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The weekly Federal
Executive Council meeting was yesterday shelved when no minister showed
up at the presidential council chambers hall, venue of the meeting.

No reasons were
given for the postponement of the meeting, but a presidency source said
it might have to do with the presidential campaign of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), which ended yesterday in Jigawa and Kano states.

The campaign tour,
which lasted for more than a month, affected the attendance of the
ministers at the weekly meeting where issues concerning governance and
the country are discussed and decisions taken.

The last two
council meetings were presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo
while the president continued his campaign. Last week’s meeting
witnessed a scanty turnout of ministers. Since the start of the
campaign, the memos discussed during the meetings have dropped to
almost zero, with the time spent at such meetings ranging from 20
minutes to one hour as against the usual two hours and more.

Over the past five
weeks, President Goodluck Jonathan and Mr. Sambo have campaigned across
the six geo political zones, with several ministers in tow.

Do your job

Mr. Jonathan had,
during the zonal tour, advised members of the cabinet not to allow the
campaign to affect their performance in their different ministries. He
also said that they could attend the campaign in their various zones or
states rather than striving to be at all of the campaign rallies.

The state tour,
which started on the 16th of February, took the president’s team to
Taraba, Plateau and Benue states in the first week; Kogi, Kwara, Niger,
Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Anambra states in the second week; Ogun, Lagos,
Ondo, Ekiti, Osun states in the third week; and then Cross River, Akwa
Ibom, Edo, Bayelsa, Sokoto states.

The tour ended with Yobe, Borno, Gombe, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano and Jigawa.

The Action Congress of Nigeria on Monday, during a town-hall meeting in Lagos, paraded before a large number of youth an array of its best candidates for the coming general elections in April.
The event had the party’s presidential candidate, Nuhu Ribadu and his vice, Fola Adeola, and the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, address a number of issues raised by the youth. Questions answered ranged from education to employment and job creation. Others were power, security, and resource management.
In his opening remarks, the Lagos State governor, who is seeking a re-election for another four year term, stated that the “townhall meeting demonstrates the committement of the ACN to make democracy meaningful in Nigeria.”
Decribing himself and his vice as “the new face of Nigeria that the nation has been looking for,” Nuhu Ribadu noted that the country is currently suffering from the mismanagement of its resources and he that the first thing the ACN government will do is to “stop the bleeding immediately.”
“We will produce a honest leadership that will fix this country and make a country that we will all be proud of,” Mr. Ribadu said.

Opportunity in challenges
Acccording to Mr. Fashola, the party has defined its character ahead of what he called “an uphill task to transform the remaining 32 states of Nigeria.”
“That change can only be achieved if ACN takes over at the federal level to implement a people-focused economic strategy,” he said.
The party presently controls four states in the country.
On addressing the dilapitated standard of education across the country, Mr. Fashola said his government has just recruited graduates of key subjects that students are failing and are required to make a minimum number of credits before admission into the university. He claimed the graduates have been trained to be excellent teachers, with adequate welfare provided for them.
This he describes as seeing “opportunity in challenges by creating jobs in the education and transportation sector in a bid to address the problem.” He urged the youth to be prepared for hard work, saying “the work lies in getting our hands dirty in building our country.”

Corruption, the bane of power
Speaking on power, Mr. Ribadu, the former anti-corruption czar, noted emphatically that “the reason why we do not have power is corruption,” adding that “destroy corruption, take it out, and we will give you electricity and good health.”
He also admitted that sabotage, lawlessness, and ineptitude were responsible for the failure of the ruling party to provide power, despite spending billions of dollars on the problem.
Affirming that he was there when contracts were signed to supply materials to build power stations, Mr. Ribadu noted that up till today, the materials were yet to be supplied and the contractors, who he claimed were friends of the government, are nowhere to be found.
Mr. Adeola, who spoke on the need to tackle the lack of capacity required in the power sector, stated that “within one year, we (the ACN) will achieve something” by tackling the capacity, and start producing people who can address the issue and we will start producing power.”
The former banker explained that the party will be using a long and short term approach to address the problem, as he vowed that “the short term has to be addressed as soon as possible because it is an emergency and while that is being done, the long term approach for sustainability will be worked out.”
On the issue of security, the party’s presidential candidate said there are over 12 million Nigerian graduates roaming the streets without jobs, and he noted that the provision of jobs for this unemployed multitude will reduce crime.
He also noted that to address the issue of security, the nation’s security operatives must be empowered. This was a point corroborated by all the three aspirants, who called for a change of attitude from Nigerians to the police officers who are expected to sacrifice their lives in protecting others.
The Lagos State governor also re-stated the need for each state to have its own police force, and explained that the police force could be a good avenue to create employment if the standard of the profession can be upgraded to make it attractive for young graduates to want to build a career in the force.
The candidates all enjoined the youth to collectively build a society that will make it impossible for corrupt people to survive in the society.
The town hall meeting, which kicked off late due to delayed return of the presidential candidates from Abia State, where they went for their presidential campaign, was streamed live on the internet and broadcasted live on television.

The Arewa
Consultative Forum (ACF) has been charged to partner with the Federal
Government in order to stimulate the economic growth and development of
the northern region.

Vice President,
Namadi Sambo said this during the Annual General Meeting and
inauguration of the new National Working Committee (NWC) of the forum
in Kaduna yesterday. The occasion where the vice president was the
special guest of honour, attracted other northern leaders including the
former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon who is the Chairman Board of Patrons.

Mr Sambo said:
“Government and other stakeholders should create the needed drive and
synergy to galvanise and stimulate economic growth and development of
the Northern heritage. We expect a rapid growth in agriculture,
education, transportation, and other infrastructural facilities such
that it will effectively drive away poverty among our people,” he
advised.

“I am particularly
happy that Arewa Consultative Forum has over the years of its formation
been on the right track and forefront in promoting, defending and
strengthening northern unity and the interest of the northern people in
the context of one indivisible Nigeria and contributing in safeguarding
the Nation’s territorial integrity.” He noted that from inception to
date, the ACF has conducted itself with decorum and decency that it has
had flawless succession plans and programmes which were clinically
executed devoid of rancour.

Partnership with government

“We hope for an
effective partnership that will foster unity, peace and progress of the
nation. The promotion of cordial and harmonious co-existence amongst
our people should be a sine-qua-non. It is in our considered hope that
all northerners will support the current executive to realise the
dreams of the founding fathers of the Forum.

“We must eschew
bitterness and politicisation of the lives of our people by promoting
such virtues that will unite rather than divide this blessed country of
ours. We are confident in your ability to partner any government and
stakeholders in that direction which we believe in turn shall
reciprocate this gesture by giving all the necessary cooperation that
the North desires. As we are all aware,

Nigerians believe in the unity and the indivisibility of the country and are geared towards attaining it.” He said.

Failed generation

Earlier in his
speech, the Chairman Northern Governors’ Forum and governor of Niger
State, Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu, lambasted the leadership of the North.

Mr Aliyu, whose
speech was delivered by the deputy governor of Niger State, Ahmed Musa
Ibeto, said, “this probably explains why we are still groping in the
dark over 50 years after Independence and almost 45 years after
Sardauna and indeed 11 years after the pressure group, ACF.” He
stressed the need to properly redefine the role of ACF and similar
groups routing for the socio-economic and political transformation of
the North.

“Are they people
who have misused their opportunity and want to remain relevant? Are
they people who are finding jobs for themselves in retirement and in
solitary life? What are the legacies they have left behind for the
younger generations in terms of exemplary leadership and social
values?” He queried.

“It is very
important to note that to earn the respect of others, we must not be
seen to be championing narrow selfish individual or group interests;
neither must we allow ourselves to be seen as mere opportunist who hide
under the guise of ethnic or religious dominance to agitate for what we
may not achieve under a free, fair and competitive atmosphere”, he
warned.

Inaugurating the NWC of ACF, Mr Gowon admonished the NWC to adhere
strictly to the objectives of the forum while carrying every member
along in its activities.

Benin city was
thrown into chaos yesterday when thugs reportedly loyal to the
suspended chairman of the Anti-Pipeline Vandalisation Committee,
Osakpamwan Eriyo, unleashed terror on residents and passers-by around
the King’s square area, resulting in the death of at least two people
and many injuries.

Mr. Eriyo who is
also the youth leader of the Edo State chapter of the Action Congress
of Nigeria (ACN), was yesterday suspended by the governor, Adams
Oshiomhole, for allegedly assaulting the transition committee chairman
of Oredo Local Government Council and son of Benin oba, Uyiekpen
Erediauwa.

Mr. Osakpamwan, who
was also in charge of collecting revenue from commercial transporters
for Oredo council, was relieved of the responsibility by Mr. Oshiomhole
as a result of the fracas with the transition chairman.

Trouble started
when the ticket boys of Mr. Eriyo tried to compel bus drivers plying
Ring Road to Ugbowo to buy their tickets. The bus drivers resisted, on
the grounds that the tickets are illegal, given that the contractor had
been suspended.

The refusal to
purchase tickets sold by Mr. Eriyo’s men resulted in a fight which soon
spread to Lagos, Ibiwe, Oreoghene streets, and other adjourning roads
around the Kings Square. The ensuing fracas allegedly resulted in the
death of Raphael Oke and Osamwuyi Obaze, both drivers in the Ring
Road/Ugbowo route. Another whose name could not be ascertained as at
press time allegedly suffered a broken neck, and five commercial buses
were seriously damaged.

When NEXT visited
the scene of the incident, about a hundred youth from the palace of the
Benin Oba were seen heading to the troubled zone. Anti-riot policemen
were scattered around the Kings square, apparently to curtail the
spread of the fighting.

When contacted on
phone, Edo police command spokesman, Peter Ogboi confirmed the death of
only one man which he said resulted from the fighting.

Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Action Congress on Nigeria has
announced the suspension of Mr. Eriyo from the party. A press statement
signed by the party secretary, Osaro Idah, said that the “party has
suspended the State Youth Leader of the party, Osakpamwan Eriyo from
the party with immediate effect pending the outcome of the on-going
investigation of his recent conduct.”

The Environmental
Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FOEN) has commended the
Senate over passage of the National Tobacco Control Bill. They say the
lawmakers have delivered a major public health tool that will save the
lives of millions of Nigerians from tobacco-induced deaths.

According to the
group, “We salute the courage of the Nigerian Senate for giving this
nation a strong tool to revert growing deaths from tobacco products.
Though this has taken us so long, we are confident that this bill will
save millions of our brothers and sisters from tobacco-related deaths.”
The group had earlier lamented the delay by the National Assembly in
passing the law of the National Tobacco Control Bill, saying that delay
in the passage of the bill may cost the nation more tobacco-related
deaths.

Senate to be remembered

“We also rejoice
with the sixth session of the Nigerian Senate because it will be
remembered in the history of our nation for passing a bill which will
place Nigeria on the map of progressive countries that have initiated
policies and measures to reduce smoking and its attendant health risks.
This senate will also be remembered for passing a people-oriented law
which is aimed at safeguarding our public health and improving the
lives of Nigerians,” the group said in a press statement made available
to NEXT. The national tobacco bill bans the sales of single sticks of
cigarettes, tobacco advertisement, sponsorship, promotions, selling
cigarettes to persons under the age of 18 and smoking of tobacco
products in public places.

The group however, urged the leadership of the National Assembly “to
fast-track the remaining legislative process to ensure that the bill is
presented for presidential assent quickly.”

The crisis rocking the Ladoke Akintola University of
Technology (LAUTECH) has continued as the Medical and Dental Council of
Nigeria directed that the teaching hospital arm of the university
should remain in Osogbo, Osun State.

The university, which is jointly
owned by the Oyo and Osun state governments, became the subject of
controversy following the Oyo State government’s directives that the
joint ownership of the institution should be severed.

The Oyo State
government, earlier in the year, had directed both students and staff
of the teaching hospital in Osogbo to report at a new site located in
Ogbomoso, Oyo State. The Council’s registrar, Dr. A.A. Ibrahim, in a
memo addressed to the provost of the College of Health Sciences
(LAUTECH), rejected any attempt to move the clinical training of
medical students of the teaching hospital to another location outside
Osogbo.

The three-paragraph memo read in part, “The attention of
Council has been drawn to lingering controversies surrounding the
purported movement of the teaching hospital for the clinical training
of your medical students to another location outside the accredited
site Osogbo.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me restate here that
Council does not recognise any medical training conducted at any
facility not accredited by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
It will, therefore, be in the interest of your institution to ensure
that laid-down training guidelines are strictly adhered to at all
times.

“I am also to inform you that hosting professional medical
examination in such a facility is null and void and of no effect.
Should Council guidelines be infringed, you will be held responsible
and such an act makes you liable to prosecution before the disciplinary
organ of the Council.”

The Movement for
the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has described the Federal
Government’s amnesty programme for former militants from the Niger
Delta region as a failure, accusing President Goodluck Jonathan of
bribing them to sing his praise.

“The amnesty is a
colossal failure as far as we are concerned. The government claims to
be sending so-called ex-militants to places like Ghana and Malaysia for
training. We find this very laughable as we know they would end with
worthless certificates and given jobs as labourers if employed by the
oil companies. The real fighters are who we have as they understand
what they stand and fight for.

“The so-called
ex-militants are not singing Jonathans praises for nothing. They are
being bribed to do so. They know in their hearts that the amnesty is a
big failure.” Jomo Gbomo, the group’s spokesperson said this while
responding to questions from NEXT reporters. The group, however,
restated its plan to “get rid of all Western oil companies operating in
the region that have only polluted and destroyed our land with impunity
and connived with the government to hide the extent of damages caused.”

Threats of bomb attack

In an earlier
e-mail sent on Monday with the theme, ‘Bomb blasts and oil
installations attack’, the group had announced its desire to “soon
commence with simultaneous bomb blasts and attacks on oil installations
in the Niger Delta and other strategic locations in Abuja and Lagos
States of Nigeria.” According to the group, in order to avert avoidable
loss of lives, “advance warnings for immediate evacuation as previously
will be issued and a final warning thirty (30) minutes prior to the
blasts, after which will follow a statement of claim in line with our
modus operandi.” However, when asked why some of its previous e-mail
notifications had not been carried out, Mr Gbomo said “Previous threats
have been issued but not yet carried out for security reasons best
known to us. It is up to the general public to yield to this warning
for their best interest. The security services know themselves that
there is a massive planned attack but don’t know when or where.” The
group however warned the general public to steer clear of all political
gatherings or meetings of any sort.

Reaction to the warning

Already, people are
responding to the threat issued by the group. The Action Congress of
Nigeria has since cancelled its presidential rally to Bayelsa State for
security reasons. The National Youth Leader of the party, Ebikibina
Miriki, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the
party’s flag bearer Nuhu Ribadu’s rally was cancelled by the national
headquarters due to security reports.

He said the party has decided to take its campaign to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The Inspector
General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Abubakar Ringim has called on Nigerians
to disregard the threats by the Movement for Emancipation of Niger
Delta to bomb Abuja, Lagos and some oil installations.

Mr Ringim, however, urged Nigerians to be cautious and report any suspicious movement

At least five
persons, including Aminu Ibrahim, the Aide De Camp (ADC) to Katsina
State governor, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, were confirmed dead in an accident
involving the governor’s convoy along Katsina – Daura road on Tuesday.
Mr Shema however escaped with minor injuries.

The accident
occurred in Zakaliya village of Mashi local government council along
Katsina-Daura road around 9:45am, while Mr Shema was on his way to
Daura to prepare for the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the
town.

The accident,
according to the FRSC sector commander in Katsina State, Habu Dauda,
involved the governor’s official vehicle, a black Land Rover jeep and a
commercial bus, with registration number XA 668 ZAR.

An eye witness said
that the driver of the commercial bus was obviously scared when he
heard the blaring siren and lost control, thereby hitting the
governor’s vehicle.

NEXT learnt that
the driver of the commercial bus, who could not be identified as at
press time, was among those who lost their lives, just as 10 others
were said to be receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre,
Katsina.

Mr Dauda attributed the accident to careless driving.

The PDP rally later went ahead, although without the usual fanfare
as Mr Shema ordered drummers and dancers to stay away as a mark of
respect for the deceased.

The presidential
candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, Muhammadu Buhari
stole the show at the official flag-off campaign of the Bauchi State
governor, Isa Yuguda on Monday.

Shortly after his
declaration, Mr. Yuguda had told thousands of his supporters who
gathered at the campaign rally in Jama’are area to vote for President
GoodLuck Jonathan in the general elections, but the entire crowd
chanted, “We will vote for Buhari.”

According to Mr.
Yuguda, who is the North East Zonal Campaign coordinator,
GoodLuck/Sambo Campaign Organization, “The South has never failed to
support us in the North in various elections. The North owes the South
because for the past 50 years they have supported us which led to Sir
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa becoming the First Prime Minister in Nigeria.’’
He continued, ‘’it was this support that also led to the emergence of
Shehu Shagari as President of Nigeria. If they have supported us in
these ways, why cant we give them this opportunity to also serve?
President Goodluck has promised to serve for only one term as
president’’ In a bid to convince the crowd to support his cause, he
said further that ‘’the President has also promised to build Almajiri
schools for the over 9.5 million Almajiris that we have in northern
Nigeria as well as other developmental projects and programmes that we
will enjoy in the north’’

No to Jonathan

But despite his
attempts, the people, who were mainly PDP members, chanted, “we don’t
want Jonathan, all we want is Baba Buhari. He is the candidate of our
choice and we will vote for him alone’’.

Speaking earlier on
his agenda for the state, Mr. Yuguda said his priority areas in the
last four years included education and health said he will not relent
in his efforts to deliver dividends of democracy to the people if
reelected. He said he will provide more jobs, construct more roads,
provide electricity.

In his remark, the
PDP Deputy National Secretary, Musa Babayo reiterated the support of
the national body of the party for Mr. Yuguda’s re-election bid: ‘’I
won’t be wrong if I say PDP has already won the coming elections in
Bauchi and throughout the country,” he said. “PDP is a party that
stands for justice and fairness. That is why we want you to vote for
PDP candidates so that they can deliver the dividends of democracy to
you,” he added.

The Senate on
Tuesday called off passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill for the
second time in one week, but this time in counter protest to series of
protests calling on the lawmakers to pass the Bill.

It said it will not
be blackmailed into the passage of the Bill by protesters who claim
they are more patriotic than the senators.

A group of students
from three universities in the Niger Delta region had on Tuesday
morning barricaded the entrance to the National Assembly demanding the
passage of the Bill and subsequently, an apology from the deputy Senate
president who had last week dismissed them as “charlatans.”

The Senate
president, David Mark, said his colleagues had also received a minimum
of 20 disparaging text messages intended to stampede them into hastily
passing the bill.

“We are as
patriotic as those sending text messages. I do not think any Nigerian
can be more patriotic than the senators,” Teslim Folarin, the Senate
leader, said while requesting its withdrawal.

The Bill was
subsequently withdrawn, to be heard on “another legislative day” and
not even the next legislative day, indicating a major setback.

The Senate is
expected to proceed on a recess after today’s plenary to enable members
who are running for a rerun in the April 2 senatorial elections to
prepare for their elections.

“We will take it, but not as those who want to blackmail us want,” the Senate president told his colleagues.

Members of the
House of Representatives have, however, promised to begin third reading
of the Bill today if its committee on petroleum is able to distribute
it to all members by midday today.

Since the PIB was
introduced into the two chambers of the National Assembly in December
2008, it has suffered series of delays due to disagreements on the
provisions of the Bill by various relevant parties. The Bill has also
undergone series of amendments and its true provisions are still
unknown.

The Senate decision
on Tuesday to suspend legislation on a Bill based on protest calling
for its passage is the first in their ending four year term. Analysts
say the politics of the PIB is beyond the lawmakers and protesters, a
factor that could have motivated the action by the senators than the
stated reason. The protesters, however, said they will not be
discouraged.

“This development
will only strengthen our commitment to continue the struggle to ensure
that the PIB is passed into law,” David Ogbolor, leader of the group,
said.

Non charlatans

The students, who
had barricaded the main entrance of the National Assembly that morning
to press home their demands, said their protest was sparked by the
deputy Senate president’s “embarrassing” comments last week where he
waved them off as “charlatans”.

The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is conceived to repeal the
Petroleum Act of 1969, and consolidate about 16 other petroleum
industry laws into one single, transparent, and coherent document. The
objective is to establish a comprehensive legal and regulatory
framework for good governance, transparency, and accountability, with
regard to operational and fiscal terms for revenues management, and
removal of confidentiality clauses in licences, leases, and contracts
in the nation’s petroleum industry.