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Nsukka Zone Has Been Well Represented In The Senate – Youth Leader
Precisely on 27th December 2011, the people of Igbo Eze North Local Government Area in Enugu State organized a civic reception in honour of one of their illustrious sons senator Ayogu Eze who is currently representing Nsukka senatorial District in the upper chamber of the National Assembly. Senator Eze is the chairman senate committee on works. In this interview Hon. Innocent Ugwu,(Okogba) a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party and a youth leader in Nsukka, zone examines the performance of the 2nd term Senator. He also spoke on the plight of the youths and the politics of Enugu State etc.
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As a youth leader, you could be very conversant with the Grassroots, how would you asses the impact of Democracy on the Grassroots in Enugu State over the years?
Thank you very much. Democracy has been actively functioning and yielding tremendous impact at all levels in Enugu State since the incumbent Governor, Barr. Sullivan Iheanacho Chime assumed office in 2007. it is on record that Enugu State is one of the states that has consistently conducted elections into the Local Government system for the past years. The Local Government election give democracy the lee way to function at ward level which is the Grassroots Base.
Fortunately enough most of the people who have been privileged to serve as local government chairmen and ward councilors were able to work in line with the Governor’s ever effective 4 point Agenda thereby coming the grassroots along. For example in Igbo-Eze North , my Local Government , villagers now ride bicycle on Asphalt tarred roads. This is unlike past years when tarred road only exist in the cities. In addition to this, villagers in my area also have water and medical services at their door steps. The Igbo Eze North local government administration under Hon. Chijioke Ugwu was able to sink enough bore holes and build health centres around the people and as such they no long have to walk on far distance to fetch water of to see a medical doctor for health purposes.
Other amenities like electricity, class room blocks for primary and secondary schools were massively put in place by Hon. Ugwu’s Leadership. Permit me also to observe that rural dwellers in Enugu State have benefited some food developmental projects from intervention bodies like world Bank, DFID, LEEMP and UNICEF etc. for instance the world Bank in Collaboration with ministry of Agriculture recently awarded a road project contract with over N90 million in a cashed producing community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State. These are evidence that Democracy is thriving on the Grassroots in the local city State.
There is emerging impression among political observers that Enugu is a one party state following the recent local government election as opposition parties could not filed candidates in most local governments either for chairmanship or councillorship, what’s your take one this?
The impression is wrong, Enugu is not a one party state. The truth of the situation is that opposition parties have completely failed to stand the test of time in Enugu as a result of the good performance of the incumbent administration at all levels. A well meaning observer could easily trace the failure of the oppositions the fact that Government is doing very well.
Think about a situation where villagers ride bicycle on a tarred road, have water and hospitals at their door steps, good class rooms and electricity, you discover that any candidate from this government party could win election. This is the true position of the politics of the local city state.
The oppositions have always accused governor Chime of not creating jobs for the youths. Can you defend His Excellency on this accusation as a stake holder of youths?
The issue of unemployment among the youths is a national problem not just in Enugu State. However in Enugu, I can assure you that Government at all level don’t sleep over it. In fact the leaders in Enugu from the local government chairmen, state legislatures, and federal legislatures to the Governor’s office the youths have been accorded passionate attention in Enugu.
For examples as I know, Local government chairman Hon. Ugwu empowered the youths with Motorcycles and monthly stipend to keep them off crime related activities . the state and federal legislatures from my area also issued motorcycles and scholarship to a quite number of students. They also secure job opportunities for a good number of us.
Our distinguished Senator as I know has been able to secure jobs for over 100 youths since 2007. Quote me any where anytime. I am not a praise singer I’m stating the facts. Senator Eze is very passionate on the youths. From the governor’s office I learnt that there is on going programme on Agriculture called Songhai initiative aimed at giving the youths exposure into modern day farming. His Excellency through the initiative is making a conventional effort to redirect the youths into modern farming either to process or cultivate and we are buying into the initiative. You see the problem of the youths is that they are more interested in white colar jobs and everybody knows that such jobs are not readily available.
Talking about Senator Eze, what would you say he has been able to achieve in addition to getting jobs for the youths?
A lot of things. Firstly he has been able to give Nsukka zone a desired sense of belonging in the senate. He has made Nsukka man to be proud in Abuja like never before through his active participation in the activities of the senate,. Secondly he has been able to attract the presence of Federal Government for Road projects and damming of Adada river. I learn that the Iheaka-ugwu awara-Nkalagu road project is on going. He has also brought projects on Education and other sectors through MDGS and other sources. There is a magazine where he documented all his achievements, I cann’t give them off hands. What I want to assure you is that the Senator has lived up to our expectations and we are very proud of him.
What’s your expectations on the newly elected local Government administration in Enugu State?
They should copy His Excellency in rendering selfish service to those that elected them. Let them consolidate on the massive projects they inherited on ground and make sure that those areas water, road, electricity, schools etc are needed get them. Then they should ensure that Songhai Initiative works in their area with a view to empower the youths as planned by His Excellency.
My Questions on Ojukwu
By Tochukwu Ezukanma
My study and research of Nigerian history made it possible for me to extricate myself from the lingering grip of the Biafran propaganda, which still retains a powerful hold on most Igbo minds. It gave me a new perspective on Biafra and the civil war, a perspective, remarkably different from my earlier viewpoint shaped through the distorted prisms of the Biafran propaganda.
It is common place knowledge that a student who fails all his examinations is a bad student. And that a medical doctor who looses to death every patient that gets his medical attention is a bad doctor. Why then do the Igbo consider a man whose every political move ended in failure or disaster a good leader?
The January 1966 military coup took the Nigerian political crisis to new heights. It decimated the northern Nigerian leadership and brought the military into Nigerian politics. By extension, it sparked off the northern Nigerian counter coup of July ’66 and the mass murder of the Igbo in northern Nigeria and other parts of the country. There were several attempts to resolve this political crisis. As the search for peace continued, Ojukwu, as the governor of Eastern Region, refused to recognize Yakubu Gowon as the new military Head of State and repeatedly defied the Federal Government. Yet, the Federal Government did not attack Eastern Region.
It was Ojukwu’s declaration of Biafra that triggered off the civil war. The declaration of Biafra went against the advice of the Igbo political leaders and elders, especially, Nnamdi Azikiwe. Biafranism was a monumental blunder that will continue to cast a very dark shadow over Igbo land for a very long time. It was an apogee of recklessness. It was unparalleled in its disdain for reason and caution. It did not require the most rudimentary knowledge of history or politics to know that Biafra was to be a doomed enterprise.
By 1966, history had provided the instructive precedence that there could be no secession without war. Why did the Oxford educated historian ignore that incontrovertible lesson of history by declaring Biafra without preparation for the inevitable war that was to follow?
From day one, Biafra was to be a colossal waste in human effort and human lives. For Biafra was not only ill-prepared and operating from a position of extreme weakness, she could not count on any serious support from anywhere. She could not count on the support of her neighbors, the African countries, because the Organization of African Unity (OAU), as a body, was opposed to secession. The organization’s charter recognized the gross imperfections inherent in the boundaries African countries inherited from their colonial masters. However, it was opposed to the tinkering with these boundaries for whatever reason, because attempts to change the borders in respect to cultural and ethnic homogeneity or for the self-determination of national units within multinational countries will result in unprecedented upheavals in Africa.
Secondly, there were secessionist movements in a number of the African countries: Ethiopia, Sudan, Zaire, Senegal, etc. A successful secession anywhere in Africa would encourage and embolden these secessionist movements. Therefore, the generality of the African countries were opposed to secession in general, and quite naturally, to Biafra in particular.
Nigeria is within the British sphere of influence. So, Britain reserved the sole right to determine the fate of Nigeria. No Western nation could intervene in Nigeria against British interests, because they have learnt the hard way to respect the spheres of influence of the other powers. The First World War was a war of spheres of influence. It was the explosive mix of two struggles for dominance: the struggle for global dominance that pitted Germany against France and Britain, and the rivalry for control in the Balkans between the Russian and the Hapsburg (Austrian) Empires that set off the 1st World War. And from where the 1st World War ended, the 2nd World War finished off.
Not surprisingly, the United States of America invaded Panama, a sovereign nation, arrested her president and imprisoned him in the USA, without a murmur from the corridors of power of any Western Power. Panama is within the US area of geopolitical domain. Despite American’s total abandonment of Liberia (during her civil war), no major power went into Liberia to fill the American political and diplomatic void. The peace accord that ended the war in Rhodesia, a renegade British colony, later renamed Zimbabwe, was brokered by the British government. After many years of civil war, it was the British that finally determined the political fate of Sierra Leone, a former British colony. At the outbreak of the Ivorian civil war, France naturally intervened, diplomatically and militarily, in Ivory Coast, a former French colony. She has remained the only major power handling that conflict in line with her diplomatic and other interests.
Similarly, it was the prerogative of the British government to determine the political destiny of Nigeria as of 1967. And as Britain wanted Nigeria to remain a unified country, no Western Power could have acted against that British objective. Some European powers, France and Portugal, and even the United States, especially during the Nixon administration, sympathized with Biafra, but could not get involved.
A leader who chose to ignore the lessons of history, the advice of the elders, the prevailing sentiments among African countries and the global power politics was to, unavoidably, lead his people to disaster. And indisputably, Ojukwu led the Igbo to catastrophe – a quagmire of powerlessness and helplessness.
As Biafra finally collapsed, not counting the at least one million Igbo that starved to death, hundreds of thousands of youths, the cream and flower of the Igbo nation, laid dead. Igbo land lay prostrate, completely prostrate; at the feet of a battle harden army flush with victory. With a collective physiognomy that revealed raw scares of unspeakable human misery, contortions of pains and sorrow and a blank stare of despondency, the Igbo trudged out of the remaining vestiges of Biafra with their future hinging precariously at the whims of Yakubu Gowon. As for Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, he was gone. He abandoned his people and ran away to the safety and comfort of an Ivorian exile.
So, to the Igbo nation, a man who despised the advice of the Igbo political elders, ignored the lessons of history and disregarded the realities of African geopolitics and the dynamics of global power politics, and consequently, led us into disaster is our celebrated leader? And a man who had no qualms in sacrificing countless Igbo lives for the struggle, but then, abandoned the struggle, and ran for his own dear life is our hero?
If our answers to these questions are yes, then the Igbo, as a people, have lost their sense of outrage. As such, we are in need of deep introspection, profound soul searching and reorienting our value system. We are also in a desperate need to retrieve and restore our sense of outrage. For, in the words of a United States’ Senator, Daniel Moynihan, “any nation that has lost her sense of outrage is destined for extinction”.
Tochukwu Ezukanma writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
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Weeping For The Forsaken General
By Muhammad Ajah
The public will see through any cosmetic or token gestures and will not tolerate a continuation of status quo. Corruption and plunder are the root causes of unemployment, insecurity, violence and unrest, General Muhammadu Buhari, while reacting to emergency situation in Nigeria.
Although I was quite confident that the Supreme Court would deliver a sound judgement contrary to a popular one in regards to the court challenge from the number one Nigerian opposition party of today, the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), I could not hold my tears as I pondered over the speech of General Muhammadu Buhari on the verdict on Tuesday December 28, 2011.
My continued main worry for the General is that he so much believes in Nigeria and has often felt that things are not done the right way, thus his resolve at every political dispensation to fight the evil cartels that have held the nation to nothingness in terms of development, unity and peace. Each time he mounts his horse to the warfront; the same men who prepared the horse for him would desert him and dine with his enemies.
The General has been forsaken. But I can’t be sure that he has really realized that the war to change this country towards the right direction is not for Godly, soft-hearted and considerably humane people. Such people much be characterized by qualities that can be the semblance of chameleon, tortoise and in the commonest quote a green serpent in green grass.
I had often refused to believe that there is gentility in the army. I grew up partly in an army barrack and as a small boy, I thought that the army is a set of people built to defend the weak. I also attended Army Day School where we were trained to be not only stubborn in the right direction but to be orderly and manly. So, one feels lost contending with how the General climbed to this enviable position in the army with a civic mind. But I also know that soldiers do never surrender.
What are the General’s crimes that he can never be allowed to make a trial in REDIRECTING Nigeria? What did he do wrong while he was the Head of State? Why have all the Generals lost the espirit de corps bond in the military and the security force at large as it regards this lofty-hearted General? Summarily, why is this General fearfully feared by a dreadful cabal?
Many compatriots are undone by the daily ugly development in the country since the return of Nigeria to democratic governance in 1999. Things have continued to worsen. Each government that comes democratically proves to be incapacitated to handle the complexity of the Nigerian nation. Four success democratic government! Is 2015 going to be any different?
After a thorough scrutiny of the General’s speech, few points lined themselves up for my admiration. The first is that the nation has not conducted any widely accepted general elections since 1999. Four of such jamborees have been organized. In 2003 and 2007, the elections were also challenged at the Supreme Court and the verdict was not unexpected.
The General says that all Nigerian patriots who witnessed the conduct of the elections knew that the decision of the Supreme Court has always been politically motivated, thus having little judicial content. Therefore, he bitterly posited that the 2011 Supreme Court has proved no better than the Supreme Courts of 2003 and 2007.
Secondly, there was the misconception that a new umpire for Nigeria’s elections would make a difference after Professor Maurice Iwu-led INEC announced prepaid results in favour of the ruling party. There was also the misconception that the judiciary was the last hope of the mass. At that time, the Justice Idris Kutigi-led Supreme Court after indiscriminate adjournments, declared the election valid, with three justices dissenting.
Thirdly is the significance of international observers who condemned the elections in no uncertain terms, yet their governments were quick to send congratulatory messages to the presidents from such elections. What do the observers tell their governments?
However, having been part and parcel of the 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections, the General concluded that what happened in 2011 elections superseded all the other elections in the depth and scope of forgery and rigging. The hopes were chartered. Then, another INEC Professor, Attahiru Jega was bought in for the job, and after asking for and getting close on 100 billion naira for the elections including biometric data with all ten finger prints to conduct a thorough electoral exercise, he botched it.
Furthermore, the riots that broke out in parts of the country after the announcement of the 2011 Presidential result was wrongly ascribed to the General. The Justice Ahmad Lemu Panel had a different interpretation in its detailed causes of the reactions from the fallout of the election. As the General stated, the facts were that people were deeply angered and deeply provoked at the wanton conduct of the elections: the snatching and stuffing of ballot boxes, violence unleashed on opposition supporters, use of the police and elements of the army to intimidate injure and kill opposition supporters and flagrant change of results after collation such as in Niger, Bauchi and Kaduna states. Moreover, he asserted, the declaration of 86% – 90% of votes registered and cast in most part of the South-East and South-South states was highly implausible given the general turn-out of 50% – 60% in the rest of the country.
Wonderful how election can be regarded as credible where 100% of votes cast were for one candidate in many constituencies and 90% in some states! No election can be validated if 100% of those registered all cast their votes in favour of the same candidate! Was it for these reasons that INEC refused to release the biometric data? Why then did the Supreme Court turned a blind eye and deaf ear to all these irregularities that have run through all three elections since 2003?
The General warns on an emergency situation that looms in the country. To many of Nigerians, the situation is more pathetic when law and order are broken with impunity at any time, while the political leaders feel complacent with verbal promises and theoretical solutions in place of practical actions.
Steps which are known to all Nigerians and which have been proffered by many citizens were re-echoed by the General. These solutions are never new but what is new is that he advocates abolishment of security votes. Other steps to assist in good governance are:
– drastic reduction of the cost of governance in the three tiers of government
– drastic reduction of salaries and especially allowances
– security votes should not be increased as the 2012 Budget has done
– votes for the Armed Forces, Police and Security Services should be transparent and accountable
– foreign travel and estacodes should be stopped for at least six months except for the Presidency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and medical emergencies
– government house expenses in all the states should be drastically reduced
– foreign travel for state officials should be suspended for a while
– allowances for members of the National Assembly should be reduced substantially while their foreign travels should be stopped
– savings from these sources should be channelled to education, infrastructure and agriculture with emphasis on youth employment through meaningful and practical emergency programmes.
In his words, if all hands are on deck to help save Nigeria from imminent collapse, the country would stabilize. When stability is attained, Nigerians can then come together to discuss the country’s structure in a calm and unemotional atmosphere. Are these Biblical and Qur’anic recitations on a seemingly ruined land and people by its people? Hopefully not!
Muhammad Ajah is a writer, author, advocate of humanity and good governance based in Abuja. E-mail mobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk
Jonathan Declares State of Emergency
Information available to 247ureports.com indicate that the Presidet of Nigeria has declared a State of Emergency in four [5] States of Nigeria – Plateau, Niger, Yobe and Borno States.
The annoucement was made today by the President at 4pm.
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ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, ON THE OCCASION OF THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE FEDERATION IN ORDER TO RESTORE PULIC ORDER, PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE FEDERATION, December 31, 2011
Fellow Nigerians, it has become necessary to address you on recent events in some parts of the country that have threatened our collective security and shaken the foundations of our corporate existence as a nation.
2. You are all aware of the security challenges which the activities of the Boko Haram sect have foisted on the country. What began as sectarian crises in the North Eastern parts of the country has gradually evolved into terrorist activities in different parts of the country with attendant negative consequences on our national security.
3. Government in an effort to find a lasting solution to the security threats occasioned by the activities of the Boko Haram sect, constituted a Presidential Committee under the Chairmanship of Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtimari, to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the crises. While efforts are being made to implement the recommendations of the Committee, the crises have assumed a terrorist dimension with vital institutions of government including the United Nations Building and places of worship becoming targets of terrorist attacks.
4. While the search for lasting solutions is ongoing, it has become imperative to take some decisive measures necessary to restore normalcy in the country especially within the affected communities. Consequently, I have in the exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of section 305(1) of the Constitution, declared a state of emergency in the following parts of the federation, namely:
(i) Borno State
a) Maidugiri Metropolitan LGA
b) Gamboru Ngala LGA
c) Banki Bama LGA
d) Biu LGA
e) Jere LGA
(ii) Yobe State
a) Damaturu LGA
b) Geidam LGA
c) Potiskum LGA
d) Buniyadi-Gujba LGA
e) Gasua-Bade LGA
(iii) Plateau State
a) Jos North LGA
b) Jos South LGA
c) Barkin-Ladi LGA
d) Riyom LGA
(iv) Niger State
a) Suleja LGA
The details of this proclamation will be transmitted to the National Assembly as soon as they reconvene from their current recess, for their necessary action.
5. The Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police have been directed to put appropriate measures in place to ensure the protection of lives and properties of residents in the affected parts of the country. I therefore urge the political leadership in the affected states and Local Government Areas to give maximum cooperation to the law enforcement agencies deployed to their respective communities to ensure that the situation is brought under control within the shortest possible time.
6. The Chief of Defence Staff, in collaboration with other Service Chiefs, has also been directed to set up a special force unit within the Armed Forces, with dedicated counter terrorism responsibilities.
7. As part of the overall strategy to overcome the current security challenges, I have directed the closure of the land borders contiguous to the affected Local Government Areas so as to control incidences of cross boarder terrorist activities as terrorists have taken advantage of the present situation to strike at targets in Nigeria and retreat beyond the reach of our law enforcement personnel.
8. Let me assure our neighbours, especially within the ECOWAS sub-region, of Nigeria’s commitment to its international obligations as provided by the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons. The temporary closure of our borders in the affected areas is only an interim measure designed to address the current security challenges and will be reviewed as soon as normalcy is restored.
9. I commend the efforts of our political leaders at various levels as well as our traditional and religious leaders for their support for the various conflict resolution mechanisms and peace building measures that have been initiated by this administration. We call on the citizenry to continue to provide useful information to our law enforcement agencies to enable us arrest the situation.
10. Terrorism is a war against all of us. I call on all Nigerians to join hands with government to fight these terrorists.
11. I wish all Nigerians a very happy New Year.
12. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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Anambra, Abia Man Nabbed With 4kg Coke, 5.1kg Heroin
The war against drug trafficking cartels is getting tougher as operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) last weekend busted two major attempts by suspected drug syndicates to import 4kg of high grade cocaine from Brazil and 5.1kg of heroin from Pakistan. The spectacular seizures with an estimated street value of over 100 million naira were recorded in two separate operations at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.
Three prime suspects arrested in connection with the illegal importation are currently being quizzed by anti-narcotic officials. A total of 9.800kg of narcotics was intercepted; 4kg of cocaine was hidden inside bed sheets and engine pistons; 700grammes of cocaine was ingested while 5.1kg of heroin was concealed in a false layer of a luggage.
Confirming the arrests and seizures, the NDLEA commander at the MMIA, Hamza Umar said that the recent crackdown occurred last weekend when preparation for the Christmas celebration was at its peak. “Three prime suspects by name Akakpo Kossi James, 49, and Nwanchukwu Chukwuma Ferdinard, 42, who were on board Emirate flight from Brazil as well as Okonkwo John Oforma, 38, who had an emergency travel certificate on his way from Pakistan on board Qatar Airline flight are currently undergoing interrogation in connection with the drug seizures” Hamza stated.
Akakpo smuggled 4kg of cocaine from Brazil in bed sheets and engine pistons, Nwanchukwu Chukwuma Ferdinard ingested 58 wraps of cocaine weighing 700grammes also from Brazil while Okonkwo imported 5.1kg heroin from Pakistan hidden in a luggage. The suspects have made very useful statements that are fast tracking investigation.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA Ahmadu Giade described the seizures as another victory in the country’s anti-narcotics crusade. “This is another victory in the battle to eliminate illicit drugs from our society. We are poised to tackle drug syndicates notwithstanding their shrewd modes of drug concealment” Giade promised.
Akakpo Kossi James a 49 year old bachelor told investigators that he got involved in drug trafficking in order to be married and live a settled life. “I work as an event planner in Brazil since 2008. I dropped out of secondary school in class 3. As a result of unemployment I travelled to Senegal in 1999. When I could not get any good job, I left Senegal to Cape Verde and later to Brazil in 2008. In all these countries, I have been living from hand to mouth. A Brazilian introduced me into the drug business. I used to meet with him at shopping mall and recreational centres. He convinced me into smuggling the drug with a 10,000 dollars offer. I saw it as an opportunity to marry and settle down” Akakpo stated. He hails from Isukwator, Abia State.
Okonkwo John Oforma, 38 years is believed to be working with a Pakistani based drug cell. The suspect who lives at Surulere Street, Ijaniki, Lagos used to sell dry fish before he was recruited to smuggle drugs from Pakistan. Okonkwo who travelled to Pakistan on September 14, 2011 through Dubai claimed that he lost his international passport at Islamabad. He arrive Nigeria a day to Christmas with an emergency travel certificate NHCI 197/2011 and Qatar ticket number 2145050251276.
He reportedly took off from Karachi Airport, Pakistan to Nigeria enroute Doha. According to Okonkwo, “I am sick and need to undergo surgery. I have no money for the treatment and they promised to settle all my hospital bills and also give me money for business. The man is so nice to me. They usually import shirts and sometimes I collect some of the clothes to sell and have my commission. That was how I met them. The man took me as his son and promised to do anything for me. They assisted me with my travel documents and sponsored my trip to Pakistan. When I lost my passport at Islamabad, he was the one that processed the emergency travel certificate for me. He is an elderly man, I do not know his name but we call him Alhaji. He gave me the bag to take to Nigeria. Unfortunately, I was arrested and 5.1kg heroin was found in the bag”. He hails from Umueze in Anambra State.
Nwanchukwu Chukwuma Ferdinard who sells furniture in Lagos travelled to Brazil in 2009. His wife and 3 children reside in Lagos. During interrogation Nwanchukwu said that his love for his family made him to smuggle drugs. “I work in a Cyber Café in Brazil and my salary can barely meet my basic needs. In the process of complaining to friends I met a man who promised to help me only if I will smuggle drugs. Eventually, I agreed to carry the drug. They bought my return ticket and promised to pay me 2,500 dollars. My intention was to use the opportunity to visit my family and pay school fees of my children. I excreted 58 wraps of cocaine weighing 700grammes” he explained. The suspects will soon be charged to court.
Mourning the Madallah Christmas Bomb Victims
By Muhammad Ajah
Let there be peace. Let there be love. Let there be religious tolerance. Let there be understanding. And let Nigeria be. Let there be no bloodletting. Let there be no inhumanity. And let Nigerians collectively brace up to the war against Nigeria. Let the political leaders stand up and act. Let the religious leaders assemble and spread understanding. Let the traditional leaders mount pressure on their people to believe in one Nigeria. And let parents and teachers inculcate in the Nigerian children the non-passionate approach to controversial religious issues in a religiously delicate society like ours.
Let Islam and Christianity coexist in a more modern, natural and peaceful environment called Nigeria. The proponents of these two worldwide divine faiths, Jesus and Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon them) are beloved beings created by one God and sent to preach and spread love amongst humanity and closeness to God, the creator of all in existence.
Even as a Muslim who believes that everything that happens is as ordained by the Almighty, it is infidelity to take a life or cause a life to perish without a just cause. Whoever is responsible for these nefarious acts would not dodge the wrath of the Overpowering God. Just time! And painful death is a sure end for the wicked.
If the target were not worship houses, it could be understood that the people are aggrieved with bad governance. But when people who go to their worship or study places become victims of their own innocence, then emergency should be the next declaration. Enough for these carnages, O Nigerians!
Governors of the states must also act collectively. They should meet and take decisive plan to tackle this menace. No one should feel free because stones that are coming from different directions have no specific targets. Today, it is not you. Who knows tomorrow? But again, why the delay in taking serious actions to protect lives of the citizenry which is the first and foremost responsibility of leadership?
My passionate appeal is that Muslim and Christian leaders should rise up to this challenge and prove to the world that both religions are not enemies. I will like a situation where the clerics of both religions would often meet to discuss and understand each other’s way of thinking and practical lives. It should not be enough to preach virtues in worship houses. Followers should be guided at all times amidst the cruelties of socio-economic backgrounds in the country.
May the souls of the departed Nigerians from the blast rest in peace. It is for the leaders not to allow the situation to go out of hand. There is no call for religious acrimony and war in Nigeria. The Sultan and the leaders of the Christian faith should meet and carry peace messages to the grassroots. Let the Interfaith body intensify its efforts and practically reach out to the grassroots.
One love! Let’s get together and feel alright!!
Muhammad Ajah is a writer, author, advocate of humanity and good governance based in Abuja. E-mail mobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk
Ajaokuta steel company will come alive – Ado Ibrahim
His Royal Majesty, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr. Ado Ibrahim has expressed confidence that the Ajaokuta Steel Company would come back to life.The Ohinoyi gave the assurance at the townhall meeting organised by Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman to brief the people of his constituency on the journey so far, after his inauguration on June 6, 2011 as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.According to a statement signed by the Senator’s Media Assistant, Michael Jegede, the traditional ruler noted that his confidence is built on the steps the Abatemi-Usman has taken since they elected him to represent them in the Red Chamber.
While commending the Senator on the various moves he is making to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people, Ibrahim pointed out that the completion of Ajaokuta steel complex would have significant economic impact on the people of Kogi Central and the country at large.
“We thank the Senator for his effort towards bringing transformation to our land. I have dreamt that Ebiraland will be a better place and i can see the dream coming true in my son, Senator Deen whose late father, a one-time deputy governor in the old Kwara State was my very good friend. I believe that from what he is doing in the Senate, Ajaokuta steel would definitely come alive. If those we sent there before had done what this young man is doing now, we won’t be where we are today in Ebiraland,” the traditional ruler said.
Earlier in his presentation tiltled, “My Sojourn at The Senate: Six Months after”, the youngest Senator in the Upper Chamber took time to elaborate on his numerous contributions to national discourse and legislative process. He disclosed that he is working on the bills for Local Government Financial Autonomy, Rights & Integration of Physically Challenged Persons, Conveyancing Law/Foreclosure Law and Railway.
The Vice Chairman of Senate Commitee on Niger Delta Affairs, said his efforts at addressing constituency challenges include a Multi-faceted Wealth Creation Initiative, which is a personal project package known as The Umagene Abatemi Initiative (TUAI), where N20million has already been committed to. Other areas, according to him, are the seemingly intractable water problem in the whole of Ebiraland, rehabilitation of Ukpake and and Ajaokuta village roads.
The ocassion, which was chaired Musa Etudaiye, an educationist and retired permanent secretary was graced by other priminent dignitaries from the central senatorial district of Kogi State including the state Deputy Governor, Philip Salawu, President of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Hajia Ladi Ibrahim, Professor Mariatu Tenuche, Provost of Federal College of Education, Okene, Dr. Iyila Ayayi, Alhaji Gomina Oyibo and all the traditional rulers in Ebiraland.
Various groups in Kogi Central were on hand to show solidarity to the Senator, who they beleive represent the change they have been longing for.
Uduaghan is a liar – Nwaomu
Mr. Gideon Nwaomu is the CEO/MD of the popular first drinking spot in Asaba, capital of Delta state established for over a decade now. The business structure was on Tuesday, 15th, November, 2011 brought down with bulldozers by the Delta state Task Force on Flood Control and Removal of Illegal Structures under orders of the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. In this mind blowing interview with our correspondent, Mr. Nwaomu, former state chairman of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) broke the silence describing the governor as a liar.
Excerpt:
Sir, let meet you.
I am Mr. Nwaomu, a Deltan, CEO/MD Giddy’s Place, the first ever popular drinking and relaxation spot established several years ago in the heart of Asaba, the capital city of Delta state. I was also the former state chairman of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN)
Sometime in November, 15th, 2011 your business was demolished by the state governor under the instructions of the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan whom we learnt before now was your close friend?
Yes my business empire, the GIDDY’S PLACE was demolished but please I don’t want us talk about it cause the matter is already before a competent court of law. Thank you.
Ok sir, but we heard the governor saying during a phone-in-programme that the place was not for business but for residential and you went ahead to turn it into a business place. Again, during that programme, the governor did say the state government sponsored your medical treatment to abroad please what can you say about all these issues?
Yes, the Phone-in-programme was held in Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS), Warri on Saturday, November, 26th, 2011 and an excerpt from the programme was published on Monday, December, 5th, 2011 edition of the state owned newspapers, The Pointer Newspaper and the governor was quoted as saying “Firstly, the approval given to that land was for a residential building and not for a night club but the person turned it into a night club and instead of it becoming a place where people dine and dance, it became a den for armed robbers where they meet to plan their operations. I also read in the papers that the owner called me on phone and was unable to get me. The last time I saw him was three years ago when he had an accident and the state government sponsored his medical trip abroad. So, you can see that this not political because if it is political, the state government would not have sponsored him abroad for his medical treatment. We cannot allow these places to exist. Any place that people have turned to where armed robbers meet, the police have been given instructions to take over such places and the owners and workers there will be arrested and prosecuted.”
I want to tell you that the governor is a liar, he is lying, he cannot say the last time he saw me was three years ago when I had an accident. He cannot say he didn’t see me, I was with him last year, precisely the day Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, the former CEO/MD of Oceanic Bank was convicted, if I am not mistaken, it was July, 6th, 2010 and I was in company of Charly Boy who interviewed the governor. The interview was conducted by Charly Boy and Mr. Suuny Ogefere, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, even Paul Odili, communication manager to the governor was also present with us too. So, he cannot say he saw me in three years ago. I cannot imagine how a whole governor of his caliber will be lying. I repeat, governor Uduaghan, saw me last year in his office in company of Charly Boy and his media aides I have mentioned above. I want to correct one impression about my treatment abroad, governor Uduaghan keep on talking about my treatment in abroad, he gave me money, that he sponsored me. I want to ask was the money his personal money, for Christ sake, I am a Deltan who was in need of assistance for his medical treatment. I appealed for 54 thousand dollar which was equivalent to I8 million naira then, but from the coffer of Delta state, I was given N2million only. I decided that this issue should be addressed once and for all so that Deltans are not misled as always. I want to ask, if there were such medical facilities in Delta state, I wouldn’t have gone to the Apollo Hospital, New Delly in India and because such facilities were not on ground than pages of newspapers, radio and TV despite all the huge allocations of billions of naira, I have to find my way to India. I really get annoyed and upset whenever the governor and his cohorts tell people that I was sponsored, I was sponsored to abroad for medical treatment. I want to ask am I not a Deltan? Was the money his personal money? As a tax payer, I think I should have some sort of privileges and rights like every other citizen of Delta state. Has the governor ever mentioned other persons whom the state had assisted for their medical treatments abroad? You and I know some of these people, even those who got far far above what I was given. Why always talking about my sponsorship to abroad for treatment. Don’t forget I was also having some monies of my own and other persons, well-wishers, friends and political associates also assisted me together with the N2 million naira state government assistance which has now turned to personal money.
The governor has always told people that Giddy’s Place was a criminal hid out where armed robbers plan their operations and I laughed. Uduaghan becoming a governor in 2007 started from this Giddy’s place that has all of a sudden turned a den of criminals. People can ask the likes of Chief (Engr.) Sobotie; ask Dr. Chris Oghenechovwen and so many others names I may not mention. Even the former governor, Chief James Ibori and the current governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan including past and current commissioners were all regular guests at Giddy’s place which has turn to a den of criminal.
Sir, how would you describe the whole incident mostly when it was said that you and the governor were best of friends?
The issue here is that without mincing words its pure political victimization. I am been victimized politically, because I pledged my total supports for Chief Great Ogboru, governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) who has a sincere vision for Deltans. I can tell you wholeheartedly that I have my Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, of that very land with the following number, DTSR 1034, Ref No LA/ A /1738/11, dated October 7, 1997, signed by P. E. Ebitomno (Mrs.) originated from the Military Administrator’s Office, Director of Lands and Survey. Similarly, the Deed of Re-assignment between Izeh (assigner) and I Mr. Gideon Nwaomu (assignee), prepared by D. O. Nwanokwai, a legal practitioner, is here with me. Uduaghan is victimizing me because I am supporting Great Ogboru his opponent and that is the bottom truth.
As I said earlier, the matter is already before a competent court of law and I wouldn’t want us to talk about it but I am very convinced that the court as the last hope of the common man, justice must surely be done to this issue. I have always said it that the man who is on ground already, fears no fall anymore and I am always happy that man is not God.
Gov’t Will Fight Boko Haram – President Jonathan
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said government will fight Boko Haram, the “group of evil-minded people who want to cause anarchy to the end”.
President Jonathan was speaking to Mr. Mohame Bazoum, Deputy Prime Minister of Niger Republic, who brought a condolence message for lives lost during the Christmas day bombings and solidarity message from President Issoufou Mahamadou to State House, Friday.
He said both Muslims and Christians were victims of the explosives planted by Boko haram, and called for a concerted effort by all well-meaning Nigerians to bring this problem under control.
President Jonathan agreed with President Issoufou that this was not a religious war, adding that “no religion asks its followers to throw bombs to kill people they don’t even know”.
The President called on neighbouring countries to cooperate with Nigeria in the effort to stop this evil, because “the perpetrators pass through borders at will and we have to ensure that there are no safe havens for them in the sub-region”.
He thanked the Nigerien President for the message of condolence and solidarity.
Earlier, Mr. Mohame Bazoum, Deputy Prime Minister of Niger Republic, said President Issoufou was concerned about the violence and loss of lives, and assured President Jonathan of the Nigerien President’s support in the efforts to check the activities of Boko Haram.
He urged Nigerians to emulate the tolerance exhibited by President Jonathan in handling the affairs of the nation.
MUSA ADUWAK
For: Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity)
