Home Blog Page 2463

OPINION: The ‘Kabiyesiness’ in Buhari, Tinubu’s UK Photo

By
The Source
-
0
Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Muhammedu Buhari in London

By Festus Adedayo

“Last week, when that unsettling photograph of Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, issued from their UK convalescent home, majestically colonized the social media space, like ants gradually constructing an anthill, Al Jazeera’s Martine Dennis constructed a profiling of Buhari in my mind. In different postures, Buhari and Tinubu, two very consequential Nigerian leaders who, like any other mortal, are rumoured to be battling life’s unkind health cudgel, smiled resplendently in the photograph. This was apparently to cushion whatever pain emanating from whatever ails them. And simultaneously, three persons crept into my subconscious – New York’s departing governor, Andrew Cuomo; Helen Zille and ex-President Jacob Zuma of South Africa.

Why would Buhari and Tinubu choose to hibernate in a UK infirmary to look up their health at a time when Nigeria’s health, literally and figuratively, is gasping for breath? Why flaunt such sickening pictures of them seeking bailout from their own sicknesses, in the face of a sick Nigeria?”

There was this conversation between President Muhammadu Buhari and Al Jazeera television held in Quatar in March, 2016. That interview explains the imperialness, the Kabiyesi-ness in Buhari and his feudal reasoning which often clashes with the constitutional requirements of his office as President of Nigeria.

It also rubbishes Nigerians’ hoopla against the president’s oft recourse to medical exile in the United Kingdom at the drop of a hat.

The conversation came at the height of a foreign exchange crisis that the Buhari government sank Nigeria into. Sitting regally like the Emir of Daura on a gold-plated chair, in the front of Martine Dennis, his Al Jazeera interviewer, she had asked him how parents whose wards were schooling abroad would cope with the then scarcity of forex and its huge worth.

Boldly, Martine had asked: “What about those who are slightly more privileged like yourself… You’ve got children studying abroad. There are parents in Nigeria with kids in universities and schools abroad, who are now facing the possibility of having to pull their kids out. They can actually no longer afford to pay for school fees?” And Buhari replied:

“If the country cannot afford it, so be it.”

Fazed by the scant human feeling in the reply and unsatisfied with the curt reply, Martine further pursued, cheekily: “But your children will continue their studies, no doubt?” Buhari then replied: “Those who can afford it can still afford it. But for those who can’t, Nigeria cannot afford to allocate foreign exchange for those who decided to train their children outside the country. We can’t just afford it.” Cheekily again, Martine blurted, “So it’s tough luck?” And the General’s last word, indicative of finality on that unconscionable questioning was, “Well, that’s the true situation we are in.”

As if Martine was a seer, many Nigerian parents actually withdrew their wards from those foreign schools.

Apart from the feudal nature of the Daura where he grew up, Buhari was, for decades, a military man, nurtured on the maxim that might is right. Democracy and constitutionalism were alien constructs in the barracks. The military officer was always right and woe betides any subaltern who queried his judgment. So why these disgruntled noises all over the place? Like Buhari, in The President Is A Sick Man: Buhari’s Secret Therapy Inside the ‘Oneida’ (April 4, 2021) I detailed African leaders who have made the west their infirmary.

Last week, when that unsettling photograph of Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, issued from their UK convalescent home, majestically colonized the social media space, like ants gradually constructing an anthill, Al Jazeera’s Martine Dennis constructed a profiling of Buhari in my mind.

In different postures, Buhari and Tinubu, two very consequential Nigerian leaders who, like any other mortal, are rumoured to be battling life’s unkind health cudgel, smiled resplendently in the photograph. This was apparently to cushion whatever pain emanating from whatever ails them. And simultaneously, three persons crept into my subconscious – New York’s departing governor, Andrew Cuomo; Helen Zille and ex-President Jacob Zuma of South Africa.

Festus Adedayo
Dr. Festus Adedayo.

Why would Buhari and Tinubu choose to hibernate in a UK infirmary to look up their health at a time when Nigeria’s health, literally and figuratively, is gasping for breath? Why flaunt such sickening pictures of them seeking bailout from their own sicknesses, in the face of a sick Nigeria?

In its literal representation, Nigeria’s health sector is manifesting some sickening features. This is a time cholera is ravaging Nigerians, having unofficially killed about 700 people. The Delta variant of dreaded COVID-19 pandemic also seems to be ramping up enough energy to ferry more Nigerians to the morgue.

Yet, about 19,000 medical doctors in Africa’s most populous nation are on strike, the fourth since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Ravaged by non-payment of salaries and allowances which in some cases have mounted up to 16 months, anyone with a sick patient at this time will understand the purport of the prayer, “may Nigeria never happen to you.” Martine Dennis’ words came ringing in my mind. It is tough luck for Nigerians who died due to the parlous state of Nigeria’s medicare and tougher luck for those who cannot Andrew like Buhair and Tinubu to treat their ailments abroad.

At its metaphoric best, Nigeria is sick at all levels, the most bothersome being the ailment that has afflicted its leadership.

Nigerian leaders exhibit acute sickness of mind. Some are so sick that the disease of mind reflects in their acquisitory thirst, while others’ sickness is manifest in that they are incapable of stemming the drift in Nigeria. Yet, some others’ is that they cannot replicate in Nigeria the order and finesse they daily see in their junkets abroad.

That Buhari, who campaigned to be President on the promise of reforms of the collapse that has ripped through Nigeria’s public health architecture, was in London to straighten the rough edges of his own health, while Nigeria’s health sector is going through worse stasis than when he became president, six years ago, is the greatest indicator of a Nigeria that is sick. Nothing could be as sickening as the fact that, though Nigeria is footing the huge foreign exchange bill of his convalescence, Nigerians don’t know what ails President Buhari.

In a piece penned by Helen Zille, most of these issues were analyzed. Born Otta Helene Maree, Zille is a South African politician who served as Mayor of Cape Town from 2006 to 2009, among other positions. Written immediately South African ex-president, Jacob Zuma, was jailed for fifteen months for contempt by SA’s Constitutional Court, a piece which subsequently went viral, using the aid of personal acquaintance and in-depth examination, Zille analyzed how Zuma transitioned from a traditionalist to constitutionalist.

As a traditionalist, she said, his province of operation was borderless but in the South African Presidency he occupied, Zuma was circumscribed round constitutionalism and alien tenets of democracy, whose his understanding of their concepts was at best meager and theoretical. Zille called the route Zuma had to travel a total “misalignment” and “unfamiliar” to him.

It was a forensic examination of Zuma. Zille beautifully explains the complexity of the dual circumstances of many African leaders.

The piece explains why Buhari talked on top – apologies to General Ibrahim Babangida – Nigerian parents in 2016 because of the majesty of his privileged position as Kabiyesi of Nigeria; it also explains his and Tinubu’s junkets to London for medical vacation, as well as Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy’s continued presence in office, as against the ease of New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo’s resignation.

This is where the reality of Zille’s tragic observation of the enormous complexity existing in the clash between leadership in traditional and modern society comes to the fore.

Now, you must have heard the very un-African story of Cuomo. Buffeted on all flanks by charges of serial harassments of women and violation of state laws, last week, Cuomo publicly announced that he would be “stepping aside” from his exalted position in a fortnight. He had been indicted in a report made by New York’s Attorney-General, Letitia James.

The report detailed how eleven women fell to Cuomo’s randy inclination. President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as a third of New York state senators, joined the moving trolley of calls for his resignation. And he did.

In Africa, kings don’t vacate their exalted monarchies as Cuomo did. A couple of months ago, a seismic scandal raged through Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications. Frightening heaps of debris were heaved out from the odious babanriga of Pantami, who also doubled as a renowned Muslim cleric.

You would think al-Qaeda’s Osama bin Laden or Boko Haram’s Shekau authored the blood-dripping statements attributed to Pantami. In a speech he delivered in 2006, Cleric Pantami publicly offered condolences to the “Islamic world” on the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, al-Qaeda’s Iraq leader. In another audio clip denouncing Nigerian army’s relentless war against Boko Haram, tearfully and passionately, Pantami mourned decimated insurgents who he described as “our Muslim brothers” being “killed like pigs.”

Hot lava volcanic calls for his removal whooshed all over the Nigerian firmament. But not to worry, in Nigeria, chiefs in a monarchy cannot be disgraced out of the palace by common, ordinary citizens.

Anyway, not to worry. Presidency’s most voluble legman, Garba Shehu, has cleared the airs. President Buhari “stands behind Minister Pantami,” he said, as “The Minister has, rightly, apologized for what he said in the early 2000s.” And Pantami lives happily ever thereafter.

“At the heart of it,” writes Zille, “this tragedy is rooted in the enormous complexity of our collective decision to impose a modern constitutional democracy on what is largely a traditional, African feudal society.” Zille submitted that Zuma, throughout his terms in office, saw corruption as a “Western thing.” Labeled one of Africa’s most corrupt leaders, Zuma couldn’t connect with why there should be hoopla that he was spending “his” money as president of South Africa. Doesn’t Misuzulu Sinqobile kaZwelithini, King of the Zulu nation, oldest surviving son of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and his Great Wife, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini, spend the Zulu nation money the way he wanted? What is this noise from western democratic theory that there should be distinction between private and public purses?

As Deputy to Thabo Mbeki from 1999 to 2005, Zuma was dismissed when his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, got enmeshed in soliciting for bribe, racketeering and corruption. He was apparently fingered to have a hand in them. As President, he was accused of funneling state funds into the upgrade of his rural Nkandla homestead and “benefited improperly from the expenditure.” Zuma’s presidency was alleged to have inappropriately burrowed into the South African economy to the tune of R1 trillion (approximately US$83 billion).

Nepotism, favouritism, cronyism which western democracy and constitutionalism frown at, are the linings that underpin the African feudal society. An ancient Yoruba wise-saying, rather than excoriate judicial favouritism, tepidly justifies it in its saying that if one doesn’t have a representative in a decision-making conclave, even if he is right, he would come out wrong –  b’eyan o l’eni ni’gbimo, bo ro’jo are, ebi lo ma je. So when Buhari stuffs national appointments to the brim with his Hausa/Fulani people, he is merely behaving true to type of a typical African feudal leader.

Zuma and many other African leaders cannot understand the constitutional idea “that people are born with inalienable rights that no-one can take away from them, and that elected leaders are there to protect and defend these rights.”

To Zuma, this is a “Western thing.” Zille herself, while she was Mayor, could not understand how a constitutionally elected office holder like herself had to kowtow “under the control of a Chief” from whom she was “obliged to go and seek permission… (and) bring a gift to seek his favour.” Indeed, Zille quoted Zuma to have once been shocked while attending an extended Cabinet meeting at an incongruent situation where judges dictated to him what to do. “I was elected. The Judges weren’t. How come they are in a position to tell me what to do?” he was said to have wondered.

Those examining poor human rights records of governments of so-called military-turned-democrat leaders must have gathered enough empirical data to confirm that their intolerance is borne of their long association with khaki.

The lingo of our reference to these feudalists-turned democrats is also a borrowing from feudal African language register. While Americans willfully referred to President Donald Trump as “silly” and no offence was made, this is almost treasonable in many of Africa. Needless superlatives like “His Excellency,” “Executive Governor,” “Honourable,” “Distinguished” and the like are some of the feudal trappings that have made the transition from traditional to constitutional governance very difficult.

Attitude of Nigerians and their leaders to corruption also mirrors this irreconciliation of where we are and where we are coming from.

Professor Peter Ekeh’s Colonialism and the two publics in Africa: A theoretical statement does much justice to this dissonance. While the two publics – private and public – are similar in the west’s, they are not available in post-colonial Africa. Morality, which is the foundation of the two realms in western world, is absent in Africa as well. We have our different standards of morality which reflects in our government and politics.

Now, if the above was tragic, it cannot be as tragic as the partisanship the photographs of Buhari and Tinubu on medical exile in the UK generated. Analyzed based on political party, religion and regional divides, the impression I got from their analyses on social media was “long live the king!” Yes, Tinubu isn’t occupying any government office but that is the man many Nigerians have stupidly asked to be their President after the calamity of Buhari must have ended. Some comments on the photograph even said of Tinubu, who held a walking stick, “that’s our president in 2023!”

Absent from all the analyses above is the complicity of every one of us in the kinds of leaders we get to rule us. Our situation is akin to a man who puts a heavy load on a knock-kneed carrier who Yoruba call the amunkun, and who wants the load to be balanced. It is not possible. If we want good governance, we must insist on good people. Not only must we insist on good leaders, we ourselves must begin to defrost our minds of the feudal, “long reign the king” mentality that encrusts them. The road to good Nigeria cannot be one laced with the contours of party partisanship, religious bigotry and executive oraisa (“All right, sir!,” lingo of miscreants) that we flaunt on our leaders.

Adedayo, PhD, a commentator on Current and National issues, is a Columnist with the Sunday Tribune

Plateau Attacks: Presidency Says Killings Deliberate, 20 Suspects Arrested, 33 Victims Rescued; As DIG Lemu Leads Operation

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

*Gov Lalong Imposes Curfew*

*Senator Shehu Sani reacts*

By Ayodele Oni  & Akinwale Kasali

In its reaction to the gruesome murder of 22 people (Muslims) who were on their way back to Ondo and Ekiti States after performing  religious rites  in Bauchi, the Presidency said it was  pre-meditated.

The reaction brimming with anger, religious and ethnic bias, and stripped of all diplomacy, was signed by Garba Shehu, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity. In it, the President extended its condolences to the families of the victims, condemned the inexplicable action in strong terms, and ordered the immediate arrest of every single person connected to the heinous crime.

The Statement reads in part:

“The Presidency condemns the attack earlier Saturday on travellers from a religious event in Bauchi, passing through Jos, the Plateau State Capital, and regrets the reported death of at least 22 persons with several others injured in that ambush on their travelling party.

“It is widely known that Plateau State has been one of the States affected by herder- farmer clashes, which have in a significant way, been curtailed following the intense peace-building efforts of the administration of Governor Simon Lalong.

“However, to be clear, this is not an agriculturist-on-pastoralist confrontation – but rather, a direct brazen and wickedly motivated attack on members of a community exercising their rights to travel freely and to follow the fate of their choosing.

“With the evident preparedness of their attackers, it is clear this was a well-conceived and pre-arranged assault on a known target, location, and religious persuasion of the travellers not an opportunists”

And in  order to restore calm and arrest the perpetrators of the evil act, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the immediate deployment of Police Intervention Team to Plateau State to carry out on-the-spot assessment and ensure enhanced, coordinated response to protect the community and boost public confidence in the affected area(s) of the State.

This was disclosed in a statement by Force Spokesperson,  CP Frank Mba on Sunday.

The deployment, he said, “follows the unfortunate attack on innocent citizens in Rukuba Community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday 14th, August, 2021.
“The Police Intervention Team is led by DIG Sanusi N. Lemu, mni, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration who is also the coordinating DIG, North-Central geo-political zone. The Team comprises personnel of Police Tactical Units – the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Special Forces, amongst others deployed to protect the communities, prevent further attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Also deployed are investigators and covert operatives from the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) and the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB). The operatives are expected to provide additional investigative, intelligence and forensic support to the Plateau State Police Command in the ongoing investigations and rescue operations.
The IGP, while condemning the incident, has called for calm and assured victims and relatives of the attack that the Police are working with the military, other security forces and the State Government to ensure that all perpetrators of the unfortunate incident are brought to book.
Meanwhile, the IGP noted that twenty (20) suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack while thirty-three (33) victims have been rescued.”

Gov Lalong Imposes Curfew

Meanwhile, to curtail the continued spread of violence, which claimed life of 22 travelers in Plateau state on Saturday, the state Governor, Mr Simon Lalong, has announced imposed 24 hours curfew in three local council areas.

A statement on Sunday named the affected local governments as Jos North, Jos South, and Bassa.

The Government action is coming just as identities of those that were killed on Saturday were being revealed.

It was gathered that the deceased persons were mainly Fulanis that had been resident in Akoko area of Ondo State for several years.

They were said to have hired three buses which conveyed them to Bauchi, where they had gone to attend an islamic festival and ran into an ambush of protesters in Jos while returning.

The Plateau State Government statement, signed by director of press to the Governor, Dr Makut Macham  stated that “Hours after announcing a dusk to dawn curfew in three Local Government Areas of Jos North, Jos South and Bassa, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has directed the imposition of a 24-hour curfew in Jos North to contain further security threats.

“In the directive, the Governor said from 2pm of today, Sunday 15th August 2021, a 24-hour curfew will come into effect in Jos North Local Government Area.

“This is necessitated by security reports which indicate rising threats to the safety of lives and properties within the Local Government.

“The Governor therefore urges citizens to abide by the curfew and remain indoors to allow security agencies maintain law and order and deal with those bent on causing chaos.

“The Governor says the 24 hour curfew in Jos North Local Government will remain in force until further notice.

“Again, citizens are to note that the 24 hour curfew in Jos North will take effect from 2pm today 15th August 2021.”

Shehu Sani Condemns Attack

Reacting to the gruesome murder of 22 Muslims in the State who were on their way back from the annual “Zikr Prayers” held in Bauchi State, Senator Sani Shehu, former  Lawmaker, representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, condemned the action of the perpetrators and urged the state and Federal Governments to take action immediately.

According to him: “The gruesome killings of twenty two Muslim faithfuls in Plateau State by Hoodlums while on their way back from the ‘Annual Zikr prayers’ in Bauchi state stands unreservedly condemned.

“It’s an unprovoked cold murder of innocent citizens.The Governor of the state and the FG must take an immediate action to ensure the culprits are apprehended and brought to book,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Muslim group has accused Christians of deliberately killing the Muslim faithfuls in cold blood. But the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has condemned the attack in very strong terms, and urged the FG to arrest anybody and everybody, anywhere, connected with the killings.

The 22 innocent victims of the unprovoked attack were buried in Jos on Sunday.

Crisis In Ekiti Over HQ Of New LCDAs; Community Protests Sudden Relocation

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Ekiti LCDA Creation Crisis

By Ayodele Oni

A once peaceful and united Communities in Ekiti state are being torn apart by the recently created Local Council Development Areas, (LCDA).

A report monitored on Progress FM, an arm of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, (FRCN) indicated that three communities are protesting against the sudden relocation of the headquarters of the LCDA from their domain.

The communities, Ikoro, Ipoti and Ilasa, expressed surprise about the sudden replacement of their names, accusing the committee saddled with the responsibility of midwifing the take off of the new councils of being responsible.

When signing into law, the bill for the creation of the LCDAs, Governor Kayode Fayemi announced a committee, headed by the attorney general, Mr Olawale Fapohunda to midwife the take off of the new councils.

According to the report, the issue of Ikoro and Ipoti in Ijero Local Government is about being resolved between the two communities, following a meeting by the committee with the two towns.

However, in Ekiti East Local Government,where Ekiti South East was created with headquarter at Ilasa, as stated in the law, a new name, Isaya, appeared on the list in custody of the committee.

This led to a peaceful protest on Sunday with the People of Ilasa blocking free flow of vehicles and preventing worshippers access to churches.

The President of Ilasa Development Union, Barr. Tajudeen Ahmed accused the Chairman, LCDA implementation committee, who doubles as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ekiti State of being  unjust and unfair.

“Contrary to what was in the draft copy of the Creation of Additional Local Government Areas in Ekiti State (Second Amendment) Law 2021: No 9 of 2021, which was a law meant to amend the Creation of Additional Local Government Area in Ekiti State (Amendment) Law, 2014; the purported Press Release of the Chairman LCDA Implementation Committee made Isaya Ekiti the headquarter of Ekiti South East LCDA wondering the sudden change.

“Members of our community and other well-wishers were thrown into jubilation when an online version of the 2021 LCDA Law became surfaced and the name Ilasa Ekiti was appropriately reflected as the headquarter of Ekiti South East LCDA.

“But our joy was shortlived and shattered when the contents of the purported Press Release of the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who doubles as the Chairman, Ekiti State Committee for the Implementation of LCDA was made public on 12th August 2021, wherein Isaya Ekiti was named as the headquarters of Ekiti South East LCDA.

“From the very beginning, Ilasa Ekiti has been the head of the entire axis that constituted the newly created Ekiti South East LCDA, noting that Isaya Ekiti, a recently created community, couldn’t and would never be headquarter of an LCDA that would include the ancient town of Ilasa Ekiti.

“When Government decided to carve constituency II out of the existing Ekiti East Local Government Area and constitute same into Ekiti South East LCDA in 2014 vide Creation of Addition Local Government Areas in Ekiti State Law 2014, No 8 of 2014; Isokan – a non-existing community was named as the headquarter, but the LCDA was appropriately situated in Ilasa Ekiti.

“As at that time, Isaya Ekiti was yet to be an independent community. As matter of fact, Kota Ekiti where Isaya was later carved out was a year old as an independent and autonomous town.

“It is on the basis of such that Ilasa Ekiti community shouted to high heavens and beseech the authorities to amend the headquarter of Ekiti South East LCDA to read the real host community of the LCDA, which is Ilasa Ekiti.

Barrister Ahmed insisted Ilasa Ekiti was not willing to concede the headquarter of Ekiti South East LCDA to any other community other than Ilasa, because it has been the natural head of the communities in the LCDA for ages.

Besides, the Alasa of Ilasa Ekiti is the only grade A monarch in the whole of the LCDA while other Obas are in grade C category.

The community leader added that everything would be done to resist  the citing of headquarters of both Ekiti East Local Government and Ekiti South East LCDA at Omuo-Ekiti, saying the purported location of Ekiti South East LCDA at Isaya Ekiti amounts locating both the headquarter of Ekiti East Local Government and Ekiti South East LCDA in the same Omuo Ekiti.

NUJ Flays Plateau Massacre, Just As UNIJOS Suspends Academic Activities

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
NUJ

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) Plateau State Council has condemned Saturday’s violent attack in Jos in which 22 travelers from Ondo state were killed.

Describing the incident as unfortunate in a statement, the NUJ noted that the incident is capable of worsening the volatile security situation in Plateau State and Nigeria in general.

The NUJ statement, signed by chairman and secretary, Paul Jatau and Peter Amine respectively is coming just as the University of Jos announced the suspension of the ongoing second semester examination due to the tense security situation.

NUJ stated that “The Council urges security agencies to do their best to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to justice so as to serve as deterrent to anyone contemplating unleashing violence in the  state.

“The  Council however, wishes to advice security agencies that in trying to discharge their responsibility of containing the situation and dousing the palpable tension, they should avoid statements that would further polarized the society, pitching a religion or an ethnic group against the other(s).

“It is regrettable that a statement credited to  a credible security outfit named a tribe as being responsible for the attack. It is also worrisome that a religion was also identified as the victims of the attack.

“Journalists on their part, must tow the path of caution, and exercise high level of professionalism in order not to worsen an already bad situation.

“Journalists must avoid stories that are capable of inciting a section of the society against the other.

“We must bear in mind that nobody would be spared if the state and nation is plunged into anarchy, chaos or lawlessness.

“We must be professional, cautious and verify our stories before going to press.

“The NUJ sympathize with families of those who lost their loved ones. While praying for the repose of the soul of those killed, we pray for the fast recovery of those that were injured.”

In a statement by the deputy Registrar, Information of the university, Abdullahi Abdullahi announced that the management of the University  has suspended the ongoing second-semester examinations for the 2019/2020 academic session with immediate effects following security threats in Plateau State.

The statement added that “Following the unfortunate security breach that occurred in some parts of Jos Metropolis, which has led the Plateau State Government to impose a 24-hour curfew in Jos North Local Government Area, the management of the University of Jos has approved the suspension of the ongoing second semester Examinations for the 2019/2020 Academic Session.

“Consequently, all examinations earlier scheduled between Monday 16 and Saturday 21 August 2021 have been suspended until further notice.

“All Students of the University residing in the various hostels are hereby strongly advised to remain within their hostels of residence and avoid unnecessary movements as Management has been working round the clock in close collaboration with the security agencies and the Plateau State Government to ensure that the lives and properties of members of the University Community especially Students are adequately protected.

“Students that are resident outside the Campuses are also advised to remain at home during this period.”

Secondus: APC Has Begun The Rigging of 2023 Polls; Says INEC Is Abdicating Its Responsibilities

By
The Source
-
0
Uche Secondus

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has raised alarm that underhand rigging of 2023 general elections by the ruling All progressives Congress, APC, may have begun.

In a Press Release signed on his behalf on Sunday by his Media Adviser, Ike Abonyi, Prince Secondus said that every indication points to the unfortunate fact that President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, APC, are not working towards conducting free, fair and transparent elections in 2023.

The National Chairman was reacting to a media report at the weekend showing that the Independent National Electoral Commission, is halting its procurement of E- voting machines ahead of 2023 because of the rejection of e-mode of transmission of results by the National Assembly.

Prince Secondus noted that since the existing Electoral Act and the Constitution gives unilateral powers to INEC to conduct credible elections in Nigeria, it does not need National Assembly position to do its legitimate duties.

“From all indications, INEC is trying to abdicate its constitutionally assigned responsibilities of conducting free, fair and transparent elections hiding under the cover of delayed amended Electoral Act or rejection of e-transmission of results.

“Nigerians and democratic observers globally are watching INEC ahead of 2023 and it will be disastrous if the Independent electoral body  dances to the antics of the ruling party.

Prince Secondus said that if this electoral commission  was able to conduct governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states in September and October last year respectively without the amended Electoral Act, it can still be done all over the country

He said that his party the PDP is worried at the development and would do everything legal to ensure that the will of the people of Nigeria is not thwarted again in 2023.

Prince Secondus then charged all lovers of democracy within and outside the country to do everything possible to ensure that  credible elections are conducted in the country in 2023 as anything short of that will gravely undermine our democracy and indeed Nigeria.

OPINION: Glad To Be Back In The Air!

By
The Source
-
0
Folu Olamiti

By Folu Olamiti, FNGE

To many frequent air travelers around the world, the year 2020 was a horrible one. It was the year of the great plague. It was the year the deadly corona virus, labelled COVID-19 by the United Nations, crept on the world like a boar constrictor, stretched it to its limits, and attempted to snuff its life out.

The pandemic was so deadly in its effects that citizens of the world were caged in their homes. All over the world, human traffic and all sorts of movements were either partially restricted or barred outright. World economies crumbled. Even America, the world’s number one economy, was at its knees, crying for divine intervention.

Tourism and allied industries collapsed. Life came to a standstill. In the history of mankind, the novel corona virus generated so much panic and such gripping tension that many thought the end of the world had come. Few travellers, no matter how much addicted to flying, dared confront the unseen enemy.

The fear of COVID-19 marked the beginning of wisdom for millions of travellers across the globe.

For the first time in my adult and working life, my yearly vacation abroad hit a brick wall. It went comatose. I recall that I tweeted in May last year that: “COVID-19 is here to stay…The only solution to fight it is to confront the menace physically (using the recommended non-pharmaceutical measures), and then back it up with fasting and praying.”

Did our prayers work? As a Christian, as a Knight of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, I fervently believe the effectual prayers of the Saints availed much for the world on the rampaging pandemic. That is an issue for another day.

Back to where I digressed:

Transportation was badly hit.

Airlines and vehicular traffic were totally crippled in 2020. And when there was a glimmer of hope in 2021, the agent provocateurs came up with another scary resurgent theories one of which christened Delta Variant. Countries that were relaxing their lockdown orders started to tinker with another round of total lockdown protocols.

Nigeria that has no empirical data for COVID-19 sufferers in the country also announced its readiness to join countries like Britain, Germany, Canada, India and many others, in preparing for another lockdown.

But thanks to some knowledgeable Nigerians who stood against the move, insisting that cut-and-paste remedies would not work in the fight against the deadly virus. There must be original home-grown solutions.

Strangely, the hitherto escalated figures of the COVID-19 pandemic infections and victims started to crash; dramatically.

Even as I punch my laptop to write this piece, the statistics have remained low. Except in few places like Lagos where there appears to be a new wave that has been attributed to improper management of arrivals from foreign countries where the new variant of the virus, Delta , had been detected.

But with the coming of vaccines designed to blunt and possible kill the virus, the world has gradually regained a semblance of normalcy. Human activities have resumed. People are on the move again. Even my humble self, who had been scared to my marrows to fly, decided to shake off the phobia and fly again.

But did I really have a choice? Absolutely none. Reason? There were serious family issues begging for my attention. Consequently, I decided to take the plunge and fly again. With my absolute faith in the Lord, I began the process. It was then I knew of the many hurdles one needed to cross to qualify an intending traveller.

First, you have to take two doses of COVID-19 vaccines. More importantly, you have to go for COVID test 72 hours to your journey. And the test must be negative before you can be given the clean bill to travel.

But here comes the disgraceful ‘Nigerian Factor’.

For instance, if you go to any Government hospital or medical centre where you pay so little for the test, the results won’t be out until after two weeks. But if you visit any of the private centres permitted to conduct the test — and they are springing up virtually everywhere — you will pay N40,000 (forty thousand naira) for the test and you will get your result in less than 12 hours. Wait for this:

I reliably gathered that most of these private centers are operating with the active connivance of some top Government officials! Did you say: Naija, we hail o!?

Well, that is our Nigeria; our usual way of corrupting a service that is supposedly free, and is so important for the sustenance of life. It has now become a sort of oil block for some who have now turned it to a profit-making business.

Anyway, I went through the rigours only to be suddenly confronted with the choice of airlines. My destination is America. And to travel through Europe, you must be either a citizen or you have had your two doses of COVID vaccine, which means your 72 hours COVID test clearance would not meet your reservation.

Thank God, I got my reservation on Ethiopian airlines three months ahead of my travel but at cut throat price. This was a direct result of a sharp upsurge in air travel as soon as restrictions were relaxed. On the day I went for my COVID test, I got to the centre around 9a.m. It was like Oyingbo market. I met a long queue of prospective travellers. And I was sure not all of them would get negative results.

Curiously, there was this understanding that only those with visible positive symptoms would have to cancel their trip. That hung a big question mark on the transparency of the process.

Let’s set that aside.

The Ethiopian airline I took from Abuja was filled to the brim en-route Addis Ababa. I learnt same went for another Ethiopian airlines from Lagos. This airline operates two flights daily from Nigeria. A bigger B777/300 airbus was on ground for the connecting flight from Addis Ababa to the United States. The airbus was also filled to capacity.

The flight from Addis Ababa had a stop-over in Dublin. It took off 45 minutes later, after picking some passengers to Dulles International Airport in Washington. Total flying hours were 17 hours. I got to Dulles at exactly 5.30 a.m. local time; waited till 3.45 p.m. for my connecting flight, aboard United Airlines, to Houston. Flying time was three and half hours. In all, it took me 30 hours to reach my last destination!

However, the most interesting part of the trip was the bubble of activities at the airports in Abuja, Lagos, Addis Ababa, Dublin and Dulles. America has relaxed her COVID-19 regulations but ordered strict vaccination for her citizens. Everywhere you turn to, you find COVID-19 vaccination and Test Centres. You just drive in and get tested free of charge, and pronto, the results are out! With this relaxation, many Americans are taking back their lives by moving freely after getting the two jabs.

Though many are mindful of the fact that wearing a mask is a sure way to keep the deadly virus away, many Republican States are kicking against the mask mandate; for political reasons; specifically, for the love of Donald Trump.

Sadly, some Republicans, majorly Trump supporters who had thrashed the Mask Mandate of President Joe Biden, have succumbed to COVID-19. They got infected and died. Very sad.

Notwithstanding the conspiracy against mask wearing, interstate flights have resumed fully but with strict instructions of making wearing of mask all through the duration of the flight compulsory. For the airlines, the policy is: mask up or be de-boarded.

In the past four weeks, I have crisscrossed several American cities, moving from Houston to Atlanta; to California, Maryland and Ohio. I can tell you the Americans are destroying the conspiracy theories surrounding possible spike of another virus christened Delta variant.

When the noise was getting too loud the Biden administration slammed compulsory wearing of masks in public places, schools and at homes. The good news is that this new variant is not claiming lives as it was with COVID-19, which goes to show that physical war against these viruses can be caged with strict compliance with health regulations. The Americans are living their normal lives again. Some are screaming themselves hoarse: “To hell with the Delta variant! If we give in to this, how are we sure another one will not surface again. Are we going to go on like this ad infinitum? Forever? Never!”

Notwithstanding this latest development, many Nigerians and Americans are glad to be back in the air. However, we should be mindful of dangerous viruses which are daily flying around — be it Delta, Rivers, Kogi, Zamfara variants whichever names they brand them- let us keep strictly to the health regulations . You can’t get cleared in any airport without your COVID test and clearance from CDC from Nigeria as part of travelling documents.

Once again passengers are back, flying to savour nature’s wonders up, up in the sky. They are back, flying, sometimes, 40,000 feet above sea level, marveling at the creative power of God.

If you ask me, nothing tastes better than having your life back. And humanity is gradually having its humanness back.

Glory be to God for giving us science and scientists. God bless our scientists and doctors. May they and their families never be afflicted by COVID-19. And may God help us send back the pandemic to where it belongs – hell.

Jonathan Condoles with Shagari Family Over Death of Ex-President’s Widow

By
The Source
-
0

Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the family of late former President Alhaji Shehu Shagari and the Government of Sokoto State over the death of the Ex-President’s wife, Hadiza Shagari.

In a condolence message he personally signed, Dr. Jonathan expressed sadness over Mrs. Shagari’s demise, describing her as a kind and warm-hearted matriarch.

The former President further noted that the late octogenarian was a uniting force in her family and her community.

The statement said: “I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, over the passing on of the late leader’s wife, Hajiya Hadiza Shagari, at age 80.

“Mrs Shagari was a kind and warm-hearted matriarch and role model  whose life was a stabilising and uniting factor in the family and community, especially after the death of her husband, former President Shagari.

“She was a well-respected First Lady during the Shagari Presidency because of her candour, goodwill and the unyielding support she provided to her husband and the administration.

“May Allah comfort her family members, forgive her sins and grant her al Jannah Fidarus.”

How Indigenes Of Ondo State Were Ambushed In Plateau, Killed, Maimed – Gov Akeredolu; Police Command Tells The Gory Story

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Rotimi Akeredolu - Ondo Communal Clash

By Ayodele Oni

To curtail any retaliatory action, Ondo state Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has assured people of the state that he was on top of the report of attack on indigenes of the state in Plateau state.

The Governor spoke just as the Plateau State Police Command, in a statement, narrated what happened, revealing that 22 people were killed, 14 injured, 21 rescued, and six of the attackers arrested.

A statement on Saturday by Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, allayed the fear and tension generated by reports of the incident, assuring that Governor Akeredoku was in contact with his colleague in Plateau state on the incident. The statement reads:

“Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, just a few hours ago, received the unfortunate report of the Plateau state tragedy where some people believed to be indigenes of Ondo State were attacked.

“An unconfirmed number of deaths are believed to have been recorded while some are severely injured in the said attack. Their true identity will soon be unraveled.

“The Governor says from report he received from his brother Governor in Plateau, the incident was a case of mistaken identity.

“The victims, according to preliminary reports, took a route where crisis between Muslims and Northern Christians had ensued for some time, and that they may have been possibly, mistaken for aggressors.

“Accordingly, either of the two feuding groups in the area could be responsible in this regard.

“Governor Akeredolu hereby calls for calm among the people of the state, urging that nobody should take law into their hands. He particularly, urges the people to refrain from any hasty colouration of the unfortunate incident.

“I have spoken with my brother Governor in Plateau, and he has assured me that the situation is under control.

“I want to plead with our people to remain calm. From the report I gathered, it is clear some were killed, while many others who are injured have been taken to the hospital for medical attention.

“Let me again, make it clear that I was informed by my colleague that it was indeed, a case of mistaken identity. I want to assure our people living in Plateau that they are not targets of any religion or ethnic crisis.

“While assuring that justice will be served, I want to plead again that we do not take law into our hands. Let us remain calm.

“I also want to commiserate with the family of all those who have lost their lives in this unfortunate incident. We mourn the departed and feel the pains of their loved ones.”

Governor Akeredolu assured  indigenes of Ondo state living outside the State of his commitment to their safety.

In the Police statement signed by the Spokesman of the Command,

ASP Gabriel Ogaba said the victims were going back to Ondo from a religious rite in Bauchi State.

It reads:

“On 14th August, 2021 at about 09:28 hours, the Plateau State Police Command received a distress call that a group of attackers suspected to be Irigwe youths and their sympathisers along Rukuba Road of Jos North LGA attacked a convoy of five buses with Muslim faithful who were coming back from the Annual Zikr prayer in Bauchi State and heading to Ikare in Ondo State.

Unfortunately, 22 persons were killed and Fourteen injured in the attack.

“Upon receipt of the report, a team of Police personnel, the military and other sister agencies were immediately mobilised to the scene where 21 victims were rescued and six suspects arrested.

“The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Edward Egbuka, along with the GOC 3-Division, Major General Ibrahim Ali, also visited the scene and ordered for a discreet investigation to fish out other perpetrators of this barbaric act at large.”

FG Not In Hurry To Increase Price Of Petrol, Says Organized Labour Holds The Ace

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government has clarified that the outcome of its negotiation with the Organized Labour would determine whether or not to increase the pump price of petrol.

The FG’s  position is coming barely three months after it turned down the recommendation by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for an increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol.

The Federal Government had first, on May 21, rejected the Governors’ recommendation of shooting petrol price up to between N380 and N408.5 per litre and removing fuel subsidy.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) had set up a committee chaired by the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, which submitted a report seeking the full deregulation of the oil sector.

Governor El-Rufai, while presenting the report of his committee to the NGF, explained that the current subsidy regime was unsustainable because smugglers and illegal markets in neighbouring African countries were the beneficiaries.

The Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Garba-Deen Muhammad, again at the weekend, re-echoed the position of his boss, Chief Timipreye Sylva, who had earlier stated the position of the Federal Government on the matter.

Muhammad explained that people were free to make analyses and recommendations but stressed that the government’s position on petrol price had not changed.

“The truth is that the key component for us to make the decision is basically for us to have a consensus with labour. So regardless of what the Governors or anybody else is saying, labour is the key partner in this project.

“The negotiations with labour officials are ongoing. A decision will not be reached until the negotiations are over. So anybody can say what they want.

“The fact is that the labour represents the Nigerian people and the Government is working with the Nigerian people. So it is a cardinal objective that the labour is carried along.”

Ondo:Akeredolu Outlines Benefits Of Independent Judiciary, As Chief Judge Bows Out

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has said that the people can only be better served, if the three arms of Government are allowed to act separately and independently as the Constitution permits.

The Governor, who said true liberty lies in the independence of the Judiciary in all ramifications, stressed that the people will be the direct beneficiaries.

According the Governor, the Judiciary as the last arm, is the gatekeeper checkmating the proclivity of the other two towards excessive preferences.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Richard Olabode in a statement, said Mr Akeredolu spoke on Friday at the Valedictory Court Session in honour of the retiring Ondo Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Olutoyin  Akeredolu held at the state High Court.

Justice Akeredolu will retire on Sunday August 15, 2021, upon attainment of 65 years of age. She was sworn in as a Judge of the state High Court on July 19, 2002, while she served as Chief Judge of the state for three years and four months.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to  Judicial independence, adding that since the inception of his administration, he has continued to uphold the sanctity of the independence of the three arms of government in all its official dealings.

The Governor, while congratulating the retiring CJ, said the State is proud of her meritorious services, just as he congratulated members of the Bench in the State Judiciary for the cooperation extended to the CJ all through her tenure.

He described Justice Akeredolu as a fair and incorruptible Judge who rendered quintessential services to the state.

“We continue to insist that the people can be best served if these institutions of State are allowed to act separately and independently as the Constitution permits.

“We have never, at any moment, sought to undermine this principle upon which modern societies, which embrace democracy, act.

“We stand here, with our heads erect in the knowledge that we have been able to shield all members of our State from wanton disregard to decency.

“It is our pride to have a very vibrant third arm of government in the State.

“Even a casual observer of events since we mounted the saddle cannot miss the remarkable feat.

“True liberty lies in the independence of the judiciary in all ramifications. The people will be the direct beneficiaries as this last arm is the gatekeeper checkmating the proclivity of the other two towards excessive preferences.

“Our State judiciary has availed itself, creditably, in recent times.”

Governor Akeredolu, who disclosed that judiciary has a major role to play in the development of the country,  also noted that any judicial reform, which fails to recognise the present state of alienation of the institution of rectitude from the mass of the people, is a waste of time.

He pointed out that this system is distant, oppressive and retrogressive, adding that conscious steps must be taken to take justice to the grassroots in the interest of the generality of the people.

The Governor stated further that the current constitutional structure is a sure recipe for continual crises with the attendant underdevelopment, noting both the Federal and State judicial structures are too artificial and withdrawn from the current realities in a country as divergent as Nigeria.

” There have been tenuous attempts to redefine the functions of this very important arm of modern government to reflect the issues arising from the facts of divergence in our country.

“The inherited colonial structure is sustained, largely, a situation which renders any attempt at reforms cosmetic, ineffectual and, consequently, nugatory. There can be no remarkable progress if this system is maintained as it is at present.

“It is imperative that the current constitutional reforms proposed by the National Assembly must take into account certain fundamental principles which define a country with a federal system of government.

“The over-centralisation of all institutions of state in a country which prides herself as a Federal Republic underscores lack of readiness to advance.

“There has to be a fundamental shift from the present arrangement which best suits a colonial or military regime.

“The country must embrace the principles of devolution of powers and implement all useful recommendations in the interest of the generality of the people. The current system cannot engender development.”

In her Valedictory speech,  Justice Olanrewaju Akeredolu, specially appreciated God for making her retire in good health with many outstanding achievements under her leadership as Chief Judge of the state.

According to her, numerous achievements were attained in improving the administration of justice in the state, adding that she is leaving behind a legacy of meritocracy and called on her successor to sustain it.

Justice Akeredolu particularly lauded Governor Akeredolu for his support for the state judiciary, adding his support has greatly contributed to her  success at CJ.

1...2,4622,4632,464...3,076Page 2,463 of 3,076