everyday examples. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Undated photo of Abdul Mudallad (on a school trip to London), Nigerian accused in the failed blow-up attempt of Northwest Airlines Flight 253

Given this lackadaisical and laisser-faire attitude, I can at best describe Professor Dora as a paid town crier or better put, a paid piper. It is said that he who pays the piper detects the tune. Her once reckoned integrity as a NAFDAC boss is rather fast going down the drain as she hurriedly joins the cronies as evidenced in her mouth-watering “Nigerian Re-branding Project.” The first of such white elephant “re-branding project” cost taxpayers 1.05billion in 2004; 750million in 2007 and 300million in 2008. Dora should submit why she should not be relieved of her job as information Minister for failure to inform Nigerians what she has done with taxpayers’ money. Reprieve came to the way of the writer when a renowned World Evangelist, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai described Dora’s “Rebranding Nigerian Project “as [an] other funny paper work” as reported by the PUNCH newspaper of Nov. 7th, 2009. Responding to the question “Do you believe in the campaign to rebrand Nigeria?” this highly respected and a balanced international gospel minister who has been described as belonging to the “class of Elijah the Tishbeth” retorts:

“If you want to rebrand Nigeria, where do you start because we are so neck deep in corruption? If we are going to rebrand Nigeria; I want to hear of one man who stole government money and returned that money to us. I want to hear of somebody who gave false accusation and send somebody to jail to rise up and say I told lies. I want hear a man who put his sister in-law in a family way to rise up and say, I did something I shouldn’t have done. I want to hear a woman say the child I am carrying does not belong to my husband. I want to hear the Police say we locked up somebody not because he was guilty but because he insulted us. Until the source of the spring is clean, the main river will never be clean. To me that is the beginning of rebranding. You cannot conquer what you cannot confront.”

Then I will add, I want to hear of father who will come out and say that his son has joined a terrorist network and poses a security threat to the world. Noble Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka said “I do not know of any other country where a parent has done what the father of Farouk Umar Abdulmutallab did in advance” for reporting his son to both the United States and Nigerian security agencies in hope to avert a possible danger. If neither professor Dora as a parent nor any of the members of the Senate who “killed the motion” for a national honour to be bestowed on Mr. Umar Abdulmutallab could not do that, I am still calling on the Senate to reconsider honouring him with a national merit award before other countries does that. Teslim Folarin’s statement that “It is good that Nigeria take the lead by giving him a national award now [because] many countries are planning to reward Farouk Umar’s father (Dr. Mutallab) for the information he gave out to security agencies about his son’s activities.” should be taken seriously. He is an exemplary Nigerian whose act of integrity should be rewarded and recognized. Charity begins at home. This might help fight terrorism by encouraging others who might have similar useful information.

Nigerian founding fathers saw very clear. On the 8th December, 1982 at the U.P.N. Congress (28 years ago, when Nigeria was only 22), VINTAGE AWO appears to be referring to the Dora’s “paid-paper work” of “Re-branding Nigerian Project when he said:

“Our current leadership is totally bereft of new ideas, and utterly incapable of evolving or devising solutions to our problems. It is also incapable of appreciating effective solutions or of how to apply them, even when these are presented to it unsolicited and on the platter.”

“Our Government is a source of despair at home and a disgraceful laughing-stock on the international scene. “We are regarded as a chicken-hearted giant with jelly-like physique. Africa has waited in vain for years for this giant to be conscious of its destiny and give the desired leadership: the world has also waited for it to realize its unique potential strength and make its influence felt in wholesome directions: but the world has, so far, had to wait in vain.”

I want to ask, if Mr. Umar Abdulmutallab was to be an American citizen, can someone ever imagine what would have happened? He would have been relocated to CNN media house for every ten minutes live telecast to the world and white house for security sake. He would not only have been honoured immediately, but turned a celebrity overnight. He would have been presented to the world as America’s new face on the war against terrorism.

Should President Obama (US) fails to recognize and reward Mr. Umar Abdulmutallab with a Global Citizen Award, it will not only be contradictory but also amount to a less commitment to the statement put forward by the five-man committee that selected President Obama for the 2009 Peace Noble Prize. The Norwegian committee said in a statement that: “His [Obama’s] diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.” [my emphasis].

Mr Umar Abdulmutallab’s demonstrated “value and attitude” of “truthfulness” and “integrity” speaks loudest here and should be rewarded as a model by the world’s number one citizen and current Peace Noble Prize holder. Here, it may be necessary that I quote Mr. President himself: “I don’t care whether you’re driving a hybrid or an SUV. If you’re headed for a cliff, you have to change direction.” I am wondering if Mr. President himself is “headed for a cliff” for ignoring to recognize Mr Umar Abdulmutallab’s deed? The President further said that, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.” I left it with Mr. President to answer whom he is waiting for to bring about this long overdue change; to change the way that America treat other race in a condescending manner. If I am wrong, let Mr. President tell the world what his action would have been had Mr Umar Abdulmutallab had been an American citizen! Again, should every parent have the courage to report their children’s act of terrorism or crime like Mr Umar Abdulmutallab, would Mr. President in particular and the world in general have any terrorist and crime to fight in general respectively? A word is enough for the wise my father would always whisper into my ears.

I cannot end this essay without the words of Henrik Ibsen when he said “A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.” I pray that may Mr Umar Abdulmutallab’s deed of “truthfulness” and “integrity” never lost.

*Olugu Ukpai is a Ph.D student, School of Law, University of Reading, sent in this rejoinder/commentary from UK, and can be reached at oluukpaiolu@yahoo.com

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*Tags: Terrorism, Terrorist, Africans, Abdul, Mudallad, Abdulmutallab, World, Nigerians, Masterweb

*"Restrict Nigeria ‘Nude’ Screening To US Bound Passengers”

By Lateef Lawal

The Federal Government has been advised to restrict complete body scanning to passengers traveling to the United States. The advise was given by the Assistant Secretary General of Airline Operators of Nigeria(AON), Alhaji Mohammed Tukur in an interview with NigerianAviationNews in Lagos.

He however said those who would not want to be subjected to the complete body screening for one religious reason or another should not venture traveling to the U.S. According to Tukur, passengers not traveling to the U.S. should be saved the embarrassment of the inhuman exposure of their privacy. Nigeria heightened airport security which is to include complete body screening with 3D Body Imaging Screening machine, as a result of the airport security breach by AbdulMutallab. On December 25, 2009, AbdulMutallab, a Nigerian national tried unsuccessfully to blow up a U.S. bound plane.

Tukur said that the government and aviation authorities should device another means to tighten security at all airports, instead of adopting in totality the U.S option of body imaging machine. He describe as unfortunate, the listing of Nigeria among the terror watch list of the U.S., adding that Nigeria had in the recent past did its best to contain pockets of crisis such as those of Boko Haram, Jos, Bauchi and lately, Niger Delta militants. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria.

Tukur believes that the absence of President Yar A’dua contributed to the unfortunate listing of Nigeria in U.S. terror-watch-list. He said that if the president had been around, he would have spoken and resolved issues with U.S President, Barak Obama.

Speaking on the planned take off of Rahamaniyya Airline being midwifed by him for Alhaji Rahamaniyya of Rahamaniyya Oil & Gas Company, Tukur said the January 2010 take-off was no longer feasible in view of the non-readiness of the chairman and some internal crisis in the parent company. He added: “It is the chairman that can say specifically when the airline will debut. I cannot wait for people who are not ready.”

Asked whether he was planning to float an airline, he went rhetoric and said: “You wait. In the next few days we are likely going to unveil something new.” He said in the country today, existing airlines are faced with acute shortage of aircraft for their operations while there are many with Airline Operating Certificate(AOC) but are not in service due to lack of fund to purchase or lease aircraft. He added that there was nothing wrong in investing in any of the existing airlines to make them stronger and financially stable to be able to acquire more planes and expand their route network.

He that the Minister of Aviation, Babatunde Omotoba has not been helping the industry as expected. Instead of paying more attention to the up-grading of existing infrastructures in the four major airports of Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt as directed by the Federal Government last year, Omotoba was busy exerting energy in constructing a new airport in his home-state.

While saying that the Minister misplaced his priority in the developing of the industry to an enviable and vibrant status during his tenure, he has allowed his personal interest to overshadow the national interest. Tukur noted that the airport the Minister was planning for his State in Ekiti, would end up like those of Gombe, Katsina, Akure, Ilorin, Yola, Sokoto and Akwa Ibom. He queried: “How many airlines patronize these airports today? What is the level of passenger traffic in and out of the aforementioned airports?”

Lateef Lawal ( NigerianAviationNews )

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*Tags: Nigerians, Africans, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Jobs, Abdul, Mudallad, Abdulmutallab, US, United, States, Masterweb

*Potential “Western Bomb Mule” Against Uganda Uncovered

By Olugu Ukpai

“Thou hypocrite! It is mere hypocrisy to pretend zeal for the amendment of others while we have none for our own”, says Wesley. Africa is a land of “torture” confined in antiquated customs and culture they say. America is a centre of healing. America is also the land of well-motivated freedom fighters who must take the battle to other lands on behalf of the “helpless casualties.” Their intermediaries, as usual, are the missionaries. This time, however, the missionaries are African-Americans with many of the Western “right connections.”

A new image could be emerging for Uganda. One that would eclipse any other notion and one that scholars are hotly debating: one of the few countries in the world to implement the death penalty for gays and lesbians. This potentially powerful new image could be said to be the brain-child of “American proslytization” politically influenced by the west?

Sometimes in March 2009, three American evangelical groups went for “proslytization”? in the East-African country of Uganda, with a “hidden agenda”- which according to Stephen Langa, its Ugandan organizer was “the gay agenda -that whole hidden and dark agenda”- and the threat homosexuals posed to Bible-based values and the traditional African family(New York Times). The paper reports that the group discussed how to make gay people straight, how gay men often sodomized teenage boys and how “the gay movement is an evil institution” whose goal is “to defeat the marriage-based society and replace it with a culture of sexual promiscuity.”

Sooner than one can imagine, the Ugandan Parliament has made a provision for “death sentence which would apply to sexually active gays living with HIV or in cases of same-sex rape”- a stunt violation of human rights. This is no doubt one of the fall-outs of such movement, a neocolonial one indeed. Special Global Post reports that Mr. Lively and Mr. Brundidge, members of Ugandan organizers of the conference “admit meeting with Ugandan lawmakers to discuss it and helping draft the bill.” Mr. Lively likened their campaign to “a nuclear bomb against the gay agenda in Uganda.” When confronted with criticism, Mr Lively said he was very disappointed that the legislation was so harsh. The political scientist, Professor Okome opines that the tragedy of the contemporary African state is that, it still fails to rise above colonial detritus of wanton disregard of people’s rights. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Undated photo of Abdul Mudallad (on a school trip to London), Nigerian accused in the failed blow-up attempt of Northwest Airlines Flight 253

After setting Uganda on fire with their “polarization mission” the New York Times reports that the three Americans who spoke at the conference that purportedly influenced the drafting of the death penalty Bill- Scott Lively, a missionary who has written several books against homosexuality, including “7 Steps to Recruit-Proof Your Child”; Caleb Lee Brundidge, a self-described former gay man who leads “healing seminars”; and Don Schmierer, a board member of Exodus International, whose mission is “mobilizing the body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality “ are now trying to distance themselves from the bill.” But an American based preacher, Rev. Rick Warren, who visited Uganda in 2008 and has compared homosexuality to pedophilia, has recently condemned the anti-homosexuality bill, seeking to correct what he called “lies and errors and false reports” that he played a role in it.”

Death Penalty: Africans React

I, too like many Africans view homosexuality as an immoral Western import that must be condemned and outlawed, but the death penalty is unacceptable. Uganda already has a law, which dates back to British colonial rule, which makes homosexuality a crime. The Catholic Church in Uganda has said it supports the bill but not the death penalty. Homosexuality is un-African and imported by Western countries, says Dr. Martin Ssempa, of the Family Policy and Human Rights Center of Uganda, in an open letter to U.S. President Barack Obama and popular U.S. Christian minister Rick Warren, asking them to apologize “for insulting the people of Africa by your very inappropriate use of your church and White House pulpits to coerce us into the evil of Sodomy and Gaymorrah.” Ruling party spokeswoman, Mary Karoro Okurut also agrees with the Ssempa, that “(Homosexuality) is not allowed in African culture. We have to protect the children in schools who are being recruited into homosexual activities”

How Many Homosexuals Has America Killed?

According to a Human Rights Campaign survey (2000), U.S. gay and lesbian population over 18 years of age is put to an estimated figure of 10,456,405. Also, a recent study of gay and lesbian voting habits conducted by Harris Interactive determined that 30 percent of gay and lesbian people are living in a committed relationship in the same residence. Using that figure, it suggests that 3,136,921 gay or lesbian people are living in the United States in committed relationships in the same residence.

American evangelicals should stop polarizing Africa with their “missionary disguise” message. God is not an author of confusion. Those who proposes death sentence should start the killing from their country. Charity begins at home. I am neither a homosexual nor its advocate. But I am against the death penalty. Besides being a human rights violation, death penalty, not to say the least is an affront to God. God gives life and he alone is qualified to take it.

I am also deeply concerned because some citizens of Uganda are already becoming afraid of being lynched following the charged atmosphere occasioned by the American preachers and the subsequent proposition of the death penalty. “Now we really have to go undercover,” said Stosh Mugisha, a gay rights activist “for fear of being lynched.” This would probably trigger more wars in Africa, in addition to the ones caused by the colonial polarization which have been a source of much tension and the reason for many of the civil wars which flared up in most African states. Women and children are the most affected. “In spite of all the global conferences and declarations, today, African women are victims of gross human rights violations and abuses. Professor Ifi Amdiume reports that: Of fifty-eight wars around the world, twenty are in Africa. Over the last decade, 1.5million children have dies in various wars; 4 million were permanently disabled. Recent years have seen devastating armed conflicts in Africa such as Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia, Somalia and Sierra Leone, Liberia and Congo. With hundreds of villages destroyed, countless numbers of Africans are internally displaced or made refugees in neighboring countries. Eighty percent of the world’s 18 million refugee population, that is 14.4 million, are from Africa; 75 per cent of all refugees (13.5 million) are women and children; and 75 per cent of all African refugees are women, a total of 10.8 million.”

When would America allow Africa to develop at its own pace? When would neo-colonial influence come to an end to allow the African people make an inform decision? When would America go beyond rhetoric respect for human rights and sovereignty? If Abraham Lincoln’s definition of Democracy as the “government of the people by the people and for the people” is anything to by, then the recent three Americanization of evangelical groups’ teachings about “death penalty”? as “curing” for homosexuals in Africa must be condemned. An American Professor of law, Isabelle Gunning could not reconcile why America should always lead when she retort “I am still hesitant about my own abilities to fully understand the complexities and ramifications of the context of [homosexuality] such that I –or any other American…should be the “leaders”. We, as American, male and female love to imagine ourselves the leaders, at the forefront, with everyone following behind. Acknowledging that law is cultured, a Germany Professor of law, Ute Gerhard has therefore contends that “A decisive step for [people] in non-Western cultures in demanding human right was… that they themselves began to confront [their problems] using their own experience and legal systems….”

The Potential Bomb Mule: A Ugandan Parliament Member

Homosexual (gay-lesbian) was introduced to Africa by the west; David Bahati, a Ugandan member of parliament who has been described as an “up and coming” politician with a good pedigree and one with many of the “right [western] connections” was used to pressure for death sentence, while the same “overzealous US missionaries” have turned around to condemn it, after portraying Africa as a land of “Sodom and Gomorrah” “torture” needing salvation from “Western missionaries”? What a brilliant move! As Mr. Lively has likened the Bill to “a nuclear bomb”, I can hardly distinguish Al Qaeda’s absolute ruthless brilliance as demonstrated in selecting an African lad, Abdulmutallab as a bomb mule from this one- the use David Bahati to spear head the death penalty.

If Jesus was to preach a live sermon now, his topic would have been “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Mathew 7:5 New International Version, @1984).

*Olugu Ukpai is a Ph.D student, School of Law, University of Reading, sent in this rejoinder/commentary from UK, and can be reached at oluukpaiolu@yahoo.com

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*Tags: Ugandan, Africans, Abdul, Mudallad, Abdulmutallab, World, Nigerians, Masterweb

*’Nigerian Army Watches’ As Yar’Adua ‘Aso Rocking’ Back

By Masterweb News Desk

Nothing really changes the leadership of Nigeria except doubtful election and military coup. This is not to say that such military intervention changes anything in the country. It is nothing other than opportunism in a bid to maintain the status quo or loot the treasury. Acting leadership is leadership as it implies handover of duties to the deputy by the incumbent. Constitutional leadership change in Nigeria is a day dream for those expecting such to happen in the Yar’Adua impasse.

Nigerian army watches as the nation’s corrupt and feudal power brokers scheme and plot. The military and civil game boards are in harmony of purpose, at times in joint conspiracy, other times divergently embracing maintenance of the status quo and/or treasury loot. The bitter truth in Nigeria is that political incumbents never hand over to their deputies. This is the case on both state and federal government levels. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Seal of The President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is the official symbol of the Nigerian President, first used in 1979 by President Shehu Shagari.

Nigeria being the country we know today, nobody should expect Yar’Adua to hand over to his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan. Yar’Adua is expected to hang on as president until 2011 elections. In the event of Yar’Adua’s untimely death before then, Nigeria would be in turmoil as forces deploy to maintain the status quo through unconstitutional means. Such means may include: stringent hand-tying agreement with Jonathan or outrightly a military coup.

An authoritative source in the Nigerian Presidency speaking on Thursday to reporters, said Yar’Adua was expected to be discharged from the hospital very soon and would return to Nigeria to resume duties.

“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock", they always say and this time will not be different. Nigerians should always refer to the country’s history when in doubt of the turn of events in the country. Some elements in the army and feudal power brokers ‘are watching’, unless they are successfully checked, Nigeria will never see progress.

This article is not an invitation to the Nigerian army to intervene. Military coups are unconstitutional and must be rejected by Nigerians.

Chief Judge of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Justice Daniel Abutu on Wednesday ruled that vice-president Goodluck Jonathan “cannot become the acting president but only carry out the functions of the president in his absence.” The ruling in the case filed by Christopher Onwuekwe, a lawyer by profession, allowed Jonathan to take full executive powers pending Yar’Adua’s return, denying him status as acting president on the premise that Yar’Adua had not written the National Assembly on his absence.

Justice Abutu was forced to step down from hearing a similar suit filed by Attorney Femi Falana. Falana petitioned the federal court on Thursday to declare Goodluck Jonathan acting president until Yar’Adua returned to the country from treatment. Falana’s lawsuit was filed in December last year, against Onwuekwe’s filed six days before its ruling. Both cases sought determination of the propriety of Yar’Adua’s refusal to transfer power to his deputy before his medical trip.

Falana requested the stepping down of Abutu, arguing that his impaired ruling on Wednesday on a similar suit to his, delved into issues raised in his own case. He argued that such a situation meant the judge had already taken position which would affect his ruling, if he were to go ahead with his case.

Photo Above: Nigeria National Assembly Complex

*U.S Sues Nigeria Up To $16m For Unpaid Taxes

By Masterweb News Desk

The city of New York claims the government of Nigeria owes her $4.1 to $16 million in real estate taxes and interest on the Manhattan building that houses Consulate General of Nigeria. The building is located at 828 2nd Ave. (Corner of 44th St. & 2nd Ave.), New York, NY 10017, U.S.A.

New York City on Monday filed a lawsuit against Nigeria in US federal court demanding payment for back taxes and interest. Generally, globally, diplomatic offices are tax exempt, and this is the case in the U.S. New York City argues parts of Nigeria’s building had been used for commercial purposes, including housing of Nigeria Airways offices. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: MapQuest map showing location of Consulate General of Nigeria, New York, U.S.A. *Consulate located at 828 2nd Ave.( Corner of 44th St. & 2nd Ave. - Marked with a red star. ), New York, NY 10017, U.S.A. Click Adjourning Link For Enlarged Photo:- http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Etc/NigerianConsulateNYmapLarge.jpg

Attempts by Masterweb to reach officials of Consulate General of Nigeria on the phone were unsuccessful. The Consulate might have been closed at the time of the phone call, or nobody was on seat to answer the call.