DISTURBED by the lingering strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the South-East leading to the closure of state universities, the 27-member Imo State House of Assembly, presided over by Chief Goodluck Opiah, has set up a five-man ad-hoc committee to resolve the issue in the zone.
Opiah named Nze Ray Emeana (Owerri-North) as the chairman of the committee, which was given specific mandate to submit its report to the Assembly on November 3.
The committee is expected to, among others, liaise with the various ministry officials in charge of education and National Assembly caucus and dialogue with the relevant Federal Government officials with a view to solving the problem.
Chief Declan Emelumba and 11 others had sponsored a motion on the floor of the Assembly, alerting the House on the dangers inherent in the three-month-old strike.
They asked that proactive action be taken to bring all the stakeholders together towards resolving the matter, noting that students are already expressing sadness about the problem.
Emelumba noted that the zone, which prides itself as having education as its biggest industry, can not be ridiculed in such manner.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Ndigbo: Today and tomorrow
The Igbo a few days ago celebrated their national day all over Nigeria. This year��s celebration was hosted by Abia State, and Umuahia, the State capital witnessed a conglomeration of Igbo dignitaries �C monarchs, chiefs, titled gentlemen, youth leaders, women associations and all and sundry.
The national day celebration was originated by the Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo headed by Ambassador Ralph Uwechue. The Oha-Na-Eze is the supreme body of the Igbo people. It is the heart and soul of Igboland and its decisions which are democratically arrived at, are virtually binding, though there is no imposition of its will on anybody. The Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo affirms the Igbo principles of equity, justice and fair-play, equal assess to opportunity and fair-hearing in the resolution of all matters.
The Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo believes in the government that is democratically-oriented and allows equal opportunities to all, and is accountable to the people. While the organization is concerned with socio-economic problems as they affect Ndigbo, it does not turn a blind eye to political decisions that give rise to inequity, gross injustice and the abuse of the rule of law.
The Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo stresses that if the Nigerian society is free and fair to all citizens, irrespective of ethnic origin, the Igbo considering his adventurous spirit, determination, courage, confidence and freedom will work for the general good of all.
The Igbo culture praises the value of individual achievement, yet the Igbo are known for their cooperative propensities as well, attested by their eagerness for community development. And in all Igbo towns and villages there are town unions, clan unions and divisional unions, all aimed at development. It is an unholy act for an Igbo who had made a success in his business or profession and has become wealthy to turn his back and stay aloof without making a worthy contribution towards the development of his town. Igbo are generally very patriotic as far as community contributions are concerned.
They are indeed generous and are open-minded. And it is this attitude that made them to be exceptionally receptive to new ideas and change.
The Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo is a successor to the Igbo State Union which was banned in May 1966 by the military regime of General J. T. U. Aguiyi-Ironsi. Also all political parties, tribal, cultural and social organizations were banned.
After the ban, there was a vacuum. No other organization as powerful as the Igbo State Union could represent and speak for the Igbo.
The history of the pan-Igbo organisation go back to the early 1930s when some Igbo in Lagos formed the Lagos Igbo Union in order to organize a reception for Dr. Akanu Ibiam, the second Igbo medical doctor who had newly returned from Britain where he had qualified. The union brought together several towns, clans, and divisional organizations and became a voice for Igbo and its objectives were mainly for the welfare of the Igbo in Lagos.
When Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe returned to Nigeria in 1937 and established his newspaper, The West African Pilot in Lagos, the Igbo Union began to gain momentum. Azikiwe gave the union enormous support. By 1943 it changed its name to Igbo Federal Union and began to expand to all the regions and strong branches were established.
The union brought Igbo together and infused them with the consciousness of being Igbo and to always think of the development and progress of their homeland, and also contributing to the good of their host communities.
In December 1948 a pan-Igbo conference was held at Port Harcourt "to organize the Igbo linguistic group into a political unit". At the conference a new Igbo union called Igbo State Union was inaugurated. The membership was opened to all towns and clans in Igboland. The founders of the new union had anticipated that Nigeria would be re-arranged into states based on cultural and linguistic affinity, and Igbo State would be a member of the Commonwealth of Nigeria.
This certainly was the idea Nnamdi Azikiwe had advocated in his book, Political Blueprint of Nigeria
published 1943. At the conference Azikiwe was elected president of the Igbo State Union. He did not stay long in the post and resigned. The reason was that his national view of a Nigerian leader conflicted with his leadership of a tribal organization.
Dr. Azikiwe was succeeded by a dynamic, venerated, honest and outspoken businessman, Chief Z. C. Obi as the new president of the Igbo State Union.
The union tried to be neutral in politics, though its members could be involved in politics.
But in the early 1950s when there was a serious inter-tribal rivalry between the Yoruba and Igbo in Lagos led by their leader unions, the Egbe Omo Oduduwa and the Igbo State Union, the Igbo showed that they can be united in the face of any challenge to their race. The quarrel between the two peoples was later resolved amicably.
In the struggle for national unity and independence the Igbo were the most vocal and patriotic Nigerians. But it was paradoxical that the people in the forefront of Nigerian unity and independence turned round to want secession and their own independence from Nigeria. The reason was that they experienced injustice, inequity, unfair-play and destruction of their lives and property by other Nigerians. Their horrendous and tragic experience before and during the civil war made some psychological impact on the Igbo. They emerged from the war hopeless, impoverished, traumatized, but not spiritually defeated. Like the phoenix, the Igbo have risen again., Forty years after the civil war, the Igbo voice is loud, the Igbo asserts himself and works towards the progress of Nigeria. He has not allowed bitterness, hatred and jealousy to becloud his view of the world. He looks straight to the future with confidence, courage, enthusiasm and love. The Igbo has the sacred philosophy of live and let live and give and take.
Before the civil war, neighours of the Igbo homeland had worried and feared the specter of Igbo domination and oppression which was non-existent. Today, everybody has realized that the Igbo is most friendly, accommodating, forgiving and helpful. He is guided by principle of live and let live.
The Igbo population today is well over 45 million in the various states that they live. The Igbo is a democrat and vehemently abhors despotism and autocracy. It is because under any autocratic rule his freedom is restricted and his potentials are not given free rein.
The Igbo of today under the Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo believes in a vibrant, virile and democratic Nigeria where his success as a citizen lies. He believes that tomorrow will be better than today and the Igbo nation will rise again. His star will shine more in the firmament that is Nigeria.
The national day celebration was originated by the Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo headed by Ambassador Ralph Uwechue. The Oha-Na-Eze is the supreme body of the Igbo people. It is the heart and soul of Igboland and its decisions which are democratically arrived at, are virtually binding, though there is no imposition of its will on anybody. The Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo affirms the Igbo principles of equity, justice and fair-play, equal assess to opportunity and fair-hearing in the resolution of all matters.
The Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo believes in the government that is democratically-oriented and allows equal opportunities to all, and is accountable to the people. While the organization is concerned with socio-economic problems as they affect Ndigbo, it does not turn a blind eye to political decisions that give rise to inequity, gross injustice and the abuse of the rule of law.
The Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo stresses that if the Nigerian society is free and fair to all citizens, irrespective of ethnic origin, the Igbo considering his adventurous spirit, determination, courage, confidence and freedom will work for the general good of all.
The Igbo culture praises the value of individual achievement, yet the Igbo are known for their cooperative propensities as well, attested by their eagerness for community development. And in all Igbo towns and villages there are town unions, clan unions and divisional unions, all aimed at development. It is an unholy act for an Igbo who had made a success in his business or profession and has become wealthy to turn his back and stay aloof without making a worthy contribution towards the development of his town. Igbo are generally very patriotic as far as community contributions are concerned.
They are indeed generous and are open-minded. And it is this attitude that made them to be exceptionally receptive to new ideas and change.
The Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo is a successor to the Igbo State Union which was banned in May 1966 by the military regime of General J. T. U. Aguiyi-Ironsi. Also all political parties, tribal, cultural and social organizations were banned.
After the ban, there was a vacuum. No other organization as powerful as the Igbo State Union could represent and speak for the Igbo.
The history of the pan-Igbo organisation go back to the early 1930s when some Igbo in Lagos formed the Lagos Igbo Union in order to organize a reception for Dr. Akanu Ibiam, the second Igbo medical doctor who had newly returned from Britain where he had qualified. The union brought together several towns, clans, and divisional organizations and became a voice for Igbo and its objectives were mainly for the welfare of the Igbo in Lagos.
When Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe returned to Nigeria in 1937 and established his newspaper, The West African Pilot in Lagos, the Igbo Union began to gain momentum. Azikiwe gave the union enormous support. By 1943 it changed its name to Igbo Federal Union and began to expand to all the regions and strong branches were established.
The union brought Igbo together and infused them with the consciousness of being Igbo and to always think of the development and progress of their homeland, and also contributing to the good of their host communities.
In December 1948 a pan-Igbo conference was held at Port Harcourt "to organize the Igbo linguistic group into a political unit". At the conference a new Igbo union called Igbo State Union was inaugurated. The membership was opened to all towns and clans in Igboland. The founders of the new union had anticipated that Nigeria would be re-arranged into states based on cultural and linguistic affinity, and Igbo State would be a member of the Commonwealth of Nigeria.
This certainly was the idea Nnamdi Azikiwe had advocated in his book, Political Blueprint of Nigeria
published 1943. At the conference Azikiwe was elected president of the Igbo State Union. He did not stay long in the post and resigned. The reason was that his national view of a Nigerian leader conflicted with his leadership of a tribal organization.
Dr. Azikiwe was succeeded by a dynamic, venerated, honest and outspoken businessman, Chief Z. C. Obi as the new president of the Igbo State Union.
The union tried to be neutral in politics, though its members could be involved in politics.
But in the early 1950s when there was a serious inter-tribal rivalry between the Yoruba and Igbo in Lagos led by their leader unions, the Egbe Omo Oduduwa and the Igbo State Union, the Igbo showed that they can be united in the face of any challenge to their race. The quarrel between the two peoples was later resolved amicably.
In the struggle for national unity and independence the Igbo were the most vocal and patriotic Nigerians. But it was paradoxical that the people in the forefront of Nigerian unity and independence turned round to want secession and their own independence from Nigeria. The reason was that they experienced injustice, inequity, unfair-play and destruction of their lives and property by other Nigerians. Their horrendous and tragic experience before and during the civil war made some psychological impact on the Igbo. They emerged from the war hopeless, impoverished, traumatized, but not spiritually defeated. Like the phoenix, the Igbo have risen again., Forty years after the civil war, the Igbo voice is loud, the Igbo asserts himself and works towards the progress of Nigeria. He has not allowed bitterness, hatred and jealousy to becloud his view of the world. He looks straight to the future with confidence, courage, enthusiasm and love. The Igbo has the sacred philosophy of live and let live and give and take.
Before the civil war, neighours of the Igbo homeland had worried and feared the specter of Igbo domination and oppression which was non-existent. Today, everybody has realized that the Igbo is most friendly, accommodating, forgiving and helpful. He is guided by principle of live and let live.
The Igbo population today is well over 45 million in the various states that they live. The Igbo is a democrat and vehemently abhors despotism and autocracy. It is because under any autocratic rule his freedom is restricted and his potentials are not given free rein.
The Igbo of today under the Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo believes in a vibrant, virile and democratic Nigeria where his success as a citizen lies. He believes that tomorrow will be better than today and the Igbo nation will rise again. His star will shine more in the firmament that is Nigeria.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Abuja bomb blast: MEND exonerates Henry Okah
MOVEMENT for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has exonerated Henry Okah from last Friday�s bomb blast at Eagle Square, Abuja during the celebrations of Nigeria�s golden jubilee Independence anniversary.
This was contained in a press release signed by Jomo Gbomo and made available to our correspondent by electronic mail.
According to Gbomo, �Okah has never been involved in any MEND operations but has always been blamed for every attack which is strange to us.
�They were given five days prior notice which led to the harassment of Henry Okah on Thursday, September 30 in South Africa.�
Gbomo said MEND �deeply regrets the avoidable loss of lives during our bomb attack in Abuja on Friday October 1, 2010.
�Our hearts go to the families of those killed who we know were sympathetic to our cause. The irresponsible attitude of the government security forces is to blame for the loss of lives.�
Gbomo said the security forces were also warned one hour to the first bomb blast ahead of the general alert sent to the media and told to steer the public from all parked cars which was not done.
In a related development, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Rivers State Council, has condemned the bomb blast that killed innocent Nigerians during the celebration of Nigeria�s 50th Independence anniversary at Abuja.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Council�s chairman, Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu.
�The bomb blast was totally unwarranted and the death of innocent Nigerians who were not responsible for the unacceptable and pitiable condition of Nigeria after 50 years of independence, it is totally unjustifiable. �
The union condoled with the families of those that lost their lives as a result of the bomb blast and called on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to quickly immortalise the victims as well as compensate their families adequately.
TUC said �the bomb blast and the accompanying death toll is a clear manifestation of lapses and weaknesses in Nigerian intelligence and security the Federal Government of Nigeria should as a matter of utmost urgency overhaul the entire security machinery in the country as well as take decisive steps that will assure ordinary Nigerians that their governments at both the Federal and State levels can in deed protect them in their fatherland!�
The union also warned that inadequate security may mar the 2011 general elections, noting that all efforts and money committed to making the 2011 elections credible will be another huge waste and disappointment.
According to the union, this is because if people do not feel safe and secured, they will be unwillingly to participate in the 2011 elections!
This was contained in a press release signed by Jomo Gbomo and made available to our correspondent by electronic mail.
According to Gbomo, �Okah has never been involved in any MEND operations but has always been blamed for every attack which is strange to us.
�They were given five days prior notice which led to the harassment of Henry Okah on Thursday, September 30 in South Africa.�
Gbomo said MEND �deeply regrets the avoidable loss of lives during our bomb attack in Abuja on Friday October 1, 2010.
�Our hearts go to the families of those killed who we know were sympathetic to our cause. The irresponsible attitude of the government security forces is to blame for the loss of lives.�
Gbomo said the security forces were also warned one hour to the first bomb blast ahead of the general alert sent to the media and told to steer the public from all parked cars which was not done.
In a related development, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Rivers State Council, has condemned the bomb blast that killed innocent Nigerians during the celebration of Nigeria�s 50th Independence anniversary at Abuja.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Council�s chairman, Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu.
�The bomb blast was totally unwarranted and the death of innocent Nigerians who were not responsible for the unacceptable and pitiable condition of Nigeria after 50 years of independence, it is totally unjustifiable. �
The union condoled with the families of those that lost their lives as a result of the bomb blast and called on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to quickly immortalise the victims as well as compensate their families adequately.
TUC said �the bomb blast and the accompanying death toll is a clear manifestation of lapses and weaknesses in Nigerian intelligence and security the Federal Government of Nigeria should as a matter of utmost urgency overhaul the entire security machinery in the country as well as take decisive steps that will assure ordinary Nigerians that their governments at both the Federal and State levels can in deed protect them in their fatherland!�
The union also warned that inadequate security may mar the 2011 general elections, noting that all efforts and money committed to making the 2011 elections credible will be another huge waste and disappointment.
According to the union, this is because if people do not feel safe and secured, they will be unwillingly to participate in the 2011 elections!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
FG awards N10bn contracts
Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday awarded contracts worth N10 billion for infrastructural development.
Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili said this yesterday while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo. Minister of
State, Information and Communications Labaran Maku was present at the briefing.
Contracts approved by the council include the supply of heavy equipment including one wheel loader, landfill compactor and a Skid Street Leader CAT- for waste management in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the sum of N186, 514,650.00 and one D7R Series 11 track type bulldozer and two Pay-loaders in the sums of N118, 950,000.00 and N149, 480,000.00 respectively, with delivery period of 14 weeks.
Akunyili said FEC approved contract for the supply of one 36.30M Demersal and Pelagic Deep Sea Oceanographic and Fisheries Research and Fishing Combination Vessel for the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIMOR) in the sum of 8,070,000.00 Euros, with the completion period of 15 months.
�Council also approved the supply of two Marine Tug Boats (types 1 and 2), in the revised contract sum of Euros14, 770,039.88 plus $710, 742.13, and N398, 784,566.08 with a completion period of 12 months. Also approved by Council was the supply of Mercedes Benz fire fighting trucks with aerial platform, in the revised contract sum of Euros 1,147,500.00 plus N29, 767,500.00, and is expected to be completed within the period of 20 weeks,� she said.
She said Council approved N1,956,593,550.89 for the completion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs new headquarters complex in Central Business District, Abuja in favour of Messrs Bulet International (Nigeria) Limited.
�Transport Minister Yusuf Sulaiman also sought Council�s approval for the revalidation of six projects of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and FEC after deliberation, approved the supply of six fire engines (Mercedes Benz) with foam tenders in the revised contract sum of 2,721,032.15 plus N70, 586,775.00, with the completion period of 48 weeks and six Land Rover fire tenders in the revised contract sum of 844,368.75 Euro plus N21, 903,918.75, with the completion period of 20 weeks.
�There is provision of the sum of N500 million in the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIMOR) 2010 capital budget appropriation to serve as first installment payment for the procurement of the research or fishing vassal. Another N500 million transferred to the sub-treasurer of the Federations retention fees with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), from the institute�s 2009 capital budget which would be used to fund the remaining part of the contract�
The contracts announced yesterday by the minister include the importation of 60,000 units of 240 litres of dustbins in the sum of N927.6 million for the FCT. It was awarded to Messrs Pentagon Group of Companies Limited, with a delivery period of 12 weeks.
Akunyili said the heavy duty articulated vehicles will assist the FCT in responding quickly to disaster issues.
�Recently there was the case of collapsed building in the FCT and we discovered that we could not evacuate the area as quickly as we should. This articulated equipment will enable us respond as quickly as it is done in other parts of the world� he said.
Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili said this yesterday while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo. Minister of
State, Information and Communications Labaran Maku was present at the briefing.
Contracts approved by the council include the supply of heavy equipment including one wheel loader, landfill compactor and a Skid Street Leader CAT- for waste management in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the sum of N186, 514,650.00 and one D7R Series 11 track type bulldozer and two Pay-loaders in the sums of N118, 950,000.00 and N149, 480,000.00 respectively, with delivery period of 14 weeks.
Akunyili said FEC approved contract for the supply of one 36.30M Demersal and Pelagic Deep Sea Oceanographic and Fisheries Research and Fishing Combination Vessel for the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIMOR) in the sum of 8,070,000.00 Euros, with the completion period of 15 months.
�Council also approved the supply of two Marine Tug Boats (types 1 and 2), in the revised contract sum of Euros14, 770,039.88 plus $710, 742.13, and N398, 784,566.08 with a completion period of 12 months. Also approved by Council was the supply of Mercedes Benz fire fighting trucks with aerial platform, in the revised contract sum of Euros 1,147,500.00 plus N29, 767,500.00, and is expected to be completed within the period of 20 weeks,� she said.
She said Council approved N1,956,593,550.89 for the completion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs new headquarters complex in Central Business District, Abuja in favour of Messrs Bulet International (Nigeria) Limited.
�Transport Minister Yusuf Sulaiman also sought Council�s approval for the revalidation of six projects of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and FEC after deliberation, approved the supply of six fire engines (Mercedes Benz) with foam tenders in the revised contract sum of 2,721,032.15 plus N70, 586,775.00, with the completion period of 48 weeks and six Land Rover fire tenders in the revised contract sum of 844,368.75 Euro plus N21, 903,918.75, with the completion period of 20 weeks.
�There is provision of the sum of N500 million in the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIMOR) 2010 capital budget appropriation to serve as first installment payment for the procurement of the research or fishing vassal. Another N500 million transferred to the sub-treasurer of the Federations retention fees with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), from the institute�s 2009 capital budget which would be used to fund the remaining part of the contract�
The contracts announced yesterday by the minister include the importation of 60,000 units of 240 litres of dustbins in the sum of N927.6 million for the FCT. It was awarded to Messrs Pentagon Group of Companies Limited, with a delivery period of 12 weeks.
Akunyili said the heavy duty articulated vehicles will assist the FCT in responding quickly to disaster issues.
�Recently there was the case of collapsed building in the FCT and we discovered that we could not evacuate the area as quickly as we should. This articulated equipment will enable us respond as quickly as it is done in other parts of the world� he said.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Kidnappers dare God
Kidnappers in Abia State have dared God and intensified their act of abducting people for ransom after great men of God had united and called upon God to dissuade them from the nefarious means of living.
The Aba branch of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN called on all residents of Aba to come together at Ngwa High School on Tuesday, September, 14 to call on God to discourage the boys that engage in kidnapping from continuing on the act.
Great men of God including Rev. Goddy Okafor, Monsignor Nwosu, the Vicar General of the Catholic Church, Aba diocese, Archbishop Ugochukwu Ezoke of the Anglican Communion, Rev. Prof. Agharanya of the Assemblies of God and others cried with other Christians on the said date, but to the chagrin of observers, the boys have gone wild, terrorizing the populace after the prayers.
Instead of abating, the act of criminality has increased as if the boys are daring God.Before now,the boys were targeting rich people, but the present situation is that they target motorists on Aba-Portharcourt express way and hijack buses and commuters to a destination where they are robbed and kept for ransom.
The question Aba residents are asking is whether God cannot act on the cries of the people or the people involved in the criminality cannot be subdued by God. Has the kingdom of devil triumphed over the kingdom of God? This question is begging for immediate answer.
The Aba branch of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN called on all residents of Aba to come together at Ngwa High School on Tuesday, September, 14 to call on God to discourage the boys that engage in kidnapping from continuing on the act.
Great men of God including Rev. Goddy Okafor, Monsignor Nwosu, the Vicar General of the Catholic Church, Aba diocese, Archbishop Ugochukwu Ezoke of the Anglican Communion, Rev. Prof. Agharanya of the Assemblies of God and others cried with other Christians on the said date, but to the chagrin of observers, the boys have gone wild, terrorizing the populace after the prayers.
Instead of abating, the act of criminality has increased as if the boys are daring God.Before now,the boys were targeting rich people, but the present situation is that they target motorists on Aba-Portharcourt express way and hijack buses and commuters to a destination where they are robbed and kept for ransom.
The question Aba residents are asking is whether God cannot act on the cries of the people or the people involved in the criminality cannot be subdued by God. Has the kingdom of devil triumphed over the kingdom of God? This question is begging for immediate answer.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Nigeria "ll be hell for kidnappers, robbers -New IG
Not satisfied with the efforts made so far against kidnappings, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Hafiz Ringim, yesterday warned Police officers posted to South East zone to brace up to the kidnappings in the area even as the out-going IGP, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo lamented that policing Nigeria is frustrating.
Ringim who spoke at a formal take-over from his predecessor, Onovo, also warned Policemen against the menace of armed robbers and against their negative attitude at road blocks throughout the country.
According to him policemen must be prepared to drop those tendencies that give them bad image among members of the public, adding that he was poised to implement approved reforms by the government.
He also asked them to brace up for the challenges of guaranteeing a free and fair elections in 2011, saying the Police had been accused of partisanship, which must stop.
Sadly, you are aware of the menace of kidnapping particularly in the South-East. I want to seize this opportunity to warn the operatives and operators, the leadership and the followers of policemen and women in the region that they must endeavour to sit up.
The armed robbery being committed along some of our major roads must certainly be minimized. The corrupt tendencies of some of our personnel particularly those at the check points must also stop. This and such other vices are the ones that have caused the members of the public to lose faith in us, he stressed.
On the 2011 general elections, Ringim told them that they should brace up and guarantee free and fair elections as promised by President Goodluck Jonathan.
You are now aware that in the next three months we shall have our elections from the time table of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Shortly we shall commence the process of electioneering campaigns, the primaries of the parties and the rest of the political activities proper and it is my sincere wish advice and counsel, especially for those commissioners that hold command responsibilities that they sit up and face the situation squarely.
I sincerely and honestly agree with the outgoing IG that what this nation needs is a free and fair election for us to move forward.
The police are at the centre of most of these activities and I seize this opportunity and request as well as direct and instruct that this leadership would not allow for any partisanship involvement of any police officer in any political activities.
I therefore, would like to seize this opportunity to warn that officers and men that have anything to do with any political partys activities must be careful and cautious.
We have gone through a lot of allegations and complaints and this is not the time when we will drag our names in the mud.
In line with the wishes and instructions and the directives of the Commander- in- Chief, we must all be able to provide a level ground for all political participants as well as the political parties.
Pointing out that former IGP, Onovo, did his best while in office, he told the police officers not to engage in activities that would force government to create complimentary agencies that would carry out police primary duties.
I also want to say that the former IGP used to say that you cannot make an omelette without breaking some eggs and so, without wanting to threaten anybody, if you dont want to be part of that omelette, don't allow yourself to be broken because the police has taken too much bashing.
It is something that we can collectively redeem. The police are one of the oldest organizations in this country and it is supposed to be the best.
We have seen how various outfits have been carved out of the Nigeria Police Force. That is the prerogative of government and over the years we have also allowed the government by giving them reason to do that.
This administration would not allow for any reason for government to think of further clipping the size or the number of the outfit of the Nigeria police force,he said.
We cannot but praise the last police administration for the efforts they put in spite of the numerous hurdles they had to cross.
We can only praise their vision and we intend to look at what efforts they have put, what problems they faced, what obstacles they had to cross and what impediments they had to come through and promise to rededicate ourselves to make sure that where changes are necessary; we shall make them, where difficulties are found we shall surmount them; where stubbornness is met, we shall attempt to demolish them.
Like Mr Onovo has said, our nation is facing very difficult times and the police is part and parcel of the nation.
Our nation cannot suffer without the police suffering and I know God willing, with the assistance you and the remaining senior officers here and other members of the rank and file and inspectorate and the necessary cooperation that they will give us, the assistance and help that the Federal Government would see comes in more handy than before we shall definitely overcome.
He explained that from the briefings he received from Onovo, he was poised to take the Police to the next level.
Onovo while handing over to Mr. Ringim, reminded him that though he would face enormous challenges, I urge you to brace up for it, as it was turbulent while I served the nation.
He explained that he was appointed as IGP when the Boko Haram problem erupted, regretting that due to logistics problems, the matter is yet to be resolved, in addition to armed robbery and kidnappings and the attitude of policemen at road blocks which have remained his nightmares.
The former police boss who apologized to Nigerians, the media and his colleagues in the Police for not living up to their expectation, noted that the Police constantly faces social, economic, political and tribal challenges which he believed were responsible for the noticed lapses.
An occasion where we are fighting almost bare handed and given the strong political, economic, social, cultural and other problems, that make policing so frustrating in our country, we can only still give our best.
I also want to say that when I say we are facing enormous challenges, I am not joking at all. Elections are around the corner and those factors that make insecurity thrive are still not abated.
These are those factors I had earlier mentioned. They are still there. So, you have enormous challenges ahead; brace up for them. You have done it before and I know you can do it again.
When the Anambra election was coming up, people thought we will not do it, it will be this; it will be that; it will be hot; it will be somehow; we did it and no single shot was fired.
I believe and pray that the next election will also come that way. I believe and pray that Nigeria will give us a chance and let us perform. With the leadership of Ringim, I am sure, we will get there,Onovo stated
Ringim who spoke at a formal take-over from his predecessor, Onovo, also warned Policemen against the menace of armed robbers and against their negative attitude at road blocks throughout the country.
According to him policemen must be prepared to drop those tendencies that give them bad image among members of the public, adding that he was poised to implement approved reforms by the government.
He also asked them to brace up for the challenges of guaranteeing a free and fair elections in 2011, saying the Police had been accused of partisanship, which must stop.
Sadly, you are aware of the menace of kidnapping particularly in the South-East. I want to seize this opportunity to warn the operatives and operators, the leadership and the followers of policemen and women in the region that they must endeavour to sit up.
The armed robbery being committed along some of our major roads must certainly be minimized. The corrupt tendencies of some of our personnel particularly those at the check points must also stop. This and such other vices are the ones that have caused the members of the public to lose faith in us, he stressed.
On the 2011 general elections, Ringim told them that they should brace up and guarantee free and fair elections as promised by President Goodluck Jonathan.
You are now aware that in the next three months we shall have our elections from the time table of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Shortly we shall commence the process of electioneering campaigns, the primaries of the parties and the rest of the political activities proper and it is my sincere wish advice and counsel, especially for those commissioners that hold command responsibilities that they sit up and face the situation squarely.
I sincerely and honestly agree with the outgoing IG that what this nation needs is a free and fair election for us to move forward.
The police are at the centre of most of these activities and I seize this opportunity and request as well as direct and instruct that this leadership would not allow for any partisanship involvement of any police officer in any political activities.
I therefore, would like to seize this opportunity to warn that officers and men that have anything to do with any political partys activities must be careful and cautious.
We have gone through a lot of allegations and complaints and this is not the time when we will drag our names in the mud.
In line with the wishes and instructions and the directives of the Commander- in- Chief, we must all be able to provide a level ground for all political participants as well as the political parties.
Pointing out that former IGP, Onovo, did his best while in office, he told the police officers not to engage in activities that would force government to create complimentary agencies that would carry out police primary duties.
I also want to say that the former IGP used to say that you cannot make an omelette without breaking some eggs and so, without wanting to threaten anybody, if you dont want to be part of that omelette, don't allow yourself to be broken because the police has taken too much bashing.
It is something that we can collectively redeem. The police are one of the oldest organizations in this country and it is supposed to be the best.
We have seen how various outfits have been carved out of the Nigeria Police Force. That is the prerogative of government and over the years we have also allowed the government by giving them reason to do that.
This administration would not allow for any reason for government to think of further clipping the size or the number of the outfit of the Nigeria police force,he said.
We cannot but praise the last police administration for the efforts they put in spite of the numerous hurdles they had to cross.
We can only praise their vision and we intend to look at what efforts they have put, what problems they faced, what obstacles they had to cross and what impediments they had to come through and promise to rededicate ourselves to make sure that where changes are necessary; we shall make them, where difficulties are found we shall surmount them; where stubbornness is met, we shall attempt to demolish them.
Like Mr Onovo has said, our nation is facing very difficult times and the police is part and parcel of the nation.
Our nation cannot suffer without the police suffering and I know God willing, with the assistance you and the remaining senior officers here and other members of the rank and file and inspectorate and the necessary cooperation that they will give us, the assistance and help that the Federal Government would see comes in more handy than before we shall definitely overcome.
He explained that from the briefings he received from Onovo, he was poised to take the Police to the next level.
Onovo while handing over to Mr. Ringim, reminded him that though he would face enormous challenges, I urge you to brace up for it, as it was turbulent while I served the nation.
He explained that he was appointed as IGP when the Boko Haram problem erupted, regretting that due to logistics problems, the matter is yet to be resolved, in addition to armed robbery and kidnappings and the attitude of policemen at road blocks which have remained his nightmares.
The former police boss who apologized to Nigerians, the media and his colleagues in the Police for not living up to their expectation, noted that the Police constantly faces social, economic, political and tribal challenges which he believed were responsible for the noticed lapses.
An occasion where we are fighting almost bare handed and given the strong political, economic, social, cultural and other problems, that make policing so frustrating in our country, we can only still give our best.
I also want to say that when I say we are facing enormous challenges, I am not joking at all. Elections are around the corner and those factors that make insecurity thrive are still not abated.
These are those factors I had earlier mentioned. They are still there. So, you have enormous challenges ahead; brace up for them. You have done it before and I know you can do it again.
When the Anambra election was coming up, people thought we will not do it, it will be this; it will be that; it will be hot; it will be somehow; we did it and no single shot was fired.
I believe and pray that the next election will also come that way. I believe and pray that Nigeria will give us a chance and let us perform. With the leadership of Ringim, I am sure, we will get there,Onovo stated
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Kalu, brother differs on PPA merger with PDP
While the former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu was said to have dumped his plan to dissolve the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his younger brother and political ally, Mr. Nnanna Uzor Kalu, has hailed the decision to fuse with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ahead of the 2011 general elections.
Nnanna Kalu who represents the Aba North/Abia South Federal Constituency of Abia State in the Federal House of Representative, also expressed satisfaction with the way the PDP leadership extended its hands of fellowship to members of the now defunct PPA, describing it as democracy at work.
But sources close to the PDP confirmed to the media that Kalu and others in the PPA had called off further discussions over the possibility of the two parties merging.
It was gathered that the former governor was hoping to fly the South-East flag in the 2011 race, though the zone had been unable to come out with a united voice in the 2011 election, so far.
Sources close to Kalu, said the former governor, who contested the 2007 presidential election, had made up his mind on the presidential contest and had decided to revive the PPA, instead of dissolving it into the PDP.
It was gathered that the former governor had a rethink about his future in the PDP, following the immediate opposition raised about his planned return to the party by some leaders of the PDP in Abia State.
The state governor, Chief Theodore Orji, who is regarded as Kalu’s political son, had recently returned to the PDP, after he originally defected from the PPA to the All Progressives Peoples Alliance (APGA) and then to the PDP.
As the sources close to Orji Kalu emphasized that he would go back to revive the PPA, his younger brother told the Sun Newspaper in Abuja recently that he had gone back to PDP which is the umbrella that would accommodate everybody.
Orji Uzor Kalu was among the people that founded the Peoples Democratic Party, while his younger brother won the the Federal House of Representative seat under the umbrella of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 2003. And in 2007, he joined the PPA from where he won the election for the second tenure. But now he is enthusiastic about joining the PDP for the 2011 election where he hoped to go for the Senate.
Nnanna Kalu who represents the Aba North/Abia South Federal Constituency of Abia State in the Federal House of Representative, also expressed satisfaction with the way the PDP leadership extended its hands of fellowship to members of the now defunct PPA, describing it as democracy at work.
But sources close to the PDP confirmed to the media that Kalu and others in the PPA had called off further discussions over the possibility of the two parties merging.
It was gathered that the former governor was hoping to fly the South-East flag in the 2011 race, though the zone had been unable to come out with a united voice in the 2011 election, so far.
Sources close to Kalu, said the former governor, who contested the 2007 presidential election, had made up his mind on the presidential contest and had decided to revive the PPA, instead of dissolving it into the PDP.
It was gathered that the former governor had a rethink about his future in the PDP, following the immediate opposition raised about his planned return to the party by some leaders of the PDP in Abia State.
The state governor, Chief Theodore Orji, who is regarded as Kalu’s political son, had recently returned to the PDP, after he originally defected from the PPA to the All Progressives Peoples Alliance (APGA) and then to the PDP.
As the sources close to Orji Kalu emphasized that he would go back to revive the PPA, his younger brother told the Sun Newspaper in Abuja recently that he had gone back to PDP which is the umbrella that would accommodate everybody.
Orji Uzor Kalu was among the people that founded the Peoples Democratic Party, while his younger brother won the the Federal House of Representative seat under the umbrella of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 2003. And in 2007, he joined the PPA from where he won the election for the second tenure. But now he is enthusiastic about joining the PDP for the 2011 election where he hoped to go for the Senate.
Monday, September 13, 2010
A CASE FOR ANIOMA STATE
In Nigeria today there are 36 States. 19 of them are in the North while 17 are in the South. In a country that has in its Constitution provisions for quota system and a political system that professes the South and North dichotomy, why can't we have equal number of States in the South as in the North? Why must there be more states in the North than the South? The fact that Nigeria’s oil wealth rests below the ground in the Southern part of Nigeria should shock the conscience of any fair observer enough to start asking questions such as..... Isn’t it time we create 2 [Two] more states in the South to balance an otherwise slanted South and North dichotomy?
Folks, the preceding question and many more questions that we will be asking as we continue on this journey are legitimate in my humble opinion.
In order for the Nigerian project to work, methinks there has to be Equality, Fairness and Justice in the polity and across board. I believe that a good step in that direction would be to create 2 [Two] more states in the South. And if two more states were to be created in the South to create a balance in the North and South dichotomy, the logical question to any fair minded person would be why not Anioma State?
Anioma State as the 37th State in Nigeria is long over-due in my humble opinion. The agitation for Anioma State is the longest in the history of Nigeria. It started in 1951. The agitation for autonomy is older than Nigeria itself.
In the 2nd Republic Government of President Shehu Shagari, history would show that the then Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives had approved the creation of additional States, of which Anioma State was one of the states to be created; only for the Military to strike before President Shagari could make the announcement. Since that time till now due to all kinds of dynamics, the issue of proposed Anioma State has been put on the back burner. Also, the fact the present Anioma Political Class and elites are dormant in the area of service and self centered in socio politically hasn’t helped matters one bit.
Just to be clear, the proposed Anioma State fulfills ALL the criteria laid down by the Nigerian Constitution for the creation of States. The proposed Anioma State has what it takes economically to be independent and self sufficient. We already have a capital city in Asaba with adequate infrastructure in place for a new Anioma State take-off. As many of you are aware, the Anioma people are the most Homogenous and culturally bonded ethnic group in Nigeria. Our shared cultural heritage and modest Anioma values can be credited also for the relative peace and harmony in Anioma land as Anioma land is adjudged by many as the most peaceful area in Nigeria. Available statistics would show that incidents of kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, religious intolerance, inter-tribal clashes etc. are minimal or non-existent. Our human capital ranks in the top tiers among the ethnic groups in Nigeria. With well trained professionals in all fields of human endeavor, Anioma land prides itself as having the necessary resources above and below the ground to be the 37th State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Finally, just to re-iterate, that the basis for existence of any country that is multi-ethnic such as Nigeria has to be Equity, Justice and Fairness.
As change agents we have to look at all facets of our national life to see what areas we
need to change the most. We have already addressed the need to change or reconstruct our value system into one that asks to cater to the common good of all.
The justifications for Anioma State are many and vary from historical antecedents to
geographical contiguity and relative cultural similarity. The economic justification for the creation of Anioma State is no more, and no less than that of any of the others in Nigeria such as Yobe, Gombe, Jigawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Kogi, Nassarawa etc.
It is a matter of creating a sensible political structure that is designed to address the
developmental needs of the people concerned. Anioma people are one people yet they are scattered amongst several states like Rivers, Imo, Delta, Edo and Anambra.
In each of those states mentioned, the Aniomas have been relegated to the bottom of the pits in spite of their contributions to the Nigerian project on the national level.
It is therefore not a secret anymore that the Anioma community been marginalized and underdeveloped due to the anomaly of not been contiguous.
For my Anioma brethren who may be wondering why agitate for Anioma State? Well, the
benefits of autonomy by way of statehood cannot be over-emphasized since it will bring the much needed development closer to our people. It will create new Ministries to address all areas of governance; new and well staffed higher institutions, factories and manufacturer plants etc. will be created as a result.; Anioma land will have Anioma leaders govern them; Anioma people will then be in a better position to hold non-performing office holders accountable in our own Anioma way without any complicity or influence from external forces; and those living outside Anioma land/the Diaspora now will have a greater incentive to move back to help develop their homeland.
Folks, the preceding question and many more questions that we will be asking as we continue on this journey are legitimate in my humble opinion.
In order for the Nigerian project to work, methinks there has to be Equality, Fairness and Justice in the polity and across board. I believe that a good step in that direction would be to create 2 [Two] more states in the South. And if two more states were to be created in the South to create a balance in the North and South dichotomy, the logical question to any fair minded person would be why not Anioma State?
Anioma State as the 37th State in Nigeria is long over-due in my humble opinion. The agitation for Anioma State is the longest in the history of Nigeria. It started in 1951. The agitation for autonomy is older than Nigeria itself.
In the 2nd Republic Government of President Shehu Shagari, history would show that the then Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives had approved the creation of additional States, of which Anioma State was one of the states to be created; only for the Military to strike before President Shagari could make the announcement. Since that time till now due to all kinds of dynamics, the issue of proposed Anioma State has been put on the back burner. Also, the fact the present Anioma Political Class and elites are dormant in the area of service and self centered in socio politically hasn’t helped matters one bit.
Just to be clear, the proposed Anioma State fulfills ALL the criteria laid down by the Nigerian Constitution for the creation of States. The proposed Anioma State has what it takes economically to be independent and self sufficient. We already have a capital city in Asaba with adequate infrastructure in place for a new Anioma State take-off. As many of you are aware, the Anioma people are the most Homogenous and culturally bonded ethnic group in Nigeria. Our shared cultural heritage and modest Anioma values can be credited also for the relative peace and harmony in Anioma land as Anioma land is adjudged by many as the most peaceful area in Nigeria. Available statistics would show that incidents of kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, religious intolerance, inter-tribal clashes etc. are minimal or non-existent. Our human capital ranks in the top tiers among the ethnic groups in Nigeria. With well trained professionals in all fields of human endeavor, Anioma land prides itself as having the necessary resources above and below the ground to be the 37th State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Finally, just to re-iterate, that the basis for existence of any country that is multi-ethnic such as Nigeria has to be Equity, Justice and Fairness.
As change agents we have to look at all facets of our national life to see what areas we
need to change the most. We have already addressed the need to change or reconstruct our value system into one that asks to cater to the common good of all.
The justifications for Anioma State are many and vary from historical antecedents to
geographical contiguity and relative cultural similarity. The economic justification for the creation of Anioma State is no more, and no less than that of any of the others in Nigeria such as Yobe, Gombe, Jigawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Kogi, Nassarawa etc.
It is a matter of creating a sensible political structure that is designed to address the
developmental needs of the people concerned. Anioma people are one people yet they are scattered amongst several states like Rivers, Imo, Delta, Edo and Anambra.
In each of those states mentioned, the Aniomas have been relegated to the bottom of the pits in spite of their contributions to the Nigerian project on the national level.
It is therefore not a secret anymore that the Anioma community been marginalized and underdeveloped due to the anomaly of not been contiguous.
For my Anioma brethren who may be wondering why agitate for Anioma State? Well, the
benefits of autonomy by way of statehood cannot be over-emphasized since it will bring the much needed development closer to our people. It will create new Ministries to address all areas of governance; new and well staffed higher institutions, factories and manufacturer plants etc. will be created as a result.; Anioma land will have Anioma leaders govern them; Anioma people will then be in a better position to hold non-performing office holders accountable in our own Anioma way without any complicity or influence from external forces; and those living outside Anioma land/the Diaspora now will have a greater incentive to move back to help develop their homeland.
Yuguda's Campaign Of Intimidation Against Justice Of The Federal Court Of Appeal
“Since the day I took the oath of office as a judicial officer, I resolved to keep faith with my oath having it always at the back of my mind that one day I shall give account of my conduct as a Judge to the Almighty God. I have therefore striven to do that by doing what I find to be just either in favor of the powerful or the weak. That is why even when the current Governor was being persecuted by the past administration during their political campaigns, I gave decisions in their favor as I found to be just despite the fact that they were in power” – wrote Honorable Justice H. M. Tsammani, Justice of the Court of Appeal in a July 28th 2010 letter to The Honorable Chief Judge of Bauchi State in response to the campaign of harassment unleashed on him [Tsammani] by the Governor of Bauchi State, Malam Isa Yuguda over recent rulings delivered by him that did not favor the Yuguda administration.
Documentary information in the possession of ukpakareports.com reveal that the Yuguda administration has launched a campaign of harassment against one of its indigenous Justices recently promoted to the Court Appeal. This, it is gathered to be in retaliation for two major rulings delivered by Justice Tsammani. One of the cases was between the ‘Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Garba M. Gadi and the Speaker House of Assembly & ors – and the other was between the Bauchi State Government and Puritano Limited. In both cases, the Justice, who is a Christian, ruled against government of Bauchi State. In the first case, the Justice ruled that the Deputy Governor shall be reinstated as the rightful Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, and in the second case, he ruled that the accounts of the Bauchi State accounts will remain garnished until it pays Puritano Limited N561million debt it owes it for a contract project performed by the contractor, who also happens to be a Christian.
Prior to the promotion of Judge Tsammani to the Court of Appeal – that saw him move to Federal Court of Appeal in Ekiti State, the commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Bauchi State in the person of Barrister Al-Mustapha Sulaiman Hassan had drafted a complain/protest letter referenced MOJ/LAW/S/29/V.II and captioned DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF BAUCHI STASTE GARBA M. GADI VS. THE SPEAKER HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AND ORS – APPLICATION FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE CASE - dated June 28th 2010 to the Chief Judge of Bauchi State requesting that the Chief Judge transfer the captioned case out of Justice Tsammani’s court. However following the exit of Justice Tsammani, the commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Bauchi State, Barrister Al-Mustapha Sulaiman Hassan on June 30th 2010 [two days later] wrote the Chief Judge stating that “I humbly apply to withdraw the complain letter with Ref. No. MOJ/LAW/S/29/V.II dated 28th June, 2010. The respondents are no longer interested in pursuing the complain and have decided to hear the application before High Court No. 4 Bauchi. We urge my lord to discontinue action on the said application”. To this, the Chief Judge accented. [Click here to see letter]
Immediately following the move by Justice Tsammani, the garnet of intimidation found its canvass. The Yuguda boys under direction from the Governor of Bauchi State ordered that all of the items given to Justice Tsammani be retrieved. On July 22nd 2010, Abubakar Y. Suleiman [writing for the Secretary to the State Government, SSG] wrote the Chief Registrar of Bauchi State a letter referenced GO/SS/OFF/S/60/T/12 and captioned REQUEST FOR THE RETRIEVAL OF VEHICLES AND PLANT. In the ‘secret’ letter, he wrote “Further to the appointment of Hon. Justice Haruna Tsammani as the Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja and the on-going proposal for the appointment of new Judges in the Bauchi State Judiciary, I have been directed to requested you to retrieve the following vehicles and plant allocated to Hon. Justice Haruna Tsammani by the Bauchi State Government for subsequent re-allocation to another Judge. The vehicles and plant are: Mercedes Benz E-Class, Toyota Camry 2010, Peugeot 307 and Soundproof perking generating set”.
With the receipt of the letter from the SSG’s office, the Chief Registrar, Aliyu B. Usman, on the same day, July 22nd 2010, forwarded the letter as an attachment to Justice Tsammani in a letter referenced CJC/BAS/S/PER/4/1. Six days after the July 22nd 2010, the SSG’s office wrote the Chief Registrar requesting for the Registrar to take immediate action to retrieve the items. This is reflected in a secret letter of reminder from the Chief Registrar to Justice Tsammani on July 28th 2010.
On August 23rd 2010, the Permanent Secretary/Political Affairs took his turn. Writing for the SSG, he drafted a letter directly to Justice Tsammani referenced GO/SS/OFF/S/60/T/14 authoritatively demanding that he return the items in question to the Chief Registrar.
But what appears puzzling are the reasons given by the Yuguda administration for the need to retrieve the said items. The administration indicated that it needs to retrieve the items to give to the newly appointed Judges in the Bauchi Judiciary. However ukpakareports.com gathered that it is common knowledge that there is no Judge in Bauchi State who has not been allocated a car. It is also factual that the exercise for the appointment of new Judges in Bauchi State has been completed and names sent to the National Judicial Council for appointment of 3 new Judges. It was gathered that no exercise for the appointment of new Judges could have been done unless the State Government gives a guarantee that all necessary working materials for the Judges to be appointed has been procured.
Interestingly, ukpakareports.com gathered also that the Yuguda administration bought cars and soundproof generating sets for Judicial Officers who are indigenes of Bauchi State who are serving in the Federal Judiciary. At the time, the government referred to them as ambassadors of Bauchi State at the National Judiciary.
Adding muster to the ill-orchestrated intimidation is the treatment meted out to Hon. Justice Habib Idris Shall who was compulsorily retired. He was allowed to keep the cars and generating sets allocated to him while he was in service.
Documentary information in the possession of ukpakareports.com reveal that the Yuguda administration has launched a campaign of harassment against one of its indigenous Justices recently promoted to the Court Appeal. This, it is gathered to be in retaliation for two major rulings delivered by Justice Tsammani. One of the cases was between the ‘Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Garba M. Gadi and the Speaker House of Assembly & ors – and the other was between the Bauchi State Government and Puritano Limited. In both cases, the Justice, who is a Christian, ruled against government of Bauchi State. In the first case, the Justice ruled that the Deputy Governor shall be reinstated as the rightful Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, and in the second case, he ruled that the accounts of the Bauchi State accounts will remain garnished until it pays Puritano Limited N561million debt it owes it for a contract project performed by the contractor, who also happens to be a Christian.
Prior to the promotion of Judge Tsammani to the Court of Appeal – that saw him move to Federal Court of Appeal in Ekiti State, the commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Bauchi State in the person of Barrister Al-Mustapha Sulaiman Hassan had drafted a complain/protest letter referenced MOJ/LAW/S/29/V.II and captioned DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF BAUCHI STASTE GARBA M. GADI VS. THE SPEAKER HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AND ORS – APPLICATION FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE CASE - dated June 28th 2010 to the Chief Judge of Bauchi State requesting that the Chief Judge transfer the captioned case out of Justice Tsammani’s court. However following the exit of Justice Tsammani, the commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Bauchi State, Barrister Al-Mustapha Sulaiman Hassan on June 30th 2010 [two days later] wrote the Chief Judge stating that “I humbly apply to withdraw the complain letter with Ref. No. MOJ/LAW/S/29/V.II dated 28th June, 2010. The respondents are no longer interested in pursuing the complain and have decided to hear the application before High Court No. 4 Bauchi. We urge my lord to discontinue action on the said application”. To this, the Chief Judge accented. [Click here to see letter]
Immediately following the move by Justice Tsammani, the garnet of intimidation found its canvass. The Yuguda boys under direction from the Governor of Bauchi State ordered that all of the items given to Justice Tsammani be retrieved. On July 22nd 2010, Abubakar Y. Suleiman [writing for the Secretary to the State Government, SSG] wrote the Chief Registrar of Bauchi State a letter referenced GO/SS/OFF/S/60/T/12 and captioned REQUEST FOR THE RETRIEVAL OF VEHICLES AND PLANT. In the ‘secret’ letter, he wrote “Further to the appointment of Hon. Justice Haruna Tsammani as the Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja and the on-going proposal for the appointment of new Judges in the Bauchi State Judiciary, I have been directed to requested you to retrieve the following vehicles and plant allocated to Hon. Justice Haruna Tsammani by the Bauchi State Government for subsequent re-allocation to another Judge. The vehicles and plant are: Mercedes Benz E-Class, Toyota Camry 2010, Peugeot 307 and Soundproof perking generating set”.
With the receipt of the letter from the SSG’s office, the Chief Registrar, Aliyu B. Usman, on the same day, July 22nd 2010, forwarded the letter as an attachment to Justice Tsammani in a letter referenced CJC/BAS/S/PER/4/1. Six days after the July 22nd 2010, the SSG’s office wrote the Chief Registrar requesting for the Registrar to take immediate action to retrieve the items. This is reflected in a secret letter of reminder from the Chief Registrar to Justice Tsammani on July 28th 2010.
On August 23rd 2010, the Permanent Secretary/Political Affairs took his turn. Writing for the SSG, he drafted a letter directly to Justice Tsammani referenced GO/SS/OFF/S/60/T/14 authoritatively demanding that he return the items in question to the Chief Registrar.
But what appears puzzling are the reasons given by the Yuguda administration for the need to retrieve the said items. The administration indicated that it needs to retrieve the items to give to the newly appointed Judges in the Bauchi Judiciary. However ukpakareports.com gathered that it is common knowledge that there is no Judge in Bauchi State who has not been allocated a car. It is also factual that the exercise for the appointment of new Judges in Bauchi State has been completed and names sent to the National Judicial Council for appointment of 3 new Judges. It was gathered that no exercise for the appointment of new Judges could have been done unless the State Government gives a guarantee that all necessary working materials for the Judges to be appointed has been procured.
Interestingly, ukpakareports.com gathered also that the Yuguda administration bought cars and soundproof generating sets for Judicial Officers who are indigenes of Bauchi State who are serving in the Federal Judiciary. At the time, the government referred to them as ambassadors of Bauchi State at the National Judiciary.
Adding muster to the ill-orchestrated intimidation is the treatment meted out to Hon. Justice Habib Idris Shall who was compulsorily retired. He was allowed to keep the cars and generating sets allocated to him while he was in service.
Dora Akunyili’s Niece Arrested At Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos For Cocaine Smuggling
Embarrassment appears a recurrent visitor to the nuclei family of the image maker of the Jonathan administration, the Federal Minister of Information and Communication in the person of Professor Dorothy Nkem Akunyili. This is following a sobering and highly embarrassing tell-all letter to Dorothy Akunyili by her nephew, Emeka Ezenwanne.
And then on August 28, 2010, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) disclosed that a London based Nigerian spinster by the name Okpala Ifeoma Ethel was detected to have concealed narcotics through a body frisk at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport [MMIA] Lagos as she readied to board a flight to London on Arik.
Upon further inquiry by our correspondent, it was found that Ifeoma Ethel Okpala was the daughter of Dorothy Akunyili’s younger sister who is married to the Okpala family in Akpo, Aguata LGA in Anambra State. [The mother is reportedly gravely ill.] It was gathered through the NDLEA that upon her arrest she hid her town of origin in the attempts to mask her blood lineage to the image maker of the Nation, Dora Akunyili. She told her arresting agents during interrogation that she was from Ezinifite in Aguata LGA, Anambra. And so the arresting agents of NDLEA announced publicly that she was an indigene of Ezinifite. This in turn threw the Ezinifite community in London into a confusing shock - particularly because they were certain her roots were not Ezinifite. The president of Ezinifite town in London, Tochukwu Ezeoke and the Igwe of Ezinifite confirmed to ukpakareports.com that she not an indigene of Ezinifite.
She was nabbed with 1.525kg of substance that tested positive for cocaine during screening of passengers on Arik flight to London. She stated her age as 37 year old and works as a support worker [Nurse] in a London mental home.
The arrest was made following the discovery of some of the drugs by female officers during body frisk on her at the central screening area of the international wing. NDLEA checks uncovered that she ingested 20 wraps of the drugs weighing 300 grammes while 54 wraps weighing 1.225kg were packed and worn by her as diaper.
Okpala Ifeoma Ethel, before leaving Nigeria to live in London had worked for Dora Akunyili at NAFDAC. She is a 1997 graduate of Banking and Finance department of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
While under observation, she successfully excreted the drugs she ingested. The suspect allegedly smuggled the drug for a fee of 5,000 pounds with which she intend to holiday in the United States.
During interrogation, she regretted her action blaming it on greed. According to her, she earns 2,500 pounds monthly and should have been contented with her legitimate income. “It is difficult to believe that I could be convinced into trafficking drugs. I ingested 30 wraps and vomited 10 so I packed others as a diaper. I am ashamed of myself. I do not know what to tell my friends. I wanted to spend my holiday in the States and also buy some goods for sale in Nigeria. I have disappointed my friends. I hope my parents will find a place in their heart to forgive me” she lamented.
NDLEA Airport commander, Alhaji Hamza Umar described her action as shameful. “Drug trafficking is a shameful act. It is a criminal offence and those caught are ashamed. First, she has lost some of her rights and in addition, she will be prosecuted” Hamza stated. The commander also commended female officers of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for their cooperation towards the successful arrest.
Investigation revealed that she came into the country for a religious meeting at one of the Pentecostal churches. According to her, the devil lured her into the criminal act through lust for materialism. When she agreed to smuggle the drugs, her sponsors took the drugs to her hotel room in Lagos. At the hotel, she ingested some of the drugs and packed others on her body before heading for the airport to board her flight.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade warned prospective drug couriers on the consequences of such criminal acts. “Those that are contemplating drug trafficking for whatever reason should also prepare their minds for arrest and prosecution by NDLEA. We shall continue to do our best and protect the country from the activities of drug barons and major drug traffickers” Giade stressed.
The suspect will soon be charged to court.
[Ifeoma's younger brother just completed a drug related jail term]
And then on August 28, 2010, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) disclosed that a London based Nigerian spinster by the name Okpala Ifeoma Ethel was detected to have concealed narcotics through a body frisk at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport [MMIA] Lagos as she readied to board a flight to London on Arik.
Upon further inquiry by our correspondent, it was found that Ifeoma Ethel Okpala was the daughter of Dorothy Akunyili’s younger sister who is married to the Okpala family in Akpo, Aguata LGA in Anambra State. [The mother is reportedly gravely ill.] It was gathered through the NDLEA that upon her arrest she hid her town of origin in the attempts to mask her blood lineage to the image maker of the Nation, Dora Akunyili. She told her arresting agents during interrogation that she was from Ezinifite in Aguata LGA, Anambra. And so the arresting agents of NDLEA announced publicly that she was an indigene of Ezinifite. This in turn threw the Ezinifite community in London into a confusing shock - particularly because they were certain her roots were not Ezinifite. The president of Ezinifite town in London, Tochukwu Ezeoke and the Igwe of Ezinifite confirmed to ukpakareports.com that she not an indigene of Ezinifite.
She was nabbed with 1.525kg of substance that tested positive for cocaine during screening of passengers on Arik flight to London. She stated her age as 37 year old and works as a support worker [Nurse] in a London mental home.
The arrest was made following the discovery of some of the drugs by female officers during body frisk on her at the central screening area of the international wing. NDLEA checks uncovered that she ingested 20 wraps of the drugs weighing 300 grammes while 54 wraps weighing 1.225kg were packed and worn by her as diaper.
Okpala Ifeoma Ethel, before leaving Nigeria to live in London had worked for Dora Akunyili at NAFDAC. She is a 1997 graduate of Banking and Finance department of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
While under observation, she successfully excreted the drugs she ingested. The suspect allegedly smuggled the drug for a fee of 5,000 pounds with which she intend to holiday in the United States.
During interrogation, she regretted her action blaming it on greed. According to her, she earns 2,500 pounds monthly and should have been contented with her legitimate income. “It is difficult to believe that I could be convinced into trafficking drugs. I ingested 30 wraps and vomited 10 so I packed others as a diaper. I am ashamed of myself. I do not know what to tell my friends. I wanted to spend my holiday in the States and also buy some goods for sale in Nigeria. I have disappointed my friends. I hope my parents will find a place in their heart to forgive me” she lamented.
NDLEA Airport commander, Alhaji Hamza Umar described her action as shameful. “Drug trafficking is a shameful act. It is a criminal offence and those caught are ashamed. First, she has lost some of her rights and in addition, she will be prosecuted” Hamza stated. The commander also commended female officers of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for their cooperation towards the successful arrest.
Investigation revealed that she came into the country for a religious meeting at one of the Pentecostal churches. According to her, the devil lured her into the criminal act through lust for materialism. When she agreed to smuggle the drugs, her sponsors took the drugs to her hotel room in Lagos. At the hotel, she ingested some of the drugs and packed others on her body before heading for the airport to board her flight.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade warned prospective drug couriers on the consequences of such criminal acts. “Those that are contemplating drug trafficking for whatever reason should also prepare their minds for arrest and prosecution by NDLEA. We shall continue to do our best and protect the country from the activities of drug barons and major drug traffickers” Giade stressed.
The suspect will soon be charged to court.
[Ifeoma's younger brother just completed a drug related jail term]
Friday, September 10, 2010
Presidency 2011: Jonathan Doles Out N50million To South East Group For “purchased Endorsement”
"At independence, Nigeria was made up of three regions, which later became four regions that were further divided into states by military fiat over which Ndigbo had little or no say. The North has ruled the country for 33 years; the West 12 years; zoning or no zoning, rotation or not, the old Eastern region, for the sake of equity and justice, shall produce the next President of Nigeria. The region that produced over 90 per cent of the wealth of the country should for a change have a prime position in the governance of the country. That given the fact that what is now known as Bayelsa State used to be the Brass District of Eastern Region, and that the Eastern and Mid-Western regions have been marginalized in the presidency of Nigeria - consequently, the summit has decided to endorse the presidential aspiration of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan." – stated Chief Mbazulike Amaechi at a recent summit organized by a politician operating out of Enugu who contested for the gubernatorial seat in Enugu under the banner of All Progressive Peoples Alliance [APGA] in 2007 - and goes by the name Ugo Agballa. The event was attended by the likes of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ojukwu [jnr], Bishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, Maxi Okwu, Osita Okechukwu, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, and Senator Offia Nwali.
Information available to ukpakareports.com interestingly points to the backgrounds of the said endorsement as suspect. This is as impeccable sources bared witness to the financial inducements distributed to the Igbo personalities in exchange for the endorsement.
The President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan through a Senator [Senator Amange] representing his home State, Bayelsa arranged for funds to be made available to Ugo Agballa for onward transmission to the Igbo personalities. The amount, according to a source, was N100million while another credible but unverified source put the amount at N50million. The Governor of Imo State and a prominent business man [Okwosa] from Ukpo, Anambra State was said to have contributed significantly towards raising the amount. As gathered, Senator Amange in an off-guarded statement opened up that he gave Ugo Agballa the sum of N50million to give to the convener of the Summit, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi. The exchange was reported to have taken place at the Transcorp Hotel in Maitama, Abuja, sometime between August 11 and August 13, 2010.
In a manner deemed puzzling by political watchers of the geo-political area - the elected officials of the South East carefully avoided attending the event – except for a representative sent by the Ebony State Governor, Martin Elechi.
Apparently, the information had leaked to some quarters of the financial inducements dished out to the conveners of the summit. To the extent that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Senate, Ike Ekweremadu cautioned openly against the summit. Hon. Ekweremadu told ukpakareports.com that “I was not there as I advised that the summit be suspended for detailed consultations”.
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] was cautious when he was approached by our correspondent over the allegation of bribery by the Jonathan campaign team. His words, “As an umpire we stay clear of internal campaign of aspirants or would be aspirants”.
But notable politicians from the South East region who spoke under the cloak of anonymity opened up on their true take on the matter. In the words of a prominent politician from Anambra State - in reacting to the purchased endorsement, “Obviously, but am afraid I cannot say more about mercenary Igbo group led by geriatric psychopaths who do not care about how disparaging history will record them because even when they held high positions ostensibly because they are Igbo, neither the Igbo nor their villages have one single dividend of democracy to show for holding such high office. What can one say of an octogerian who manipulated PDPs untrustworthy brand of democracy to install his son who is a failed lawyer living in Atlanta, Georgia, USA in the Anambra House of Assembly for over three years until the Supreme Court disgraced him and chased him away on grounds that he was not even a candidate of PDP ab initio and ordered the rightful candidate – Egwuoyibo Okoye – to be sworn in-less than 15months to the end of his Parliamentary Session. Chief Mbazulike Aaechi is a disgrace to Ndi-Igbo and come 2011 Presidential Election, it shall be proved to him that he is too pedestrian to speak to Ndi-Igbo. He is a liability to any Presidential candidate he supports”.
Meanwhile, with President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent declaration to the PDP Governor’s forum of his intention to join the contest against January 22nd 2010 exercise, the various mushroom campaign outfits set up and financed by the Jonathan campaign machinery have sprung into action. Intelligent sources indicate that the South East governors have been tasked with assisting the mushroom groups into ‘financing’ more endorsements.
Just two day ago, Monday, September 6th 2010, the Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and the Ikemba of Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu was sighted at the Presidential Villa as they waited to be seen by President Jonathan.
In all, it may remain uncertain what the reported purchased endorsements will yield the President in the ongoing tussle to wrestle the PDP nomination away from the grips of zoning but it is certain the adverse impact it will yield the South East geo-political zone. As can be recalled, the zoning formula was put in place by the founding fathers/masters of the Nigerian nation to ensure harmony in the country.
Information available to ukpakareports.com interestingly points to the backgrounds of the said endorsement as suspect. This is as impeccable sources bared witness to the financial inducements distributed to the Igbo personalities in exchange for the endorsement.
The President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan through a Senator [Senator Amange] representing his home State, Bayelsa arranged for funds to be made available to Ugo Agballa for onward transmission to the Igbo personalities. The amount, according to a source, was N100million while another credible but unverified source put the amount at N50million. The Governor of Imo State and a prominent business man [Okwosa] from Ukpo, Anambra State was said to have contributed significantly towards raising the amount. As gathered, Senator Amange in an off-guarded statement opened up that he gave Ugo Agballa the sum of N50million to give to the convener of the Summit, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi. The exchange was reported to have taken place at the Transcorp Hotel in Maitama, Abuja, sometime between August 11 and August 13, 2010.
In a manner deemed puzzling by political watchers of the geo-political area - the elected officials of the South East carefully avoided attending the event – except for a representative sent by the Ebony State Governor, Martin Elechi.
Apparently, the information had leaked to some quarters of the financial inducements dished out to the conveners of the summit. To the extent that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Senate, Ike Ekweremadu cautioned openly against the summit. Hon. Ekweremadu told ukpakareports.com that “I was not there as I advised that the summit be suspended for detailed consultations”.
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] was cautious when he was approached by our correspondent over the allegation of bribery by the Jonathan campaign team. His words, “As an umpire we stay clear of internal campaign of aspirants or would be aspirants”.
But notable politicians from the South East region who spoke under the cloak of anonymity opened up on their true take on the matter. In the words of a prominent politician from Anambra State - in reacting to the purchased endorsement, “Obviously, but am afraid I cannot say more about mercenary Igbo group led by geriatric psychopaths who do not care about how disparaging history will record them because even when they held high positions ostensibly because they are Igbo, neither the Igbo nor their villages have one single dividend of democracy to show for holding such high office. What can one say of an octogerian who manipulated PDPs untrustworthy brand of democracy to install his son who is a failed lawyer living in Atlanta, Georgia, USA in the Anambra House of Assembly for over three years until the Supreme Court disgraced him and chased him away on grounds that he was not even a candidate of PDP ab initio and ordered the rightful candidate – Egwuoyibo Okoye – to be sworn in-less than 15months to the end of his Parliamentary Session. Chief Mbazulike Aaechi is a disgrace to Ndi-Igbo and come 2011 Presidential Election, it shall be proved to him that he is too pedestrian to speak to Ndi-Igbo. He is a liability to any Presidential candidate he supports”.
Meanwhile, with President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent declaration to the PDP Governor’s forum of his intention to join the contest against January 22nd 2010 exercise, the various mushroom campaign outfits set up and financed by the Jonathan campaign machinery have sprung into action. Intelligent sources indicate that the South East governors have been tasked with assisting the mushroom groups into ‘financing’ more endorsements.
Just two day ago, Monday, September 6th 2010, the Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and the Ikemba of Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu was sighted at the Presidential Villa as they waited to be seen by President Jonathan.
In all, it may remain uncertain what the reported purchased endorsements will yield the President in the ongoing tussle to wrestle the PDP nomination away from the grips of zoning but it is certain the adverse impact it will yield the South East geo-political zone. As can be recalled, the zoning formula was put in place by the founding fathers/masters of the Nigerian nation to ensure harmony in the country.
Monday, September 6, 2010
RESTRUCTURING OF THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE AS ANTI-DOTE TO KIDNAPPING
INTRODUCTION:
The events of the past few weeks, in the political horizon of Abia State have been volcanic. Those events created a defining line between yesterday and today. It also immediately signposts a tomorrow that is significantly different from yesterday. Again, a demarcation of our “yesterday” and “today” could be the dividing line between 1999 and the years before it. I have the firm view that pre-1999 Abia State was an Eldorado when compared with the suffocation which has been our 101 until quite recently. The Governor of Abia State, Dr. T. A. Orji (Ochendo) has aptly stated at different forum that Abia Sate is now liberated. The reverse of this is that hitherto the State was in bondage. Hence, we can properly state that yesterday we were in bondage. Today, we are free. It must however, be understood that the yesterday under reference started in 1999. It has taken these long years to arrive a new dawn, which is today. The exhilaration of this moment is breath-taking. The cadence is alluring and heartwarming.
The question which, however, follows is: What shall we make of the moment in order to have a better tomorrow? Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Our Yesterday was characterized by banditry, looting and brazen display of occultic accoutrements. The high point of the macabre events of yesterday remains the perpetual impudence of kidnappers who have held us on the jugular. Several persons of note have retreated from Abia State and capital investments reduced. The banks have, in keeping with the principles of enlightened self-interest, carried out down-ward review of the value of property in the state. Such is the state of anomie. Accordingly, in looking forward to tomorrow, we must bear in mind the need to address the causative agents that created our yesterday and today. Macbeth, at the height of his infamy was still worried and had cause to declare:
“We have scotched the snake and not kill’d it;
she’ll close, and be herself; whilst our poor
remains in danger of her former tooth”
In rebuilding our today, therefore, for a better tomorrow a return to the day, when life and property were secured is a sine qua non. Accordingly, the agency that has the legal capacity to secure life and property must come into keen focus. That agency is the Nigeria Police.
THE HISTORY OF THE NIGERIA POLICE:
Still borrowing from the attribute of Janus, we must look at the past of the Nigeria Police. In doing this, I dare to state that it is regrettable that the Nigeria Police cannot write its own history. The website of the Nigeria Police has nothing on origin of the Nigeria Police. This is indeed sad when contrasted with the defined history of the origin of Police in other countries which you can read with a click of the button in their websites.
An international and revered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Human Rights Watch, had this to say of the origin of the Nigeria Police:
“The Forty Thieves” in Police Uniform during the Early Colonial period
The first police force was established in 1861 by the British colonial
administration in the territories known today as Nigeria. This 100- man contingent was essentially consular protection force based in Lagos, which later became known as the “Hausa Force”, so-named after the ethnicity of the men recruited into the unit. As the British
expanded their reach to the east and north, they formed additional police forces comprised largely of recruits from outside the communities in which they were to be deployed. These early forces were notorious for their abuses and general lawlessness. In 1891, the Consul-General of the Oil Rivers Protectorate in what is presently eastern Nigerian expressed shock at the “numerous acts of lawlessness and pillage” by the police, who were commonly referred to in the community as the “forty thieves” in police uniform. Similarly, the governor of Lagos colony acknowledged in 1897 that the Hausa Force “no doubt behaved very badly in the hinterland by looting, stealing and generally taking advantage of their positions”.
The primary purpose of the colonial police was to protect British economic and political interests. The police accomplished this objective through the often brutal subjugation of indigenous communities that resisted colonial occupation. The use of violence, repression, and excessive use of force by the police has characterized law enforcement in Nigeria ever since.
The brutality of the formative Police Force is further captured by the following foot note in the Human Rights Watch report:
“The Hausa Force was comprised of recruits from the Hausa ethnic
group, originally from the north, “most of whom have been freed slaves resident in Lagos.” Tamuno, The Police in Modern Nigeria, 1861-1965, p. 17. The colonial governor of Lagos Colony, H. S. Freeman, explained his justification for the Hausa Force in a December 31, 1863 letter to the Duke of Newcastle: “The men (Hausa) being from the interior and professing the muscleman religion (Islam) are hated by the natives of these parts who have hitherto only known them as their slaves. They are disliked also by the Europeans as being of a more independent character than the Lagos people. They thus have only the government to depend on, and if properly managed will prove a valuable resource to
this settlement”.
The above clearly shows that the Nigeria Police was founded on a philosophy of “we” against “them”. Where “we” represents the “Police”, and “them” the general populace.
The effect of the foregoing is that the Nigeria Police did not start off as peoples police. It was externally directed for purposes compatible with the interest of the alter ego i.e. the mind behind screen. Since it was externally directed it had an overriding central director or controller who was not answerable or responsible to the people. The philosophical foundation was to crystallize into the legal structure of the Nigeria Police. That philosophical foundation evolved the mind structure which gave birth to the legal structure.
THE LEGAL STRUCTURE OF THE NIGERIA POLICE
I prefer to start my exposition on the Legal Structure of the Nigeria Police from the 1963 Constitution, through 1979 and then 1999 Constitution.
Section 105(1) of the 1963 Constitution established the Nigeria Police Force. Section 106(1)(2) of the same Constitution creates the office of the Inspector-General of Police and that the Nigeria Police force shall be under the command of the Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police. There is, however, a provision that contingents of the Nigeria Police Force stationed in a Region shall, subject to the authority of the Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police, be under the command of the Commissioner of Police of that Region.
Section 105(6) however, permitted the Regional Government to maintain a native authority or local Government authority police in the following words:
“Parliament may make provisions for the maintenance by any local authority within the Federal territory of a police force for employment within the Federal territory”.
What appears immediately from the above is that there was a centralized command and that the Regional Governments which were the federating units, had the constitutional powers to set up police forces for employment within a “Province”. One remarkable point is that such police can only be deployed within the province for which it was established.
Let us now fast forward to 1979. Section 194(1) of the 1999 Constitution established the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Section 195(1)(2) created the office of the IGP and further provided that the Nigeria Police Force shall be under the command of the IGP.
Of much significance for our purpose is the fact that Section 194(1) of the 1999 Constitution completely prohibits the establishment of any other Police Force in the following words:
… no other Police Force shall be established for the federation or any part thereof.”
The above provision is a clear contrast to the 1963 Republic Constitution.
Now to the present. The 1999 Constitution. The 1999 Constitution is a perfect doing of the 1979 Constitution. The implication is that no new thinking of or knowledge on policing emerged in the twenty years between 1979 and 1999.
The present position therefore is that there is only one Nigeria Police Force with a hierarchical command structure as follows:
The Inspector-General of Police
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police
The Asst. Inspector-General of Police
The Commissioner of Police (In-charge of contingents in a State)
The Deputy Commissioner of Police
The Asst. Commissioner of Police
The Chief Superintendent of Police
The Superintendent of Police
The Deputy Superintendent of Police
The Asst. Superintendent of Police
The Inspector of Police
Sergeant Majors
Sergeants
Corporals
constables
The Nigerian Police Force has the following statement on its command structure as captured in its scanty website:
The Command structure, also referred to as authority structure, of the Police Force is predicted on the regimental nature of the Force and conducted along the Force badges of ranks. Thus, in accordance with section 215(2) of the 1999 Constitution, section 6 of the Police Act, 1990 laws provide that “the Force shall be commanded by the Inspector-General of Police”. This simply means that orders, directives and instructions to perform or carry out the duties with which the police is carried, flows from the Inspector-General of Police, through the chain of Command, to any Officer positioned to implement such order. Disobedience or failure to carry out such instruction, directive or order, attracts punitive sanctions.
According to Section 7 (1) of the Police Act, the next in the line to the Inspector General of Police, is the Deputy Inspector General of Police. Though this rank is not specially mentioned in the Constitution, it has legal backing, because the Police Act is a law made by the National Assembly in accordance with the constitution. According to section 7(1) of the Police Act, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police is the second in Command of the Force and shall so act for him in the Inspector-General’s absence. Section 5 of the Act makes room for as many DIGs as the Nigeria Police Council considers appropriate. Every other rank below the IGP, takes order of Command from him, in the performance of their lawful duties.
The office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police is provided for by section 5 and 8 of the Police Act. He shall act for the Inspector-General of Police in the event of the absence of the Inspector-General of Police and Deputy Inspector-General of Police. Section 5 of the Police Act, in accordance with the provisions of section 215 (2), of the Nigeria Constitution, provides for the office and rank of a Commissioner of Police who shall be in control of contingents of the Police Force stationed in a State. He is subject, however, to the command of the Inspector-General of Police or who-so-ever acts for him, in his absence.
Every other rank in the Force is legally provided for by section 5 of the Police Act. The Command structure of the Nigeria Police can be presented in order of hierarchy as in the chain hereunder.
The IGP, as the commander of the Nigeria Police has powers under Regulation 33 of Police Regulations to establish the following departments at the Force Headquarters:
‘A’ Department -Finance & Administration
‘B’ Department -Operations
‘C’ Department -Logistics & Supply
‘D’ Department -Force Criminal Investigation
‘E’ Department -Training & Command
‘F” Department -Research & Planning
Having x – rayed the legal structure of the police it remains to determine how well the police had fared with its present structure. From the outcome of our analysis we shall then determine if indeed there is a need for restructuring and finally we shall focus on what type of restructuring that will serve our purpose in the area of kidnapping.
HOW HAS THE POLICE FARED
There is a near consensus that the Nigeria Police has failed in the discharge of its duties. There is general disenchantment. Human Rights Watch in “Everyone’s is on the Game”, a recent assessment of the Nigeria Police Force stated thus:
The Nigeria Police Force, established in 1930, has a long history of engaging in unprofessional, corrupt, and criminal conduct. Over the years, this unwieldy force-Africa’s largest- has proved difficult to effectively manage and control and has become largely unaccountable to the citizens it is meant to serve. Many Nigerian Police Officers conduct themselves in an exemplary manner, working in difficult and often dangerous conditions- come 250 policemen and women were not and killed in the line of duty in 2009 – but for many Nigerians the police force has utterly failed to fulfill its mandate of providing public security. Indeed, 80 years after its birth, members of the force are viewed more as predators than protectors, and the Nigeria Police Force has become a symbol in Nigeria of unfettered corruption, mismanagement, and abuse.
After the above damning report the said Human Rights Watch made far reaching recommendations on how to heal the malaise of the Nigeria Police. I cannot improve on the recommendations which are hereunder reproduced.
Recommendations
To the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Establish an independent commission of inquiry with subpoena power to conduct a transparent, comprehensive, and impartial investigation into systemic corruption within the Nigeria Police Force. The commission should focus its investigation on determining:
The extend of the embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds by senior police officials and its impact on police conduct and services;
The extent to which senior police officials sell for personal profit the services of junior-level officers to private individuals and companies and its impact on police conduct and services; and
The extent to which monetary “returns” are passed up to the senior leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and the impact of this system of returns on police conduct and services.
Prosecute without delay and according to international fair trial standards any police officer implicated in corruption and other serious abuses.
Improve financial oversight of the Nigeria Police Force.
Require the Nigeria Police Force to publish quarterly financial reports of total fines collected for vehicular and traffic violations, revenue received from state and local government allocations, any funding received from private sources.
Require the Nigeria Police Force to publish quarterly budget execution reports including detailed expenditure reports from each state command.
Make public the auditor-general’s financial audit reports of the Nigeria Police Force for each of the past 10 years.
Order an independent financial audit of the Nigeria Police Force by a qualified auditing company that conforms to international standards for auditing public sector entities. Ensure that the audit report is made public.
Reduce political manipulation of the police by setting the term of the Inspector-General of Police to one five-year term, and subjecting the confirmation of appointment as well as removal to a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate, as recommended by the 2008 Presidential Committee on the Reform of the Nigeria Police Force. Propose a constitutional amendment to enshrine these provisions in the Nigerian Constitution.
Implement without delay the core recommendations of the 2008 Presidential Committee on the Reform of the Nigeria Police Force and prioritize measures addressing financial transparency and oversight, public complaint mechanisms, and monitoring and discipline of police personnel. Ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to enable effective implementation of these recommendations.
To the National Assembly
Pass the Freedom of Information Bill that would give Nigerians the legal right to compel the Nigeria Police Force and other government institutions to release information such as government budgets, expenditure reports, and financial audits.
Amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act to define specific terms and conditions for public access to the asset declarations of public officials, as provided by the Nigerian Constitution.
Subject the Nigeria Police Force to greater legislative oversight by requiring the Inspector-General of Police to submit quarterly expenditure reports, activity reports of the X-Squad, and the status and outcome of investigations into incidents of police corruption and other serious abuses.
Hold regular public hearings into the conduct of the Nigeria Police Force in the respective police affairs committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Pass the National Human Rights Commission Amendment Bill that would increase the independence of the commission and empower it to prosecute cases of human rights abuses.
To the Nigeria Police Force
Streamline and prioritize internal control mechanisms by establishing a Public Complaints Unit at each police station. The unit should include a human rights officer, an anti-corruption officer, and an officer responsible for service delivery complaints. These personnel should be assigned the exclusive duties to:
Receive and investigate complaints against police officers filed by members of the public;
Monitor the conditions and treatment of persons held in police custody;
Liaise with community leaders and civil society organizations regarding incidents of police abuse within the community:
Report incidents of police abuse, including extortion and bribery to the divisional police officer, the anti-corruption X-Squad, and appropriate internal and external oversight bodies; and
Protect members of the public who file complaints against the police from harassment, violence, or any other form of reprisal.
Ensure that the Public Complaints Unit is able to effectively perform its work by designating a line item within the police force budget for the unit, and by providing sufficient funding, training, and institutional support to its personnel.
Publish details quarterly reports of the number, type, status, and outcome of complaints received by the Public Complaints Unit.
Revamp the anti-corruption X-Squad by removing the leadership and all police officers currently assigned to the unit and by designating a budget line item to support it, with a view to establishing a well-funded, professional, and accountable internal anti-corruption unit that reports directly to the Inspector-General of Police. The X-Squad should prioritize investigations of:
Senior police officers implicated in embezzling and misappropriating police funds or in taking monetary “returns” from subordinate officers; and
Junior and senior police officers implicated in extorting money from complainants, criminal suspects, and other members of the public.
Publish details quarterly reports of the number, type, status,, and outcome, of cases investigated by the X-Squad.
Strengthen the internal disciplinary procedures of the Nigeria Police Force by including on the Force Disciplinary Committee a representative from the Police Service Commission, and by making public the outcome of decisions on disciplinary matters.
Thoroughly investigate and promptly arrest police officers implicated in corruption and other serious abuses, and promptly submit investigation reports to the Attorney-General for prosecution.
Promptly discipline any police officer, including any of senior rank, who hires out, or assigns without authorization, police officers to serve as private guards for individuals or companies.
Improve financial oversight of state commands by requiring them to submit to Force Headquarters monthly revenue and detailed expenditure reports for each police division, and by conducting and publishing periodic and comprehensive internal audits of these reports.
Protect police whistleblowers and members of the public who file complaints against the police from harassment, violence, or any other form of reprisal.
However, one major drawback of the recommendation is that it does not address the fundamental cause of the failings of the police. Without doubt, too much centralization of the authority to fight crime is a draw back on performance. It also leads to massive corruption arising from too much centralization of the police purse. Most fundamentally, there is nothing that is said on changing the mindset of the police.
On the specific issue of kidnapping, there is nothing said on how criminals who are embedded in the society can be dealt with. There lies the relevance of the topic before us.
RESTRUCTURE WHAT?
Every organization has an operational style: stated or unstated. That operational style is determined by the mind set. Structuralism as a method of analysis focuses on recurring patterns of thoughts and behaviour. Applying this method we immediately observe that the Nigeria Police Force is an institution that oppresses the people. In Abia State, there is total resentment of the police. This is because what is visible is the extortion on the roads, humiliation and inhuman treatment of the innocent and guilty alike. Recently, at Osisioma, dare devil armed robbers disarmed and killed policemen. Less than twenty four hours later, lorry loads of policemen descended on helpless traders who toil for their daily bread under inhuman conditions at the Osisioma Park. When the dust settled, several persons had been totally wounded either by bullets or police dagger. As for losses of goods, the estimate ran into millions as soldiers and policemen, paid by public fund and wearing official uniform, carted away goods in cartons, bags and sachets. The policemen and soldiers who carried out these acts of infamy publicly proclaimed that those dare devil armed robbers are the brothers of the victims and that they were only taking vengeance against the brothers of their assailants. This mind set is reminiscent of the behaviour of the “Hausa Police” that is the foundation of the present Police.
Accordingly, my first proposition is that there is a definite and an urgent need for a restructuring of the mindset of the members of the Nigeria Police. They must be transformed by the renewal of their minds. A situation where policemen see victims of crime as brothers and sisters of the criminals is antithetical to good policing.
If ever you have been involved in the rescue of a kidnap victim you could be shocked to your marrow at the indifference of the police and indeed other law enforcement agencies. “Na your brothers” is a usual refrain in kidnap cases. There must be a mental restructuring that will treat criminals as criminals and not as Igbos, Hausas, etc. This is because a bullet from the nozzle of a criminal does not discriminate on the basis of tribe or tongue.
As further proof that the police has a “we” here, and “them” there, mentality let us focus on the Blue Print on policing strategy issued under the present IGP.
BLUE PRINT ON POLICING STRATEGY (from the website of the Nigeria Police Force):
Vision: “Making the Country safer and secure for the attainment of National aspiration”
Mission: “To Deliver Qualitative and Efficient Security & Law
Enforcement Services to the Citizens of Nigeria”
Strategy: Phased deployment of a three-point Agenda that
captures the essence of my vision and mission:
3 – POINT AGENDA
Implementation of Government’s White Paper on Police Reforms:
Road Map for taking the Nigeria Police to the next level;
Training and Retraining as imperatives for professionalism and confidence-building;
Building institutional and individual capacities;
Re-invigoration of supervisory mechanisms;
Outward resource distribution.
Renewed Commitment to Combating Violent Crimes and other Forms of Criminality:
Intelligence-led Policing;
Community Policing;
Consultative and Strategic partnership;
Optimal utilization of resources: men and materials.
Enhancing Police Image and Improving Personnel Welfare:
Developing the professional capacities of individual police personnel;
Zero-tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices;
Moral re-armament and ethical re-orientation;
Recognition and reward for outstanding performances;
Promotions and general welfare packages;
Accommodation issues: Barracks and Owner-occupier houses.
First, you will observe that the above statements are verbose and leave no yardstick to measure their attainment. Secondly, the blueprint contains self-serving declaration which focuses on the police only. The Nigeria people are not in focus at all. This Point might appear hazy until you compare the above statement and declarations with that of the Metropolitan Police (MP).
For starters, the motto of the MP is “working together for a safe Condon” (emphasis mine). Thus from the onset the MP realizes it must work together with the people. Further, the MP made an eleven point pledge which are:
Pledge 1- We will always treat you fairly, with dignity and respect, ensuring you have fair access to our services at a time that is reasonable and suitable to you.
Pledge 2 – We will ensure your Safer Neighbourhood Team and other police patrols are visible and on your patch at times when they will be most effective and when you tell us you most need them. They will spend at least 80% of their time visibly working in your neighbourhood, tackling your priorities.
Pledge 3 – We will provide you with information so you know your dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Team is, where they based, how to contact them and how to work with them.
Pledge 4 – We will respond to every message directed to your Safer Neighbourhood Team within 24 hours and, where necessary, provide a more detailed response as soon as we can.
Pledge 5 – We will aim to answer 999 calls within 10 seconds.
Pledge 6 – We will deploy to emergencies immediately giving an estimated time of arrival, getting to you safely, and as quickly as possible. We will aim to get to you within 12 minutes.
Pledge 7 – We will answer all non-emergency calls promptly. If attendance is needed, send a patrol giving an estimated time of arrival and:
If you are vulnerable or upset aim to be with you within 60 minutes
If you are calling about an issue that we have agreed with your community will be a neighbourhood priority and attendance is required, we will aim to be with you within 60 minutes.
Pledge 8 – Alternatively, if appropriate, we will make an appointment to see you at a time that fits in with your life and within 48 hours. If agreed that attendance is not necessary we will give you advice, answer your questions and/or put you in touch with someone who can help.
Pledge 9 – We will arrange regular public meetings to agree your priorities at least once a month, giving you a chance to meet your local team with other members of your community. These will include opportunities such as surgeries, street briefings and mobile police station visits which will be arrange to meet local needs and requirement. We will provide monthly updates on progress and on local crime and policing issues. This will include the provision of crime maps, information on specific crimes and what happened to those brought to justice, details of what action we and our partners are taking to make your neighbourhood safer and information on how your force is performing.
Pledge 10 – If you have been the victim of crime agree with you how often you would like to be kept informed of progress in your case and for how long. You have the right to be kept informed at least every month if you wish and for as long as is reasonable.
Pledge 11- If you have been involved in a road traffic collision that we are investigating we will contact you within 10 working days.
You will immediately observe that the pledges are people-centred and have direct relevance to policing. Again, the discharge of the pledges can be empirically weighed. This brings into further relevance the need for a clear restructuring of the mindset that will ensure that the people are the focus of policing.
Following, the restructuring of the philosophical foundation of the Nigeria Police it will become easy to go for a constitutional restructuring. The Nigerian Police of today is unwieldy and too centralized. We must go back to the 1963 Constitution and allow State to set up Police for Local Governments. I agree that Regional Governments used Local authority police to intimidate political opponents. However, such draw backs can easily be addressed. In any case, what we had then is not worse than what we have today. I urge that such Local Government authority be structured like the Safer Neighbourhood Team of the MP. Nobody should today doubt that kidnappers live among us. To deal with them, therefore, require a police command that is embedded in the neighbourhood. Such police command must enjoy legal coercive powers. Various State Governments have tried to set up Vigilante Groups. The handicap however is that such groups are constitutionally still borne. They have therefore been known to operate below the legal radar. The effect is that they, by that, live above the law. For instance “Bakassi” Vigilante Group (a.k.a Abia State Vigilante Group”) is not a legal entity. It has thus thrown us back to the days of the Unknown Soldier. But it must be conceded that Vigilante Groups are children of necessities. Accordingly, we urge that they be given legal cloak and through that check their excesses.
It remains to add that the establishment of the Abia State Vigilante Group under the Abia State Vigilante Group Law, Laws of Abia State Vol. 12. Cap 41, 2005 is a significant attempt to address the drawback on policing caused by the centralization of the Nigerian Police. According to Section 5 of the said law the functions of ABSVG are:
5. (1). The Vigilante Group: -
(a). shall assist in the maintenance of security in Abia State; and
(b). shall in particular render all lawful help and assistance to the Police in the following areas: -
(i). detention and prevention of crime;
(ii). Making available to the Police relevant information on criminals; and
(iii). Protecting lives and properties.
Further, Section 6 of the same law gives some power to the ABSVG. These powers are:
6. (1). For the purpose of discharging its functions under this Law, the Vigilante Group shall have the power: -
(a). to arrest and interrogate any person who commits or is reasonably suspected to have committed a criminal offence;
(b). to patrol the streets in towns and villages at any time of the day and especially at night;
(c). to enter into any property for the purpose of preventing the commission of crime; and
(d). to interrogate any person of questionable character or suspicions movement.
You may be misled if you think that the ABSVG is a Peoples Police. This is far from the truth as can be seen from a scrutiny of the membership of the Advisory Committee (AC). The AC is made up of “Government People”. The structure does not allow for the participation of the representative of communities. This is a major drawback.
Another major draw back is that the legal structure of the police does not dovetail into the operations of a Vigilante Services. In other words there is no legal protocol regulating the relationship of Vigilante Groups and Police. This is unlike the neighbourhood team of the MP. Accordingly, it is urged that even without a constitutional amendment approving the setting up of State Police, the States and the Nigerian Police force should engage themselves in a discussion for purposes of converting Vigilante Services to real neighbourhood Police Units.
CONCLUSION:
We have shown above that the Nigeria Police is grossly ineffective. In addition an attempt was made to determine the raison d’etre behind its present performance. In the process we viewed its philosophical basis which informed the present constitutional structure. We then concluded with the suggestions for a restructuring using the MP as a model. I do hope that immediate steps be taken to address the concern of the organizers of this conference.
The events of the past few weeks, in the political horizon of Abia State have been volcanic. Those events created a defining line between yesterday and today. It also immediately signposts a tomorrow that is significantly different from yesterday. Again, a demarcation of our “yesterday” and “today” could be the dividing line between 1999 and the years before it. I have the firm view that pre-1999 Abia State was an Eldorado when compared with the suffocation which has been our 101 until quite recently. The Governor of Abia State, Dr. T. A. Orji (Ochendo) has aptly stated at different forum that Abia Sate is now liberated. The reverse of this is that hitherto the State was in bondage. Hence, we can properly state that yesterday we were in bondage. Today, we are free. It must however, be understood that the yesterday under reference started in 1999. It has taken these long years to arrive a new dawn, which is today. The exhilaration of this moment is breath-taking. The cadence is alluring and heartwarming.
The question which, however, follows is: What shall we make of the moment in order to have a better tomorrow? Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Our Yesterday was characterized by banditry, looting and brazen display of occultic accoutrements. The high point of the macabre events of yesterday remains the perpetual impudence of kidnappers who have held us on the jugular. Several persons of note have retreated from Abia State and capital investments reduced. The banks have, in keeping with the principles of enlightened self-interest, carried out down-ward review of the value of property in the state. Such is the state of anomie. Accordingly, in looking forward to tomorrow, we must bear in mind the need to address the causative agents that created our yesterday and today. Macbeth, at the height of his infamy was still worried and had cause to declare:
“We have scotched the snake and not kill’d it;
she’ll close, and be herself; whilst our poor
remains in danger of her former tooth”
In rebuilding our today, therefore, for a better tomorrow a return to the day, when life and property were secured is a sine qua non. Accordingly, the agency that has the legal capacity to secure life and property must come into keen focus. That agency is the Nigeria Police.
THE HISTORY OF THE NIGERIA POLICE:
Still borrowing from the attribute of Janus, we must look at the past of the Nigeria Police. In doing this, I dare to state that it is regrettable that the Nigeria Police cannot write its own history. The website of the Nigeria Police has nothing on origin of the Nigeria Police. This is indeed sad when contrasted with the defined history of the origin of Police in other countries which you can read with a click of the button in their websites.
An international and revered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Human Rights Watch, had this to say of the origin of the Nigeria Police:
“The Forty Thieves” in Police Uniform during the Early Colonial period
The first police force was established in 1861 by the British colonial
administration in the territories known today as Nigeria. This 100- man contingent was essentially consular protection force based in Lagos, which later became known as the “Hausa Force”, so-named after the ethnicity of the men recruited into the unit. As the British
expanded their reach to the east and north, they formed additional police forces comprised largely of recruits from outside the communities in which they were to be deployed. These early forces were notorious for their abuses and general lawlessness. In 1891, the Consul-General of the Oil Rivers Protectorate in what is presently eastern Nigerian expressed shock at the “numerous acts of lawlessness and pillage” by the police, who were commonly referred to in the community as the “forty thieves” in police uniform. Similarly, the governor of Lagos colony acknowledged in 1897 that the Hausa Force “no doubt behaved very badly in the hinterland by looting, stealing and generally taking advantage of their positions”.
The primary purpose of the colonial police was to protect British economic and political interests. The police accomplished this objective through the often brutal subjugation of indigenous communities that resisted colonial occupation. The use of violence, repression, and excessive use of force by the police has characterized law enforcement in Nigeria ever since.
The brutality of the formative Police Force is further captured by the following foot note in the Human Rights Watch report:
“The Hausa Force was comprised of recruits from the Hausa ethnic
group, originally from the north, “most of whom have been freed slaves resident in Lagos.” Tamuno, The Police in Modern Nigeria, 1861-1965, p. 17. The colonial governor of Lagos Colony, H. S. Freeman, explained his justification for the Hausa Force in a December 31, 1863 letter to the Duke of Newcastle: “The men (Hausa) being from the interior and professing the muscleman religion (Islam) are hated by the natives of these parts who have hitherto only known them as their slaves. They are disliked also by the Europeans as being of a more independent character than the Lagos people. They thus have only the government to depend on, and if properly managed will prove a valuable resource to
this settlement”.
The above clearly shows that the Nigeria Police was founded on a philosophy of “we” against “them”. Where “we” represents the “Police”, and “them” the general populace.
The effect of the foregoing is that the Nigeria Police did not start off as peoples police. It was externally directed for purposes compatible with the interest of the alter ego i.e. the mind behind screen. Since it was externally directed it had an overriding central director or controller who was not answerable or responsible to the people. The philosophical foundation was to crystallize into the legal structure of the Nigeria Police. That philosophical foundation evolved the mind structure which gave birth to the legal structure.
THE LEGAL STRUCTURE OF THE NIGERIA POLICE
I prefer to start my exposition on the Legal Structure of the Nigeria Police from the 1963 Constitution, through 1979 and then 1999 Constitution.
Section 105(1) of the 1963 Constitution established the Nigeria Police Force. Section 106(1)(2) of the same Constitution creates the office of the Inspector-General of Police and that the Nigeria Police force shall be under the command of the Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police. There is, however, a provision that contingents of the Nigeria Police Force stationed in a Region shall, subject to the authority of the Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police, be under the command of the Commissioner of Police of that Region.
Section 105(6) however, permitted the Regional Government to maintain a native authority or local Government authority police in the following words:
“Parliament may make provisions for the maintenance by any local authority within the Federal territory of a police force for employment within the Federal territory”.
What appears immediately from the above is that there was a centralized command and that the Regional Governments which were the federating units, had the constitutional powers to set up police forces for employment within a “Province”. One remarkable point is that such police can only be deployed within the province for which it was established.
Let us now fast forward to 1979. Section 194(1) of the 1999 Constitution established the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Section 195(1)(2) created the office of the IGP and further provided that the Nigeria Police Force shall be under the command of the IGP.
Of much significance for our purpose is the fact that Section 194(1) of the 1999 Constitution completely prohibits the establishment of any other Police Force in the following words:
… no other Police Force shall be established for the federation or any part thereof.”
The above provision is a clear contrast to the 1963 Republic Constitution.
Now to the present. The 1999 Constitution. The 1999 Constitution is a perfect doing of the 1979 Constitution. The implication is that no new thinking of or knowledge on policing emerged in the twenty years between 1979 and 1999.
The present position therefore is that there is only one Nigeria Police Force with a hierarchical command structure as follows:
The Inspector-General of Police
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police
The Asst. Inspector-General of Police
The Commissioner of Police (In-charge of contingents in a State)
The Deputy Commissioner of Police
The Asst. Commissioner of Police
The Chief Superintendent of Police
The Superintendent of Police
The Deputy Superintendent of Police
The Asst. Superintendent of Police
The Inspector of Police
Sergeant Majors
Sergeants
Corporals
constables
The Nigerian Police Force has the following statement on its command structure as captured in its scanty website:
The Command structure, also referred to as authority structure, of the Police Force is predicted on the regimental nature of the Force and conducted along the Force badges of ranks. Thus, in accordance with section 215(2) of the 1999 Constitution, section 6 of the Police Act, 1990 laws provide that “the Force shall be commanded by the Inspector-General of Police”. This simply means that orders, directives and instructions to perform or carry out the duties with which the police is carried, flows from the Inspector-General of Police, through the chain of Command, to any Officer positioned to implement such order. Disobedience or failure to carry out such instruction, directive or order, attracts punitive sanctions.
According to Section 7 (1) of the Police Act, the next in the line to the Inspector General of Police, is the Deputy Inspector General of Police. Though this rank is not specially mentioned in the Constitution, it has legal backing, because the Police Act is a law made by the National Assembly in accordance with the constitution. According to section 7(1) of the Police Act, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police is the second in Command of the Force and shall so act for him in the Inspector-General’s absence. Section 5 of the Act makes room for as many DIGs as the Nigeria Police Council considers appropriate. Every other rank below the IGP, takes order of Command from him, in the performance of their lawful duties.
The office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police is provided for by section 5 and 8 of the Police Act. He shall act for the Inspector-General of Police in the event of the absence of the Inspector-General of Police and Deputy Inspector-General of Police. Section 5 of the Police Act, in accordance with the provisions of section 215 (2), of the Nigeria Constitution, provides for the office and rank of a Commissioner of Police who shall be in control of contingents of the Police Force stationed in a State. He is subject, however, to the command of the Inspector-General of Police or who-so-ever acts for him, in his absence.
Every other rank in the Force is legally provided for by section 5 of the Police Act. The Command structure of the Nigeria Police can be presented in order of hierarchy as in the chain hereunder.
The IGP, as the commander of the Nigeria Police has powers under Regulation 33 of Police Regulations to establish the following departments at the Force Headquarters:
‘A’ Department -Finance & Administration
‘B’ Department -Operations
‘C’ Department -Logistics & Supply
‘D’ Department -Force Criminal Investigation
‘E’ Department -Training & Command
‘F” Department -Research & Planning
Having x – rayed the legal structure of the police it remains to determine how well the police had fared with its present structure. From the outcome of our analysis we shall then determine if indeed there is a need for restructuring and finally we shall focus on what type of restructuring that will serve our purpose in the area of kidnapping.
HOW HAS THE POLICE FARED
There is a near consensus that the Nigeria Police has failed in the discharge of its duties. There is general disenchantment. Human Rights Watch in “Everyone’s is on the Game”, a recent assessment of the Nigeria Police Force stated thus:
The Nigeria Police Force, established in 1930, has a long history of engaging in unprofessional, corrupt, and criminal conduct. Over the years, this unwieldy force-Africa’s largest- has proved difficult to effectively manage and control and has become largely unaccountable to the citizens it is meant to serve. Many Nigerian Police Officers conduct themselves in an exemplary manner, working in difficult and often dangerous conditions- come 250 policemen and women were not and killed in the line of duty in 2009 – but for many Nigerians the police force has utterly failed to fulfill its mandate of providing public security. Indeed, 80 years after its birth, members of the force are viewed more as predators than protectors, and the Nigeria Police Force has become a symbol in Nigeria of unfettered corruption, mismanagement, and abuse.
After the above damning report the said Human Rights Watch made far reaching recommendations on how to heal the malaise of the Nigeria Police. I cannot improve on the recommendations which are hereunder reproduced.
Recommendations
To the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Establish an independent commission of inquiry with subpoena power to conduct a transparent, comprehensive, and impartial investigation into systemic corruption within the Nigeria Police Force. The commission should focus its investigation on determining:
The extend of the embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds by senior police officials and its impact on police conduct and services;
The extent to which senior police officials sell for personal profit the services of junior-level officers to private individuals and companies and its impact on police conduct and services; and
The extent to which monetary “returns” are passed up to the senior leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and the impact of this system of returns on police conduct and services.
Prosecute without delay and according to international fair trial standards any police officer implicated in corruption and other serious abuses.
Improve financial oversight of the Nigeria Police Force.
Require the Nigeria Police Force to publish quarterly financial reports of total fines collected for vehicular and traffic violations, revenue received from state and local government allocations, any funding received from private sources.
Require the Nigeria Police Force to publish quarterly budget execution reports including detailed expenditure reports from each state command.
Make public the auditor-general’s financial audit reports of the Nigeria Police Force for each of the past 10 years.
Order an independent financial audit of the Nigeria Police Force by a qualified auditing company that conforms to international standards for auditing public sector entities. Ensure that the audit report is made public.
Reduce political manipulation of the police by setting the term of the Inspector-General of Police to one five-year term, and subjecting the confirmation of appointment as well as removal to a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate, as recommended by the 2008 Presidential Committee on the Reform of the Nigeria Police Force. Propose a constitutional amendment to enshrine these provisions in the Nigerian Constitution.
Implement without delay the core recommendations of the 2008 Presidential Committee on the Reform of the Nigeria Police Force and prioritize measures addressing financial transparency and oversight, public complaint mechanisms, and monitoring and discipline of police personnel. Ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to enable effective implementation of these recommendations.
To the National Assembly
Pass the Freedom of Information Bill that would give Nigerians the legal right to compel the Nigeria Police Force and other government institutions to release information such as government budgets, expenditure reports, and financial audits.
Amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act to define specific terms and conditions for public access to the asset declarations of public officials, as provided by the Nigerian Constitution.
Subject the Nigeria Police Force to greater legislative oversight by requiring the Inspector-General of Police to submit quarterly expenditure reports, activity reports of the X-Squad, and the status and outcome of investigations into incidents of police corruption and other serious abuses.
Hold regular public hearings into the conduct of the Nigeria Police Force in the respective police affairs committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Pass the National Human Rights Commission Amendment Bill that would increase the independence of the commission and empower it to prosecute cases of human rights abuses.
To the Nigeria Police Force
Streamline and prioritize internal control mechanisms by establishing a Public Complaints Unit at each police station. The unit should include a human rights officer, an anti-corruption officer, and an officer responsible for service delivery complaints. These personnel should be assigned the exclusive duties to:
Receive and investigate complaints against police officers filed by members of the public;
Monitor the conditions and treatment of persons held in police custody;
Liaise with community leaders and civil society organizations regarding incidents of police abuse within the community:
Report incidents of police abuse, including extortion and bribery to the divisional police officer, the anti-corruption X-Squad, and appropriate internal and external oversight bodies; and
Protect members of the public who file complaints against the police from harassment, violence, or any other form of reprisal.
Ensure that the Public Complaints Unit is able to effectively perform its work by designating a line item within the police force budget for the unit, and by providing sufficient funding, training, and institutional support to its personnel.
Publish details quarterly reports of the number, type, status, and outcome of complaints received by the Public Complaints Unit.
Revamp the anti-corruption X-Squad by removing the leadership and all police officers currently assigned to the unit and by designating a budget line item to support it, with a view to establishing a well-funded, professional, and accountable internal anti-corruption unit that reports directly to the Inspector-General of Police. The X-Squad should prioritize investigations of:
Senior police officers implicated in embezzling and misappropriating police funds or in taking monetary “returns” from subordinate officers; and
Junior and senior police officers implicated in extorting money from complainants, criminal suspects, and other members of the public.
Publish details quarterly reports of the number, type, status,, and outcome, of cases investigated by the X-Squad.
Strengthen the internal disciplinary procedures of the Nigeria Police Force by including on the Force Disciplinary Committee a representative from the Police Service Commission, and by making public the outcome of decisions on disciplinary matters.
Thoroughly investigate and promptly arrest police officers implicated in corruption and other serious abuses, and promptly submit investigation reports to the Attorney-General for prosecution.
Promptly discipline any police officer, including any of senior rank, who hires out, or assigns without authorization, police officers to serve as private guards for individuals or companies.
Improve financial oversight of state commands by requiring them to submit to Force Headquarters monthly revenue and detailed expenditure reports for each police division, and by conducting and publishing periodic and comprehensive internal audits of these reports.
Protect police whistleblowers and members of the public who file complaints against the police from harassment, violence, or any other form of reprisal.
However, one major drawback of the recommendation is that it does not address the fundamental cause of the failings of the police. Without doubt, too much centralization of the authority to fight crime is a draw back on performance. It also leads to massive corruption arising from too much centralization of the police purse. Most fundamentally, there is nothing that is said on changing the mindset of the police.
On the specific issue of kidnapping, there is nothing said on how criminals who are embedded in the society can be dealt with. There lies the relevance of the topic before us.
RESTRUCTURE WHAT?
Every organization has an operational style: stated or unstated. That operational style is determined by the mind set. Structuralism as a method of analysis focuses on recurring patterns of thoughts and behaviour. Applying this method we immediately observe that the Nigeria Police Force is an institution that oppresses the people. In Abia State, there is total resentment of the police. This is because what is visible is the extortion on the roads, humiliation and inhuman treatment of the innocent and guilty alike. Recently, at Osisioma, dare devil armed robbers disarmed and killed policemen. Less than twenty four hours later, lorry loads of policemen descended on helpless traders who toil for their daily bread under inhuman conditions at the Osisioma Park. When the dust settled, several persons had been totally wounded either by bullets or police dagger. As for losses of goods, the estimate ran into millions as soldiers and policemen, paid by public fund and wearing official uniform, carted away goods in cartons, bags and sachets. The policemen and soldiers who carried out these acts of infamy publicly proclaimed that those dare devil armed robbers are the brothers of the victims and that they were only taking vengeance against the brothers of their assailants. This mind set is reminiscent of the behaviour of the “Hausa Police” that is the foundation of the present Police.
Accordingly, my first proposition is that there is a definite and an urgent need for a restructuring of the mindset of the members of the Nigeria Police. They must be transformed by the renewal of their minds. A situation where policemen see victims of crime as brothers and sisters of the criminals is antithetical to good policing.
If ever you have been involved in the rescue of a kidnap victim you could be shocked to your marrow at the indifference of the police and indeed other law enforcement agencies. “Na your brothers” is a usual refrain in kidnap cases. There must be a mental restructuring that will treat criminals as criminals and not as Igbos, Hausas, etc. This is because a bullet from the nozzle of a criminal does not discriminate on the basis of tribe or tongue.
As further proof that the police has a “we” here, and “them” there, mentality let us focus on the Blue Print on policing strategy issued under the present IGP.
BLUE PRINT ON POLICING STRATEGY (from the website of the Nigeria Police Force):
Vision: “Making the Country safer and secure for the attainment of National aspiration”
Mission: “To Deliver Qualitative and Efficient Security & Law
Enforcement Services to the Citizens of Nigeria”
Strategy: Phased deployment of a three-point Agenda that
captures the essence of my vision and mission:
3 – POINT AGENDA
Implementation of Government’s White Paper on Police Reforms:
Road Map for taking the Nigeria Police to the next level;
Training and Retraining as imperatives for professionalism and confidence-building;
Building institutional and individual capacities;
Re-invigoration of supervisory mechanisms;
Outward resource distribution.
Renewed Commitment to Combating Violent Crimes and other Forms of Criminality:
Intelligence-led Policing;
Community Policing;
Consultative and Strategic partnership;
Optimal utilization of resources: men and materials.
Enhancing Police Image and Improving Personnel Welfare:
Developing the professional capacities of individual police personnel;
Zero-tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices;
Moral re-armament and ethical re-orientation;
Recognition and reward for outstanding performances;
Promotions and general welfare packages;
Accommodation issues: Barracks and Owner-occupier houses.
First, you will observe that the above statements are verbose and leave no yardstick to measure their attainment. Secondly, the blueprint contains self-serving declaration which focuses on the police only. The Nigeria people are not in focus at all. This Point might appear hazy until you compare the above statement and declarations with that of the Metropolitan Police (MP).
For starters, the motto of the MP is “working together for a safe Condon” (emphasis mine). Thus from the onset the MP realizes it must work together with the people. Further, the MP made an eleven point pledge which are:
Pledge 1- We will always treat you fairly, with dignity and respect, ensuring you have fair access to our services at a time that is reasonable and suitable to you.
Pledge 2 – We will ensure your Safer Neighbourhood Team and other police patrols are visible and on your patch at times when they will be most effective and when you tell us you most need them. They will spend at least 80% of their time visibly working in your neighbourhood, tackling your priorities.
Pledge 3 – We will provide you with information so you know your dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Team is, where they based, how to contact them and how to work with them.
Pledge 4 – We will respond to every message directed to your Safer Neighbourhood Team within 24 hours and, where necessary, provide a more detailed response as soon as we can.
Pledge 5 – We will aim to answer 999 calls within 10 seconds.
Pledge 6 – We will deploy to emergencies immediately giving an estimated time of arrival, getting to you safely, and as quickly as possible. We will aim to get to you within 12 minutes.
Pledge 7 – We will answer all non-emergency calls promptly. If attendance is needed, send a patrol giving an estimated time of arrival and:
If you are vulnerable or upset aim to be with you within 60 minutes
If you are calling about an issue that we have agreed with your community will be a neighbourhood priority and attendance is required, we will aim to be with you within 60 minutes.
Pledge 8 – Alternatively, if appropriate, we will make an appointment to see you at a time that fits in with your life and within 48 hours. If agreed that attendance is not necessary we will give you advice, answer your questions and/or put you in touch with someone who can help.
Pledge 9 – We will arrange regular public meetings to agree your priorities at least once a month, giving you a chance to meet your local team with other members of your community. These will include opportunities such as surgeries, street briefings and mobile police station visits which will be arrange to meet local needs and requirement. We will provide monthly updates on progress and on local crime and policing issues. This will include the provision of crime maps, information on specific crimes and what happened to those brought to justice, details of what action we and our partners are taking to make your neighbourhood safer and information on how your force is performing.
Pledge 10 – If you have been the victim of crime agree with you how often you would like to be kept informed of progress in your case and for how long. You have the right to be kept informed at least every month if you wish and for as long as is reasonable.
Pledge 11- If you have been involved in a road traffic collision that we are investigating we will contact you within 10 working days.
You will immediately observe that the pledges are people-centred and have direct relevance to policing. Again, the discharge of the pledges can be empirically weighed. This brings into further relevance the need for a clear restructuring of the mindset that will ensure that the people are the focus of policing.
Following, the restructuring of the philosophical foundation of the Nigeria Police it will become easy to go for a constitutional restructuring. The Nigerian Police of today is unwieldy and too centralized. We must go back to the 1963 Constitution and allow State to set up Police for Local Governments. I agree that Regional Governments used Local authority police to intimidate political opponents. However, such draw backs can easily be addressed. In any case, what we had then is not worse than what we have today. I urge that such Local Government authority be structured like the Safer Neighbourhood Team of the MP. Nobody should today doubt that kidnappers live among us. To deal with them, therefore, require a police command that is embedded in the neighbourhood. Such police command must enjoy legal coercive powers. Various State Governments have tried to set up Vigilante Groups. The handicap however is that such groups are constitutionally still borne. They have therefore been known to operate below the legal radar. The effect is that they, by that, live above the law. For instance “Bakassi” Vigilante Group (a.k.a Abia State Vigilante Group”) is not a legal entity. It has thus thrown us back to the days of the Unknown Soldier. But it must be conceded that Vigilante Groups are children of necessities. Accordingly, we urge that they be given legal cloak and through that check their excesses.
It remains to add that the establishment of the Abia State Vigilante Group under the Abia State Vigilante Group Law, Laws of Abia State Vol. 12. Cap 41, 2005 is a significant attempt to address the drawback on policing caused by the centralization of the Nigerian Police. According to Section 5 of the said law the functions of ABSVG are:
5. (1). The Vigilante Group: -
(a). shall assist in the maintenance of security in Abia State; and
(b). shall in particular render all lawful help and assistance to the Police in the following areas: -
(i). detention and prevention of crime;
(ii). Making available to the Police relevant information on criminals; and
(iii). Protecting lives and properties.
Further, Section 6 of the same law gives some power to the ABSVG. These powers are:
6. (1). For the purpose of discharging its functions under this Law, the Vigilante Group shall have the power: -
(a). to arrest and interrogate any person who commits or is reasonably suspected to have committed a criminal offence;
(b). to patrol the streets in towns and villages at any time of the day and especially at night;
(c). to enter into any property for the purpose of preventing the commission of crime; and
(d). to interrogate any person of questionable character or suspicions movement.
You may be misled if you think that the ABSVG is a Peoples Police. This is far from the truth as can be seen from a scrutiny of the membership of the Advisory Committee (AC). The AC is made up of “Government People”. The structure does not allow for the participation of the representative of communities. This is a major drawback.
Another major draw back is that the legal structure of the police does not dovetail into the operations of a Vigilante Services. In other words there is no legal protocol regulating the relationship of Vigilante Groups and Police. This is unlike the neighbourhood team of the MP. Accordingly, it is urged that even without a constitutional amendment approving the setting up of State Police, the States and the Nigerian Police force should engage themselves in a discussion for purposes of converting Vigilante Services to real neighbourhood Police Units.
CONCLUSION:
We have shown above that the Nigeria Police is grossly ineffective. In addition an attempt was made to determine the raison d’etre behind its present performance. In the process we viewed its philosophical basis which informed the present constitutional structure. We then concluded with the suggestions for a restructuring using the MP as a model. I do hope that immediate steps be taken to address the concern of the organizers of this conference.
Abia Parleys with kidnappers
Abia State government has commenced negotiation with six dreaded kidnapping groups in the State to embrace the amnesty project they instituted to nip the menace of kidnapping in the bud.
The Secretary to the government of Abia State, Mazi Donatus Okorie who disclosed this also said that they are making effort to identify a camp for the rehabilitation of the kidnappers. He stated this in a round-table conference on Moving Abia Forward, organized by the Human Rights Justice and Peace Foundation on Friday, September 3, at Empire Hotel, Umuahia.
Mazi Okorie who represented the Abia State governor, T.A.Orji as the special Guest of Honour, said that the State government is waiting for the Federal government to include Abia kidnappers in the re-integration exercise established for the ex-militants in the Niger Delta region.
However, the forum faulted the amnesty plan for the kidnappers saying that it is not effective way of checking kidnapping and that amnesty should be given to known persons, that the persons in the groups would be known before government will think of granting amnesty to the identified people.
They described kidnapping as criminality of an audacious style, and that they are mere criminals and armed robbers who eat like queens and kings. The group pointed out that criminality abounds where justice system is weak.
The forum further discussed the sources, causes and effects of kidnapping in Abia State and affirmed that it was incubated and hatched by the people of the Niger Delta within the South-South geo-political region.
“They may have taken a cue from a United nations TV documentary that was produced in England in 2007, which sees the Niger Delta area as covering more than 70,000 squared kilometers, one of the largest wetlands on earth and holding some of the world’s richest oil deposits.”
Unlike the Niger Delta where kidnapping was strictly political and economic, kidnapping in Abia is socio-economic; the discussants stated that it has no political undertone, although politicians have traded blames and accusations.
The forum identified causes of armed banditry, urban terrorism, and kidnapping which are currently plaguing Abia state; saying that people are driven by circumstances to do what they otherwise would not do, while some people commit acts in an effort to bring about what they perceived as solution to hardship and injustice.
They recommended the establishment of legally structured Police to be established in the Local Government to curb the menace of kidnapping.
The Secretary to the government of Abia State, Mazi Donatus Okorie who disclosed this also said that they are making effort to identify a camp for the rehabilitation of the kidnappers. He stated this in a round-table conference on Moving Abia Forward, organized by the Human Rights Justice and Peace Foundation on Friday, September 3, at Empire Hotel, Umuahia.
Mazi Okorie who represented the Abia State governor, T.A.Orji as the special Guest of Honour, said that the State government is waiting for the Federal government to include Abia kidnappers in the re-integration exercise established for the ex-militants in the Niger Delta region.
However, the forum faulted the amnesty plan for the kidnappers saying that it is not effective way of checking kidnapping and that amnesty should be given to known persons, that the persons in the groups would be known before government will think of granting amnesty to the identified people.
They described kidnapping as criminality of an audacious style, and that they are mere criminals and armed robbers who eat like queens and kings. The group pointed out that criminality abounds where justice system is weak.
The forum further discussed the sources, causes and effects of kidnapping in Abia State and affirmed that it was incubated and hatched by the people of the Niger Delta within the South-South geo-political region.
“They may have taken a cue from a United nations TV documentary that was produced in England in 2007, which sees the Niger Delta area as covering more than 70,000 squared kilometers, one of the largest wetlands on earth and holding some of the world’s richest oil deposits.”
Unlike the Niger Delta where kidnapping was strictly political and economic, kidnapping in Abia is socio-economic; the discussants stated that it has no political undertone, although politicians have traded blames and accusations.
The forum identified causes of armed banditry, urban terrorism, and kidnapping which are currently plaguing Abia state; saying that people are driven by circumstances to do what they otherwise would not do, while some people commit acts in an effort to bring about what they perceived as solution to hardship and injustice.
They recommended the establishment of legally structured Police to be established in the Local Government to curb the menace of kidnapping.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Abia Youths Dare PDP
Abia State youths, under the aegis of Abia Youths for Better Governance have challenged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to actualize their plans of fielding Governor T. A. Orji as their candidate in 2011 election and receive their greatest shock.
According to the President of the group, Comrade Chiemela Onyema, the group will fight vigorously to ensure that the party will be defeated in all the elections in the state.
The group has started their campaign against the governor by circulating handbills with the caption,"Can T.A.Orji deliver Abia State?" in all the communities asking people to chose a better candidate to save the state in 2011.
They highlighted in the poster that under the government of T.A.Orji, the state was acknowledged as the worst state in the world.
They also pointed out that the state was identified with kidnapping, poor condition of roads, non payment of workers salaries, and other vices.
Comrade Onyema who made their stand on Orji known to journalists in Aba, said that they will do everything possible to humiliate the governor if he dare make himself available to election in 2011, and that any party that accepts him as the candidate will surely fail.
According to the President of the group, Comrade Chiemela Onyema, the group will fight vigorously to ensure that the party will be defeated in all the elections in the state.
The group has started their campaign against the governor by circulating handbills with the caption,"Can T.A.Orji deliver Abia State?" in all the communities asking people to chose a better candidate to save the state in 2011.
They highlighted in the poster that under the government of T.A.Orji, the state was acknowledged as the worst state in the world.
They also pointed out that the state was identified with kidnapping, poor condition of roads, non payment of workers salaries, and other vices.
Comrade Onyema who made their stand on Orji known to journalists in Aba, said that they will do everything possible to humiliate the governor if he dare make himself available to election in 2011, and that any party that accepts him as the candidate will surely fail.
Rotary International Donates Books To Varsity
The Rotary Club of Umungasi Aba has donated books on diverse fields of learning to the Library of Veritas University The Catholic University of Nigeriaas a contribution to the University’s mission of providing its students with academic and professional training . The donation took place on Friday, May 7, 2010.
The President of the Club, Mr. Nwabueze Emejom presented the books to the Dean of the College of Management Sciences, Arts, Social Sciences and Theological Studies, Dr. John P. Uko who represented the Vice Chancellor.
Mr. Emejom stated that the Club has been promoting literacy in the past five years by donating materials to schools and that this would be the first time they were donating books to a tertiary institution.
The representative of the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Uko thanked the Club for the gesture and promised that the books would be put to effective use.
The University Librarian, Dr. Mrs. Ekwere E. Akpan expressed delight at the donation noting that it would spur other people to contribute to the development of the University.
The President of the Club, Mr. Nwabueze Emejom presented the books to the Dean of the College of Management Sciences, Arts, Social Sciences and Theological Studies, Dr. John P. Uko who represented the Vice Chancellor.
Mr. Emejom stated that the Club has been promoting literacy in the past five years by donating materials to schools and that this would be the first time they were donating books to a tertiary institution.
The representative of the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Uko thanked the Club for the gesture and promised that the books would be put to effective use.
The University Librarian, Dr. Mrs. Ekwere E. Akpan expressed delight at the donation noting that it would spur other people to contribute to the development of the University.
Students Charged to fight Corruption
Nigerian Students have been called upon to join the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offenses Commission, ICPC in fighting against crime in Nigeria.
The call was made by the Abia State coordinator of the National Anti Crime Volunteers Corps, Professor Chinedum Adiele in his speech during the inauguration of Abia State Polytechnic chapter of corps. The event started with a seminar on Tuesday, August 17 and ended with the inauguration on Wednesday, August18, 2010.
Delivering his speech in a lecture entitled, "Corruption and its Effect in Our Contemporary Society, Prof. Adiele decried the rate of corrupt practices in the Nigerian tertiary institutions.
He emphasized that corruption has negative effect of the standard of education in Nigeria and that it effects the growth of industries and the political system.
The Professor of Theology, charged the students to say no to corrupt practices and be bold enough to report lecturers that engage in corrupt practices to the constituted authority.Other speakers dealt on corruption and crime as it affect the students.
Highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Abia State chapter of the National Anti-Crime Volunteers Corps. More than 100 students volunteered to fight against crime in the Polytechnic. Rector of the Polytechnic, Elder Onukaogu was the Special Guest of Honour.
The call was made by the Abia State coordinator of the National Anti Crime Volunteers Corps, Professor Chinedum Adiele in his speech during the inauguration of Abia State Polytechnic chapter of corps. The event started with a seminar on Tuesday, August 17 and ended with the inauguration on Wednesday, August18, 2010.
Delivering his speech in a lecture entitled, "Corruption and its Effect in Our Contemporary Society, Prof. Adiele decried the rate of corrupt practices in the Nigerian tertiary institutions.
He emphasized that corruption has negative effect of the standard of education in Nigeria and that it effects the growth of industries and the political system.
The Professor of Theology, charged the students to say no to corrupt practices and be bold enough to report lecturers that engage in corrupt practices to the constituted authority.Other speakers dealt on corruption and crime as it affect the students.
Highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Abia State chapter of the National Anti-Crime Volunteers Corps. More than 100 students volunteered to fight against crime in the Polytechnic. Rector of the Polytechnic, Elder Onukaogu was the Special Guest of Honour.
Abia: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow-2
ABIA AT PRESENT
Today, Abia Governor may not be under the control and servitude of any person or a particular family. He has finally broke away from the shackles of the undemocratic forces that held the entire state captive and rescinded democratic dividend in the State. This means that the governor could take his own decisions and act in ways he feels would help him serve the State well. This is the prayer of Abia people. Let me put it in the Governor's words, “The recent event was the true manifestation of the way God wants to restore back all the years eaten by the locust and propel the development of the State to the desired promise land.”
Abia could be said to be free, but Abians are still in chains. When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. The political gladiators in the State who fought for power, have really sheathed their swords, but the grasses are still down. It would be incorrect to say that businesses have recuperated in the State. All the organizations that left Abia due to the unfriendly environment have not returned. The youths are still roaming about the streets without jobs. Look at the Ariaria market, the title of international attached to it has become more of a nuisance, almost a curse than a thing of pride to the State.
Abia problem is not only on the political party that rules the state, but ability of those in government to understand the problem and proffer solutions. Abia problem today is to let those in government know that we have poor road network, that traders and organizations are being exploited, that we need rural electrification projects, that workers should be paid on time, that federal government projects should be attracted to the State, that the refuse on the streets of Aba should be properly managed. Aba as at today is a disaster area that needs to be tackled with a view to save lives and properties of those living in the town. The problem of Abia State is hydra-headed and needs adequate attention of the government to save the people.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
To make Abia enjoy the full benefits of democracy and free society, we must enthrone proper representative democracy. The masses must be truly represented in all the levels of government. In the Local Government, State Government and Federal Government, only those with the peoples' mandate should be allowed to represent them. We should stop the government of selected people by a god father. In each ward, let the Councillor be a person that is very popular and has the mandate of the people. In the State constituency, let the House of Assembly member from the constituency be the one with real mandate of the people. The same applies to the National Assembly. Popular candidates should be allowed to represent the people because they know the problems of the people they are representing.
Also let there be separation of powers in government. Let the legislative arm know their responsibilities and be up to expectations as well as the executive. Our problem is that we still believe that all the powers are infused on the Executive arm. This is because the legislative arm of Abia government is ineffective. Nobody knows about any law they have made to solve the problems of the State. They are suppose to make laws that the executive implement. Therefore, instead of crucifying the Governor alone for the poor condition of lives in Abia State, the legislative arm should be held responsible. As a Journalist in Abia State, I sent one of my reporters to interview a member of the House of Assembly on a matter about his constituency, we published the story and highlighted his opinion. But to my chagrin, this Honourable person called back to lament that the governor may not be happy with the report. Then I asked him a simple question, “ are you representing the governor or your constituency” This is a question members of the House should be asking themselves.
The government should embark of aggressive campaign to change the norms and value of Abia people. The government should let the people know that money is not all about life. There is no short cut for making money. People should work and earn money after the work. Kidnapping for ransom is not a good way of making money, rather it causes reproach on the people. Government should lead people back to workshops to start producing Aba made goods.
Of course we know that there are factors that would help the people to prosper in their trades. I am not talking about religious factors, rather, the socio-economic factors that the government can afford. Think of good roads, electricity power supply, financial assistance, security and other factors, that could make people to invest their money in ventures and create employment for the youths.
MY DREAM FOR THE STATE
I have a dream, my dream is that Abia will rise up to become a great State. That the freedom that God has given to the State through Ochendo will be sustained. That God will bless the state with good leaders in the 2011 election. I have dream that Abia State will have good road networks, that kidnapping will be eradicated in the state and youths will be gainfully employed. Let us all come together to make Abia a great State.
Thank you.
Today, Abia Governor may not be under the control and servitude of any person or a particular family. He has finally broke away from the shackles of the undemocratic forces that held the entire state captive and rescinded democratic dividend in the State. This means that the governor could take his own decisions and act in ways he feels would help him serve the State well. This is the prayer of Abia people. Let me put it in the Governor's words, “The recent event was the true manifestation of the way God wants to restore back all the years eaten by the locust and propel the development of the State to the desired promise land.”
Abia could be said to be free, but Abians are still in chains. When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. The political gladiators in the State who fought for power, have really sheathed their swords, but the grasses are still down. It would be incorrect to say that businesses have recuperated in the State. All the organizations that left Abia due to the unfriendly environment have not returned. The youths are still roaming about the streets without jobs. Look at the Ariaria market, the title of international attached to it has become more of a nuisance, almost a curse than a thing of pride to the State.
Abia problem is not only on the political party that rules the state, but ability of those in government to understand the problem and proffer solutions. Abia problem today is to let those in government know that we have poor road network, that traders and organizations are being exploited, that we need rural electrification projects, that workers should be paid on time, that federal government projects should be attracted to the State, that the refuse on the streets of Aba should be properly managed. Aba as at today is a disaster area that needs to be tackled with a view to save lives and properties of those living in the town. The problem of Abia State is hydra-headed and needs adequate attention of the government to save the people.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
To make Abia enjoy the full benefits of democracy and free society, we must enthrone proper representative democracy. The masses must be truly represented in all the levels of government. In the Local Government, State Government and Federal Government, only those with the peoples' mandate should be allowed to represent them. We should stop the government of selected people by a god father. In each ward, let the Councillor be a person that is very popular and has the mandate of the people. In the State constituency, let the House of Assembly member from the constituency be the one with real mandate of the people. The same applies to the National Assembly. Popular candidates should be allowed to represent the people because they know the problems of the people they are representing.
Also let there be separation of powers in government. Let the legislative arm know their responsibilities and be up to expectations as well as the executive. Our problem is that we still believe that all the powers are infused on the Executive arm. This is because the legislative arm of Abia government is ineffective. Nobody knows about any law they have made to solve the problems of the State. They are suppose to make laws that the executive implement. Therefore, instead of crucifying the Governor alone for the poor condition of lives in Abia State, the legislative arm should be held responsible. As a Journalist in Abia State, I sent one of my reporters to interview a member of the House of Assembly on a matter about his constituency, we published the story and highlighted his opinion. But to my chagrin, this Honourable person called back to lament that the governor may not be happy with the report. Then I asked him a simple question, “ are you representing the governor or your constituency” This is a question members of the House should be asking themselves.
The government should embark of aggressive campaign to change the norms and value of Abia people. The government should let the people know that money is not all about life. There is no short cut for making money. People should work and earn money after the work. Kidnapping for ransom is not a good way of making money, rather it causes reproach on the people. Government should lead people back to workshops to start producing Aba made goods.
Of course we know that there are factors that would help the people to prosper in their trades. I am not talking about religious factors, rather, the socio-economic factors that the government can afford. Think of good roads, electricity power supply, financial assistance, security and other factors, that could make people to invest their money in ventures and create employment for the youths.
MY DREAM FOR THE STATE
I have a dream, my dream is that Abia will rise up to become a great State. That the freedom that God has given to the State through Ochendo will be sustained. That God will bless the state with good leaders in the 2011 election. I have dream that Abia State will have good road networks, that kidnapping will be eradicated in the state and youths will be gainfully employed. Let us all come together to make Abia a great State.
Thank you.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Abia: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow-1
Abia is an acronym formed from the initial letters of four geographicl areas: Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato and Afikpo. The state was created on 27th August 1991 by Miliatary fiat under General Ibrahim Babangida. It was called "God's Own State" by the ounding fathers as the spirit behind the creation was good and benevolent.
Abia state goes with the slogan of God's Own State". This means that ewverything in the state belongs to God. The government, the masses and all availabel resources in the State belong to God.If this true, the secio-economic and political events in the state, from creation, made people to believe that God created his state and deserted it , or that God abandoned his state.
The first civilian Governor of the State was Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, an erudite scholar who ruled for onlyeighteen months. Rhere were some military governors that imposed on the state after him. They all pillorised, destituted and pulverised the state.
In 1999, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu became the Executive Governor of the State. He ruled for eight years, from 1999 to 2007. The young and vociferous politician who was expected to be the messiah, only reduced the state to a joke.
No wonder many political commentators described his eight years administration as disaster. It was characterised by extra-judicial killings, imposition of outragours taxes and levies on the people, collapse of industries, decay of infrastructures. The civil service was reduced to ashes within the period. Also, Aba which is the commercial nerve centre of the state was turned into a refuse dump.
Then came the 2007 election when Abia people were expected to seek salvation, to extricate themselves and generations unborn from the servitude of Kalu and his family. And for reasons only known to God, Dr. Lau's man, miraculously won the election from the EFCC prison.
People cried and fought to turn the table against the man that God placed in governance of the state through kalu. His case went a long way to show that what God established, no man can pull it down. However, following the means that the man that succeded Kalu came into power in 2007, what was not in doubt was that the state would be under the control and servitude of the erstwhile governor and his family, using the incumbent as a proxy.
It would be incorrect to say that the people's expection never happened. Not only that it was true, a very disheartneing story making round the state was that the former planned it that the incumbent would resign in due course with his deputy to make way for an ubnpopular person to assume office as the Chief Executive of the State. The schemings and other factors culminated in rescinding democracy dividends in the state.
Abia state goes with the slogan of God's Own State". This means that ewverything in the state belongs to God. The government, the masses and all availabel resources in the State belong to God.If this true, the secio-economic and political events in the state, from creation, made people to believe that God created his state and deserted it , or that God abandoned his state.
The first civilian Governor of the State was Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, an erudite scholar who ruled for onlyeighteen months. Rhere were some military governors that imposed on the state after him. They all pillorised, destituted and pulverised the state.
In 1999, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu became the Executive Governor of the State. He ruled for eight years, from 1999 to 2007. The young and vociferous politician who was expected to be the messiah, only reduced the state to a joke.
No wonder many political commentators described his eight years administration as disaster. It was characterised by extra-judicial killings, imposition of outragours taxes and levies on the people, collapse of industries, decay of infrastructures. The civil service was reduced to ashes within the period. Also, Aba which is the commercial nerve centre of the state was turned into a refuse dump.
Then came the 2007 election when Abia people were expected to seek salvation, to extricate themselves and generations unborn from the servitude of Kalu and his family. And for reasons only known to God, Dr. Lau's man, miraculously won the election from the EFCC prison.
People cried and fought to turn the table against the man that God placed in governance of the state through kalu. His case went a long way to show that what God established, no man can pull it down. However, following the means that the man that succeded Kalu came into power in 2007, what was not in doubt was that the state would be under the control and servitude of the erstwhile governor and his family, using the incumbent as a proxy.
It would be incorrect to say that the people's expection never happened. Not only that it was true, a very disheartneing story making round the state was that the former planned it that the incumbent would resign in due course with his deputy to make way for an ubnpopular person to assume office as the Chief Executive of the State. The schemings and other factors culminated in rescinding democracy dividends in the state.
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