Nigeria Content Online

The acting
president, Goodluck Jonathan on Monday restated our federal
government’s determination to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws, to
ensure credible elections in our country.

Speaking during an
audience with members of the Alumni Association of the National
Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (AANI) led by its president,
Jani Ibrahim, Mr. Jonathan observed that, with the amendment of the
electoral laws and the cooperation and support of Nigerians, free and
fair elections would be possible.

Mr. Jonathan also
commended members of the association for their immense contributions in
offering advice on several policy issues, and assured that “government
would do its best to tackle the issues of power and security,
especially kidnapping which have become a source of great concern”.

He called on
Nigerians to always aim at doing things that will promote our country,
noting that “there is no other country we can call our own”.

Pursue good governance

Mr. Ibrahim said
the association noted the huge potentials our country is endowed with
and was hopeful that the Acting President’s tenure will record giant
strides, especially in resolving the urgent challenges our country
currently faces in power supply, ethno- religious crisis, corruption
and electoral reform.

Mr. Ibrahim said
history has shown that it is not necessarily the length of a government
that matters, but the decisiveness and eventfulness of its tenure.

He thus urged the
acting president to use the tremendous goodwill he enjoys to vigorously
pursue good governance and resolve the many issues that plague our
nation today.

Some indigenes of
the Ogun West Senatorial District yesterday caused huge traffic jam for
hours in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, following their peaceful
protest over the two ministerial nominees from Ogun State.

The protesters,
who stormed the major streets of the town, were seen carrying placards
denouncing the list. The protesting Yewa/ Awori, who are also
clamouring to produce the next governor for the state, trekked through
Ita-Oshin, Oke-Sokori, Ita-Eko, Ibara, Omida, Oke-Ilewo, Oke-Igbein,
Kuto and Presidential Boulevard before finally stopping at Governor’s
Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

They took their grouse and complaint against the ministerial list to the governor, Gbenga Daniel.

“This is the sixth
ministerial nominations and appointments from Ogun State since 1999,
without a single person from Ogun West,” the protesters said.

The protesters
were received by the governor, Mr. Gbenga Daniel and his deputy,
Salimot Badru-Makanjuola, who incidentally is from Ogun West Senatorial
District.

Kayode Ajibola, the leader of the protesters, said their action was planned to claim their rights.

“There are three
senatorial districts in each of the states of the federation. Two of
them, that is Ogun Central and Ogun East, have cornered all federal
appointments. It is not only unfair, it is ungodly. Who wants to create
another Delta-like militants in Ogun State?” A leader of the area, Ayo
Otegbola, said the district was fighting a just cause. “We have the
right in all standard to have a slot,” he said, noting that the zone
had since 1999 being agitating for equal representation in the state.

Mr. Daniel, who
looked worried over the rejection of his nominees and their
replacements, Jubril Martins-Kuye and Nojeem Alao, said the protest
came at the right time.

Blame the cabal

He assured the
protesters that the letter of complaint submitted to him, would be
taken to Abuja for Mr. Jonathan’s necessary action, just as he warned
the protesters to avoid violence.

“It is good that
you protest. I want to assure you that Ogun West is important in Ogun
State. Your loyalty must therefore be reciprocated,” he said.

Mr. Daniel also attributed his political travails to ‘some cabal’
whom he said operate only for their selfish interest. He was for the
first time reacting to the rejection of his ministerial nominees by the
federal government.

The Bayelsa State
government at the weekend faulted media reports that the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is on the trail of the state
governor, Timipre Sylva, over alleged fraudulent practices to the tune
of N100 billion.

The chief press
secretary to the governor, Doifie Ola, who advised the EFCC to go to
court if it has a case against Mr. Sylva, said media reports of alleged
massive fraud in the accounts of the state government are part of a
campaign to tarnish the image of Mr. Sylva and ruin his political
relevance.

This is “a well
structured campaign to undermine the Bayelsa State Government, truncate
Governor Sylva’s political career by preparing the ground for his
illegal removal from office, and maybe send him to jail after his
governorship,” Mr. Ola said.

The N100 billion question

NEXT reported on
Sunday that the EFCC would soon slam Mr. Sylva with a multiple-count
charge of money laundering and diversion of public funds to the tune of
about N100billion.

Three top officials of the Bayelsa State cabinet were, last week, detained by the EFCC in relation to similar crimes.

But officials of
the anti-corruption agency said that this was just a tip of the
iceberg. “The whole thing is about the governor. All the other
officials are just collaborators. The governor is the ultimate
beneficiary of the corruption,” an EFCC official declared in an
interview.

Incidentally, other
newspapers at the weekend also reported on the political disagreement
between the acting President Goodluck Jonathan and Mr. Sylva.

An ongoing campaign?

The governor’s spokesperson said these show that a campaign against the governor is ongoing.

“We do not see it
as a coincidence that on the same day, two other newspapers carried
another story about the Bayelsa State governor, saying he was
contesting “power” with the Acting President,” he said. “This story
about grand larceny in Bayelsa State is bogus, and carefully planned to
achieve political ends, namely tarnish the image of Mr. Sylva, the
easier to remove him from Government House. This story is also meant to
arouse people’s emotions, and incite them against the Sylva
administration. If the EFCC has established a prima facie case against
senior officials of the Government of Bayelsa State as it is claimed,
the road to travel is the law courts, not the pages of newspapers.”

Mr. Ola said the
issues in the N101billion fraud case, especially over the Wilbros
fraud, predates Mr. Sylva’s days as governor of the state.

“Is the said EFCC
report an investigation of corruption in Bayelsa State or an
investigation into the Wilbros scandal? At best, this is confusion at
work!” He said.

The state’s
accountant general, Francis Okukoro; the director of treasury, Abbot
Clinton; and the director of finance, Ikobho Anthony Howells, have been
remanded in an Abuja prison.

Legal practitioners in Ondo State have
thrown their weight behind the re-nomination as minister of Adetokunbo
Kayode by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, although his nomination
has caused division in the ranks of the state leadership of the Peoples
Democratic Party in the last few weeks.

A group loyal to former commissioner
for finance and governorship aspirant Tayo Alasoadura had rejected the
nomination of Mr. Kayode, while a group loyal to immediate past
governor Olusegun Agagu was solidly behind him.

There were also speculations that
senators from the state had decided to work against the former justice
minister’s clearance at the Senate when nominees appear for screening.

Resolving the issue

However, NEXT gathered that the crisis might be over because the leadership of the party had agreed to support the nomination.

A reliable source
in the party said the leadership of the party has agreed to give Mr.
Kayode their support in order to stop the division in the party The
source also hinted that the three senators from the state have resolved
to back his nomination.

“The allegiance of
Kayode to the PDP has never been in doubt, just as he has not joined
any of the factions jostling for the soul of the party in the state,”
the source said.

Speaking at the
weekend, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in the state has praised the
nomination of Mr Kayode, saying “the appointment of Kayode will help
develop the cause of justice.”

The outgoing publicity secretary of the association’s Akure chapter,
Rotimi Olorunfemi, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said Mr.
Kayode, who has served as the first vice president of the NBA and has
held several positions within the group, will be of good service not
only to the federal government but also the law profession.

A University of
Birmingham student’s inspirational story of student life in the UK has
won her a position as runner-up in the regional finals of the United
Kingdom’s biggest international students competition.

Linda Ilonze, a
Nigerian studying Electronic and Computer Engineering at the University
of Birmingham, was one of more than 1,300 students, from 118 countries
to enter the eighth annual International Student Awards. The programme
is an initiative of the British Council that promotes the contributions
of international students to life in the UK.

“I am really excited to be selected as a runner-up in my region,” Ms Ilonze said.

“Studying at
Birmingham has opened a new chapter in my life and no matter what
chapters come next, this one began an inquisitive and adventurous stage
and gave me a platform to learn and develop life skills.”

To enter the
competition, international students were encouraged to write a personal
‘letter home’ in English, detailing the out-of-class achievements that
help make their time in the UK rewarding.

Students studying
at universities, colleges of further and higher education, schools and
English language institutions across England, Northern Ireland,
Scotland and Wales shared stories about the extra-curricular
achievements that illustrate how they are making the most of their time
in the UK.

A judging panel met
last month to discuss the merits of short-listed entries from the
region. Ms Ilonze’s letter was judged to be one of West Midland’s best
and she will receive a £100 prize. Entrants are grouped into regions –
North West, Yorkshire, North East,

West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South West, London, South East, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Raising money

Last year, she had an opportunity to undertake a year placement at the investment bank, Goldman Sachs.

While there, she took part in a 5km race to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

“I raised £200. The race was great fun; it was inspirational hearing stories from fellow runners.

“I am planning to run again this year, this time the target is £500!” she said.

Martin Davidson,
Chief Executive of the British Council, said, “Studying overseas can be
an incredibly exciting and rewarding experience and our academic
institutions offer some of the best opportunities in the world.

“International students make a huge contribution and commitment to
life in the UK and Shine provides a unique platform for the students to
gain public recognition for their achievements.”

Claims that the
Senate removed section 137 (7i) of the 1999 constitution to allow
corrupt officials contest elections are a disservice to senators, the
senate minority leader, Olorunimbe Mamora, said at the weekend in Lagos.

Mr. Mamora said
Nigerians misunderstood the senates’ decision which, he said, was
actually meant to differentiate between indicted officials and
convicted ones.

The section, which
was removed by the senate last week, had stated that a person could not
contest for office if “he has been indicted for embezzlement or fraud
by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry or an Administrative Panel of
Inquiry or a Tribunal set up under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, a
Tribunals of Inquiry Law or any other law by the Federal or State
Government which indictment has been accepted by the Federal or State
Government, respectively.”

Mr Mamora also blamed the media for not doing enough to educate Nigerians on the issue.

“You people are getting it wrong,” he said.

“What we are saying
is that indictment is not the same thing as conviction. We are just
looking at the experience of 2007; you know, we have what we called
indictment list that was used to exclude some members.

“We have not got it right, but gradually we are going to get it right, as time goes on we will.”

The senate leader
also said the possibility of having a free elections after the
constitution amendment is concluded depends on the players.

“Well. There are so
many parts to having free, fair and credible election, especially in
the governorship and presidential election,” he said. “But as it is
now, with the proposed amendment before the senate, we are not doing
anything along that line. Like asking the NJC, as par the Justice Uwais
report, asking the NJC to screen and make recommendation, we are not
looking in that direction now. That affects section 164 of the code of
conduct … we don’t have that now.”

Get the right workers

Mr. Mamora also
said that whatever the decision of the National Assembly, having a
successful elections involves getting the right individuals to oversee
the process.

“If we are serious,
we should be able to identify individuals, men and women of integrity,
of good records, who can do the job, as oppose to those who are already
compromised,” he said.

“The attitude of
all of us, the politicians, is something else. So, we are also part of
the problem in terms of the capacity not to do the right thing.

“We need to play by the rules, every game have its rules and if we
play by the rules, we will all get there. So that at the end of the day
we can have the right calibre of people at the election management
board.”

The National Youth Service Corps members has urged corps members to make their personal security a priority.

Director General Maharazu Tsiga gave the charge on
Sunday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Issele-Uku, Delta,
when he visited the camp as part of his on-going sensitisation tour.

“The NYSC management has put in place some
measures toward your safety, but your personal efforts are very
essential,’’ he said.

He advised them to be mindful of their friends and
the association they keep “so as to avoid been misguided.” He said
that the on-going sensitisation tour was to see how the corps members
were faring in the various camps with respect to their welfare and
security.

“Do not use your energy and brain wrongly. Do not
waste your time because your parents are not around; work hard and
re-direct your energy positively,’’ he said.

The Ekiti State House of Assembly will be going to Abuja to protest the reduction of the state’s constituencies.

The Independent
National Electoral Commision plans to reduce the number of Ekiti
constituencies from 26 to 24, a development which the state Assembly
committee chairman on information, Morakinyo Adebayo called “an act of
injustice’’ to the state.

Mr. Adebayo
disclosed that the 26 members of the House would stage a peaceful
demonstration to the National Assembly and INEC office to register
their displeasure.

He said that the
responsibility of the state’s constituency rests with the state
Assembly, noting that, “INEC does not have any business in either
reducing or increasing constituencies. If INEC is increasing the
constituency of other states, why then is it reducing our own?.

The Assembly bears the cost of maintaining the constituencies and not INEC.

INEC has nothing to gain in the reduction and we will not rest until the decision is reversed,” he said.

The entire community of the Adekunle Ajasin
University, Akungba Akoko is in grief over the killing of a final year
student of Industrial Mathematics in the school, Adeyinka Adebayo, by
suspected armed robbers.

Mr. Adeyinka, 24, was said to have boarded a
commercial bus at Owo junction to Akungba Akoko yesterday, a
30-kilometer drive to his campus, when the driver ran into a gang of
armed men in military uniform who were carrying out a robbery.

Sensing that the driver would not stop, the gunmen
shot at the bus and in the process hit Mr Adeyinka, who sustained
severe injuries.

He was later rushed to the General Hospital, Ikare
Akoko, where he was treated for the wounds but he nevertheless died
from the injuries.

The death of Mr Adeyinka has since provoked
scathing criticisms from the students of the institution, who frowned
at the spate of armed robberies along the same road without any serious
effort by police authorities to put the situation under control.

The Ondo State police commissioner, Balla Mogaji
Nassarawa, who confirmed the incident, however said the police are
working on the case.

The Police boss also confirmed the arrest of two robbers in Ore when they were trying to set out for a robbery operation.

The police
constable, Christopher Obano, who allegedly shot into a moving bus
conveying some butchers to a slaughter house in Umuahia, Abia State,
killing one and wounding several others last Tuesday, has been
dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force.

Mr. Obano, who was
dismissed from the force after being found guilty in an Orderly Room
trial for contravening the rules of engagement in the police force, was
also arraigned before an Umuahia Chief Magistrate Court on murder
charges at the weekend.

Dismissed and arraigned

Speaking to newsmen
at the court premises before the arraignment, the officer in charge of
legal matters in the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID),
Joseph Micloth, said that at the end of both criminal and internal
investigation, the Orderly Room found the constable guilty and
dismissed him from the Force.

Mr. Obano appeared in civilian attire.

He said Mr. Obano,
who was on special posting to Abia state from the Bornu State command,
went outside the rules by shooting into the vehicle without an order
from his superior officer at the duty post.

The ACP, who said
that Mr. Obano acted recklessly by shooting into the bus, explained
that he opened fire on the bus after hearing a shout from men of the
Federal Road Safety Commission behind them to stop the approaching
vehicle, when it is driver refused to stop.

Temporary reprieve

Mr Obano, a father
of three who looked sober, said he shot at the vehicle after it refused
to stop at the check point, having brushed two other mobile policemen
at the post as the driver sped off.

“I feel bad over
what had happened. I advise drivers to stop any time they are asked to
do so at the checkpoint and my colleagues not to shoot whenever they
ask any motorist to stop and he refuses,” he said.

But when the matter
came up for hearing, the chief magistrate, Isreal Nwulu, declined
jurisdiction over the murder case and ordered that the case-file be
transferred to the state Director for Public Prosecution for vetting
and filing at the High Court.

Mr. Nwulu also ordered that Mr. Obano be remanded in the Federal Prisons till April 9, 2009.

In the one count
charge of murder, charge No U/183 C2010, Christopher Obano was said to
have committed an offence punishable under section319 (1) of the
criminal code section 77 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1990
as applicable to Abia State.

No plea was taken and no bail granted.