The commendable declarations by our brothers and sisters from the federating regions of Nigeria is indicative of the fact that the Hausa Fulani hegemony is extinct. Its long been. It should not even feature in the present debate to restructure Nigeria.
We recall the constant and successful resistance from our people in the Middle Belt, the Langtan people and others, plus the conversion to Christianity of eminent Fulanis including the son of a former Emir of Kano; a direct descendant of Utman Dan Fodio.
All you see playing out is the usual tactics of a loser; fear tactics. The last kick of a dying horse readily comes to mind.
With respect, this should not be construed as being derogatory of a fellow human but simply metaphoric.
The devil uses fear tactics because it knows it no longer has hold on us, thanks to the Lamb of God whose Precious Blood was spilt for our Salvation. It is a sacrifice that has no end; a sacrifice which cannot be equalled or paralleled.
Fear tactics is futile.
Buhari is a true Moslem who is being used to propagate Islamic doctrines, so to further expand what Utman Dan Fodio set out to do in the then Northern region of Nigeria. The problem here is that Buhari belongs in the past, he is not to blame. You do not kill the messenger, do you?
Other faith propagators should not be blamed for doing their job either.
Unfortunately for Buhari, fear as a tool is no longer fashionable in these days of social media.
The more reason the federating units often and have recently called his bluff in spite of his recent admonishment against anyone seeking to invoke a constitutionally entrenched right to self determination.
Buhari is unstable and his is a failure amongst his peers and contemporaries. All he has ever achieved is failure.
The provisions for the right to self determination in all constitutions and international instruments were borrowed from natural laws, mind you. This right is inherent and inalienable.
Referencing the Arab spring in the Middle East and North Africa “MENA” as a classic example of were fear tactics have failed woefully. Am sure Buhari has good advisers on diplomacy and foreign policies. I see that he often doesn’t remember anything these days.
Pushing an agenda by force and without regard to law and the existing rights of others cannot survive its first gambit, especially where you are robbing and impoverishing other constituent stakeholders in broad day light.
Resistance thereof comes naturally ; just like a reflex action of the eye when it perceives a potential danger.
Our brothers and sisters from the Middle Belt, South South, South West and South East should be commended for redirecting the dynamics of the debate to restructure Nigeria; borrowing from the popular cliche for lack of a better word in this context. I prefer using Self Determination to Restructure.
Other recent agitators from other constituent regions deserve equal commendation. We all are equal owners of the commonwealth call Nigeria.
I believe the implementation of true federalism should be the correct phrase given the current circumstances.
Circumstances such as inter-tribal marriages with their resultant offsprings in the shape and form of beautiful and handsome hybrid of lovely looking children, commercial factors, and hosts of other evidence of natural human integration as ordained by the Creator Himself, are pertinent factors that need no human wisdom to plead their cases in any debate geared toward disintegration of Nigeria.
Nature has a way of fighting back. It does prevail in the long run; Buhari go ask any bigot.
Now, to squint on the way forward; the domination of one region over the other comes at a cost.
Worst losers are those seeking to dominate because they stagnate not the dominated but themselves. Domination is a function of the mind.
Lets await the outcome of the series of debates and workshops on the way forward.
To be a man, you must take a stand, even at the point of paying the ultimate price for what you believe in.
Buhari, Saraki, Dogara, Ekweremadu mourn
Fred Itua, Abuja
Senator Ali Wakil representing Bauchi South in the upper legislative chamber is dead.
He died after slumping at his Gwarimpa residence in Abuja.
Senator Wakil was also buried yesterday at the Gudu District Cemetary in Abuja after Islamic rites were performed at the National Mosque with his colleagues in the Senate and other politicians in attendance.
Family sources confirmed to Sunday Sun that Wakil who until his death was the chairman of Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation, slumped on Saturday morning and was rushed to a nearby hospital in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja.
But he died before he could get emergency treatment.
The deceased, until his sudden demise, was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wakil was born in 1960 and was a native of Bauchi State.
He attended Lere Primary School in 1972, after which he proceeded to Government Secondary School Damaturu where he obtained his senior certificate.
He then proceeded to Bauchi College for Arts and Science in 1979.
For his university education, he attended Bayero University, Kano where he obtained a Bachelors degree in Arts in1982.
He also attended Nigerian Customs training school, Lagos in 1984 and the infantry centre and school, Jaji in 1991.
Wakil was also a retired Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS.
In 2015, he contested for the Bauchi South Senatorial seat and won on the platform of the APC.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has said the death of Senator Wakil was “an incalculable loss to Nigeria’s democracy” because his “dedication to duty was remarkable and worthy of emulation.”
The president said that the death of the senator came as a great shock to him, adding that his dedication to duty would remain one of the greatest virtues for which the deceased would be remembered.
He prayed to Allah to bless the soul of the departed senator just he extended his condolences to his family, his colleagues in the National Assembly, as well as the government and people of Bauchi State.
Also the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Wakil.
Saraki in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the late senator as a vibrant lawmaker and public servant who was passionate about his assignment and engagements in the Senate, especially his chairmanship of the Senate committee on Poverty Alleviation and other committees where he was a member.
“Mallam Ali Wakil is one lawmaker you can never be in doubt where he stands on a particular issue. He spoke his mind fearlessly.
“His contributions at plenary were always very incisive and rich. I find it difficult to acknowledge that he will not resume plenary with us next Tuesday.
“My heart goes out to his family, the 8th Senate and the government and people of Bauchi State over the loss of this conscientious and patriotic Nigerian. He shall be sorely missed,” Saraki said.
The Senate president has since visited the residence of the senator in Abuja where he commiserated with his immediate and extended family members.
Also the Deputy Senate President, Prof Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Wakili, describing him as a diligent and courageous lawmaker.
He said: “I received with rude shock the news of the passing on of my friend, brother, colleague, and ally, Distinguished Senator Wakil Ali.
“Senator Wakil’s stint at the National Assembly has no doubt been cut short, but it was long enough to prove himself a forthright, patriotic, diligent, and courageous politician, who respected his conviction and loved his fatherland. He stood for what he believed was right and worked for the unity of Nigeria.
“It is indeed a grave, personal loss to me, the Senate, and the entire nation. He will live on in our hearts”.
Ekweremadu who stated this through his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu, prayed God to grant eternal rest to the soul of the late Senator and support his family, the good people of Bauchi State, and the nation with the fortitude to bear the loss.
Similarly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has described as devastating and heart breaking, the news of the death of Wakil. The Speaker, described the late Wakil as a personal friend, true brother and dependable ally.
“The death of Sen. Ali Wakil is a personal loss to me. I’m short of words to describe how devastated and heart broken I am over the passing away of this true friend, brother and confidant, with whom I had excellent brotherly relationship and association.
“We have indeed lost a distinguished parliamentarian, easy going and courageous person who had worked tirelessly both in the Senate chamber and outside to defend the interest of his constituents, Bauchi State and the downtrodden members of the society in the country at large.
“Within his short but eventful sojourn in the National Assembly, Sen. Wakil had distinguished himself with his characteristic display of patriotism, forthrightness and logical skills during debates and other legislative duties.
“We in Bauchi State and in particular, Bauchi South Senatorial District, have lost a worthy ambassador and a distinguished gentleman.
But we’ll take solace in the fact that his humanitarian services and other accomplishments will continue to be a source of inspiration to us all.
“Our deep condolences go to his immediate family, constituents, the people of Bauchi State and the nation atlarge over this irreparable loss,” Dogara said.
Chief Willie Obiano and his Deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke were yesterday sworn-in to begin their second term in office as governor and deputy governor of Anambra State amid pomp and fanfare.
The swearing-in, which was officiated by the Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Peter Umeadi, witnessed the convergence of Anambrarians from all parts of the country and in the Diaspora, as well as other visitors, including the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige and five governors gracing the occasion.
The governors who were present at the inauguration were the Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi; Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose and Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishiaku, who was represented by his Deputy, Haruna Umaru.
Also in attendance were the Chairman, Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe; Oni of Ife, Oba Adeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Ewi of Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe; the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo; former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, former Minister of Information, Mr. Labran Maku; widow of the late Igbo leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Chief Bianca Ojukwu and AIG Gwari Usman (rtd.).
Others included Senator Victor Umeh and his wife; Senators Andy Uba, Stella Oduah; Ben Ndi-Obi; Senator Joy Emordi; Nnamdi Eriobuna; Uche Ekwunife and Hon. Ferdinand Nwankwo; Hon. Onyenweife; Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rita Maduagwu, as well as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Oye.
Former governors of the state, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Dame Virgy Etiaba and the former Deputy Governors Chinedu Emeka, and Emeka Subeudu were also present so also were former Secretary General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; former Governor of Central Bank, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Dr. ABC Orjiakor; Governorship candidate of PPA, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah and Chief Chris Uba.
The inauguration which was a carnival of sort saw the entire state almost brought to a halt as both traders, including transporters left their businesses and stormed the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square venue of the event to support and hail the man that has graduated from an “Alert Governor” to a “21 over 21 Governor,” following the feat he achieved in the November 18, 2017 governorship election.
Welcoming the people to the ceremony the Chairman, Obiano Second Term Inaugural Committee, Hon. Ifeanyi Ibezim said that he had shown commitment and fidelity as he has kept his words in making the state an investment hub.
Obiano, he said, had completed all the projects he inherited from the previous administrations, saying that he fulfilled all his campaign promises.
In his inaugural speech entitled: “A Consolidation of Excellence,” Governor Obiano described himself as a product of love, which is the people’s love for the state and for good governance.
He said: “I am the proof that we have attained great political maturity in this state. I am the evidence that when the occasion demands, we can rise together as one and that when we stand together as one, we can bend the tide of destiny in our favour,” adding that he was in the state to serve.
“Never before has our beloved state witnessed the electoral history that you created on November 18, 2017. And today, I stand on the crest of your love to declare a new season of excellence for our beloved Anambra State. Our dear state is on a journey of self-awakening and discovery. We are reaching for the stars with the moon beneath our feet. And I am most grateful to you for choosing me and Nkem Okeke to lead you on this journey.
“I have no doubt that when Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu looks down from heaven, he would be proud of what you did on November 18, 2017. He would be happy that when the people he anointed to preserve his legacy jumped ship, you fought hard enough to keep the political vessel he bequeathed us afloat on the turbulent sea of Nigerian politics.
“Let me assure you here that the democratic garden you watered with your votes on November 18, 2017 will bloom with the flowers of progress. It will flourish to our joy and happiness and to the admiration of all Nigerians. We shall work together, dream together and create new narratives with happy endings for ourselves. Our dream is within a touching distance under my watch! We can see its gleaming surface on the horizon.”
In a Congratulatory message addressed to Prof Obioma Matthew Iheduru and released to BVI Channel 1 online ,Prof Nwala-The President of the Alaigbo Development Foundation(ADF) congratulated Prof Iheduru on his well deserved appointment as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Tansi University, Umunnya, in Anambra State.The full message reads: Prior to this appointment, you had taught at Fort Valley State University, Georgia, USA, and also taught at Abia and Imo State Universities. You were also Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies as well as Ag Vice Chancellor of Madonna University.
Your distinguished career as a scholar began at the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, where you earned your Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and went on to earn your MA (Akron, Ohio-1990), and Ph.D. (North Texas-1995).
You have also served in several distinguished roles as a social activist. You joined us to found the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) as an organisational instrument to help in the Rebuilding and Development of Igbo Nation and the Rebirth and Advancement of the Spirit of her Culture and Civilization. You have not only been a member of ADF Council – her policy-making organ, but you have held major positions as Secretary, ADF Census Committee and Secretary, ADF Imo Project devoted to promoting ADF actions meant to advance the cause of democratic Governance in Imo State, which we consider as a prerequisite for the economic and social development of the State..
Your new role puts you once more at the pivot of the educational system – the most vital institution for the regeneration of Alaigbo and her neighbours in Nigeria and Africa.
We pray God to continue to guide and sustain your humble but patriotic spirit in the years ahead. You can always count on ADF as your partner in the service of our people’ the message concluded.
The Address delivered by the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano to mark his inauguration into a second term in office on March 17, 2018.
Protocol
Ndi Anambra, ekene m unu.
Umunne m, I stand before you today as a product of love.Your Love. Your Love for Anambra State. Your Love for Good Governance!
I am the proof that we have attained great political maturity in this state.
I am the evidence that when the occasion demands, we can rise together as one and that when we stand together as one; we can bend the tide of destiny in our favour.
Ndi Anambra, this is the moment you have wished for, hoped for and prayed for. And I am here to serve!
Never before has our beloved state witnessed the electoral history that you created on November 18, 2017. And today, I stand on the crest of your love to declare A New Season of Excellence for our beloved Anambra State.
Ndi Anambra, our dear state is on a journey of self-awakening and discovery. We are reaching for the stars with the moon beneath our feet. And I am most grateful to you for choosing me and Nkem Okeke to lead you on this journey.
Therefore, my gratitude goes to the Almighty God for saying ‘yes’ to my dream of a second term in office, and I must thank you for your prayers and your votes that made me your Governor.
I bow in humility, to the leadership and members of our great party, APGA, for fighting a good and decent fight to ensure our victory at the polls. Umunne m, nke a buuu…nke anyi!
So, I must say ‘thank you’ to the newest Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Chairman of my Re-election Campaign Organization, Chief Sir Victor Umeh and his Team, for running what has been largely described as an outstanding campaign in Nigeria.
I also wish to acknowledge the personal sacrifices of our National Chairman, Ozonkpu Victor Oye and all the members of the Board of Trustee of APGA, the state APGA Chairman, Sir Norbert Obi, and his Executives as well as the entire APGA membership in Anambra State and across Nigeria. You people are awesome! Kokoronkooo! Ndi be anyi, nke a buuu…nke anyi!
Indeed, I must recognize all the candidates who ran against me in the last gubernatorial election for putting up a formidable fight. They fought like true sportsmen and women and accepted the decision of the people in good faith. They did not waste time to congratulate me and applaud the verdict from the polls. In doing so, they added a bright new chapter to our narrative of excellence in this great state. Umunnem, oga adili unu mma!
I must also thank all the leaders of the Churches and the traders, farmers and teachers, the Anambra State Association of Town Unions, the women associations and other groups whose massive endorsement swayed the votes in my favour. I thank our highly revered traditional rulers, the youths and students of Anambra State, the non-indigenes, the Diaspora and diplomatic communities, the development partners, the security agencies and the general public who support our steady march to progress in Anambra State. The victory we celebrate here today belongs to you all. Maka na nkea buuu…nke anyi! Dalu nu rinne.
Finally, I am most grateful to my beloved wife, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano. Beloved, you fought without looking back to bring us to this glorious moment. Oga adili gi mma! And to my precious daughter, Dr Ogechukwu Obiano and my beloved son, Difu; you are the reason the earth still spins on its orbit. I love you all!
Umunne m, I have no doubt that when Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu looks down from heaven, he would be proud of what you did on November 18, 2017. He would be happy that when the people he anointed to preserve his legacy jumped ship, you fought hard enough to keep the political vessel he bequeathed us afloat on the turbulent sea of Nigerian politics. Ndi Anambra, unu zulu ka emee! Nkea bu…nke anyi!
Ndi Anambra, the recent history of our dear State fills me with pride and hope. I am proud of our infinite capacity to change our story, our silent resolve to make every new day better than the day before. Indeed, I am proud that we have successfully placed our dear state on the tortuous path of progress and from this rugged valley of hard work we can all see hope in the distant hills.
Umunne m, let me assure you here that the democratic garden you watered with your votes on November 18, 2017 will bloom with the flowers of progress. It will flourish to our joy and happiness and to the admiration of all Nigerians. We shall work together, dream together and create new narratives with happy endings for ourselves. Our dream is within a touching distance under my watch! We can see its gleaming surface on the horizon. Nke a buuu…nke anyi!
Four years ago today, when I spoke to you from this same podium, I told you that the time had come “to prove to ourselves that the enterprising spirit for which our people are known all over the world can take firm roots at home, and that together as one, we can be masters of our own house.” Ndi Anambra today, we have proved without a shred of doubt that we are true sons and daughters of our fathers and mothers and that indeed, we carry the torch of their pioneering excellence.
We have taken back our cities and communities from brutal armed robbers and kidnappers who once made our beloved state a dread to decent people and a taboo to investors. We have turned the table on our collective enemies and turned our adversities into advantages. We are Nigeria’s safest state today. We have elevated governance from building roads and bridges to building lives.
We are the new agricultural model for Nigeria. Our cities and communities are aesthetic wonders with dazzling lights at night. We have re-created our social environment and restored nightlife to our cities. We suspended taxes for low income earners and put more money in the hands of breadwinners.
We have attracted huge investments and touched every community with special projects, chosen by each community. We grew our GDP by one trillion naira in the middle of recession and increased our Internally Generated Revenue while most taxes remain suspended.
We have exposed our teachers to global best practices with training in Singapore, sent our students to represent Nigeria at the World Schools Debate Championship in Singapore and awarded scholarships to 200 students. We have increased workers’ salaries in the midst of recession and settled the arrears of pensions and gratuity abandoned by previous regimes.
Ndi Anambra, we have built the longest bridge in the South East and opened direct access to our oil and gas wells. We inherited a total of 101 roads with a cumulative length of 641.924KM when we assumed office four years ago and in spite of the poor state of the economy, we successfully completed 55 of them with a cumulative length of 422.050KM. This has left us with a balance of 46 roads with a length of 219.074KM. At the same time, my administration awarded a total of 85 roads with a length of 490KM. And we have asphalted 412KM so far. We also awarded 12 new bridges and completed 5 of them. We have set our sights on completing 40 more roads before the rains come this year. We have done all these things makana nke a buuu…nke anyi!
Umunne m, our administration has established the basis for hope. We have announced a new season of excellence. We owe it to ourselves to be greater than those who came before us. Ndi Anambra together, we shall carve out a future that posterity will be proud of.
This is why we must gird our loins and roll up our sleeves for the next four years. I am fully aware of the weight of the history you placed on my shoulders with the landslide victory we recorded on November 18, 2017. I understand your hopes and expectations and I will never let you down, maka na nke a buuu…nke anyi!
Ndi Anambra, the next four years will witness a bold effort to lend roots to the great progress we have made in the past four years. We shall tighten the screws on our security architecture to ensure that Anambra remains Nigeria’s safest state.We shall install Ultramodern CCTV Cameras in strategic locations across the state to give us a new advantage in crime detection.
We shall drive hard reforms in the education sector to retain our position at the top and make education accessible to everyone to ensure that no child is left behind in our dear state. We shall build a state-of-the-art teaching hospital in each of the three senatorial zones to deepen our reforms in the health sector and initiate a medical scheme for people above 75 years of age. Major roads in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka shall be dualized to ease traffic congestion and boost the aesthetic appeal of our cities.
To exploit the natural inclination of our people towards entrepreneurship, we shall introduce an Entrepreneurship Development Training for micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs. This will ensure that we retain our competitive edge in areas where our talent has found the greatest expression while acquiring new skills that will help us fit into a fast changing world.
We shall devote a lot of time and attention to the construction and completion of the Anambra Airport City Project. This project carries the entire promise of the Fifth Pillar of our economic blueprint which is Logistics. Our dream of turning AnambraState into a logistics hub in the South East and South-South regions will come to reality once the Airport City Project becomes functional.
Brothers and sisters, our dear state has always been in the commanding seat of Nigeria’s creative industry. Yes. This state has produced great writers, singers, poets, painters, actors and storytellers. Among us are innovators, inventors and trailblazers. Anambra is the birthplace of Nollywood which has become a multi-billion naira industry today. It is for this reason that I have decided to add another Enabler to my Economic Blueprint which I have designated as The Creative Economy. This shall harness the creative impulses of our people in different forms and build a big industry out of them. Yes, we are ready to bring Nollywood back to its birthplace and offer a home to our people’s creative energy. So, if you are a creative person in Anambra State, wake up because your time has finally come!
We have set our sights on turning the Awka Capital Territory into a 21st Century city that will reflect our collective personality as Ndi Anambra. It will be a city of dreams that will announce our ambition to the attentive world! It will take a lot of sacrifice and hard work but it can be done and it will be done!
Ndi Anambra, as I gaze hard into the face of tomorrow, I see joy and laughter for my fellow citizens. But I also see challenges that we must overcome to enjoy the liberties of true citizenship. I see the mountain of doubts created by electricity supply to the colourful dreams of our people. I see the horrifying threat posed by the menace of herdsmen to the happiness of our farmers. I see the lingering anxiety caused by the uncertainties in the nation’s economy. But these challenges are not stronger than our collective resolve to take back our happiness. I have no doubt that together we will rise against them and together we will put them behind us for good.
Fellow citizens, our dear country, Nigeria is going through her usual cycle of self-interrogation and self-doubt. Once again, the ties that bind us are threatening to snap. Once again, voices are rising against voices and for the umpteenth time, we wag fingers in each other’s faces. But this country has seen it all and this country has survived it all. Yes! Nigeria has travelled through the darkest tunnel of time and came back safely to light. So, fellow compatriots, this too shall pass!
For those of you who desire a brighter future for your dreams; those who hope and pray for a Nigeria that is strong enough to compete in the comity of nations and kind enough to sooth the pains of her citizens, I urge you to worry no more because our great party is here to fulfil that promise.
Fellow compatriots, as the election year draws nearer, think of a better Nigeria. Think of APGA! If we can do it in Anambra with lean resources, we can do it in Nigeria with our abundant human and material endowments. I urge those who have yet to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Card, to do so now because the greatest power on earth today springs from the ballot box! Your Permanent Voter Card is your power to change our world. Please don’t deny yourselves this power!
Umunne m, as we lift our eyes to the horizons and the difficult decisions we must take, let us bear in mind that the hallway of history is lined up with as many heroic exploits as supreme sacrifices that made them possible. No meaningful progress is ever made without sacrifice. None!
And as each new day comes bearing the hopes and armour of a New Promise, let us stretch out our hands and open the doors of greatness to our dear state. Let us accept responsibility for our happiness and build a new world that will announce our presence on God’s earth.
If our forebears; the Great Zik of Africa, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, Mokwugo Okoye, Dr Akweke Nwafor Orizu, Igwe Osita Agwuna, Professor Kenneth Onwuka Dike, Professor Chinua Achebe, Professor Chike Obi, Mrs Janet Muokelu, and other illustrious personages laid the foundation for today’s Nigeria, our generation has no choice than to make Anambra State the quintessence of excellence! This is one mission that must not fail!
Brothers and sisters! This is the Anambra Challenge! The Anambra Promise!
It is up to you and I to keep it for generations yet unborn!
Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare killer herdsmen terrorists.
Soyinka, who spoke at the maiden edition of the Ripples Nigeria Dialogue in Lagos, yesterday, said he was disturbed that the president was treating the killer herdsmen with levity, while those who have committed far less crimes were severely punished.
“We expect the president to have the courage to declare such monsters as terrorists and enemies of humanity with the same dispatch in which he declared the far less violent, albeit, disruptive IPOB terrorists. We expect a culture of even-handedness.
“I have always refrained from labelling the herdsmen as Fulani but since they have publicly come out to admit they are responsible for the killings, we can say they are Fulani herdsmen.
“An organisation has been rampaging the nation armed to the teeth and descending on innocent people. Their spokesman appeared on TV, unrepentant, distorting history, calling on a state government to rescind their laws and proceeding to defy such laws. They went ahead and threatened continuation of the same acts of degradation. The nation has been placed on the defensive simply because of the failing of governance.
“Have you ever encountered a more cynical rendition of the sequence of events when spokesmen of this same organisation came out to say the killings were taking place because of the laws which was made to stop the killings in the first place? I have not heard that the leaders of that group have been summoned the way those who do far less things would have been summoned. Nigeria is not the first country to experience natural disasters but this is not an excuse to take guns to destabilise other peace-loving people in their communities.
“While addressing the victims of the rampage of Fulani herdsmen, the minister of defence asked the victims what they wanted the herdsmen to do when the grazing routes for their cattle were being blocked and that minister is still in Buhari’s cabinet.
“I get impatient when I hear people say that Buhari failed to sympathise with victims in Benue and Taraba. Who needs presidential sympathy? Is it sympathy that will re-order their broken lives? We are talking about security of lives and property and bringing perpetrators to book. We expect the government to respond with massive punitive action when the fundamental security of a people is violated. We expect the president to immediately show up at the scene of these disasters and order his troops into action against these arrogant and blood thirsty people.
“When stung by the criticism that the president rather chose to attend a wedding in Kano instead of being present in Dapchi, presidential apologists said the wedding was a needed therapy for the trauma caused by the abduction of the schoolgirls in Dapchi. That statement is blasphemous. There were so many formula that would have been adopted to ensure that the couple had their wedding without the accompanying exhibition of lavishness so soon after a national tragedy. The nation was in mourning and Buhari would have told the couple that he was not obliged to be there,” Soyinka said.
APC, ACF, Rep, others react
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) disagreed with Soyinka.
According to APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, it would amount to error of conceptualisation to tag a race like Fulani as terrorists because of the actions of few atrocious elements.
“I understand the sentiment behind his suggestions, but we need to be very careful not to criminalise an entire people just because of the criminal activities of a few.
“Fulani herdsmen refer to a full tribe or people not an organization like Boko Haram. So to say that Fulani herdsmen should be proscribed just the way we proscribed IPOB is to fall into an error of conceptualisation. Fulani herdsmen do not belong to that organisational category because they are full tribe of people. It would be wrong to tag a whole tribe as terrorists. And will he (Soyinka) be happy if, for example, the Yoruba race is branded as terrorists because of some people who are committing some atrocities or to tag Igbo people terrorists because of few Igbo persons committing atrocities?” he quried.
ACF General Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, said to declare everybody in the pastoralist profession terrorists would amount to criminalisation of a particular occupation which would offend many people’s sense of justice.
“I believe our inability to fish out the criminals among herdsmen and farmers engaged in the lingering clashes and prosecute them is the major challenge of how best we control the menace posed by the festering clashes. We seem to be aware of the presence of swarm of locust in the land but we are unable to determine the pests. As a result, we do not know which are the best herbicides to control the locust. Professor Soyinka should recommend better way of overcoming the insecurity posed by the clashes between pastoralists and farmers,” Sani declared.
But, the National Chairman of Young Progressives Party (YPP), Bishop Emmanuel Amakri agreed with Soyinka. He argued that considering the mayhem the herdsmen have unleashed in most communities, declaring them terrorists was long overdue.
“We need to put in actual perspective what terrorists means and in this case, I would say that for people or a group of people who have been unleashing attacks on people in every part of this country and whose trademark is bloodshed, killing everyday and slaughtering human being in the manner of the ISIS terrorist group, declaring herdsmen as terrorists group is not something people should be debating.
“Having killed in one community or the other and unleashed mayhem on people mindlessly, the herdsmen have done enough damage to be declared terrorists. In fact, it is long overdue,” he said.
As part of programme for the second term inauguration of Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, and his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Edward Kallon, will today lead international development partners to a business roundtable in Awka.
Governor Obiano and his deputy recorded a landslide victory during the November 18, 2017, governorship election, winning in all the 21 local government areas in the state.
Disclosing this yesterday, while announcing a three-day programme of activities for the inauguration ceremonies, Chairman of the Second Term Inauguration Committee, Ifeanyi Ibezi, said the convocation of the Anambra Business Roundtable was to signpost the trajectory of Governor Obiano’s second term, which was targeted at ushering in a “greater tomorrow” for Ndi Anambra.
Ibezi said the business roundtable would bring together critical stakeholders from public and private sectors to highlight growth opportunities in the emerging industries in Anambra State, adding that “at the end of the roundtable, new partnerships will be established, aimed at making live better for Anambra people, through sustainable value creation.”
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in Anambra State, Chief Emeka Okonkwo, has called on people of the state to give Obiano maximum cooperation as he begins his second term in office on March 17, 2018.
Okonkwo, publisher of Anambra State Compendium, an 800-page book on the people of the state and their general way of life, said it is only with the support of the people that the governor will surpass the achievements he recorded in his first term.
He described Obiano’s reelection as reward for his accomplishments, victory for Ndi Anambra and “endorsement for hard work,” which he said should serve as an inspiration to every citizen of the state.”
He said: “The overwhelming support for APGA at the last election, was a testament to the laudable performance of governor Obiano in the state. We are delighted to note that Ndi Anambra have come to recognise and also appreciate good governance.”
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, barred State House Correspondents from covering the wedding reception of his eldest daughter, Damilola, yesterday.
Accredited State House journalists were bared from getting close to the venue of the reception at the Conference Centre (old Banquet Hall).
Newsmen were told that the Osinbajos and the groom’s family opted for a low-key event, hence, barring of the Villa media.
The ceremony started with the traditional wedding at his Akinola Aguda official residence in the presidential villa.
Damilola got married to Oluseun Bakare, son of Mrs. Bola Shagaya, the oil and gas business tycoon.
News of Damilola Osinbajo’s engagement to Oluseun Bakare emerged on social media few weeks ago.
The vice president, had also, via his Twitter handle, confirmed the engagement of Damilola and Oluseun, and thanked God for the union.
Journalists, who thought their accreditation tag will grant them access to the venue, were told they were not wanted at the ceremony, yesterday.
Security aides of the vice president, on Wednesday, informed newsmen that they were not needed at any of the programmes for the ceremony.
Osinbajo’s security aides said the vice president and his family had already contracted publicity of the traditional wedding and the white wedding, which will take place tomorrow, to a private firm, said to be owned by a popular R and B singer.
State House staff and others, who had business in the villa, were prevented from parking their cars at the Banquet Hall Car Park nor at the second one otherwise called, Forest Car Park. The reception was attended by few state governors, families and dignitaries from the public and private sector.
The white wedding has been scheduled for the National Christian Centre, Abuja, tomorrow and another reception for guests will be held at the State House Conference Centre.
It was also gathered that the security personnel assigned to guard venues of the ceremonies were warned not to take photographs with their phones or other electronic devices.
As villa staff struggled to find alternative parking spaces, there was traffic gridlock for hours within the main entrance of the villa, which lasted for hours.
Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, hinted yesterday that governors earn more than Senators.
Obi, who was guest speaker at a dialogue organised by Ripples Centre for Data and Investigative Journalism in Lagos dropped the hint in his speech. He told the audience that if he revealed how much a Nigerian governor earns, the surprise would be far more than what trailed reports of the N13.5 million ‘running cost’ of senators.
“None of you knows what a governor or even a local government chairman earns. Quote me anywhere, if you know you won’t be here. It is something you can’t imagine. You just know the one of senators and you are shouting, but, what if you know that of the governors?
“America’s GDP is way above Nigeria’s but an American senator earns $174,000 (about N50 million) a year and you can imagine what his Nigerian counterpart earns in a month.
“In America, governors earn according to their state. The governor of California is the highest paid in America and he earns $192, 000.
“The smallest state earns $70, 000. But, in Nigeria, I can tell you, because I’ve been there, the cost of just keeping convoys alone is in millions.
“And, when people ask me ‘why am I saying these things?’ I tell them that even if we made mistakes yesterday, can’t we correct it today?”
A senator of the federal republic of Nigeria earns quite a lot of money. Here’s Senator Shehu Sani to explain it all.
Ok, it’s official—a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria is among the highest paid politicians on the planet. That’s according to Senator Shehu Sani.
1. Senators are handed N13.5M monthly as running cost
The senator who represents your constituency is given N13.5million monthly as running cost.
‘Running cost’ here is open to different interpretations.
“I think what we can say is that the running cost of a senator is N13.5 million every month,” Sani said.
There is no specific instruction concerning what this N13.5million should be used for, Sani said.
2. You have to tender receipts specifying how this N13.5million was spent
According to Sani: “What I am saying is that that money (N13.5 million per month) must be receipted for what you do with it”.
3. This N13.5million is separate from the basic salary of the senators
There is a certain N750,000 which the senators are asked to spend without tendering any receipts, however.
“But what you are given to go and spend without any accountability is N750,000.00,” Sani said.
This 750,000,000 is the basic salary of the senators.
“The only money you are not expected to account for is your salary and the salary of a senator is about N750, 000.00 per month. The other one, the running cost of office must be accounted for. You must provide a receipt for every expense you make,” Sani said.
4. Senators are entitled to N200m for constituency projects
As usual, we’d let Sani do the talking:
“The constituency project itself is given on a zonal basis and almost every senator will go with a constituency fund of about N200 million, but it is not the cash that is given to you.
“You will be told that you have N200 million with an agency of government for which you will now submit projects equivalent to that amount. And it is that agency of government that will go and do those projects for you”.
5. There is financial pressure on the senators from their constituents
According to senator Sani, they wouldn’t need all of this jumbo pay if people stop begging them for money and if people stop expecting them to build roads and bridges.
“When the people come to you, they want you to build roads, dig boreholes, build hospitals, schools, give money, pay school fees for them. Now, if we have a society in which people will stop asking legislators to do those things, then there is no need (for the allowances).
“But funny enough, if you are very active in the national assembly in making laws and you don’t embark on projects in your constituency, you cannot in any way be appreciated by the people you are there to serve because the electorates in United States are different from the electorates in the United States and Africa.
“We live in an underdeveloped society with a lot of poverty, misery and wants. What people want is for you to address those basic fundamental issues that affect their lives.
“If we can be done with that, it would be okay. Now, you are talking of bogus salaries and bogus allowances – there are three steps you need to consider – the first has to do with the fact when you represent the people, expectations arise from your immediate and the larger constituencies.
“But I agree with you that the salaries and allowances of lawmakers should not be discreet, but what is discreet about it when you can write to Resource and Fiscal Mobilization Commission to get everything about what a senator earns?”
