Nigeria Content Online

Renowned Peruvian
economist, Hernando De Soto, has urged Nigerian leaders to focus on
utilisation of the nation’s resources to build a system of Rule of Law
for the country.

Mr. De Soto, who
was the lead discussant at the second annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium
held at the Muson Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos yesterday, also asked
Nigerians to come together and find a common ground to define a system
that will work for everyone.

Speaking on the
topic: ‘This House Must Stand! Pulling Nigeria back from the brink’,
the president of the Lima-based Institute of Leadership and
Development, which is revered as one of the two most important
think-tanks in the world, described the rule of law as an opposite to
anarchy. This, according to Mr. De Soto, “is not chaos” as “anarchy is
a situation where different types of laws operate.”

Mr. De Soto, the
author of a best seller, The Mystery of Capital; Why Capitalism
Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else, explained that
formalisation of the nation’s resources from human to material
resources gives value to resources which then will enhance the world to
relate with it.

Comparing the
development of the West to the poor regions of the world, the economist
wondered that despite the technology and education bestowed on the poor
nations over the last five decades, “they remain the same.”

“We have refused to
learn how they formalised their economy to make it work for them over
the years. Formalisation is getting things under the Rule of Law, which
is invariably securing things. Rules fall into place and make people
that do not know each other deal with each other. The Rule of Law is
needed for people across the globe to work with each other.”

Femi Falana, a
member of the panel of discussants, however demanded that the concept
of the Rule of Law must be redefined globally. Mr. Falana argued that
the concept must be redefined from the way the West has defined it and
called for a new international economic order which he referred to as
“a just rule of law.”

“The Nigerian house has fallen and we are trying to re-build the house by the Rule of Law,” Mr. Falana said.

Middle class action

Maryam Uwais, who
was recently appointed on the Presidential advisory committee to the
Vice President, called on all Nigerians to “focus on a larger picture;
we need to think beyond the fragments that divide us.” Babatunde
Ahonsi, a former senior program officer with the Ford Foundation, said
that Nigeria’s problem is a twined crisis of government and
development. He argued that for the Rule of Law to work in Nigeria, the
middle class must jettison the habit of ‘siddon look’, which he said is
an attitude that ignores the happenings in the nation. He also called
on the middle class to connect with progressive members of the elite
who are interested in making Nigeria great again by “using what we
have, by coming together to form a vanguard that will let Nigerians
come together and rebuild the nation.”

The annual colloquium is organised by a committee of friends to mark
the birthday of the former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, to
discuss topical issues affecting Nigeria.

The Murtala

Mohammed Airport (MMA) Police Command on Monday announced the arrest of

a group of employees with the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company

(NAHCO), alleged to have been stealing from the aviation firm.

The process of the

arrest, which came after the group broke into the ground handling

company’s warehouse and made away with two plasma television sets and a

carton containing 100 mobile phones, commenced on March 23, following a

report to the police.

“We quickly moved

into action by arresting one Sunday John, a staff of NAHCO, who led

detectives to his house in Otta, Ogun State,” said Danazumi Doma,

Commissioner of Police MMA Command, at the police headquarters, Lagos.

Mr. Doma disclosed

that 21 pieces of “expensive” wristwatches and seven automatic electric

door handles believed to have been stolen, were also recovered from the

suspect’s apartment, adding that through Mr. John, the command

apprehended two other employees of the company involved in the crime.

“Through the first

suspect, two members of the syndicate, namely Alen Akin and Ahulor

Alexander, all staff of NAHCO, were also picked up and the remaining

items stolen from the warehouse on the night of March 22, were

recovered,” he said.

Confirming the

arrest of the syndicate, an employee at the aviation handling company,

who asked to remain anonymous, disclosed that the arrest of the group

was the right thing to do, adding that it was unfortunate to figure out

that the perpetrators of the crime were workers in the company.

“Their arrest is

the best thing at this time, although no one had expected that the

thieves will be employees of NAHCO,” the source said.

The MMA police commissioner stated that the suspects will be prosecuted according to the demands of the law.

“All those involved will be charged to court as soon as we conclude our investigations,” he said.

Mr. Doma further

disclosed that the police has been able to eliminate violent crime at

Lagos airports, adding that there has been “drastic” reduction in the

forging and faking of receipts, invoices, and other documents used to

fraudulently clear cargoes at the various aviation ground handling

companies.

“Touting at MMIA has reduced and we have been able to record

considerable success in the war against commercial motorcycle (okada)

operators at the airports,” he said.

Even as the Senate
yesterday commenced the screening of ministerial nominees sent by our
acting president, Goodluck Jonathan, hearing in a suit that Farouk
Aliyu, a former House of Representatives member filed, continued in
Abuja.

Mr. Aliyu, in the
suit, is challenging the resolution of the National Assembly that
sanctioned the elevation of Mr. Jonathan to acting president. He is
challenging the National Assembly’s resolution of February 9, and
asking that a Federal High Court declares it illegal. The defendants in
the suit include the acting president, Attorney General and Minister of
Justice, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Acting President Jonathan asked the court to dismiss the suit challenging his acting position.

The acting
president’s position is shared by the former Attorney General of the
Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Adetokunbo Kayode, who is the
fourth respondent in the suit.

The defendants,
including the Senate and the House of Representatives, told the court
that it would be in the interest of justice to strike out or dismiss
the suit.

They argued that it disclosed no cause of action, adding that it lacked locus standi.

Canvassing more
grounds upon which the court, presided over by Adamu Bello, should
throw out the suit, the former AGF in his notice of preliminary
objection, noted that the suit did not disclose any reasonable cause of
action. Besides, he prayed the court to dismiss the suit because there
was no dispute between the plaintiff, Mr. Jonathan and the AGF, even as
he asked the court to hold that the “suit is an abuse of court process”.

Similarly, Ken
Ikonne, who also challenged the suit on behalf of the Senate,
emphasised that the plaintiff lacked locus standi in respect of the
suit.

But counsel to
plaintiff, Victor Kalu, prayed the court to declare the resolution of
the National Assembly on Jonathan as illegal and unconstitutional.

The case was adjourned to April 20, for further hearing.

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 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.

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.”

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.”