When a comparison is made between the application of federalism in Nigeria and other democratic climes, it becomes very clear that Nigeria’s style of federalism is just unique. As it is known the world over, a federal system of government, allows the confederating units within the polity to be in charge of their natural and human resources. In such a situation, the states that make up the federation strive to explore and exploit their natural resources to the fullest for the maximum well being of their citizens. They, however, pay royalties to the central government for their sustenance and growth. This was the situation under the 1963 Republican constitution of

Nigeria. The uniqueness of the Nigerian style of federalism stems from the abnormality that unlike how federalism should be practiced, as was the case in 1963, the federal government, through the instrumentality of military dictatorship, took over the control of basically all the resources located in the states, including land and sea. Hence we have exclusive legislation governing those resources in Nigeria.

An inevitable and, rather, unfortunate consequence of this military coercion is that the economies of the states became almost paralyzed. Hence the states are forced to become dependent on the federal government for their economic survival through monthly revenue allocation.

This development implies that the central government wields enormous powers and influence. To survive in an odd federal system like Nigeria’s, it becomes expedient, if not imperative, that leadership of states that make up the Nigerian entity should, apart from being visionary and focused, be guided by maturity, diplomacy and tact.

It is on record that before the emergence of Chief T.A. Orji as Governor of Abia state, the state was regarded as pariah state because of its unwarranted and very costly infantile antagonistic and confrontational posture against the federal government of Nigeria headed by a no-nonsense retired war conquering Army General. For eight years that the confrontationist administration lasted in the State, it was on open secret that the then federal government applied a tacit isolationist policy against Abia state. Hence Abia state government could and did not point at any developmental project it attracted from the central government.

As it is said, when two elephants fight the grass suffers. But in the case of Abia state, it was a rat thinking of fighting a, elephant and, so, the rat did not only get crushed but also caused the innocent grass to wither. The founding fathers of Abia state were divinely inspired to give the appellation; “Gods own state; to the state. It, therefore, becomes obvious that no matter the shape of its vicissitude, Abia state must have light at the end of its tunnel.

Abia state, from a critical look of her current developments, has gone beyond brooding over the devastating consequences of her eight dark years of the locust. Today, it is crystal clear that there is unity of purpose, unity of time and unity of action, all geared towards the enhancement good governance in the state. It, therefore, becomes absolutely reasonable that a former governor of the state who, out of sheer greed and inclination to opportunism and taking undue advantage of being a sitting governor coerced the senate of Abia state university, uturu into awarding a degree to him unmeritorious should stop deceiving himself   by wanting the world, to believe that Governor T.A. Orji was instrumental to be inevitability of the nullification and consequent withdrawal of his so-called degree certificate

After all, no one should have one’s cake and still eat it. For critical observers and analysts of the contemporary Abia polity, the state is in a comfortable and very assuring position of restoration of her lost glory. In appreciating this fact. Kudos should be given to Governor T.A. Orji for his maturity, administrative ingenuity, diplomacy, prudence and, above all, faith in God. That Abia state has systematically pulled itself out of the status of a federal

government- considered pariah state, being run by a one- family-initiated, teleguided and inhumanly exploited political party to a point of not only total re-integration into Nigeria’s mainstream polities but to the extent where the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria can openly declare the governor as his confidant is a thing that calls for psychological felicitation. To be more specific, the recent elevation of Governor T.A. Orji ofAbia state as one of the six governors in the Caucus of the People’s Democratic Party, an elevation that was initiated and stamped by President Good luck Jonathan himself is, indeed, a contemporary strategic socio-econo-political transformation of God’s own state of Abia. It is, therefore, expected that every .well-meaning indigene, resident and friend of Abia state would not relent in praying that God would continue to give Ochendo the required enablement to help him sustain this bilateral relationship which is surely a manifestation of restoration of lost glory.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has lamented the under utilization of the Warri Stadium in spite of boasting of the best of sporting facilities and acceptable modern equipment of international standards.

Speaking after assessing the facilities in place for the AYAC which kicks off today(Wednesday, March 27, 2013) in Warri stadium, the Governor said that it was unfortunate that the stadium was not being patronized by the federal authorities and others in charge of national and international sporting events in the country.

“With the facilities on ground in this stadium, there is no reason why there should be no activities here or why we cannot host national and international sports competitions on a regular basis in Warri stadium”, he stated.

Uduaghan was delighted that the stadium was successfully reconfigured to provide for track and field events of international standard in addition to the provision of the Estimated Distance Measurement (EDM) equipment for accurate measurement of athletes time and distance returns.

The EDM which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, was an added advantage to the preparedness of the Warri stadium which also boasts of a four-lane warm up track with jump facilities. Outside Warri only Abuja national stadium has such facilities in the country.

The EDM timing device is used to manage competitions to eliminate the use of tapes in measuring distances in events like Long jump, Triple jump, Javelin, etc. Similarly, it measures and records the reaction of athletes at the start lines to avoid controversies.

“We are setting standards to help develop sports so that our athletes will be encouraged to do their best to raise their own standards and be counted among the best in the world … This is how the likes of Blessing Okagbare were discovered”, the Governor said of the facilities and equipment at the Warri Stadium.

He assured that the state government would regularly maintain the facilities and equipment to avoid decay, deterioration and fall in standard.

About 37 countries are participating in the Africa Youth Athletics Championships (AYAC)
 

Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, allegedly attacked men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, at Ikorodu Lagos.

The civil defence officers were returning from a site of arrest of some pipeline vandals when the police officers opened fire on them, according to witnesses.

Witnesses put the time of the incident at between midnight and 3 a.m.
Two officers, identified as Gabriel Adaji and Innocent Akegbe, were killed while five others received severe gunshot wounds, according to a source at the NSCDC.

A witness said that the arrested vandals contacted some police officers who ambushed the Civil Defence officers and their prisoners.

“Immediately the police got wind of the information, they laid siege for the Corps and open fire on the NSCDC patrol vehicles killing two while others scampered for their dear lives with gunshot wounds as the vandals were released immediately by the police,” the witness said.

A source at the NSCDC corroborated the account, adding that an argument had ensued between the returning NSCDC officers and the team of police officers at a checkpoint along the Ikorodu expressway.

“One of the policemen said we (NSCDC) had no right to operate in the area,” the source said.

“The NSCDC men explained that it was their duty to protect all government facilities including oil pipelines.”
After the argument, the civil defence officers left the police checkpoint only to encounter a hail of bullets from another team of police officers, the NSCDC source added.

“The policemen opened fire on our men, killing two and injuring five. The policemen then fled.”

The General Assembly of all Igbo Christian Organizations and Ministers (GAAICOM)  have tasked President Goodluck Jonathan to do enough to protect Igbos in the North from Boko Haram attacks or they will mandate their members  to bear arms and defend themselves against unprovoked attacks. This formed part of the resolution of the emergency Patriarch Ecclesia meeting of the body held yesterday at Enugu to access the cumulative extent of damage of Boko Haram attacks to Igbo interests. The group frowned at the selective extermination of Igbos as occasioned by the recent Kano Bus Station Bombings where over 100 lives were lost, describing it as an act of provocation capable of signaling the beginning of another civil war if the situation is not urgently arrested. GAAICOM has set up a three man committee led by the organizations Director of Media and Communications, Rev Obinna Akukwe, to embark on a fact finding tour of Kano and ascertain the level of preparedness of the Igbos to defend them, warning that further provocations could be termed as an act of war.

In the same vein the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife has called for the establishment of a special vigilante group to protect Igbo interests in the north. In a message he sent to GAAICOM Secretariat during the meeting, which was deliberated upon and adopted, Ezeife advocated that ‘’ Igbo communities should demand new security approach, the President, Governors, Police, Army, and other security agencies, should now clearly understand and fully accept the compelling need for the Igbos to be in a position to defend themselves anywhere they are together in large numbers’’. According to the former governor, ‘’Igbos should acquire whatever they need for group self defense. It must be clear that whatever they acquire for defense must not be put to offensive use. The practical way to implement this is the creation of Special Vigilante or Security Groups which are adequately equipped to prevent attacks and deal with attacks they cannot prevent. The government should supply Igbo security units what they demand for self defense.’’

GAAICOM is looking into the workability of former Governor Ezeife’s submission on special vigilante groups and that of other prominent opinion leaders in Igbo land and will soon take definite stand on all outstanding issues during the pre- convention meeting.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has urged youth corps members to see themselves as part of the nation’s security agents to help the country overcome her security challenges.

Speaking yesterday at the closing ceremony of the 2013 Batch A Corps members at Okada, the Governor said the youth corps members should have faith in the nation and refuse to be discouraged by the recent events in the country.

According to him, “at this point, far too many Nigerians are wondering if we have a country.  Many have given up and it appears that criminals have taken over our land.  I ask you to have faith and not to be discouraged by what is being done by some of our elders. You must refuse to be discouraged. There is no leadership anywhere in the world that has the capacity to provide what God has endowed Nigeria with.

“If we the elders have wasted our past, you must resolve that you will secure  our future, if the present leadership does not know what to do, you must resolve to do the right thing. You must be interested in how our economy is managed.  You must be interested in how we drive our politics. You must be soldiers of democracy.  You must mobilize the people to interrogate those in power as the resources of the nation belongs to the people”, he said.

Oshiomhole stated “as I reviewed your parade and watched closely your performance my hope and confidence that Nigeria has a great future was reaffirmed.

“At this time we have security challenges. All of us must see ourselves as security officers. We must be vigilant. We must monitor what is happening around us and we must share information with the security agencies.

The Governor noted that the future of the nation depends on the determination of the people adding “you as corps members represent the face of the future”.

The Governor disclosed that corps members posted to public schools in the State will be paid special allowance to give them a sense of belonging.

“In Edo State, we are not perfect, but we recognize that whatever we do we are stewards of the people. I ask when you are posted to various communities, encourage our people to ask questions, be vigilant and encourage them to insist that they own the country and the leaders are stewards” he added.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports and the Chairman of the Governing Council Mrs. Omorede Osifo commended the corps members for their comportment during the period of orientation.

She expressed the hope that the orientation will enable them fit into communities they are posted to. The Commissioner appealed to them to do nothing that will smear the image of the NYSC. Three hundred and sixty Youth Corps members participated in the orientation exercise.

The crisis rocking plateau is far from being over, this is as about 28 people were  killed while dozens of houses completely burnt in two  communities of  Da Jak and Attakar of  Ganawuri district  of Riyom LGA by  gunmen  who stormed the villages  at the early hours of Tuesday.

The attack also took the life of a police corporal serving with the Plateau State Police Command who was shot dead by gunmen.

According to a witness, the Policeman who was identified as Coporal Jibril, was also on a patrol together with his other colleagues at the crises area of Ganawuri village of Riyom Local Government Area of the State.

Meanwhile, Member of the State House Assembly representing Riyom Constituency Mr. Daniel Dem, said that dozens of persons died in the attack even as he said that the both villages had been under siege by suspected fulani militia since last week even as he accused the Special task force in the area as part of the problems; “My people are been killed every day and yet the special task force is not doing anything about it. I am calling for the withdrawal of the STF since they are not capable of handling the crisis that has been rocking the state for a long time.”

Plateau State Commissioner of Police Mr. Chris Olakpe, also confirmed the attack as he said that  officer was shot  while on a peace mission to the area adding that investigations are on.

The members of the Northern Economic Summit have backed President as they group said that there is no amnesty to the Boko Haram Group who in absentia. According to the group it said that the members of the Boko Haram must be identified before Amnesty could be granted to them.

While speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the leader of the group, Prof. Jerry Gana, said that “Amnesty is possible; it can be given. But the members of the sect must come out of hiding and renounce violence. They must come out to discuss with the government. If this is done, government can be convinced to give amnesty. Amnesty cannot be given in absentia.”

“Let there be genuine dialogue; let there be honesty between the group and the government. When this is done, we can achieve peace.”

Speaking further Proofessor Gana said that in as much as the security and welfare of the people remain the main purpose of government, both the Federal and State Governments must pay greater attention to the resolution of security challenges facing the north; “The offers being made for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and amnesty should be taken seriously by the government. However, for the proposed dialogue sessions to produce concrete results, trustworthy elders must take bold steps to bring both sides together.”

“As was the case in the resolution of the Niger Delta crisis, we urge trustworthy elders to initiate reliable contacts with leaders of militant groups in the north with a view to achieving peace conference and negotiations with government. In the interest of generations yet unborn, the time for peace is now. So help us God,” Prof Gana said.

He also gave a progress report on actions taken by the Federal Government on economic development issues raised at the first Economic Summit, which was held in 2911 in Kaduna.

There was pandemonium at the Yenizue-Gene area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, after armed policemen stormed the area, beating and arresting jobless graduates who assembled to begin a protest against unemployment.

The security operatives were said to have thrown caution to the wind as they injured the aggrieved graduates and arrested over 30 of them including five of their leaders.

Our correspondent gathered that the policemen including members of the state security outfit, codenamed Operation Doo- Akpo harassed the youths and bundled them to the Criminal Investigation Department.

They were said to have been hounded into the CID cells while others escaped to avoid the arrest.

The unemployed graduates numbering over 150 were said to have gathered on a street at Yene-Izuegene to begin a peaceful protest against the government.

They were said to be angry that the government had done nothing to alleviate their plight.

Part of the plan was to issue a 30-day ultimatum to the Governor Seriake Dickson’s administration to lift embargo on employment into the civil service in order to absorb them.

The protesters, under the aegis of Unemployed Graduates Forum of Bayelsa, had claimed  that all their efforts to meet with some top government officials over their travails proved abortive.

They were said to have earlier given the government one month ultimatum to create 20,000 jobs for jobless graduates.

But the protesters, who wore white T-shirts with inscriptions,”we need job”,”give us jobs”,  said they would not be intimidated by the arrest of their members.

Speaking on their behalf, Mr. Anthony Joseph, a mechanical engineering graduate, said they had three weeks earlier informed the police of the protest.

He wondered why the police were after them.

“We are fighting a just course. Most of our graduates have been unemployed for between five, seven years and ten years. We have met the Commissioner for Science and Technology and other top government functionaries in the state on the need to create jobs for us ,but all efforts proved abortive.

“Government should come to our aide. We are pleading with government to create jobs for us.They should release our detained members”, Joseph said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa Police Command, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the arrest of the protesters, and said they were being interrogated.

Akhigbe recalled that the group had informed the Police Command of  their protest ,but he said the permit was not granted them by the police command.

Source: Punch