Nigeria Content Online

As the nation prepares for the 2011 general elections, the Ondo
State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, has called for fervent prayers for the
sustainability of the nation’s unity.

Mr. Mimiko, who made the call while playing host to the
executive members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in the South
West, led by its Vice President, Francis Wale Oke, said religious leaders have
crucial roles to play towards ensuring a free and fair election.

The governor said electoral reform that would guarantee true
democracy is crucial to sustaining the unity and future development of the
country. He stressed that the religious class should support the politicians in
achieving this.

“The people of this state prayed corporately. There was no time
in the history of the state that children of God will rise to pray like they
did during the struggle for the restoration of our mandate. It is marvelous in
our eyes.

“Bringing dividends of democracy to the doorstep of our people
is what God will rejoice at. The investment that will have direct bearing in
the lives of our people is the basic philosophy of our administration,” he
said.

The governor noted that his greatest joy was the ability of his
administration to fulfil the excitement and expectation of the people,
promising to sustain the tempo with a view to bringing more joy to their lives.

He enumerated some of the achievements of his administration in
the last one year to include the Mother and Child Hospital and provision of
infrastructure.

Religious leaders’ help

Mr. Mimiko also urged religious leaders in the state to be a
vanguard of orientation of the people on the need to adhere strictly to the
urban renewal programme of government, saying that trading along major roads in
Akure, the state capital, has been abolished.

Mr. Wale Oke said his team came to present the new state executive of PFN to
the governor, and advised him to continue in the fear of God and also continue
to cater for the need of the people in order to make the state a pride of
Nigeria and Africa. He also promised to continue to pray fervently for the
success of his administration.

Yesterday, several
hundreds of young Nigerians, including musicians, professionals, and
students, engaged in a peaceful rally in the shimmering sun for about
three hours to the Lagos State Governor’s Office in Alausa.

Amongst the many
protesters, led by president of the Campaign for Democracy, Joe
Okei-Odumakin, were popular singers like Banky W, Eldee, Sound Sultan,
Roof Top MCs, actor Rita Dominic and comedian Ali Baba. The rally was
organised by a group called Enoughisenough Coalition, who had organised
a similar rally in Abuja on March 16. According to a statement, the
group is a collection of smaller bodies “spread across the country that
have worked with communities and in the grassroots for the past 10
years.”

The group’s demand
include electoral reform, an end to corruption, an overhaul of the
nation’s security structure and electricity, to which the group said
“6, 000 megawatts will not solve the electricity problems of Nigeria
but it’s a good start.”

The march

Some of the
messages on the placards carried at the protest include “Jos on our
minds,” “Light up Nigeria”, “Protect your vote,” “Jonathan We are
Watching,”. There was loud music from a hired public address system,
with the song, “She na like this we go dey dey?”, by Wande Cole, as one
of the crowd’s favourites.

The match, which
began at the Arch Bishop Vining Memorial Church Open Field, went
through Obafemi Awolowo Road, and terminated at the gate of the
Governor’s Office.

The Lagos heat did
not deter the marchers, who turned to the many vendors selling fluids
to quench their thirst. The crowd, which had most wearing white
t-shirts with inscriptions, attracted many on-lookers, some of whom
supported their cause.

“I was not informed
of this particular rally but I like things like this,” said an
onlooker, Tuoyo Tsekiju, a marketer. “Change will always come and I
like the way the youth are going about seeking for change. The time has
come for a change in Nigeria.”

“We are all
clamouring for good governance and from the look of things these people
are all youth. It shows that Nigerian youth are now ready to pick up
the challenge of leadership,” an auditor, Idris Adelabu. “If I had
known (of the rally) in time, I would have participated.”

Different capitals, same outcome

A considerable
contingent of police officers was on hand to ease traffic issues and
quail any potential disturbance. This is a reversal of what transpired
a month ago when gun-carrying police officers barred a similar group of
youth at the main gate of the National Assembly in Abuja and prevented
them from seeing the leadership of the Assembly.

In yesterday’s
case, while the police officers were helpful, again the protesters had
to go away angry when all attempts to get the governor the executive
arm of the Lagos State government to receive their letter of protest
failed.

Sources said the
governor was in the Acting President’s entourage to high-powered
meetings in Washington DC, USA. However, the governor did not designate
a representative – even though the protesters showed a letter received
and signed by his Chief of Staff as proof of ample notice.

The Speaker of the
House of Assembly, Yomi Ikuforiji, after making contact with the
organisers, tried to come out to address the crowd, but by then they
had lost their patience and the organisers declared the rally closed.

One of the organisers of the rally, Chude Jideonwo, cleared the air about the group’s objective.

“This organisation is not affiliated to any party or any person,
(and) has no interest in endorsing any party or any person. We just
want young people to go and exercise (their right to) vote. Just make
sure that your votes are counted, the elections are free and fair;
don’t leave polling booths until the process is ended and we protect
our votes, with our lives if necessary,” he said.

Ogun State
governor, Gbenga Daniel, might serve as the South-West campaign manager
for the 2011 presidential bid of former military president, Ibrahim
Badamosi Babangida, NEXT investigations have revealed.

Mr. Babangida’s
government annulled the 1993 presidential election won by Moshood
Abiola, a development which landed the politician in detention and
subsequently led to his death in controversial circumstances.

However, 17 years
after the political crisis which followed the annulment, Mr. Babangida
made his first public appearance in Abeokuta, hometown of the late
Abiola, during Gbenga Daniel’s 54th birthday celebration. Mr. Babangida
was the chairman of the occasion. The governor called on Nigerians to
forgive Mr. Babangida over his role in the political crisis, which
lasted for years, adding that this became necessary, “even if there was
any error from him.”

Barely a few days
after his Abeokuta appearance, Babangida told journalists in Benin City
that he was going to contest the next presidential election on the
platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

NEXT investigations
in Ogun State revealed that Mr. Daniel’s romance with Mr. Babangida was
in line with the governor’s bid to canvass for votes for the
controversial former military ruler, with one of our sources saying an
agreement had already been reached to offer the post of campaign
manager to Mr. Daniel.

Embattled at home

This, it was
learnt, was another political strategy of the embattled governor to
remain politically relevant after leaving office next year, especially
following his unresolved political battles with some leaders of the
ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) at the state level. His opponents
appeared to have had their hands strengthened by the emergence of
Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, and are gradually taking over the
party structure in the state.

Some of Mr. Daniel
aides, who do not want their names in print, confided that there was
nothing wrong for their boss to venture into the project, as much as he
is convinced about the chances of Mr. Babangida at the polls.

“There is nothing wrong for Daniel to carry Babangida’s project as
his own,” one of them said. “No politician wants to go into extinction.
Who knows whether Babangida may consider him for a bigger job if things
work out in his favour? My brother, we have to move forward. The issue
of annulment and June 12 is a forgone issue.”

The governorship
candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi,
yesterday escaped what was described as an attack on his life through
sheer luck as some armed men fired gun shots at his vehicle.

Mr. Fayemi was
returning from the State High Court, Ado-Ekiti, the venue of the
Election Petitions Tribunal hearing his petition against Ekiti State
governor, Segun Oni, when the unfortunate incident happened. The black
sport utility vehicle he was in was waylaid by suspected armed
political thugs not too far from a popular eatery outlet in the city.

The eatery is very close to the foyer of the state governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Bits and pieces

NEXT gathered that
the attack was carried out around 1.pm by a popular thug, who led his
colleague to hatch their plan. The source, which was very close to
where the attack occurred, said a van with Government House number
plate was used to carry out the task.

Meanwhile, no fewer
than 11 supporters of the AC were injured following the clash that
broke out after the failed attack on Mr. Fayemi’s life. Also attacked
was a journalist working with Channels Television, Felix Vincent.

Mr. Felix was
attacked when he was trying to film the clash and sustained a deep cut
on his head. Richard Akinbode, a camera man with Africa Independent
Television, also sustained a minor injury.

The duo were
immediately rushed to Government House clinic where they received
treatment. The attack on the two journalists have continued to attract
criticisms, with the leaders of the AC and the PDP trading accusations.

The state
government, through a statement issued by the chief press secretary,
Wale Ojo-Lanre, blamed AC thugs for the attack on the journalists.

The statement
reads: “Ekiti State Government has faulted the attack on journalists
and some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by thugs hired
by the Action Congress (AC) and its governorship candidate. The
unprovoked attack was not only barbaric and shameful but highly
illogical. We wish to alert the public of another reign of terror
unleashed on the peace-loving people of Ekiti State by some rampaging
thugs that were on the entourage of the AC governorship candidate, Dr.
Kayode Fayemi.

“After the adoption
of the written addresses of all parties to the case filed by Dr. Fayemi
against the declaration of Governor Segun Oni as winner of the April 25
rerun governorship election, he (Fayemi) and his entourage attacked
innocent journalists and supporters of the PDP few metres after Fajuyi
Park, Ado-Ekiti.

“Felix Vincent,
Channels Television reporter, who sustained deep cut on his head and
Sunday Aluko are now receiving treatment at the Government House
Clinic, Ado-Ekiti. Mr. Richard Akinbode, a cameraman with the Africa
Independent Television (AIT) also sustained minor injury in the
attacked while his camera was damaged beyond repairs.

“Though we
understand the frustration of Fayemi and his AC people, having been
shown in clear terms at the tribunal premises that they are not wanted
by Ekiti people and coupled with the abysmal performance of his legal
team at the tribunal, we are miffed by the incessant unprovoked attacks
on innocent residents of Ekiti State by the AC thugs.”

AC blames PDP

The Action
Congress’s director of communications, Yemi Adaramodu, however charged
security agencies in the state to call “PDP thugs” to order before they
throw the state into disorder. The party urged its supporters to remain
calm in the face of the attack.

He said “The PDP
thugs molested, dehumanised and brutalised AC supporters in an
unprovoked attack at the same junction as a result of which many of
them suffered various degrees of injury. They wounded Mary
Aladetoyinbo, wife of Ado-Ekiti AC Chairman; women leader from Ilawe,
Moji Alokan and several other defenceless women. A correspondent with
Channels TV had his head broken by these PDP thugs and was later
dragged to the government house while the AC was accused of attacking
him.”

The police spokesperson in Ekiti, Mohhamed Jimoh, who spoke over the
telephone, said some hoodlums wanted to attack Mr Fayemi, but were
prevented from doing so by prompt intervention of policemen. He said
the quick intervention brought the situation under control and Mr.
Fayemi was not hurt in the incident.

A Maiduguri High
Court, yesterday ordered the federal government, Borno State government
and the Inspector General of Police, Ogbonnaya Onovo to pay N100
million as compensation to the family of late Baa Fagu.

Mr Fagu, who was
the father in-law of the late leader of Boko Haram sect, Mohammed
Yusuf, was killed on July 31, 2009 while in detention at the
headquarters of the Borno Police Command. The applicant, Baba Fagu, the
deceased’s son, had filed a suit against the respondents for the
unlawful killing of his father. The sect leader, Mr Yusuf, was also
killed while in police detention.

The presiding
Judge, Mohammed Mustapha, in his judgment held that the detention and
subsequent extra judicial murder of the deceased by the respondent (the
Nigerian Police) just for being an in-law to the Boko Haram leader
violated his right to life.

The murder, he
added, also contravened the right of the deceased to fair hearing as
stated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Mr Fagu
was arrested and detained by the police after a round of violence broke
out in Northern Nigeria in July 2009, when the Islamic sect, Boko
Haram, called for the imposition of sharia law across the country while
attacking security operatives.

According to the
judge, the facts before the court prove that the applicant’s late
father was detained by the agents of the respondents on the fateful day
and was subsequently murdered while in their custody.

“It was illegal,
unconstitutional and violated his right to life as protected by the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the African Charter as
well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“The killing of
the applicant’s father did not only offend the Constitution, but also
the sensibilities of human beings, decent and right thinking Nigerians.
It is against everything that is decent. I don’t think even the Spanish
inquisitors would have done worse than this brutal murder,” Mr Mustapha
said.

The judge said
that the court was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the applicant
established without contradiction his entitlement for redress.

Proper burial

The Judge also
ordered the respondents to exhume the corpse of the late Fagu wherever
it was and release the body to his family for burial.

The respondents
were equally ordered to jointly and severally apologise to the
applicant for what the judge described as their “reprehensive and
unconstitutional’’ acts.

Mr Mustapha
declared that public officials and their agents wherever they might be
should be restrained from harassing or intimidating the applicant.

The applicant, Mr Fagu, welcomed the judgement, which he claimed proved that the judiciary was the last hope of the common man.

However, Counsel to
the respondents, Usman Tattama, declined comment, saying he would
notify his clients who will then decide on the next line of action.

The Spokesperson of the Nigerian Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu avoided
reacting to the ruling, saying that “the force is yet to get the
judgement and it will decide the next step to take once it get the full
details of the ruling.”

The Austria-based
Nigerian, Kennedy Chimezie, who was kidnapped on Sunday at Amuzi in
Ahiazu-Mbaise, Imo State, has been rescued by the police.

Speaking to the
press in Owerri yesterday, Mr. Chimezie said it was a horrible
experience that he would not want others to have. He said that his
abductors demanded N5 million ransom for his freedom, but “thanks to
the prompt intervention of the joint patrol team of police and army,
nothing was given to them.”

The Imo State
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Usman Gwary, confirmed that four
suspects have been arrested, including one Chukwuka, who sustained
injuries from gunshots and later died on the way to the hospital.

He said that one FMC rifle, an AK47, 125 rounds of live ammunition
of different calibres and two vehicles were recovered from the
criminals. He called for the cooperation of members of the public for
useful information to help fight crime in the state.

Over one month
after the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced the
installation of its acquired three-dimensional (3D) body scanners at
the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, the equipment
remained unused.

The scanners, being
an off-shoot of the foiled attempted bombing of a United States
aircraft en-route Detroit from Nigeria by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on
Christmas day last year, are to detect and reveal substances concealed
on a person’s body that could pose security threats to travellers and
the country.

“The scanners are
in good shape, although we have not started using them,” said a senior
aviation security personnel who spoke on conditions of anonymity at the
international airport on Tuesday.

The delay

According to the
source, the “major” delay is because some aviation security officers
expected to man the equipment are still on training, adding that most
airports in the world where the scanners are installed have not started
using the machines on passengers.

“Most airports
globally with the 3D scanners have not commenced operation with the
equipment because of series of protest and objections against the
machines,” the source said. “Though some of us have travelled out of
the country for training on how to us the machine, but the truth is
that some people are against the use of the machine as the say it
reveals the entire human body.”

Confirming that the
delay is due to the training of officers expected to man the equipment,
Akin Olukunle, general manager of public affairs for FAAN, disclosed
that, upon arrival of the aviation security personnel, the scanners
will begin operation.

“The officers are
now on training and the scanners will be used when these men are
around,” he said. “But for now the scanners have been successfully
installed and are ready to use.”

Changing the system

Stationed at the
internal boarding gate of the departure terminal, Mr. Olukunle
disclosed that the scanners will not only reveal and detect illegal
substances, but will enhance facilitation of passengers, reduce time
spent on screening, and will also relieve aviation security officials
of the need to do 100 per cent “pat down” on travellers.

“Such pat down will only be done when suspicious items are seen on the image generated after screening,” he said.

Commenting on the
health implications of the radiations from the scanners, the
authority’s spokesperson disclosed that the amount of x-ray energy
generated by the scanner is very small, adding that it is much less
than naturally occurring radiation that people are often exposed to.

“The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement (NCRP)
has reported that a traveller would need to experience 100 backscatter
scans per year to reach what they classify as a negligible individual
dose,” he said.

Yesterday, several
hundreds of young Nigerians, including musicians, professionals, and
students, engaged in a peaceful rally in the shimmering sun for about
three hours to the Lagos State Governor’s Office in Alausa.

Amongst the many
protesters, led by president of the Campaign for Democracy, Joe
Okei-Odumakin, were popular singers like Banky W, Eldee, Sound Sultan,
Roof Top MCs, actor Rita Dominic and comedian Ali Baba. The rally was
organised by a group called Enoughisenough Coalition, who had organised
a similar rally in Abuja on March 16. According to a statement, the
group is a collection of smaller bodies “spread across the country that
have worked with communities and in the grassroots for the past 10
years.”

The group’s demand
include electoral reform, an end to corruption, an overhaul of the
nation’s security structure and electricity, to which the group said
“6, 000 megawatts will not solve the electricity problems of Nigeria
but it’s a good start.”

The march

Some of the
messages on the placards carried at the protest include “Jos on our
minds,” “Light up Nigeria”, “Protect your vote,” “Jonathan We are
Watching,”. There was loud music from a hired public address system,
with the song, “She na like this we go dey dey?”, by Wande Cole, as one
of the crowd’s favourites.

The match, which
began at the Arch Bishop Vining Memorial Church Open Field, went
through Obafemi Awolowo Road, and terminated at the gate of the
Governor’s Office.

The Lagos heat did
not deter the marchers, who turned to the many vendors selling fluids
to quench their thirst. The crowd, which had most wearing white
t-shirts with inscriptions, attracted many on-lookers, some of whom
supported their cause.

“I was not informed
of this particular rally but I like things like this,” said an
onlooker, Tuoyo Tsekiju, a marketer. “Change will always come and I
like the way the youth are going about seeking for change. The time has
come for a change in Nigeria.”

“We are all
clamouring for good governance and from the look of things these people
are all youth. It shows that Nigerian youth are now ready to pick up
the challenge of leadership,” an auditor, Idris Adelabu. “If I had
known (of the rally) in time, I would have participated.”

Different capitals, same outcome

A considerable
contingent of police officers was on hand to ease traffic issues and
quail any potential disturbance. This is a reversal of what transpired
a month ago when gun-carrying police officers barred a similar group of
youth at the main gate of the National Assembly in Abuja and prevented
them from seeing the leadership of the Assembly.

In yesterday’s
case, while the police officers were helpful, again the protesters had
to go away angry when all attempts to get the governor the executive
arm of the Lagos State government to receive their letter of protest
failed.

Sources said the
governor was in the Acting President’s entourage to high-powered
meetings in Washington DC, USA. However, the governor did not designate
a representative – even though the protesters showed a letter received
and signed by his Chief of Staff as proof of ample notice.

The Speaker of the
House of Assembly, Yomi Ikuforiji, after making contact with the
organisers, tried to come out to address the crowd, but by then they
had lost their patience and the organisers declared the rally closed.

One of the organisers of the rally, Chude Jideonwo, cleared the air about the group’s objective.

“This organisation is not affiliated to any party or any person,
(and) has no interest in endorsing any party or any person. We just
want young people to go and exercise (their right to) vote. Just make
sure that your votes are counted, the elections are free and fair;
don’t leave polling booths until the process is ended and we protect
our votes, with our lives if necessary,” he said.

Former military
ruler Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, yesterday echoed his newfound
distaste for Nigeria’s federal character system, arguing that the
arrangement has impeded the nation’s progress since independence.

Speaking at a
conference organised by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic
Studies (NIPSS) in Abuja, Mr. Babangida said Nigeria’s growth and
democracy is being challenged because the nation still accords greater
emphasis to the religion and tribe of its citizens in deciding who
occupies public positions.

“For now, there is still too much emphasis on religion and ethnic origin and little respect for merit and competence,” he said.

Presidential strategy

The remarks, along
with recent appearances at public functions, are believed to be part of
the former military dictator’s strategy for his declared presidential
ambition in 2011.

At past events, Mr.
Babangida openly condemned many of the structural government
preferences, which he helped cement not only while serving in different
military administrations, but during his eight-year term as the head of
state.

He recommended the
creation of state police and gave fresh support for fiscal federalism,
which will allow individual states of the federation to generate funds
based on their natural resources and then remit taxes to the federal
government.

Mr. Babangida also attacked the federal character saying it has given rise to mediocrity.

Trumpeting democracy

At the Conference
on Political Stability and Democratic Imperatives in a Dynamic
International Environment organised by the National Institute of Policy
and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Mr. Babangida restated his position,
saying Nigeria’s stability will depend on democracy.

“Our country needs
clear-headed, public-spirited leaders at every level to propel this
country to [a] higher stage of development than is presently the case.
If we have the right calibre of people at the helms of affairs, then it
will be much easier to practice democracy in truth and indeed,” he
explained.

Mr. Babangida blamed the recurring religious and ethnic crises on poverty.

“It is idle hands that are the devil’s instrument,” he said. “If
people are fully engaged they would hardly have time seeing others as
enemies. Religion should be a personal affair. Each person would answer
for his deeds before the almighty.”

A group of
professionals on the platform of the ruling People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) – “Coalition 2011 PDP” – commended Acting President Goodluck
Jonathan for taking charge of the Ministry of Power in the face of the
energy crisis facing the country and the fruitless efforts by former
ministers to tackle the situation.

The group spoke in
Abuja yesterday describing Mr. Jonathan’s action as “an indication of
his understanding of the seriousness of the crisis and his commitment
to fast-track the evolution of solutions.” Last December, Mr. Jonathan
apologised to Nigerians for the federal government’s inability to
redeem its pledge of providing 6,000 megawatts of electricity by the
end of 2009.

Upon reconstituting
the Executive Council of the Federation (EXCOF) last week, he had named
himself in charge of the Power ministry for the time being, but to be
assisted by a minister of state.

The USA coordinator
of the group, Adepoju Adekunle, said the measure can be likened to a
quiet declaration of a state of emergency in the sector.

Mr. Adekunle said
it was noteworthy that the acting president recognized the shortness of
time left to the administration to deliver on its mandate and urged him
“to maximize the goodwill he enjoys now to leave indelible marks of
success and achievements in the minds of Nigerians.”

More praise

The coalition’s
coordinator also reminded Jonathan that expectations are also high on
the issues of electoral reforms and anti-corruption as these are also
key “determinants of the success of his tenure.” He also called on
Jonathan not to be distracted by the antics of his opponents who are
using President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s illness to cause confusion and
cast the acting president in a bad light.

“He is sympathetic
to the plight of President Yar’Adua, which is rare in the face of the
insults by members of the so-called cabal. An ambitious leader would
have striven to undermine the status quo,” said Mr. Adekunle.

“He should be
congratulated for possessing the right qualities and encouraged to
deliver on the administration’s promises.” Mr. Adekunle pointed out
that Mr. Jonathan’s invitation to the United States by President Barack
Obama was an indication of world leaders’ acceptance of the acting
president and his ability to lead the nation in the aftermath of
President Yar’Adua’s illness.