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I am compelled to open this thread as a means of disseminating news from Nigeria which can be considered positive, a departure from the terrible image of Nigeria as a mere banana republic with no hope for self-redemption. While we may all agree that the country has no business being counted among the world's poorest, we should take solace in the fact that even in the midst of the apparent depression, great strides are quietly being made. We should give a voice to the good news coming out of the wilderness. Why not, if not???.
NJC returns N5b
...Vanguard Editorial
THE National Judicial Commission, NJC, established a precedence which if followed by other agencies of government, including the Presidency, would restore transparency and accountability in government; virtues which we have long lost. According to news reports, the NJC returned to the Federal Government an unspent N5 billion from its 2004 Budget Appropriation. Instead of engaging in last minute award of dubious contracts, a method still adopted by other arms of government to exhaust budgetary votes, NJC simply returned the funds, which could not prudently be spent, in available time.
While commending the NJC, we condemn the delayed release of budget allocations, a dedicated practice of this government. President Obasanjo, in the last six years, has been guilty of late release of budgetary allocations, especially those for capital expenditure. As at last September, not N1 for the capital expenditure had been released to tertiary institutions in the country and most other agencies of government.
The judiciary, which is the third arm of government and the last hope of the people, has suffered untold handicaps from the paucity of funds that were not readily made available to the co-equal arm of government. Judges in Nigeria still function under conditions that were last experienced in the Dark Ages. As result of these, justice is often delayed; the prisons are overflowing with people awaiting trial, leading to a situation where thousands of suspects spend more time in prison custody than they would have if convicted. Civil cases drag for years and some continue long after the original litigants have died.
Court premises are themselves in various stages of disrepair. Provision of basic facilities could be vastly improved - stationery quite frequently has to be provided by those involved in litigation because the courts have been starved of funds.
Under normal circumstances, the NJC should not have had to return any funds because what is routinely allocated, even under a lynx-eyed Due Process manager, was never enough to meet all the needs of the courts. To have compounded the inadequacy of funds with late release of those funds amounts to a clear dereliction of duty by the Executive branch and an insult to a co-equal branch of government.
We will strongly advocate that the judiciary be allowed to draw its funds directly from the Consolidated Account once the National Assembly approves the budget, without waiting for the periodic releases of the Executive which has ineptly managed the budget process.
___________________ This war of attrition on the Igbo must end now! Posts: 441 | From: california, US | Registered: Jan 2003
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The NJC’s action is exceptional and that’s where it ends. Their gesture you agree is an aberration that should not apply to the entire kai-kai land since it did not come about through the efforts of the nigerian government. It does not in my view require making the banana nation appear sane considering the staggering number that are smoldering the rest in corruption. I give kudos to NJC as an organ and not to the blinded nigerian government under obasanjo. Apparently all nigerians are not crooks or mediocres as evidenced here and other places.
Here are other HONORABLE mentions:
quote:Meanwhile, following the inauguration of the state former deputy governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as governor Monday, the race for his former job has commenced. Among those tipped for the job is the former Secretary to the State Government, Senator Felix Oboro. He was the first SSG to Alamieyeseigha during his first tenure in 1999, but resigned his appointment, alleging that the governor’s close relations did not give him a free hand to perform his job.
This is a highly commendable honorable act. He foresaw the criminal overview of Alami the thief. Resignation should be the honorable path when one’s principles and vision are at odds with what a boss is doing or not doing. I expected this also from the deep pocket awusa VP, atiku instead he continuously allow his mouth to run while digging further in. What a shameless wacko!
quote:He [NEW BAYELSA SPEAKER] said that "Bayelsan could no longer fold their hands and watch the disrespectful actions of the governor and the unfolding developments in the state".
The members who signed the notice are: Hon. Ebebi Peremobowei (Speaker); Hon. Bright Erewari (Deputy Speaker); Hon. Osomu Augustus Elliot; Hon. Nelson Belief; Hon. Dein Benadoumene; Hon. (Chief) Adolphus E. Ofongo; Hon. (Chief) Arthur Apeti; Hon. Seigbarugu Wernipre; Hon. Robert Enogha; Hon. Franklin Otele; Hon. Fanama Emomotimi; Hon. Kalabo Hawkin; Hon. Etebu Amakiri; Hon. Otobo N. Opusiri; Hon. Youssou Amakayo; Hon. Jephthah Foingha and Hon. Nadu Keinbi.
I can say with pride that these men are HONORABLE for the singular act of standing up to the thief on the lam then. Though events have overtaken this news, it is still worth mentioning.
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2483 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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Thanks for your objectivity and clear-headed approach to issues and ideas, and thanks for the encouragement you gave me to continue here. Thanks for being a beacon of hope for the emancipation of our peoples from the jaws of oppression and bad governance, and more importantly for unabashedly trying to foster a new era of understanding between the peoples of the South East and the other members of the geopolitical contraption called Nigeria. Your efforts are appreciated by the patriots and i hope that quite soon, our wishes and aspirations for the country will begin to bear fruit. I wish you and your household a merry Xmas and a jolly new year.
Ps...Permit me to publish this PM to the board. Addy
___________________ This war of attrition on the Igbo must end now! Posts: 441 | From: california, US | Registered: Jan 2003
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Addy, please what is positive about this your news from nigeria? As far as I can see its all negative. The National judicial commission has been able to return 5 billion naira. What is this NJC? Is it not a body made up of a few privilegd people? Does the NJC after choping enough, they had 5billion to return, do they represent or reflect the Nigerian judiciary? No they do not.!! You have a situation where few guys in a goverment commission have so much money avaliable to them that they are able to return 5 billion, meanwhile the judiciary itself is starved of funds.
quote: The judiciary, which is the third arm of government and the last hope of the people, has suffered untold handicaps from the paucity of funds that were not readily made available to the co-equal arm of government. Judges in Nigeria still function under conditions that were last experienced in the Dark Ages. As result of these, justice is often delayed; the prisons are overflowing with people awaiting trial, leading to a situation where thousands of suspects spend more time in prison custody than they would have if convicted. Civil cases drag for years and some continue long after the original litigants have died.
Court premises are themselves in various stages of disrepair. Provision of basic facilities could be vastly improved - stationery quite frequently has to be provided by those involved in litigation because the courts have been starved of funds.--Addy
So Addy all these things are falling appart but yet the good men of NJC had 5billion to return? The people of NJC have failed in their job, failed in their responsibility. What is positive about that I beg you?
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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quote:You have a situation where few guys in a goverment commission have so much money avaliable to them that they are able to return 5 billion, meanwhile the judiciary itself is starved of funds - Ochiwar
It is just a replica of Nigeria situation where the masses are suffering in the midst of plenty. I don’t know what is exciting about the unsubstantiated report.
The other question to ask is how do they come about 5 billion naira surplus? Could it be part of the FAT that was added to the real budget, but become uneatable and untouchable for the rogues of NJC because of the new sheriff – Ribadu in town?
I do not expect the midget mebiafran to see the true side of the story because it was presented by “her” live in “boyfriend”. Love is blind they say.
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I was onto something fierce but a change of mind prevailed for now. It looks like littleboyz is beginning to sound like a wounded poodle. LOL. I used to think you can at least understand things in its most rudimentary form but I was wrong. Before your little post that sounded more like "MeBiafran, you go kill me today, today" wail usually heard from a beaten down wimp, my response was quick and direct. Intelligent minds could tell that I took the opposite side of the author's position who by the way is an established gentleman. I didn't have to insult him for peeheads like you to get it. addy unlike you is neither vindictive nor hateful and I’ll continue to see him as a very good friend even when we disagree on certain things after all as humans, we are not bound to agree all the time. How we go about it being more germane than whether or not we vary. Kleenex?
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2483 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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quote:Could it be part of the FAT that was added to the real budget, but become uneatable and untouchable for the rogues of NJC because of the new sheriff – Ribadu in town? - bababoyz
Good point...very well spotted.
___________________ Free Uwazurike Now!
Now is the winter of our discontent...made glorious summer by this [rising] sun of York. Posts: 325 | From: London | Registered: Jul 2005
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PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo's announcement of a personal donation of N5 million to the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, was followed swiftly by NANS' endorsement of a longer tenure for him. This questions the integrity of both the giver and the recipients of the grant.
During the Babangida Administration, several national organisations, which were perceived to be against the plan to prolong the regime's stay in office, were disorganised by covert sponsorship of candidates to their leadership. The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, whose previous elections were characterised by friendly rivalry or by orderly succession were, transformed into warring camps.
......Every indication shows that Pres. Olusegun Obasanjo does not believe in the democratic principle of separation of powers. From the time he became President in 1999, Obasanjo has sought to control the National Assembly. He has been very successful in determining who emerges as President of the Senate. Senate President’s, who have opposed Obasanjo, have lost their jobs in disgraceful circumstances. The President was surprised by Pius Anyim, a man whom he installed as Senate President, but could not effectively control. Before Anyim, Chuba Okadigbo tried to insist on the independence of the Senate as a co-and-equal partner of the Executive branch, but was thrown out of office. Adolph Wabara was a willing tool in the hands of the President until he was compromised by his insatiable appetite for money.
However, it has not been easy for the President to control and manipulate the House of Representatives. From Speaker Buhari to Na’abba, these young men, who have led that body, have refused to kowtow to the President. Invariably, their tenures at the helm of the House were fleeting. The Judiciary branch has not been spared the President’s contempt. Chief Justice Uwais recently described the Obasanjo Administration as a lawless administration. No Nigerian, who has followed the Obasanjo Government and its attitude to the rule of law, would disagree with Justice Uwais. The Obasanjo Government has consistently flouted and ignored Court orders, choosing only to obey the rulings that favor it. The President’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is as guilty as the President in ignoring Court rulings that do not favor it.
Elendureports.com has uncovered how the President used various corrupt means to fund his party the PDP. According to our investigations and in talking with various corroborating sources at the Presidency and PDP, we can now reveal that Pres. Obasanjo, until recently, gave his party at least fifty million (N50,000,000.00) naira every month.
According to very reliable sources, Vice President Atiku was the conduit through whom the President funneled money to the PDP. The President would instruct him every month to release fifty million naira to the Party. And when they Party needed more money, the President would provide it through the Vice President. This continued until the President and Vice President started having problems. Former Senate President Adolph Wabara replaced Vice President Atiku as conduit to funnel money to the PDP. The President, according to one of the people who participated in this project, would give them a note to the then Senate President, who in turn would send them money through his younger brother’s bank, Hallmark Bank, Plc.
Another conduit for the channeling of money to the PDP was the late Waziri Mohammed. Andy Uba, Presidential Adviser and brother of the self-acclaimed Anambra State political godfather, was also a conduit. Each time the process was the same for getting money for the PDP: Note from the President and money sent to the PDP headquarters by any one of these three or more men.
Elendureports.com sought to know from some of the participants where the monthly allocation to the PDP from the President came. They speculated that the President was collecting commissions and kickbacks from companies allocated oil blocks by the Nigerian Government. This money was then funneled to the PDP. The Pipeline and Petroleum Marketing Company, (PPMC), a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, was another source from which money to fund the PDP came. All importations of refined petroleum products are overseen by the PPMC. There are reports that the company is now firmly in the grip of the Uba family, headed by Andy. According to our sources, these may have been the avenues for the President’s funding of the PDP.
After the nomination of the President as his Party’s flag bearer in 1998, campaign funds were sent to the campaign. In a true democratic process, Obasanjo campaign should have been subsumed by the PDP campaign machinery. Instead, Gen. Obasanjo chose to keep his campaign separate from the PDP. Abia Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, alleged that his donation to the campaign was paid into the accounts of Gen. Obasanjo’s private company. Elendureports.com can now confirm that Gov. Kalu’s allegation is true.
Even after winning the 2003 nominations, the Legacy House, also known as Obasanjo-Atiku campaign headquarters, continued to manage the campaign to the chagrin of the PDP headquarters. The campaign team, headed by Tony Anenih, raised billions of naira and to date they have yet to publish an audited account. The President, according to sources, has always treated campaign funds as his personal funds and has used them as he deemed fit.
It was revealed recently that in 2003, the PDP, led by Pres. Olusegun Obasanjo, had directed all PDP Governors to donate one hundred million naira each to the South West zone of the Party. The information came to light following the President’s fall out with Plateau State Governor, Joshua Dariye. The South West zone was directed to refund Dariye’s donation. To date, it is unclear what amount of money has been refunded. Olabode George, a retired military officer and PDP chieftain in the South West zone, was interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently. According to our sources, George was asked about his involvement in the Dariye donations. It is speculated that George may have converted part of the money donated by Dariye for his own private use. He hurriedly refunded some of the money.
How can a President, who is waging an anti-corruption war, direct governors in his party to donate one hundred million naira each? How were the governors supposed to raise such money without engaging in corrupt practices? Ironically, the President may be one of the opponents of his own war on corruption. In that case, there is no chance that anybody with a discerning mind would see the President’s anti-corruption campaign as anything other than a powerful tool of intimidation aimed at the President’s enemies.
How to run a public entity: olusegun obasanjo paid to remove a political leader.
Elendureports.com has received information on how President Obasanjo has been able to take over the PDP machinery. According to the reports in our possession, the rigging of the 2003 elections in Anambra State may not have been a complete surprise to Pres. Obasanjo, even though he claimed to have been shocked by the confessions of Chris Uba, his political godson and the self-acclaimed godfather of Anambra politics.
The report in our possession indicates that after the then PDP Chairman, Audu Ogbeh, wrote his letter to the President, which the President subsequently leaked, the President gathered members of his inner circle and told them that he wanted Ogbeh out of office by Christmas 2004. Although Audu Ogbeh’s letter may seem to be the reason the President wanted him out, Elendureports.com can now reveal that the President had never been comfortable with the former Chairman. He was uncomfortable with Audu Ogbeh’s friendship with Vice-President Abubakar Atiku. According to multiple sources in Abuja, Lagos, and London, the President was so uncomfortable with the relationship between these two men that he cancelled a scheduled trip to a West African country that was to be taken by the Vice-President and Ogbeh. The President is said to have remarked to some confidants, “I don’t trust those two together.”
After the dueling letters of the Chairman and the President became public, Ogbeh paid a private visit to the President. Ogbeh had gone to visit the President with his Bible. He swore to the President that he did not leak the letter to the press. The President curtly replied, “I know.” The President, thereafter, told Ogbeh, “I don’t trust you anymore.” Ogbeh took the President’s comments as a grave personal insult.
The President and members of his inner circle set the machinery for Ogbeh's removal in motion. According to the report in our possession, members of the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Executive Council were offered three hundred and fifty million naira (N350,000,000.00) to effect Ogbeh's removal. The execution date was December 16th, 2004 and the money was offered at Chinda Hotel, Abuja on the night of December 15th, 2004. According to a member of the National Executive Council, who attended that meeting on the eve of Dec. 16th, the three hundred and fifty million naira was shared amongst the NEC members by Ahmed Mohammed Gwarzo, former Deputy Governor of old Sokoto State and currently the Special Political Adviser to the PDP chairman. He was a member of the NEC then. Also, the late Alhaji Umar, then chairman of PDP in Nassarrawa State, participated in giving the money to the NEC members at Chinda Hotel. He, too, was a member of the NEC. Deacon Afolabi, another NEC member, also participated in sharing the money.
The plot to remove Ogbeh the next day—on 16th December—failed. Some of the NEC members were not swayed by the monetary offers and the allegations of disrespect to the person of the President made against Ogbeh. Few of them refused to accept the money. The President was angry that his plot to remove Ogbeh failed. In response he remarked, “So my three hundred and fifty million naira is gone just like that?”
Another meeting on Jan. 5th, 2005 was called with the sole agenda of sacking Ogbeh, according to our sources. Members of the NEC were offered up to five million dollars ($5,000,000.00) and board appointments in Federal Government Companies and agencies. Finally, Ogbeh was forced to resign five days later, on Jan. 10th, 2005; a gun to the head achieved what all the monetary endearments could not accomplish.
In Pres. Obasanjo's letter to the then chairman of PDP, Audu Ogbeh, he revealed that Chris Ubah had confessed to rigging the elections in Anambra State, and in disgust the President banished him from his presence. The President may not have been completely truthful in that account. If anybody was surprised by the Uba confession on that night in Abuja, it may have been Gov. Chris Ngige. Certainly, Pres. Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku Abubakar knew the game plan for Anambra and other states.
According to another source, who was a member of the PDP NEC, the election rigging project in Anambra State was funded by the President. The President, allegedly, not only provided the money for funding the rigging project, but also a jet from his fleet to convey Chris Uba to Kano. On that particular trip to Kano, Chris Uba was alleged to have carried with him cash totaling about one billion naira.
About twenty-four hours after the 2003 elections, when results had yet to be announced, Chris Uba called the President from Awka and told him that he was with the INEC Commissioner for Anambra State. According to a highly-placed source in the presidency, who was ‘in the know,’ Uba assured the President that the Commissioner was ‘cooperating.’ Panicked that the President was exposing himself recklessly, Vice President Atiku contacted Audu Ogbeh and told him what was going on between Uba and the President. Other top executives of the PDP were also informed of the situation in Anambra State.
Shortly after the Inauguration on May 29, 2003, Chris Uba visited Ngige to discuss the modalities for repaying the one billion naira that was invested in buying his election. Uba demanded three billion naira and wanted Ngige to give directives for the money to be deducted from an Anambra State federation account. Ngige pleaded for time to study the situation so as to come up with a better method of repaying the money. Ngige’s response infuriated Uba and he reported back to the President. The subsequent abduction and illegal imprisonment of Gov. Chris Ngige was carried out with the tacit approval of the Presidency. This explains why Chris Uba, the mastermind of the operations which led to the abduction of a State Governor and the destruction of lives and property on two separate occasions, has yet to be prosecuted. Even after confessing in the presence of the President that he rigged elections, he has yet to face the law.
The President, who has been in a running battle with his deputy, has also vowed to remove the Vice-President by the end of this year. To achieve this objective, the President's men have already set the ball in motion. From his style of operations and strategy, it would appear that the President is following in the footsteps of the man who jailed him in 1995, as well as imitating his every game plan.
___________________ achieve Biafra and show the difference Posts: 643 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Nov 2002
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More exciting news. Nigeria has moved up two notches according to Transparency International from the 6th most corrupt nation in the WORLD to the 8th out of 159 countries.
1. Bangladesh 2. Chad 3. Haiti 4. Myanmar 5. Turkmenistan 6. Côte d'Ivoire 7. Equatorial Guinea 8. Nigeria
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 664 | Registered: Nov 2004
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Following the outbreak of happy talk syndrome, may I join addy in bringing you the following:
quote: First Batch of Pilgrims Leave for Jeddah From Adamu Suleiman in Sokoto, 12.18.2005
First batch of Nigerian Pilgrims for this year’s hajj left the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, for Jeddah on Friday. The 480 pilgrims, who left aboard a Kabo air Boeing 747 plane took off at exactly 9.50p.m. Declaring the commencemnet of the airlift, Deputy Senate President and National Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Nasiru Ibrahim Mantu, who was in company of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Tanko, Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure, and Chairman, National Hajj Committee, Professor Abuba-kar Gwandu, reminded the pilgrims of the need to be tolerant and of good conduct while in the holy land. "You should be good ambassadors of this country and reflect on the good teachings of the religion of Islam in the course of perfoming your hajj obligations, " Mantu said. He advised hajj officials on the importance of pilgrims health and welfare, saying "pilgrims health and welfare should be seen as paramount. Negligence and lack of commitment will not be condoned from any official.” He described Sokokto State pilgrims as law abiding right from time, while recalling that the state emerged tops during the last hajj exercise. His words: "your moral conduct and behaviour is worth emulating by other states pilgrims. History has shown that Sokoto State is to be copied for its scholarly contribution and position in the development and spread of Islam by the rekowned Sheikh Usman bn Fodiyo," he said. Governor Attahiru Bafarawa expressed appreciation and commended the national hajj committee for selecting the state to be the first for the airlift. He said the state's pilgrims have always been law abiding and disciplined, and assured the committee of the pilgrims’ good conduct throughout the pilgrimage.
However, Governor Bafarawa further stressed that the national hajj committee and the Department for Pilgrims Affairs should as a matter of fariness maintain the first come first serve policy of early take off and early return of pilgrims including their luggages. " We are first to leave for the holyland and it is only going to be fair if we return first", Bafarawa stated. Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido drew the attention of the pilgrims and muslim ummah to the fundamental gains and blessings of hajj as a pillar of islam and that pilgrims Should always seek for knowledge on how to worship Allah. " Do not hesitae to ask questions an areas you are in doubt or you do not know while in the holyland. There are scholars to guide you ", Sultan explained. He admonished pilgrims for the 2006 Hajj by appealing to them to shy away from things capable of vitiating their pilgrimage and be mindfull of the morals and teachings of the religion. About 4,079 pilgrims from the state in addition to those from Kebbi and Zamfara states are expected to be airlifted from the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto for the 2006 Hajj.
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I didn't care to go thru the continuous dash the loafers of nigeria, lazy awusa/arabs expect from the rest. It was the same lousy loafers who borrowed and borrowed then squandered and squandered the freaking dough given for nation building only for the entire country to be responsible for something that was borrowed and used for their selfish purposes. I'll continue to call upon the Yoroba to find a way to drive into obasanjo's skull the utmost importance of not missing this God’s given golden chance to melaa ndia, otherwise posterity will forever be hostile towards anything about him and perhaps the entire west. Can people especially southerners who harbor inherent hate towards the Igbo think aside their brainwashed minds to see how these northern baggers have remained ungrateful to the entire south? Imagine fools like idi bin daud’s uncles and relatives that rubbished a once recognizable country after many years of their bastardized rule want the rest to lay flat for them to again bargain away the country come 2007. We’ve always catered to their every need to the point of paying for every airlift to their smugglers’ paradise in the name of a man that was known as a raw thug during his perverted years on earth. Guys, do not take my words, read the goddamn quran! We must if we’re to make any inroads, stop the PC (politically correct) thing to call it as is. They’ve no qualms, none whatessoever being blunt when it suits them but other times when it’s coming from someone like me, an Igbo 1, they cry holy Jesus like I give a care! You should tell these awusa guys what time it is for them to get it otherwise your time and your kids’ time are being thrown away.
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2483 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South threatens to boycott 2007 polls By Paul Odili & Tony Edike Tuesday, December 20, 2005 * Says no to power shift
ENUGU-SOUTHERN leaders rising from a one-day summit in Enugu yesterday, threatened to boycott the 2007 general election and opt for a confederal system if the 1999 constitution was not amended.
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They dismissed a suggestion that the alleged third term plot of the President was enough grounds to delay amending the Constitution. Speaker after speaker outlined five areas of interest to the three geo-political zones in the South, and these are: Revenue allocation/resource control, power rotation, constitutionalism, state creation, and census.
However, the third term agendum believed to be the main agenda of the meeting was not discussed, even though some speakers warned that endorsing term extension would break Southern solidarity being forged at the summit.
The meeting regarded as the largest gathering of political leaders, top notchers from the three geo-political zones of South-East, South-South and South-West, saw the coming together for the first time of their leaders to reaffirm their resolve to pursue a common cause on issues affecting the interest of their people. To demonstrate their determination to work as a team towards realising the set goals, the summit set up a 36-man working committee headed by Chief Matthew Mbu. The summit also set up a national secretariat in Enugu to coordinate its affairs.
The Southern Leaders Summit now christened "The Southern Forum," had 13 governors and other leaders in attendance. There was a palpable feeling of excitement by the leaders of the three geo-political zones, and these reflected in their endorsement of the agenda of the summit without any dissent.
The main point of the 10-page communiqu頵nanimously adopted and read by Governor Victor Attah:
That we are shocked, and therefore condemn, in its entirety, the clear attempts at polarizing Nigeria into North and South, which we understand are indications of stiff arrogance carelessly exhibited and indeed directed at elements, groups and institutions in Southern states of Nigeria in the last few weeks;
That we are baffled by this unbecoming stance and insistence of some political leaders from the Northern states of Nigeria that national political leadership, and indeed power, should be taken back to the North just after a mere eight years of a Southern Nigerian holding the power in over 45 years, an attitude we understand to represent a certain Northern position to keep the Southerners in perpetual political servitude;
That while the South, particularly the South-South, produces over 85 per cent of the national resources, it is surprising that the North objects to the humble and modest demand of a mere compensatory share;
That in effect, it is clearly known to all Nigerians, and indeed any interested party or observer, that the North held the presidency for 35 of the 45 years of independence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and cannot be justifiably asking for a return of the same power after a mere eight years (by 2007) it has been held by a Southerner;
That against these backdrops, we the Conference of Governors, legislators, ministers, traditional rulers, leaders of major political parties and leaders of socio-political organisations and bodies, plainly demand from Nigerians ?? North and South alike ?? the following:
That the constitutional review exercise embarked on should continue and should indeed continue to advance, conclusively, to seek to reflect physical, as well as fiscal federalism and further, Conference warns that the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly must not be intimidated, threatened, cajoled and/or blackmailed in the performance of their legitimate and constitutional duties and responsibilities of law making including constitutional amendment, in so far as these reforms advocated shall be on the basis of peaceful consultation and dialogue between South and the North or the South and other zones in the North;
That restated historically and anchored on unimpeachable facts, the presidency and ultimate executive leadership of Nigeria, had been held as follows: North-Central: 18 years; North-West: 11 years; North-East: six years (total of 35 years); South-West: nine years; South-East: six months; South-South: Nil (total of nine years and six months).
That consequent upon the political realities of this conscionable historical data, we restate and firmly resolve that cognisance must be given and indeed, the presidency ?? post-2007 ?? zoned to, either South-South (the nation?s nest of fortune), which never tasted the plum job or the South East, which merely sniffed it for six months;
That Conference demands that the process of Constitutional Amendment/Reform must commence immediately and be concluded and effected prior to the 2007 elections, failing which the South shall boycott the 2007 elections and consider the reconstitution of the country as a Confederation on the basis of the six geo-political zones, with each zone retaining its resources and contributing to the centre on the basis of an agreed principle, failure of which the South shall stop forthwith resources derived from its geopolitical zone;
That an immediate review of the revenue allocation which should emphasize derivation be immediately undertaken, inclusive of all revenue from petroleum, solid materials, VAT, seaport, and airport usage, and that in furtherance, we restate the principle of inalienable right of states/zones to control their own resources, consequent upon which we demand and insist on 25 per cent, graduating, in five years, to 50 per cent derivation, to rightfully accrue to states/zones;
That as contained in the United Nation?s criteria for censuses, religious/ethnic data must form a part of any credible demography, upon which we insist that our planned national headcount must reflect data on religion, ethnicity and other facts, which are relevant in national economic planning and development;
That having been evidenced in the history of exercises in state?s creation, as totally negating equity and popular participation, since the creation of Mid-west in1963, we, therefore, firmly demand and insist on the creation of a state from the South-East geopolitical zone;
That the Southern states strongly commend and support not only the reform efforts of President Olusegun Obasanjo, but also acknowledge the laudable and rewarding crusade against corruption, the historic achievement of debt relief, and the unceasing and practical efforts at keeping Nigeria united and indivisible, such as in near sacrifice of his life to bring about democratic rule in Nigeria;
That the Conference commends President Olusegun Obasanjo as a truly detribalised and visionary Nigerian leader, who has initiated reforms and policies to reposition Nigeria within the comity of nations with a view to taking the nation to the promised land;
That failure to recognise and respond positively to the above positions and stand of the South, will leave the Southern states of Nigeria with no option than to seek a confederal arrangement for the geo-political zones, therein, to address this imbalance; lAnd finally, that Conference stands firmly for a united, peaceful, democratic and equitable Nigeria nation with mutual respect amongst its constituent members;
That this Conference, which is to be known as The Southern Forum, has set up a 36-man Working Committee and Secretariat for communications, furtherance of the principles, execution of elements of these resolutions and interactions/negotiations/discussions, with necessary persons, groups, organizations and institutions and of course, needy and willing geopolitical zones so desirous and qualified to be considered, in the continuous reviews of the foregoing." The governors in attendance were: Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), Achike Udenwa (Imo), Chris Ngige (Anambra), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi) represented by his deputy, Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia) represented by his deputy, Peter Odili (Rivers), James Ibori (Delta), Goodluck Jonathan (Bayelsa), Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom), Donald Duke (Cross River), Lucky Igbinedion (Edo) represented by his deputy, Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Segun Agagu (Ondo), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) and Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo). Governor Bola Tinubu did not attend and sent no representative.
Other top Southern leaders in attendance were Chief Matthew Mbu, Comdr. Ebitu Ukiwe, Prof. Joe Irukwu, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chief Olu Falae, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, Senator Moji Akinfenwa, Chief Tony Anenih, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis, Chief Olabode George, Senator Francis Ellah, Chief Evan Enwerem, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Chief Chris Uba, Dr. Kema Chikwe, Prof. Chike Edozien (Asagba of Asaba), Igwe Jeremiah Onovo, Chief Hope Uzodimma, Senator Udo Udoma, who represented Senate President Ken Nnamani, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, Chief Bode Olajumoke, Chief Jacob Nwokolo, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Senator Anietie Usen, Chief Frank Nweke Jnr., Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Chief Austin Okpara, Mr. Gilbert Nnaji, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Col. Joe Achuzia, Dr Joe Nwaorgu and Dr. Kunle Olajide.
Posts: 288 | From: California | Registered: Jul 2003
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Here's the real deal from Nigeria, but it is not new or exciting. It's just WRONG! I re-posted this from another forum cos I wanted everyone to view these photos.
Evening Light Photograph by Ed Kashi
Near the Etelebou oil field in the Niger Delta, a woman walks home past a flare burning off natural gas that's released by oil drilling. Such fires dot the delta, releasing toxics and particulate matter into the air. After years of international concern that the flares are a health hazard and a cause of global warming, the government called for an end to flaring. Companies have begun capturing the natural gas in pipelines for use as fuel, but have thus far failed to meet deadlines to stop flaring. The newest deadline: 2008.
The High Cost of Oil Photograph by Ed Kashi
A Shell clean-up crew wades into oil leaking from a shut-down well in Oloibiri, Nigeria, where the first petroleum was pumped from the Niger Delta in 1958. Since then Nigeria has become one of the world's major oil exporters, shipping out nearly 400 billion dollars of petroleum. But rather than prospering, the Niger Delta has suffered. Oil spills, explosions, gas flares, and fires have polluted and ruined its farms and fisheries.
From National Geographic
Could Shell Oil possibly do this in Europe or America? Of course not unless it were in the 17th or 18th century. Why then can they do it in Nigeria?
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 664 | Registered: Nov 2004
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quote:A Shell clean-up crew wades into oil leaking from a shut-down well in Oloibiri...
Clean-up alright without the necessary gears, would Shell allow her citizens to wade through the contaminated waters unprotected? Not by any stretch yet we see these things and are supposed to be happy. Yup, you succeeded in getting my eyes misty with this sad reminder of the awusa “hellhole.” I bet the awusa who reaps the reward could not envision the ENVIROMENTAL damage that is being inflicted upon the innocent folks in that region. While the benefactors of the resources suffer brutal assault of obasanjo and his erstwhile masters the awusa fly to their prostitution paradise to blow the money they stole from the Niger Deltans, one-nigeria my ass!!!!!! Where is the justice and fairness in all these wickedness? A total division of that useless country is what will satisfy me anything else is just what they call justice delayed and if it’s delayed, it’s denied! This must be unacceptable to every southerner, what’s happening there today could be any part of the south tomorrow, awusa way. People, think about that!
"A man born of a woman is but two hours old and nothing but trouble!!"
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2483 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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The Government of the Federal Republic of Austria has proposed an investment package totaling about $5 billion from its private investors to assist in the development of the Nigerian energy sector. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its Joint Venture partner, Mobil Oil Producing Nigeria (MBN), yesterday struck a deal with a consortium of eight Nigerian banks for a $600 million non-recourse project financing to fund three out of the 22 undeveloped satellite oil fields within the JV concession area. The Austrian government was reported to have announced during a meeting with Nigerian trade mission in Vienna last week that it had constituted a task force comprising government and private sector officials to undertake an investment tour of Nigeria February 2006 to explore opportunities for investment in the energy sector. Speaking to newsmen in Abuja over the outcome of the visit by the presidential delegation to Austria, the leader of the group and Special Adviser to President on Energy, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, said the Austrian economic team would involve the country's top energy companies, engineering firms and investment bankers. He quoted the Special Adviser to the Austrian Prime Minister on Capital Market and Special Project, Dr. Richard Schenz as having applauded Nigeria's privatisation policy and other economic reforms, saying the measures have the capacity of pooling investments to the country. Schenz, however, tasked the Federal Government on the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks that discourages investors. Commenting on the efforts by FG to develop the energy sector, Adegbulugbe said study estimates show that about $36bn investment will be required if we are to meet the country's electricity supply needs in the next 10 years. He said President Olusegun Obasanjo has introduced a number of initiatives aimed at encouraging foreign and domestic private investors in the energy sectors. These include the on-going privatisation of refineries, the gas to power projects, the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), and provision of incentives for private investment in Independent Power Projects (IPP). The Adviser who is also heading a new multi-sectoral Energy Access Committee recently set up by the President to fast-track development in the power sector, said Nigeria would require at least close to 26MW. "This will require a lot of investment, most of which would go to the setting up of gas-power plants. The infrastructure that would support these gas power plants has been estimated to cost in the region of $36 billion", he said. Adegbulugbe said that it is the thinking of the President that allowing government to foot this huge investment alone is not healthy and feasible unless private investors are attracted to drive the sector. He said his office, alongside other participating ministries in the committee, have been pursuing programmes aimed at establishing a proper framework that would rid the energy sector of all obstacles hindering effective development. He said a target date for the realisation the objective of the committee has set for the last quarter of 2006.
Postscript...Let us all keep our fingers crossed.
___________________ This war of attrition on the Igbo must end now! Posts: 441 | From: california, US | Registered: Jan 2003
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CBN Governor, Prof. Charles C. Soludo, was yesterday at the Dorchester Hotel in London, honoured by the Banker Magazine (Financial Times Group) as Global Central Bank Governor of the Year...
___________________ This war of attrition on the Igbo must end now! Posts: 441 | From: california, US | Registered: Jan 2003
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