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The security of the
nation must remain the first priority of all ministers, Aliyu Mohammed
Gusau, the National Security Adviser to the Acting President, has
warned. Speaking at a Security Awareness seminar for ministers held in
Abuja over the weekend, Mr. Gusau, a retired General, cautioned that
the ministers must be conscious of the security implications of the
decisions they take on behalf of the country.

The one-day seminar
took the new ministers through other relevant matters such as foreign
intelligence activities and threats to security, security of
information, documents and the operations of government and enhancing
personal protection, security and safety. Other discussions centred on
the anti-corruption campaign of the government, crime and society, as
well the current challenges of law enforcement.

The session was
moderated by both the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
Yayale Ahmed and the Head of Service, Steve Oronsaye.

According to
Adebisi Adekunle, Chief Press Secretary to the National Security
Adviser, Mr. Gusau had reviewed the nation’s security and warned that
ministers must be at the frontline of efforts to restore sanity and
stability while increasing public confidence in the ability of
government to function as expected.

Security and human development

Stressing that the
enhancement of human development is a key security objective, Mr. Gusau
stated that, “Nigeria is rated low in human development index issued
periodically by international institutions. Public officials have to be
conscious of the impressions we convey by the way we value or
depreciate the worth of the average Nigerian. The carnage in Jos and
the summary killing of Boko Haram suspects by the police showed the
world that Nigerians do not value themselves.” He added that the
prevalence of polio, guinea worm, malaria and other disease which have
been eradicated in other parts of the world has brought into question
the commitment of our government to human development.

Mr. Gusau said the
country’s poor educational system as well as indices of high
unemployment level, poverty, low food security arising from the
country’s inability to feed its people and decaying infrastructure have
all undermined the nation’s security.

Threatened by crime

On crime control,
the security adviser told the ministers that “the security of lives,
properties and livelihood is threatened by crime.” He said the crime
situation in the country is so high that law enforcement agencies
appear overwhelmed by the sad situation.

He lamented that,
“Very little attention is paid to the prevention of crime. Proactive
security measures assist to prevent crimes. Good laws and efficient
penal system will deter criminals and reduce crimes. It seems our
current legal system promotes crimes.’’ The judicial arm of government
did not escape his criticism. He said it is difficult to prosecute
offenders because of lengthy delays in court processes while “criminals
go in and out of prison at will, becoming serial offenders.’’

Corruption as a threat

Stating that corruption is an economic crime that threatens the country’s survival, Mr.

Gusau said it is
endemic because the current anti-corruption campaign has been largely
considered to be ineffective and selective.

“This is because
it penalizes a few unfortunate individuals, while society sees many
they consider guilty enjoying their loot in freedom. Some of the
agencies involved in anti-corruption have credibility problems, their
leaders being accused of wrong-doings.” On the banking sector, he said
the situation reflects the double standards critics perceive in the
administration of justice; every bank seems to be doing the same thing,
yet only a few got penalised.

“The fragility of
the economy further dictates that offenders be interdicted without
damaging the sector”, he said. However, he lamented that the on-going
intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria, “seemed to have damaged
economic activity in the banking sector to the detriment of the larger
society.” Charging the ministers to be conscious of the impact of
public policy on the nation’s security, Mr. Gusau said, “I want you to
always remember that national security interests are paramount and must
be respected. Public policy can have significant impact.” He said it is
therefore important for certain public policies to have security input
so that policies which may be considered controversial are implemented
with adequate preparation by security agencies.

Charging the
ministers on the need to carry the people along in policy planning and
implementation, Mr. Gusau said that to do otherwise would have serious
consequences both in the short and long run.

Late
Polish President, Lech Kaczynski and his wife, who died in a Plane
crash last week were yesterday buried at the Wawel cathedral, the
coronation site of virtually all of Poland’s monarchs despite protest
and online petitions by some Poles against burying the Kaczynskis’ in
such a hallowed spot.

After a solemn
mass, two gun carriages carried the coffins of Mr Kaczynski and his
wife Maria, draped in the red-and-white national flag, through the
streets to their final resting place in Wawel cathedral located high
above Poland’s ancient capital.

Tens of thousands
of Poles chanted “Lech Kaczynski, we thank you” and waved flags and
banners of the 1980s anti-communist Solidarity movement which the
combative nationalist and devout Roman Catholic once helped to build.

Their coffins were
then laid to rest in the cathedral’s crypt – a hallowed spot for Poles
usually reserved for their kings, leading poets and national heroes.
Some Poles have staged protest rallies and joined petitions on social
media site against the decision to bury Kaczynski at Wawel, saying he
did not deserve such an honour.

Mr Kaczynski, his
wife and 94 other senior Polish political and military officials died
when their plane crashed in thick fog near Smolensk in western Russia
on April 10 while flying to the Katyn forest to mark the 70th
anniversary of the massacre of 22,000 Polish officers and intellectuals
by Soviet secret police.

“President Lech
Kaczynski’s testament must be fulfilled through rapprochement and
reconciliation (with Russia),” Acting President,

Bronislaw Komorowski told mourners in Krakow’s mediaeval St Mary’s Basilica.

The leaders of
Poland and Russia attending the funeral said on yesterday that the
death in a plane crash in Russia must serve as a catalyst for
reconciliation between the two Slavic nations.

Russian President,
Dmitry Medvedev who braved the closure of Europe’s air space caused by
a volcanic ash cloud to attend the funeral in Krakow while speaking to
Polish television, said “in view of these heavy losses I believe we can
make serious efforts to draw our nations closer together, to develop
economic relations and find solutions to the most difficult problems,
including Katyn.” The Kremlin leader’s presence was ironic in view of
Kaczynski’s frequent criticism of what he called Russia’s “imperialism”
towards ex-Soviet republics such as Georgia. In his five years as
president, Kaczynski never visited Moscow.

Other mourners included the presidents of Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Georgia.

U.S. President
Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President
Nicolas Sarkozy were among those forced by the ash cloud to abandon
plans to attend Kaczynski’s funeral.

The funeral crowned
a week of unprecedented national mourning for the Kaczynskis and the
other crash victims which had more than 180,000 people queue in Warsaw,
day and night to view the coffins at the presidential palace which has
been on display on public display since Tuesday and also at the city’s
cathedral.

Kaczynski was a polarising figure whose support levels had fallen to
about 20 percent before his death. He had been expected to lose a
presidential election due in the autumn and now expected to take place
on June 20.

A self-proclaimed
anti-corruption crusader, Emmanuel Nwachukwu, has asked a Federal High
Court in Abuja to compel the Code of Conduct Bureau to investigate and
prosecute a former Comptroller of Customs, Rasheed Taiwo Owolabi, for
allegedly failing to declare his assets after retiring from the Nigeria
Customs Service.
In an application
for judicial review filed through his counsel, Amobi Nzelu, on Friday,
Mr. Nwachukwu asked the court to compel the Code of Conduct Bureau, the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector General
of Police, and the Nigeria Customs Service Board to investigate Mr.
Owolabi for several offences including non-declaration of assets,
illegal acquisition of wealth, and abuse of office.
Mr. Nwachukwu has
also asked the Nigeria Customs Services Board to investigate the
certificate, purportedly acquired from the University of Paris, which
Mr. Owolabi presented during his employment, as well as the retired
officer’s National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate.

He has
asked the board to withhold all of Mr. Owolabi’s entitlements until the
determination of the case.
Mr. Nwachukwu told
the court that he had written to several anti-graft agencies asking
them to investigate Mr. Owolabi for the offences listed in the
application, but so far none of them has responded to his letter.
Mr. Nwachukwu
accused Mr. Owolabi of acquiring stupendous wealth while he was serving
in the customs. He listed some of the properties allegedly owned by Mr.
Owolabi and reminded the court that the EFCC has the right, under the
Act establishing it, to investigate those assets.

Embattled officer

This is not the
first time the retired customs officer has found himself tangled in the
judiciary. Mr. Owolabi joined the customs service in 1980 and was
retired in 2009. He has, however, sued the customs board and the
present comptroller-general, Abdullahi Inde Dikko, challenging his
January 2010 retirement.
In March, Mr.
Owolabi went to the Federal High Court in Abuja to seek reinstatement
to his office, demanding N500 million in damages for what he called his
“unlawful and illegal retirement.” The retired officer claimed he was
not due to leave office until 2015 and called for payment of all his
salaries, emoluments, and entitlements from the time he was retired
until his due retirement date.

The Nigerian Civil
Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called on Europe-bound passengers to
exercise patience with airlines in the country over delays in their
flights.

This is coming after European authorities shut down their airspaces, due to the recent volcanic ash experienced in Europe.

“Disruptions to
flights are likely to extend for up to one week as airlines attempt to
move delayed passengers and return to normal flight schedules,” said
Harold Demuren, director general of the NCAA, over the weekend.

Endangering aircraft

Mr. Demuren
disclosed that the authority is aware of the hazards of flying in an
airspace with particles of ash, adding that the microscopic particles
have the tendency of endangering aircraft engines as well as human
lives.

“Civil aviation
has become increasingly aware of the dangers of flying through
microscopic fragments of rock and pumice that make up ash clouds,” he
said. “Jet engines are highly complex machines designed to function in
environments free of debris and corrosive gases, and the effects of
volcanic ash have severely endangered safety on some flights.”

The authority’s
boss said the European airspace was shut down to flight operations
because of the particles, stressing that regular operations will
commence when the ash dissipates.

He, however,
advised intending passengers to liaise with their airlines to confirm
the status of their flights and any special arrangements made for
passengers whose trips have been interrupted.

Arik suspends flights

Still as a result
of the volcanic ash over European skies, Arik Air, an indigenous
carrier involved in domestic and international air transport business,
in a statement, announced the suspension of flight services to London
Heathrow.

According to the
airline, it will not operate its flights into London Heathrow since
there is no improvement in the weather conditions in the United
Kingdom, adding this is in compliance with a directive from UK Air
Traffic Control Services (NATS) and for safety reasons.

Arik, however,
advised all its customers who had been booked on any of the airline’s
flights to London Heathrow from either Lagos or Abuja to contact its
call centre or re-book their travel date and check the status of their
flight before leaving for the airport.

According to the
carrier, passengers holding confirmed travel tickets could re-book for
next week or a date of their choice within the next two weeks at no
additional charge, subject to availability of seats.

“Once normal operations are restored in London Heathrow; Arik would
request for extra flights, again subject to approval,” said the carrier.

The former
presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP),
Muhammadu Buhari, is to lead stakeholders from the north finding a
national secretary and filling other key positions in the newly-formed
Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The SDP has already appointed Pat Utomi as its protem national chairman.

Olawale Okuniyi,
the secretary of the Mega Summit Movement (MSM), which helped create
the new party, said on Sunday that though Mr. Buhari belongs to the
Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), he will help lead the movement
following the exit of former vice president Atiku Abubakar from the
group.

Mr. Abubakar has rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“In spite of the
exit of former vice president Atiku Abubakar from the process, General
Muhammadu Buhari will lead key stakeholders from the northern axis to
endorse all nominations for the three geo-political zones of the
north,” Mr. Okunniyi said in a statement.

A new alternative

He said the party,
which comprises largely social democrats in the country may round off
its nationwide consultations this weekend in Abuja in readiness for its
launch. He said the party has intensified its final consultations with
key stakeholders and allies in order to get the best programmes and the
most competent hands.

Mr. Okunniyi also
said state and local coordinating teams will be announced at the end of
the party’s nationwide consultations, so that people can join the party
at the local levels. He asked all aspiring stakeholders in the 36
states and the FCT to immediately contact the national secretariat of
the SDP for further briefing.

He assured
interested members that the party’s registration is already before the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He said women and
Nigerians in Diaspora would all be given a fair deal in the new party
structure.

The party chief said the MSM would align itself with the labour
movement in its buildup “to give the nation a formidable
mega-alternative similar to what happened during the third republic
when the labour movement, through its political commissions,
progressively facilitated the formation and success of the SDP led by
MKO Abiola and others.”

The former chairman
of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Information and National
Orientation, Dino Melaye, yesterday criticised former military
president, Ibrahim Babangida for ruling out the younger generation of
Nigerians from governing the country.

The former military
ruler, who has since confirmed his interest in the 2011 presidential
election, was reported as saying that the younger generation of
Nigerians cannot rule the country. Mr. Melaye countered that assertion
in a statement in Abuja, saying his generation is more versatile and
has the capacity to move the country forward.

“This negative
sweeping statement against my generation, a more intellectually
advanced generation, [a] more versatile generation, a generation
competing with the technological demands of recent times, a deprived
generation, deprived by gerontocratic rulers – I mean the Babangidas of
this world – is unfortunate,” Mr. Melaye said.

The lawmaker argued
that Mr. Babangida had insulted the generation to which his son,
Mohammed Babangida, President Barack Obama of the United States and
Lagos Governor, Babatunde Fashola, all people who the former military
ruler admired as achievers, belong.

Mr. Melaye
described Mr. Babangida as a failed leader, and challenged him to
publicly disclose how old he was when he seized power in a military
coup.

“The question to
ask this failed leader is how old he was 25yrs ago when he forcefully
became the president of an oppressed nation?” Mr. Melaye said.

“A coward who
hurriedly packaged an interim government and vamoosed, why are you (an
anti-democratic element) now interested in assessing democratic powers
by creating generational apathy and age cleansing?” Mr. Melaye vowed
that his generation would campaign vigorously to stop Mr. Babangida
from realising his ambition of returning to power next year.

“It is a battle of
no retreat, no surrender because an army of retired and expired
military officers and politicians will bring back sad memories to
Nigerians.”

Catholic opposition

Meanwhile, the
Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Felix Ajakaye, has called on
Nigerians to work against the ambition of the former military dictator.

Mr Ajakaye, who
spoke during the dedication of a church auditorium built in memory of
the late father of the Action Congress governorship candidate in Ekiti
State, Kayode Fayemi also urged Mr Babangida not to contest.

“It is not funny
that somebody who stepped aside is now seeking to come back. Nigerians
must say no to corruption and corrupt leaders,” he said. “It is time we
stop recycling our leaders. As individuals we have to kick against
corrupt leaders. We have to say no to those who promise and don’t keep
their promises. They have started coming now, they will come and even
prostrate for you now that they need your votes, but you must be wise.”
He also advised journalists to focus on reports that would expose the
nation’s leaders.

“I want to beg journalists to be more dedicated to duty by dwelling
on investigative journalism in order to make sure that past and present
leaders are made accountable for all their actions and inactions,” he
said. “Nigeria need fresh bloods in its politics. I mean people who are
highly competent, upright and honest to paddle the affairs of the
country its affairs. The electorate must also stand up to make sure
that their votes count during election.”

Former Head of
Service of the Federation Adamu Fika has suggested that Nigeria should
go back to the parliamentary system of government to ensure good
governance, accountability and rule of law.

Mr Fika, who spoke
over the weekend at the 27th Aminu Kano Memorial Lecture held at
Mambayya House, Kano, said the political logjam being experienced in
the country over the years can only be solved if the country goes back
to the system of government that was obtainable in the First Republic.

Confidence and other benefits

In a paper titled
“the role of opposition in the attempt to establish democracy in
Nigeria,” Mr. Fika explained that the parliamentary system would
guarantee effective opposition and eases off the mounting anomalies
that has characterised the nation’s political space.

He said the shift
to parliamentary system, from the presidential system of government
imposed by the military on Nigerians, will also restore confidence in
the rule of law and the wellbeing of the people.

“The survival of
Nigeria as a genuine democracy with effective opposition and concern
for the rule of law and the welfare and the wellbeing of the ordinary
citizens and residents lies in our return to parliamentary system,” he
said. “We failed to understand and fully the basic principle and
practice of its (presidential system) operations.”

He said that the only way out of the quagmire is to reshape the nation’s political culture and embrace parliamentary system.

The parliamentary
system of government, he said, “provides for effective opposition and
real checks and balances; but also makes it possible for the ordinary
grassroots electorate to have a say in the selection of ministers.”

Formidable opposition

The former civil servant harped on the need for a formidable opposition in the march to political greatness.

“The dominance of
the ruling party with little, if any, opposition has made it impossible
for a balanced political equation to emerge,” he said. “Many states and
even at the national level, governments misuse state security
apparatus, seeking to subdue opposition parties and their members. In
extreme cases, assassinations of political opposition figures have been
recorded, but to date, not a single case has been successfully
prosecuted.

“To make matters
worse, the media have not been spared the dirty political intrigues of
the day. Private media houses that express opposing views are harassed,
temporarily closed, or ostracised by the government; while
publicly-owned media houses routinely deny opposition parties airtime.”

He recalled that the leaders of the opposition during the First
Republic were truly model leaders, who opposed government on
principles, adding that the case is different now as opposition
politicians have become mere political merchants.

Nigerians
scientists have released two new and improved cowpea varieties to
farmers as part of efforts to raise production and improve farmer
incomes in Nigeria’s savannah region, an official of the International
Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan has said.

The varieties –
IT89KD-288 and IT89KD-391 – were developed by scientists working at the
Institute, in collaboration with the Institute for Agricultural
Research of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; the University of
Maiduguri, Borno and the Agricultural Development Programmes of Borno,
Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina States.

Proven superiority

Godwin Atser, the
West African corporate communications officer of the IITA, said both
varieties have proven superiority over the current lines being
cultivated and aim to overcome the challenges faced by cowpea farmers
in the country.

“For instance,
IT89KD-288 (now SAMPEA-11) is a dual-purpose cowpea variety with large
white seeds and a rough seed coat.” Mr. Atser said. “It has combined
resistance to major diseases including septoria leaf spot, scab, and
bacterial blight, as well as to nematodes, and tolerance to Nigeria’s
strain of striga gesnerioides – a parasitic weed that severely lowers
yield.”

Alpha Kamara, an
IITA agronomist who is leading efforts to rapidly disseminate the
varieties to farmers, added: “It also has a yield advantage of at least
80% over the local varieties.”

Planting dates

The scientists
recommend that the variety be planted in mid-July in the Sudan
Savannah, in early to mid-August in the Northern Guinea Savannah, and
by the end of August in the Southern Guinea Savanna. However, where
there is certainty of rains up till the end of October, IT89KD-288 can
be planted in September.

IT89KD-391 (now SAMPEA-12) is also a dual-purpose cowpea variety, but it has medium-to-large brown seeds with a rough seed coat.

“These are preferred seed characteristics for commercial production in northeast Nigeria,” Mr. Atser said.

“IT89KD-391 is a
welcome improvement over SAMPEA 7, Ife brown, IT90K-76, and IT90K-82-2
which are the main improved brown-seeded varieties available,” Hakeem
Ajeigbe, an IITA extension/dissemination specialist, added. “It has
been tested extensively in this area and is well-accepted by the
farmers.

The variety
performs well as a sole crop and an intercrop. It could also be planted
as a relay crop with maize in the Guinea Savannahs.”

Double the yield

Several on-station and on-farm trials have shown that IT89KD-391 (SAMPEA 12) produces double the yields of local cultivars.

This is not the
first improved crop released by the government. In 2008, Nigeria
released a Striga-resistant improved cowpea variety (IT97K-499-35).

According to Mr.
Atser, the scientists are currently setting up community-based seed
production schemes to make seeds of these improved varieties available
through the Project on Legumes funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation.

“The demand for
these improved varieties is high because of their superior yields and
their acceptability by consumers,” Mr. Kamara said.

As the people of
Ekiti State await the judgement of the governorship election petitions
tribunal sitting in Ado-Ekiti, residents of the state have been urged
to shun violence and work for the progress of the state.

The call is coming
after the violence that trailed the adoption of written addresses by
counsels to the state governor Segun Oni of the Peoples Democratic
Party and his opponent, Kayode Fayemi of the Action Congress.

The Onikogosi of
Ikogosi, Elijah Olorunsola and the state chairman of the Action
Congress, Jide Awe, made the call at the weekend at Ikogosi during the
commissioning of constituency projects executed by the lawmaker
representing Ekiti West I at the state House of Assembly, Gbenga
Odebunmi.

The monarch urged the people of the state to focus more on what will move the state forward.

“Despite being
blessed with good human resources the state is still lagging in
development. Politicians in the state need to come together to tackle
the problems facing our dear state,” he said. “I am urging youths to
shun violence and work together to develop this state. They know that
those who are not lucky to win this time may win tomorrow.” The party
chairman, in his speech, said politics should be devoid of bitterness
and rancour and urged youths in the state not to allow any politician
to use them to foment trouble.

“I want to advise you to steer clear of trouble because if you are arrested those who sent you will deny you,” he said.

Question aspirants

He also urged
residents of the state to subject aspirants from all the parties to
rigorous questioning to ascertain if they have the intention to serve
the people or if their intention was to serve themselves.

“Cast your votes
only for good people who have the love of the majority at heart. Ask
them serious questions before casting your votes for them, make sure
they are people who are God fearing and who love the people,” Mr Awe
said.

He added that his party is at the forefront of developing the state.
We are interested in developing the people and the state. Odebunmi has
done well that is why we have been going round commissioning various
people-oriented projects.”

Last
week’s election in Sudan was the first in 26 years. It was expected to
last for three days, but as of the time of writing this piece, it was
still ongoing. This is not surprising. Sudan is the biggest country on
the African continent and it has had a chequered life of military and
civilian dictatorships, from the time of the religious Mahdis to Omar
al-Bashir. Apart from its size, there are other challenges that led to
the difficulties experienced during the voting process. The vast land
and the fact that not many of the citizens have witnessed such a thing
before. Those who are old enough have either never voted before or have
forgotten what the experience was like.

Those who are under
26 are going through it for the very first time in their lives. The
hiccups were therefore, not out of place.

I saw on the
television a 76 year old man who said he was voting because he never
remembered what it was like, and that he decided to participate because
it could well be the last time he would have such an opportunity.
Watching this on the television reminded me of the same experience and
sentiments some old South Africans expressed during the first
multi-racial election that brought Nelson Mandela to power. This is not
to say the two are on the same scale.

The run up to the
Sudanese election had been tough and deeply controversial because it
was like a fight between the north and the south of the country. This
was not in disguise at all. Most of the parties from the South decided
to withdraw from taking part in the election, so as not to lend
credence to the thoroughly discredited government in Khartoum headed by
al-Bashir. On the other hand, al-Bashir needed the participation of all
the parties to help shore up his own image at home and abroad. He
needed it because it would give him at least another five years of
moratorium from his indictment by the International Criminal Court,
which is waiting for him in the wings to stand trial for crimes against
humanity.

For all intents,
last week’s election was more about al-Bashir, than about the future of
Sudan. Although we may not be able to completely divorce the future of
the country from it, but the one that needs that election more is the
president. First, he needs it to send signals to the international
community that he is still ‘popular’, despite the charges against him.
He needs the endorsement to show that he is not the felon that the ICC
has categorised him as. It is, therefore, very important for him to
give the election a semblance of credibility. This was however, denied
him by the mass withdrawal from the election by majority of the parties
in South Sudan.

The parties were
unwilling to give him any credit because they understood that
participating in the charade was going to give him some points to
hammer on, that he conducted an election in which his popularity was
endorsed by all Sudanese. Now with the election over, and the counting
on, it goes without saying that al-Bashir’s party is going to ‘‘sweep’’
the polls, ala elections, in Africa.

However, how the
country moves from here is the important thing. In another year after
the 2005 peace accord, there is going to be a referendum during which
the South is going to vote whether to remain as part of the Sudan as it
is today, or go its own separate way, as an independent country. It is
almost certain that the South would vote for independence. It is
therefore, more about al-Bashir than for the citizens. What he has just
done is to tell the international community that ‘you demand for
elections or democracy, I’ve organised elections and Sudan now has
democracy, so what more do you want?’

We all know he is only hanging on a thin thread. If he thinks this would help him, he should ask Charles Taylor.