By OSITA JULIUS NWORU
“We are duty bound to make our workers happy. We have looked at the computations from the office of the Accountant- General, what it means is that we will be paying about N1.9 billion on salaries of public officers monthly. That also includes subventions to hospitals, universities, College of Education and pensions.
“That is the position, assuming we are paying only for grade level 01 to 06. If we are going to pay those in grade level 07 to17, I will request you to give me a vehicle to move to Equatorial Guinea or you elect somebody else. In the alternative, we will be borrowing N100 million monthly to pay workers. There will be no money for any other thing.”
These are the words of Gov. Elechi when he addressed workers recently.

Fortunately, Security vote bank Plc has come to the rescue of the governor. They have offered to borrow 100million Naira monthly to the governor to pay the minimum wage to workers of Ebonyi. The governor may have applied to the department in charge of loan in the bank, and his application is being considered for possible positive response.
In the other hand, the bank requested that the governor should make available the state’s income and expenditure for the past 12 months, the list of workers in the state, salary scale/grade level and the total wage bill of the state workforce, as a condition he must meet to qualify for the loan.
Perusing the documents presented, the financial institution observed that the governor is indebted to the tune of 20billio Naira he borrowed not up a year ago. The bank wanted to know why the money was borrowed and what it was used for. The response the bank got was that the money was used for projects in the state.

Security vote bank plc is a cautious bank and wanted to be sure that any fund given out as loan is properly utilized. As a result, the loan department of the bank sent some of its staff to Ebonyi state to have a view of the ongoing and completed projects which the borrowed 20billion Naira was used on. The team came back with a shocking news – that no project mentioed in the loan application has been completed, and that some listed projects in the application are not in existence.

As experts, they suggested some sound economic policies to the governor which the governor should employ to generate money within to pay the minimum wage other than borrowing.
The team noted that the economic misfortune and retardation in the state is as a result of some fundamental economic mistakes that were made by the governor when he assumed office in 2007. The governor forgot that, ideally, founding fathers are not placed on salaries for making selfless service, instead, in recognition to their selfless service; they are named after streets, airports, Stadiums etc. .(unless he has no plans for any of such project) They are well respected in the state such that their words of advice are not taken for granted by the government and the people of the state.
Currently, the so called founding fathers in the state pockets over 20million as salaries every month. This implies that the state is applying retrogressive economic policies where people that make little or no contribution to the economic growth and development of the state receive more than the wage bill of more than two ministries in the state. The governor failed to take into account that the ever changing political and eviromental factors/ Population growth may affect some of his economic policies when he decided to recognize the founding fathers by way of salaries. Even the State house of Assembly as at that time raised no objection. They also failed to discern the future implication of the obnoxious policy.
The standard of living in the state no doubt is higher than it was before its creation some years ago. The state obviously has made appreciable gains in aggregate income, but most of the gains will continue to be eaten up by the increasing population of the state and abrasive economic policies enunciated and implemented by the governor.
The state presently produces nothing. There are no industries in the state and agriculture which the area was known for before its creation has been jettison for politics. Food production is on the decline while population tends to increase at more rapid rates. The result is prominent subsistence living among the people of the state, with population held in check by increase in social vices.

In a situation like workers strike in other states of Nigeria, founding fathers who are referred to as elder statesmen play the role of negotiating on behalf of the workers. The workers listen to them as they are highly respected persons. The founding fathers in Ebonyi state have no place in the situation at hand in the state. They should be better called un-founding fathers since they have nothing to show for what they claimed they found. They can’t even raise their head to make statement concerning the situation as they are executively bribed to keep silent in the face of injustice. What do they use the money they are paid to do? Is it not to marry more wives, chase around campus girls and possibly ask for chieftaincy titles. No responsible government gives less attention to the youths and working class of the economy who are the future of the state and the nation in general only to give immediate and adequate attention to what could be referred as dead woods.
The governor has threatened to scrap free education (if any exist), cancel pilgrim welfare, and introduce a multiple tax system. The so called founding father will fold their hands and watch these happen without altering a word since it does not concern them and as long as they get paid as at when do, it is to hell with the vulnerable. The founding fathers should as well ask for increase in their salaries or embark on strike to press for the increase. The state may witness that soon and probably become the first state where dead woods has gone on strike.

The advisory body of security vote bank plc also pointed out that, as a matter of urgency that the government should cut down the salaries of the so called founding fathers to about forty thousand naira a month. By so doing, some money would be raised to pay the minimum wage other than borrowing to pay. They also advised that the children of the governor should curtail their hotel expenses since one of his sons is believed to be spending close to 60million naira monthly on hotel bills across the states in Nigeria. In Enugu for example, he has suites in about five different hotels of very high standard. In one of the hotels located along chime avenue new haven Enugu, he has about 4 suites and the bills are offset from government purse. The hotel bills alone can take care of the controversial minimum wage.
In addition, revitalizing, the ailing industries in the state would help as well to generate money internally. This could be done through public-private partnership. Companies like Enyigba and Ezzangbo building materials industries can take the shape of public-private partnership (ppp). The government can also engage foreign partners in the area of mining to harness the assorted mineral resources that abound in the state.
The state should also look into developing sporting activities which appears dead now. Companies can be engaged to invest in the sports other than using our youths as political thugs as political rallies have replaced sporting activities in the state.

The state workers have no vehicle at the moment that would take the governor to Equatorial Guinea as the he requested in his address. The workers can’t be the ones to do that if the need arises. It is only fugitive that takes such a decision except the governor has become one, then the authorities should be notified to keep an eye on him lest he disappears. If the governor wants to make sacrifice for the state as he said in his address that he is duty bound to make workers happy, he should cut his unaccounted security vote, use it to pay workers other than borrowing which in turn would create harsh economic conditions for the vulnerable in the state . Alternatively the governor should honorably resign.

Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has commiserated with frontline politician and Publisher of
Champion Newspapers Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, over the loss of his
wife Lady Eudora Iwuanyanwu, who died recently in a London Hospital.

Chime’s condolence message signed by his Chief Press
Secretary, Chukwudi Achife, described the late Mrs Iwuanyanwu as a
devout Christian
and a humble woman who devoted her life to the service of people in her society.
He said the deceased while alive, served as a pillar of support
to her husband Chief Iwuanyanwu as he went about his various activities in the
service of the nation
Chime regretted that the demise of lady came at a time when the
country needed women of such valuable potentials to help her leaders bring
about the much needed transformation of the society.
He further lamented that her death has created a big vacuum in
the Iwuanyanwu’s family more especially in the life of Chief Emmanuel
Iwuanyanwu whom he described as a political icon and pillar among his people.
Praying for the repose of the deceased’s soul the Governor urged
the Media mogul to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude and to be consoled
by the fact his wife lived a fulfilled life while on earth.
The Governor said, “It was with sadness that I received the news
of the death of Lady Eudora Iwuanyanwu wife of our icon and my very good friend,
Chief Emmuanuel Iwuanyanwu in far way United Kingdom. Lady Eudora was certainly
a woman of sterling qualities whose humility, generousity and eagerness to
serve the society, were very well known.
“Nigeria has indeed lost a great woman and I sincerely appreciate
the vacuum her demise has created in her family particularly in the life of her
husband and patriarch of the family, Chief Iwuanyanwu. While praying for the
repose of her soul, I urge Chief Iwuanyanwu and the rest of her survivors to
bear this irreparable loss with fortitude and to be consoled in the
knowledge that
she had lived a fulfilled life while on this mortal plane”.

The whirlwind of labor demonstrations and resulting strikes which swept through the 4 out of the 5 South East States of Nigeria last week appear to have worsened amidst dissipating hopes that talks with the State government and the labor unions will begin – to ease the way to the end of the workers strike. Last week, the four states of Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra and Imo States joined in the indefinite workers strike to protest the refusal of the State government to implement the minimum wage stipulated by the federal government.

While the workers in the 4 States sat home and refused to continue coming to work until their respective government adopts the new salary scale, 247ureports.com learnt that other sister/brother labor unions opted and joined in on the strike – to further pressure the State administration.

In Enugu State, the strike has nearly brought the State to its knees. This is following the not-so-friendly manner the State Governor handled the leaders of the labor union when the strike was announced. The governor had ordered for the arrest and detention of the labor union leaders following the announcement. Gov Sullivan Chime topped his ill treatment of the labor union leaders by turning to the courts to sue the labor union.

The governor’s action, as expected, backfired. Other brother/sister labor unions followed suit in solidarity with the civil servants. The banks and a significant sector of the markets closed their doors. All banks in Enugu remained close till Friday September 16, 2011 when pressures from local persons and artisans who could no longer cope without accessing the banking institution mounted to unbearable levels. According to a bank executive who spoke to our correspondent, the banks opened their doors cautiously to help alleviate the pains of some of the residents in Enugu. Petrol, kerosene, diesel has been scarce due to petrol transporters union who also joined the solidarity strike. The filling stations in Enugu are said to be empty because tankers are not transporting fuel to Enugu State. Other sectors, including private schools are reported to also have joined the strike. Worsening matters is the stalemate between the Enugu State government and the labor union. The governor of Enugu State is said to be headstrong on not negotiating with the State workers on the minimum wage implementation.

In Imo State, the case does not appear as grim. The prospects for an end to the ongoing strike appear bright partly because the governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha had earlier agreed to pay the minimum wage. But had asked for time, an unspecified amount of time to allow him get a grip on the accounts and financial state of the State before he would begin the payment. The labor union did not buy his request for time and so declared a strike. As 247ureports.com learnt, the government of Imo State has begun intense talks with the labor to end the strike. The details to the talks are not certain but a source within the Okorocha administration assured that Okorocha is engaged with the labor unions and that the workers will be expected to resume work soon.

The opposition in Imo State against the All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] governor appears to add an additional anomaly to the ongoing push to bring the strikers back to work. In particular, the political associates of the defeated former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, according to sources in Imo State, may have commandeered the leadership of the labor unions into bidding chaos in the state administration of Okorocha. The source points that the associates are determined to prove that Okorocha administration will be unable to make good on his promise to deliver on the minimum wage. The source also added that the governor is fully aware of the moves against his administration.

The workers strike also struck Anambra and Ebonyi States over the minimum wage crisis. In Anambra state, the governor had promised to implement a negotiated amount that is slightly lower than the minimum wage. The labor leaders were said to reject the negotiated alternative which they term “Obi Minimum Wage”. The same is said to be the case in Ebonyi State. Both governors of the two states claim to not have enough money to defray the cost associated with the implementation o f the minimum wage salary.

The lone South East State that has not witnessed the hammer of labor union strike appear to be the only state with the controversial policy of firing all none indigenes of the state’s payroll. Abia State recently asked all non-indigenes to submit their letters of resignation – in an effort to trim the fat in the state civil servants.

The federal government of Nigeria under the direction of the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has directed the anti-graft agency to commence a detailed probe on the activities of the Federal Ministry of Education dating back from 2007 when Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu was the federal minister of education and Agada Anthony Jerry served as the minister of state [1] and Mrs Aishatu Jibril Dukku served as the minister of state [2].

The directive by President Goodluck Jonathan instructed for an audit of Ministries to include the Departments and Agencies. On the priority list to be investigated in the the federal Ministry of Education include, the National Commission for Colleges of Education, the University of Abuja, the Federal University of Technology Minna, the Education Trust Fund, and the National Universities Commission.

According to information available to 247ureports.com, the ICPC was directly charged with the task of auditing the ministry. And as gathered, the Commission has mapped out a system review template for the examination of the due process procedures adopted by agencies in the award of contracts – entailing inquiries into budgetary provision, advertisement of tender and composition of the tenders board as well as the tender analysis and selection of bidders.

The anti graft commission, in its investigatory task, will establish approval limits and the appropriation act for each of the agencies being investigated. It will study the actual expenditures. The legal status of contractors and ownership of companies will be investigated, as well as evidence of payment of tax and audited accounts of companies.

According to the Commission, they are concerned about contracts awarded over and above the benchmark and others awarded without cash backing, particularly with the authority to incur expenditure (AIE) and the enabling act of each entity as it relates to internally generated revenue (IGR). In addition multiple awards of contracts to a single company, insider trading and abandoned projects will be investigated. Also project monitoring and evaluation reports, certificates of completion, along with physical inspection of projects executed will be carried out by the agents of the ICPC. The contract agreements of each entity will be inspected while all contract documents will be traced to their origin.

At the end of the exercise the Commission will forward its findings to the President; and will prosecute any Chief Executive Officer that breaches the ICPC Act.

Address By The Reviewing Officer, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan Gcfr, President Commander-In-Chief Of The Armed Forces Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria On The Occasion Of The Passing Out Parade Of Officer Cadets Of The 58^th Regular Combatant Course (Army, Navy And Airforce) At The Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna On Saturday 17^th September, 2011.

PROTOCOL

1.  I am delighted to be here today at this occasion of the passing out of Combatant Cadets of the 58^th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy. 

It is indeed most heart-warming to note that over the years, the Academy has continued to live up to the vision of the founding fathers of this prestigious institution through quality training of cadets.

1.  The impressive parade which we have all witnessed this morning is indicative of the high standard of training and discipline that has been imbibed by these young and promising officer cadets about to be commissioned into the Nigerian Armed Forces today. A few minutes ago, I was in fact telling the Defence Minister, that judging from the way the cadets conduct themselves, this place is not for “sandy rocks” but “igneous rocks”. Let me therefore, extend very well-deserved commendation and congratulations to the Commandant and his team of highly dedicated staff for a job well done.  Similarly, I congratulate the graduating officer cadets for being receptive to training and for undergoing both the academic and the very rigorous military training in the past 5 years in the Academy.

1.  Let me remind you the cadets, that as you file past the saluting dais within the next few minutes, you will going through a ceremony that you’d not do again, you will be doing so for the last time as officer cadets from this parade ground.  Indeed, this parade marks the end of your five – year sojourn in the academy and your transition into the Officer Cadre.  I expect all of you to look back and give glory to the Almighty for this memorable event in your lives. Some of your colleagues with whom you started this course, for one reason or the other, may not have completed this programme with you.  While you have every reason to feel proud and fulfilled for making it to this glorious day, you should bear in mind that the officer corps into which you are moving has many responsibilities.  I am however, confident that armed with the quality of training which you have been given at the academy, you will be able to cope with the demands of the various services to which you will be commissioned.

1.  Let me reiterate that my administration places much premium on security.  The development of any nation is hinged on security and peace. 

It is for this reason that this administration is taking all necessary measures to create a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere in every part of this country so that we can achieve the goals of our all-important transformation agenda.

1.        Apart from defending the territorial integrity of this country, members of the armed forces have often been called upon to contribute to the maintenance of internal security.  The Nigerian Armed Forces which are known for their professionalism, valour, discipline and dedication to duty, have always lived up to the expectations of our people.  As you will be granted the Presidential Commission, and thereafter posted to the various services to strengthen the lower segment of the leadership of our Armed Forces, you are expected to emulate your senior colleagues by avoiding any behaviour that is capable of tarnishing the image and reputation of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

1.  I urge you to comply strictly with the rules of engagement based on universal best practices in any security operation you may be involved in either within or outside our dear nation.  You should also avail yourselves of training opportunities in the course of your career to enhance your contribution to the armed forces and the nation at large.

1.  Within the past month, I have directed a review of the national security architecture to place a greater emphasis on human security. This is in response to the new emerging threat environment, and the urgent need to ensure that government provides necessary leadership in checking the reign of impunity in our land. Those who seek to violate national security must be told in very clear terms that government will spare no effort in making it impossible for them to achieve their dastardly goals, or to escape justice and punishment.

1. The Armed Forces have a crucial role to play to defend the integrity of Nigeria. As young officers, you will be required to uphold the same charge, now and throughout your career. Soldiering is a noble profession; your main charge is to go into the field as true officers and gentlemen. I want to assure you that my administration will do everything possible to provide the enabling environment to encourage every officer and everyone that is committed to serving the fatherland.

1.  I am aware that a new Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service for the Armed Forces has been proposed. Let me assure you that my administration will take a careful look at the recommendations and act in the best interest of the Armed Forces.

1.   Last year, as part of our transformation agenda, my administration approved the admission of female officer cadets into the Nigerian Defence Academy for regular combatant training. 

This is in keeping with my belief that women can make and have been making valuable contributions to nation building in this country. I am pleased to note that the first set of female officer cadets have been selected to start training with their male counterparts in October 2011 as members of the 63 Regular Combatant Course. I am indeed happy about this, and as a coincidence, this institution is for the first time today honouring a lady, a deserving lady, with a honorary degree.

1.  It is also pertinent to state that these female cadets who were selected purely on merit will be well represented in the existing three Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Science and Engineering.  I have no doubt in my mind that they will cope with the challenges of training in the academy and that standards will not in any way be compromised on account of their gender. I was in fact made to understand that about 5, 000 females applied and only 20 of them were selected; 20 out of 5, 000 must be good. 

1. The Nigerian Defence Academy provides the opportunity for our youths from all over the thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory to train and interact irrespective of their cultural and religious backgrounds. 

The friendship forged among the officer cadets is a life-long one which transcends all sorts of divides.  I wish therefore, to appeal to all our brothers and sisters who hide under the guise of religion or ethnicity to cause unrest, to cultivate the values of togetherness and love which exist here at the Nigerian Defence Academy.  This way, we will build a better Nigeria which every one of us would be proud of.

1.  Let me at this point rejoice with the families and friends of the graduating cadets who have travelled from all over the country to witness this occasion.  Your love, prayers and support have all made this day a reality for these young men.  I appeal to you to continue to assist them with your prayers to enable them make a success of their chosen career.

1.  Finally, I congratulate the Commandant and the staff of the Academy once more on the successful training of yet another set of future leaders of our armed forces. 

The nation will continue to depend on you for the production of highly disciplined young officers for our armed forces. On our part, my administration will continue to provide the NDA with all that is required to offer quality training to its Cadets.

1.  Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you most sincerely for your attention and wish the passing-out cadets a very successful career as gentlemen officers in the noble profession of the arms.

1. I thank you all.

by Walter Chike
Youths of Imo State, under the aegis of Imo Youth Congress (IYC) have endorsed the candidature of Chief Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu Duru as the rightful candidate for appointment to represent the state in the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to be reconstituted soon.

In a communiqué issued at the end of a 3-day summit of the group, held in Oguta recently, signed by the National President, Robinson Nwokocha and Secretary, Charles Onuma, and made available to our Correspondent, the group argued that every calculation favours the candidature of Chief Duru, even as it appealed to the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to listen to the voice of the youths, in the interest of peace and development in the state.
According to IYC, Duru is a visionary technocrat, who has distinguished himself in every life endeavour, and therefore the most qualified candidate to ensure credible representation of the state in the NDDC board.
“Imo Youths believe so much in competence, credibility and fairness.
We have scrutinized all the candidates jostling to be appointed to represent Imo State. That Ohaji Egbema has represented the state for two consecutive tenures and therefore completely ruled out. In Oguta Local Government Area, of all the oil producing communities, Izombe is the most marginalized. We have gone through history and discovered that Oguta town has dominated in all ramifications, ranging from political appointments to elective positions. That in realization of this fact, we have resolved that it is the turn of Izombe to produce the next NDDC Commissioner”.

In Izombe, we have also assessed all the candidates and in search of credible and competent representation, endorsed Chief Emmnauel Ifeanyichukwu Duru as the candidate of all the youths of Imo State,” the communiqué reads.

When contacted, President of the group, comrade Robinson Nwokocha reiterated that the choice of Chief Duru is strictly based on merit and urged President Jonathan to appoint him Imo Representative in the NDDC Board.

“My brother, we are tired of mediocrity. We need credible and effective representation. We are tired of sycophancy. We are tired of mediocrity. For how long shall we continue like this? Imo youths met for three days and said that enough is enough”.
“Leaders from the core oil producing communities were all represented and they were all involved in the exercise”.

“Chief Emma Duru is highly educated. He is a lawyer and very successful technocrat. He is the first Federal Board member from the area. He is a philanthropist of the highest order. He knows the problems of our people and has solution to them. He has zero tolerance to corruption. He is youth friendly and most importantly, approachable. The youths assessed the personality and credentials of all others and decided to pitch our tent with him,” he stressed.

Nwokocha also urged all stakeholders to support his candidature to ensure effective, efficient and qualitative representation, which he said, shall in-turn, bring about rapid development of the area.