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2011: Jonathan should be bold enough to declare his ambition
—Tony Princewill
From : Taiwo Amodu, Abuja
Former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, Tony Princewill, has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to officially declare his interest in the race. Princewill, who spoke with journalists after a meeting with PDP National Chairman, Dr Okwesilizie Nwodo at Wadata Plaza, Abuja the Party national secretariat, submitted that a presidential ambition should not be shrouded in secrecy, as Nigerians are tired of reluctant presidents.
Excerpts :
We would like to know your mission here? Are you on your way back to PDP?
Well, one of the real reasons why I want to come back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is because one of the gentlemen who guided me in my early years in AC, is now the PDP national chairman. I am talking about Dr Nwodo himself. He is a very good friend of mine and he is somebody who has taken special interest in my political growth.
Since his assumption of office, he has scored a significant plus and that's one the main reasons I came back to the Party.
Were you one of those granted waivers, if not, are you expecting one?
Well, I am yet to come back. As many will know, I contested for governor in 2007 and looking at 2011, my interest is good governance and I am not particularly interested in any political position, but if I get a waiver... unlike some people my party in my state is very much in harmony with me, so the issue of waiver doesn't bother me.
What is your relationship with Rivers State governor and are you comfortable with his performance?
Yes, very comfortable. He is a good gentleman and doing well. I will score him six over ten. So far, so good. We have a lot of structures coming up, he is doing a very good job and I think we should encourage him to make sure that he scored more.
South-South leaders had adopted President Goodluck Jonathan, but your group adopted former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Why?
Well, it is because we aren't analogue politicians. We see ourselves as digital politicians. This is a new age, we don't just follow people, because of where they come from. In the words of Dr Martin Luther King, we are looking at people, not just because of the colour of their skin, but based on the content of their character.
Right now, people are clamouring for a south- south president, but I don't see anybody coming out from the south-south to say he wants to be president and I am tired of reluctant leaders— people who are being cajoled to become president . I believe if somebody wants to be President, he should come out and say so. Come and tell the people that you want to be president. Be bold, don't be afraid and tell the people why you want to be president.
Tell us what you are going to do and let people challenge you or test you on the basis of the content of what you want to deliver. That to me is more important than just where you come from. I am not the kind of person who believes that just because of where somebody comes from, that's not enough.
But the South-South leaders have adopted him; don't you think you would be running against the tide, considering the zone where you come from.?
Well, anybody who thinks that a jamboree like that could actually make significant difference in the politics of the south-south is kidding himself. Actually what is true is that Goodluck is a very good person, he has been doing his best to pilot the affairs of Nigeria, but he hasn't said that he wants to run. He should come out, he doesn't need to be afraid, he needs to be very bold. If he does so, on the basis of what he said, people would make a judgment call on it.
I think for now anybody who expects me to support something that doesn't exists doesn't know who I am and the kind of politics I play. My politics is based on substance, not symbol.
So, we want politics of issues. For instance, we need to know what happened to the technical committee report on Niger Delta—two years now gathering dust, nothing is happening and we have a president from Niger Delta. I think our people want answer on that.
And you think Atiku would address that?
Well, if you follow the meeting we had with him, two nights ago, he made a direct commitment to address that issue. He said that within the first week or month of his presidency, he would issue a white paper and start the process of implementation of the white paper. So, that's the kind of commitment I want to hear. I am interested in substance.
But what do you make of IBB presidential ambition?
Well, unlike those who are asking what he forgot at Aso Rock, I think what these guys are trying to do is to rewrite their history. Take IBB for instance, June 12, he is trying to rewrite his role in history. So, let's give him the opportunity to come out and contest. If the people and the Party want him, then he would know and that would be the end of the matter, but now, Nigerians are very cynical people and it doesn't matter who comes up they will look at the person negatively .
So, let him give opportunity to prove himself. Like I said, let us address the key issues. I have been listening to IBB and on the key issues of Niger Delta, I haven't heard the right thing. May be if we get them talking some of these candidates would get noticed.
Don't you think pitching tent with Atiku at this time could be politically unwise, considering the cloud over his membership of the party?
I don't think his membership records are being questioned. I think what is being questioned is whether he has been given or granted a waiver. But this party as you can see now under the leadership of Nwodo is trying to create a level playing field for everybody. If anyone is trying to prevent Atiku from presenting himself as an aspirant, why not allow all of them to try their popularity. That's the best thing and the best way of establishing who-is-who. So, I don't think PDP as a party would want to prevent Atiku from coming out to contest. People want to support him, he should be allowed to contest. Let the party members make their choice at the convention.
You were involved in 2007, you contested for the Rivers State governorship seat .
Why are you not interested now?
It is because too many of us are driven by personal ambitions. I don't even think I want to be involved now. History wouldn't be kind to people who are involved at this stage. I think Nigeria is still in a mess, our leadership in complete disarray.
We have failed our people. At least, I can be at the other side blaming the leadership. I think it isn't time for some of us. Let be where we are. The atmosphere isn't conducive. Yes, Nwodo is trying to instill discipline, but today PDP doesn't have any ideology and what exactly are we talking about? I have been talking to the chairman about this and it is good to see that it is one of his agenda as national chairman.. .politicians should be able to answer questions on manifesto, irrespective of party affiliation.
Source: Daily Sun, 31st August 2010.
Run, Jonathan, Run
OPPORTUNITY as the popular saying goes comes only but once. In today's Nigeria, we are living witnesses to the emergence of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as Nigeria's 14th President and Commander in Chief. It will be correct to attribute his ascension to power to providence.
Since he joined politics in 1998, after resigning his appointment as assistant director (Ecology) at then OMPADEC (now NDDC), fortune has always smiled on him. Acknowledged by all and sundry as a good man, with quiet mien, Dr. Jonathan is eminently qualified to contest for President in 2011.
This position may not be palatable to some political elements in the polity, but if the Nigerian constitution is anything to go by, then Dr. Jonathan can run. Of recent, one could read divergent views from different quarters as to whether he should run or not, but I believe that even the PDP "agreement" that power should remain in the North for another four years after this Yar'dua/Jonathan tenure is neither sacrosanct or binding on all.
Come to think of it, where is the proof that such agreement actually exists, in view of the fact that even the chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo recently debunked that any such agreement existed?
Therefore, it is futile for some persons or groups to begin to issue threats or intimidate the entire nation that hell will let loose, if Goodluck Jonathan exercises his fundamental human right to seek re-election in 2011. In my view, such threats should be discountenanced as they can not hold water.
If however some persons decide to breach the law by destabilising the country, then the law enforcement agencies should be compelled to apply maximum force towards enforcing the law. Nigerians want a fresh breather in the system, and nobody can sit down in his house and dictate to them who should govern them.
Enough of this political brigandage and intimidation by elements who on their own cannot face the electorate, rather they hide under the canopy of zoning.
In reality, these crops of politicians are not sincere and they have nothing to offer the nation. They are self seeking, and their modus operandi is self aggrandizement. The problems confronting the nation today are legion that Nigerians should be allowed to choose who govern them, and not a bunch of party heavy weights. In any case, the prime reason for the so-called zoning agreement by the PDP has been overtaken by events.
Even the political re-alignments of today tend to have discarded the arrangement, or how else can one explain that North holds the following key positions: Vice President, Senate President, Chief Justice, Secretary to the Government of the federation, Chief of Army Staff, NNPC CEO until lately, to mention but a few.
Going by the above listed positions, the South East is the ultimate loser with only the infinitesimal position of Deputy Senate President. Therefore, the North as it were has the least reason to complain; after all, they have been in the vanguard of political manipulations over the last four decades of Nigeria's history as an independent nation.
Much as most Nigerians grieve over the sudden death of former President Yar'dua, they are also consoled by the emergence of another good man in the person of President Goodluck Jonathan. He deserves support from all sections of the country to enable him serve us better.
If truth must be told, we as a country need a break from the inglorious past where our so called leaders treated us with levity and disregard.
To face the issue squarely, if President Jonathan keeps faith with the PDP zoning arrangement by not contesting in 2011, how are we sure that the next president of Northern extraction will keep faith by vacating the seat after four years. A typical historical example was the maradonic way former Head of State, General Babangida kept shifting the goal post whenever it was his appointed time to step down.
Nigerians were forced to put up with this rigmarole for eight solid years. Yet on his departure, he promised us that he was only stepping aside. That is how far people in power can go to elongate their tenure.
In the case of Jonathan, he is at liberty to just exercise his legal right to aspire to any office in the land. By the way, even if the zoning arrangement was agreed to by the founding fathers of PDP, one can at this juncture ask if that was a condition precedent for any member wishing to join the party. The answer is obviously NO.
This was an agreement by a few persons that is not enforceable going by the PDP constitution or the Nigerian constitution. So where is the basis for all the warnings and threats against Jonathan joining the presidential race?
Obviously, any discerning mind should not heed such tantrums, for they are meant to rattle the weak and uninitiated.
From all indications, most Nigerians support President Jonathan to run. In the short span of his administration, we can see that we are now enjoying longer hours of electricity supply; the international community is once more paying serious attention to Nigeria.
In the last few weeks and months, we have seen important regional and world leaders visiting Mr. President on solidarity visits. Even the United Nation's Secretary General also came visiting. These are signs of a country that is on the right track, and we should not be afraid to fritter this opportunity away, simply because some disgruntled elements want to scare all of us.
We must not succumb to fear, rather we as a nation must take the bull by the horn and steer the ship of state to safety and peace. Nigeria is at crossroads and the seriousness of our situation does not necessitate the manner of intrigues some persons have embarked upon. We need stability and progress, and for crying out loud if President Jonathan, as the one on the saddle can deliver it, why not give him a chance?
Throughout history, we have seen countries where their Presidents has remained in power almost perpetually just to sustain the progress and survival of their countries. Such countries include Libya, Cuba, Egypt, Russia and many more. Granted that as a democratic nation, Nigeria cannot snowball into a banana republic, yet even within our laws, Jonathan has a right to contest.
Indeed, I will be surprised if Jonathan capitulates by not contesting. This is not a battle for the lily livered, and Jonathan has everything in his favour, the most important being the backing of ordinary Nigerians. He should capitalise on the people's support and contest, and disregard the empty threats of a few who feel threatened by the alteration of the status-quo. If the boat of a great nation like Nigeria should not be rocked, then it behoves all of us to abide by the principles of rule of law.
It is however not impossible that there will be pockets of dissension and protests against his candidature, but this is expected, and they can be contained, given that this is the antics of a few.
Democracy is all about upholding the views of the majority and luckily in this scenario they are with Mr. President. The question is: What do most Nigerians desire? And the answer is not far fetched- GOOD GOVERNANCE. Indeed, if Jonathan has provided good life for the majority, why should he abdicate his responsibility to them, by not contesting?
By Chukwudi Enekwechi, a journalist, writes from Abuja.
Source: Vanguard, 20th August 2010.
Akunyili Urges Support for Re-branding Project
FROM UZOMA NZEAGWU, AWK
MINISTER for Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, has restated that the Federal Government introduced the re-branding project to change the character and attitude of Nigerians and to return the country to its former glory.
She urged every Nigerian and lovers of the country to work for the success of the scheme.
Akunyili, who condemned the rising cases of kidnapping in the South-East, noted that criminality is not peculiar to Nigeria and that only a few individuals are giving the country a bad name.
Addressing a cross-section of stakeholders at the Women's Development Centre, Awka, during the weekend, Akunyili said the re-branding programme borders on Nigeria's cultural values and the totality of the Nigerian citizen.
She frowned at a situation where what the international community hears about Nigeria is always negative, stating that there is no country in this world without a number of criminals.
She also took a swipe at the Nigerian media, lamenting what she called negative reporting of the country daily, even as she asked: are there no good things happening in Nigeria?
The minister insisted that there are many credible and reliable personalities in the country, adding that Nigerians are also hard working, intelligent and honest people.
In his speech, Governor Peter Obi assured that the government, in collaboration with Anambra citizens, would ensure the success of the project in the state.
Obi particularly appealed to traditional rulers, town union president generals, the church and women to help spread the gospel to the various communities.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Adetukombo Kayode, has appealed to the people of Anambra State to be thankful to Governor Obi for his commitment to the development of the state.
The minister made this appeal yesterday at the foundation stone ceremony of the perimeter fence of the Onitsha military cantonment.
The project followed approval of President Goodluck Jonathan to the requests by Governor Obi for perimeter fence.
Kayode appraised what he termed the cordial and fruitful relationship between President Jonathan and Obi.
He assured that the project would commence immediately and would be completed within 90 days. He also urged the state government and the Army engineers to ensure strict supervision of the project.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Muhammed Isah, said the open cantonment had continued to expose the troops and vital facilities to security risk and has remained a centre of controversy on allegation that it offered escape route to robbers and miscreants. He described the project as the fruit of Governor Obi's efforts and strong presentation to the President.
Also speaking, the Commanding Officer, 14 Engineering Regiment, Col. Mark Mamman, commended Obi and President Jonathan for the project and their continued support.
He assured they would reciprocate by working assiduously in the interest of the country.
Source: The Guardian, 16th August 2010.
Why Nigeria Must Rebrand by Akunyili
By Vincent Ujumadu, Awka
INFORMATION and Communications Minister, Professor Dora Akunyili took her re-branding campaign to Anambra State yesterday, warning that Nigeria would be left behind if she fails to use the opportunity provided by the exercise to correct the negative perception about the country and her citizens.
Addressing the people of the state at the Women Development Center in Awka, the Minister regretted that the negative impression about the country was given flesh by the bad behaviour of some Nigerians, but argued that since those with such bad behaviour were in the minority, the majority should insist on doing the good things while making efforts to change the attitude of the bad minority.
She recalled that previous governments tried in the past to carve a better image for the country through programmes such as MAMSER, War Against Indiscipline (WAI), the Heart of Africa, Ethical Revolution, among others, regretting that most of them did not achieve much, except WAI which also died with the administration that established it.
According to her, the on-going re-branding exercise is succeeding because it is totally home bred, coupled with the fact that it is anchored on attitudinal change.
"All over the world, Nigerians are recognized as criminals such that in many airports, we are asked to stand aside for special screening, but we know that this is not the true situation. The worrisome aspect is that we are even accepting the situation as normal and that is why there is need to have a change of attitude," the minister said.
She cited the case of Anambra State which, she observed, had acquired the notoriety for kidnapping, even when it is obvious that only few bad eggs are involved in it and advised that parents should not keep quiet when their children become thugs because from thuggery, they graduate to kidnapping.
Akunyili commended Governor Peter Obi for changing the bad image of the state which, she noted, is a form of re_branding.
In his speech, Governor Obi advised that re_branding should begin with the kind of people presented for elective positions, adding that "once we get the right people in political offices, good things would eventually follow".
He said that the problem in the past was that those representing the people in various places were only concerned about themselves and that did not provide any encouragement for the younger ones who looked up to them
The governor said that his administration is working with the traditional rulers and presidents' general of the various communities in changing the state for the better, adding that there had been successes in that regard.
Source: Vanguard, 14th August 2010.
Open Letter To Dora Akunyili
BY ENGR. EMEKA EZENWANNE ON BEHALF OF DORA AKUNYILI'S LATE ELDEST SISTER'S FAMILY
1. I write you this letter as your first nephew and first son of your late sister. I write you on behalf of our family?the family of your late eldest sister. I write with deep sorrow and pain in my heart. I have chosen this medium because it seems to be the only medium you enjoy and especially since you decided to politicize the death of my mother through the mass media. You are the Minister of Information and Communication and in control of Government- owned media. You have really demonstrated to us and all Nigerians how much powers you have by mobilizing all Government media to fight your private family battles. You know I have always cared for and respected you and all my aunties and uncles. This letter is out of care and concern for you, Aunty. You may not appreciate it now but I am sure that in a few years time, it will all make sense. The goal of this letter is to remind you of our mortality in this world, and to beg of you to please let my mother truly rest in peace!
2. You would recall, Aunty, that when you were lobbying for the NAFDAC position, you asked my late mother and all of us to go on fasting and prayers and that if God answered our prayers, the family would never be the same again. It is up to you, Aunty, to assess whether in the last 10 years, you have been in public service the family has seen more pain or gain. I now agree that power corrupts. But Aunty, take it easy because as the late Azikiwe once reminded everyone, 'no condition is permanent'! Life is a stage, and all positions remain temporal and ephemeral. In the end, you will still need this family, and you may not know exactly when or how!
3. Your tribute to my late mother attests to the fact that she literally brought you up, and was the matriarch of your family since your parents died early. But over the last several years, you brought so much pain and sorrow that she regretted having you as a sister. Her unanswered question remained: "what did I do to Dorothy?" Only you can answer that question! It speaks volumes that your eldest sister who doubled as your mother was sick for about six months and even flown abroad for six weeks and you did not know. Of course, if you were in talking terms with her or if you ever called her on phone, you would have known. Whatever may be your reasons for your behaviour towards her, it baffles us that you have no compassion even to the dead. Your conduct before, during and after the burial/funeral ceremonies gave the impression that you were bent on disrupting the ceremonies for reasons best known to you. In the attempts, caution was thrown to the winds and perhaps you may not be aware that you committed several abominations in the process.
(a) First and without consultation with our family, you left your hometown (Nanka) and came to set up a parallel, rival funeral site next to our compound (contrary to custom and tradition). When I noticed this abominable arrangement two weeks to the burial, I politely begged and explained to Uncle Anayo (your younger brother who came to make the arrangement) that it was not proper. We thought it was settled. My family was shocked to notice in the early hours of the burial day, that you adamantly went ahead to set up a tent beside our family house as your own funeral site. It took the intervention of our kindred, the traditional ruler, and the Police to convince your occupation force to relocate to your home town, Nanka, as the tradition demanded. Of course, the soldiers and Police you brought to enforce your wish, brutalized several members of my kindred who protested the abomination. Aunty, our hearts bled. Is this the use of power which you asked us to fast and pray for? You know best the reasons for your strained relationship with my mother, and even at her death, you brought truckloads of soldiers and Police to harass and beat up innocent people who came to mourn her death. We did not find this act funny, Aunty. Now that my mother has died, are you now on a mission to also conquer her family?
(b) Why did you not allow your immediate elder brother, Uncle Joseph, who is the first son of your parents, to be part of your delegation to the burial/funeral? By tradition, he was expected to lead the delegation of our Uncles and aunties. We were shocked when you stood in the Altar of God and publicly announced that your more successful younger brother, Uncle Anayo, was the head of the Edemobi family. Is Uncle Joe dead? Some of us can only hazard a guess as to the reasons. But Aunty, to deny him the opportunity to see the corpse of his eldest sister and also publicly deny him his birthright as the head of the Edemobi family (on tape) is an abomination! It pained us that Uncle Joe was not allowed to see his sister's corpse and pay his last respects. Dear Aunty, there will be life after Government!
(c) Again, Aunty, why would you bribe the Umuada Nanka (paid each N5000) so that they won't perform their last rites to my mother? On the morning of Saturday, July 17, we sent a bus to bring the leadership of Umuada as we were directed but, were told that you asked them not to come. Must you go this far Aunty? Well, we are happy that we fulfilled all the requirements as demanded by your people and the Umuada, as required by custom and tradition, including the cow, etc. By tradition, you and the Umuada are now the ones owing my mother! Money, they say, is the root of all evils. With money, Aunty, you have created a crisis among the Umuada. Many of them have called us to complain that you have goaded them into committing an abomination by not giving my mother her right, and are now demanding a date from us so that they can shed the burden. We leave you and the Umuada to your conscience, to God, and the spirit of my mother!
(d) We heard you were complaining that the corpse of my mother was not brought to you at Nanka before the burial. Very funny, isn't it, Aunty? Remember this was the woman you had not spoken to in over a year. How many times in the last five years did my mother enter that compound? Why would she do so only as a corpse? By the way, when did it become the custom and tradition of Nanka that a married daughter of Nanka would never be buried unless and until the corpse has been taken to her father's compound in Nanka? Aunty, I am sure you know enough that taking of corpses to the deceased's father's home is simply a gesture of goodwill (especially when the corpse has been put in a mortuary, where it is convenient to do so, and where existing relationship is cordial) and never a requirement by custom and tradition in Nanka or even the environs. What if she was married in Calabar and the survivors had no money to even put the corpse in the mortuary?
Finally, everyone of the over ten thousand people who attended the two-day events attested that it was a funeral to be remembered for years for its huge success. While everyone was praising us and our inlaws for giving our mother a historic burial, you went ahead to call a press conference to give bad publicity to the events. Well, he who has decided to dance naked in the market place must not blame the children for taking a glance at his nudity. I will refrain from commenting on that press conference and your spurious allegations therein. We were all shocked that you could boldly fabricate such stories about thugs and tell the whole world. My mother must be perplexed anywhere she is about your conduct and how you are paying back her family for all she did for you. Think about this Aunty, you could not devote one minute of network news to announce the death of your eldest sister but devoted minutes of airtime in all TV stations, including the NTA network news, radio, and the print media, to run your obviously self-serving advertisements to ensure that the burial had a bad press. It is well!
4. My last word, Aunty, is that you should take it easy. Please watch it, Aunty, because, aside from the choruses and trumpets that go with power, the ship may be getting empty by the day. Always remember, we all love you. We earnestly pray that you will still come to the reality that aside from God, your most important possession is family! We are still observing the 40 days of mourning, but I will not forget to send our belated happy birthday wishes. We will continue to pray for you, Aunty!
With all best wishes,
Your nephew,
Engr. Emeka Ezenwanne
Source: The Guardian, 7th August 2010.
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El-Rufai: Zoning of Presidency is Wrong
Emmanuel Oladesu
Former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Mallam Nasir el-Rufai spoke with reporters shortly before
the take-off of the 'one man, one vote' rally organised in Lagos by the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) and the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER). Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.
Why are you attending the rally in support of electoral reforms in Lagos?
I am here to support the activities of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG). I am here to mobilise Nigerians to register to vote for their candidate of choice and take a step further to protect their votes so that we can have a real democracy in our country.
The previous elections were not credible and they have been progressively worse since 1999. 2003 was the worst and 2007 was a disaster. I am not proud of it because I was part of the government that conducted 2007 election.
But we all know what happened. In many states, there were no elections. I was in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and I can proudly say that in FCT, I made sure there were credible elections. And indeed, one of my crime is that the PDP did not win that election. I was not ready to allow rigging in the territory.
But the elections got worse and I agree it is time for Nigerians to rescue their country.
People had the impression then that you were a member of the PDP
I think I am still a member of the PDP, but I don't know for how long. I was very active in the PDP Reform Forum and we are trying to see what internal changes we can bring about in the party. But we are not making much progress in the party.
I am still a member, but I don't know for how long.
Now that you are back, what do you want to do for Nigeria?
Before I attained 50, I have been assigned responsibilities at higher levels at that relatively young age. And having attained 50, I think my role is to encourage and inspire younger people to be active in politics and to be active in public office and stand up to protect their future.
I am 50. I am old. I am on my way out. But what I can do, I think, is to get young people to understand that being actively involved in politics is important. Politics is not for criminals only. It is for decent people. That is how it should be.
And getting into public office is desirable because we can't change our country unless we have a public service that works.
When I was young, I did not know that. I only figured it out over time. I want to spend the rest of my time contributing to movement, any organisation like the SNG that is trying to bring decency back into our politics and into governance.
That is what I think is my role.
If you say you are on your way out at just 50, what do you have to say about people in their 70s who still want to contest 2011 election?
They should not contest. And if they do, we should reject them. These people I call 'the 'crowd of 1966' are the people that terminated our First Republic. They have been ruling this country in a critical manner. They should leave us alone. They should retire and let younger generation give this country a new direction.
We don't want them. And if they come out, Nigerians should reject them.
What is your take on the PDP zoning arrangement that is being made to appear as if it is binding on all of us?
I have given my opinion on zoning system, even when I was in exile. I think zoning is a system that excludes a larger percentage of the population contesting for any office. I think it is wrong.
I think a country like Nigeria needs the best people they can find for any position. So, the positions of the President, the governors, chairmen of the local government should be thrown open to every one that is qualified to aspire to that office. Let the people pick who is the best.
We should not have Presidency by allocation or governorship by allocation or on geographical basis. Nobody chooses where he is born. The fact that you are from Lagos and I am from Kaduna is an accident. We didn't choose where we are.
So, on that basis, when we begin to pick leaders based on where they come from, I don't agree with that approach. It has been my opinion. I believe the Presidency of this country should be thrown open to people who are more qualified to contest and Nigerians should make their choice.
Let Nigerians say; we want another Northerner as President or we want someone else. But it is not for people to sit down in a room and decide that half of Nigerians can not contest for any position. I am against it. I believe in merit.
Does that mean that President Goodluck Jonathan can also contest the 2011 election?
Yes. President Goodluck Jonathan is qualified to contest the 2011 election in my view. Even, if (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo has a brother from Abeokuta (Ogun State), who is qualified to contest, I have no problem about that.
I have no problem with someone from Sokoto or Kaduna who wants to contest. It should be thrown open. Let the choice be that of Nigerians. It should not be a few people saying that, half of the country should not contest. I disagree with that.
Are you comfortable with the conduct of the House of Representatives members who engaged themselves in fisticuff on the floor of the House?
I think it is unfortunate. But having said that, you know parliaments do engage in that kind of brawl. The Japanese Parliament and parliaments of many other countries engage in it. It is not something to be concerned about. Definitely, it is nothing to be worried about.
But I do think that the House of Representatives should find a better way of sorting out their differences and I don't think the best way to do it is to suspend the members who disagree with you.
It is not democratic if you say a member accuses you of corruption and you should suspend him. I think there should be transparency and the allegation should be investigated.
I was investigated by Yar'Adua Administration for three years. I came back to Nigeria to defend my name. So, people should stand up to defend their names.
To resort to blows, I think, is unbecoming of people who are supposed to legislate for our country. I think they would learn over time to settle their differences in a better way.
If Nigerians ask you to contest for the Presidency, what will be your reaction?
I am not a candidate for any office. I have said so several times because I think I have done my best. I have served this country to the best of my ability. I think it is time I stepped aside a little and push forward others.
And, I don't think 150 million people of Nigeria can come to my house and ask for that. If that happens, it will be a different thing entirely.
But let me say that politicians play this game. They will say: "Oh, you know it is my people that force me to go." No, you yourself want to go and that is why you instigate your people to force you to go.
I believe Nigeria has many talents from every part of the country and there are many who want to be President and they are also good. If I sight some of them and I have it in my mind to support them, I will work with them in a way to make it possible.For me, I want to take a break.
When you were in exile, did you miss home?
Yes, I did. It was a traumatic experience that you can not visit even your enemy. I missed Nigerian food. I missed many of my friends and family. Some of my family friends died and I couldn't attend their funeral.
But that was God's wish and I think there was a clear purpose to it that I have to go through that to learn a few things. I also improved myself by acquiring more degrees while in exile. I finished my law degree at the University of London. I got my Masters from Harvard.
So, it is not all wasted. It is hard a lot to be kept away from your country, be denied the renewal of your passport, and for your family to be detained at the airport when they visited you.
This is part of life that one has to take as part of experiences to learn from and move on in life and do whatever you think you can to make your country better.
What's your position on the Uwais's Panel Report?
I think my respected elder brother, Justice Uwais, and distinguished members of his panel did a very good job. And I think that the recommendation of the panel should be implemented in its entirety.
It is true that they consulted Nigerians. And if it requires the government to ask Nigerians to do a referendum to show their support for that reform, let them do it. It is only when we have credible election that we can link governance and accountability to the people so elected.
Unless we have that, those elected would continue to operate with a culture of impunity. There is no alternative to credible elections. If we don't do it now, we will do it one day. So, why not just do it now?
What is your reaction to the persistent agitation for state creation?
I am against state creation. I think we already have many states, many of which are not viable. Without the Federation Account and all this oil revenue, some states can not pay salary.
I think that this country operated better when we had fewer states and regions that were competitive and were large enough to be viable.
I am against state creation because it can never solve any problem. It is just to create jobs for some people.
You have more commissioners, more governors, more Special Assistants. But in terms of development, you can not see the benefit. I am against the creation of more states.
If there is a way to merge some states, I will support that, but I know it is not possible. What is done can not be undone in the constitution. We can therefore, step back and make what we have viable.
Many of these states can not collect enough taxes to pay half of their workers' salary. So, without the tax, what can you call viability? We started with three regions. It became four, then, 12, 19, 21, 30, 36 states. And how are these states going to be viable? How can they deliver?
If we have to divide Lagos, I ask, to how many states? Lagos has 15 million people. If you want to use the population as a criterion, we have to divide Lagos. But Lagos, in its federated mega city, it is not viable.
Fashola is doing a great job. He is really showing Nigerians that this thing can work. Nigerians are not a disorganised people. They can be made to work. What we need in our states is good governance as we are seeing in Lagos and in some states in Nigeria and not more states.
Source: The Nation, 5th July 2010.
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Dreaming Greater Future For The Nsukka
'Temple Of Knowledge'
BY CHIDO NWAKANMA
With an eye on its envisioned future as "a global centre of learning", the University of Nigeria has commenced a leadership and team building programme to build human capital for the challenges of the new era.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Bartho Okolo led 180 management staff and participated in two three-day sessions over two weekends at the Grand Hotel, Asaba, Delta State in pursuit of the goal. The second session ran from June 4 t0 6, 2010.
The 2010 UNN Leadership Retreat had as theme "Change for the Positive: What is excellence as we restructure our work attitude?"
Organisational learning and development firm, Orglearning Consult, the Nigerian arm of Tol Consult, USA organised the retreat in conjunction with African Development Solutions International, led by Prof. Osita Ogbu, a former Minister of National Planning, who served as lead facilitator.
Dr. Chidiebere Onyia heads OrgLearning Consult and its USA-based parent company Tol Consult.
Aside the Vice chancellor at the Retreat, were his three deputies, (Prof. Charles Asuzu, Academic, Prof Egbeke Aja, Administration and Prof (Mrs) Rich Umeh, Enugu Campus), the provost of the College of Medicine, Deans of Faculties, heads of academic and non-academic departments, as well as heads of directorates and institutes.
According to Prof. Okolo, the journey across the River Niger for a first of its kind team building effort for key staff of the nation's Independence year university, was necessitated by the fact that, "If this university will become the bulwark community of our new society, our leadership, our managerial thinking and our approach to work must change. We can no longer behave in ways that communicate the very opposite of what we preach and what we believe."
Okolo told the participants that they gathered to "appreciate how integral each and every one of us is to our collective success." While each person focuses on his immediate job responsibilities, he added, it is best for everyone to work towards a collectively agreed vision and mission.
It was an opportunity to share with the leaders of the institution the mission statement approved by the University Management and Council, which seeks "To place the University of Nigeria in the forefront of research and development, innovation, knowledge transfer and human resource development in the global academic terrain, while promoting the core values which will ensure the restoration of the dignity of man".
The vision is "To create a functional, globally competitive and research focused University of Nigeria which is not just an ivory tower but responsive to the needs of society while delivering world class education and knowledge".
Challenges
There were many challenges ahead of the university, and the articulation of vision and mission statements and team building are only but first steps to tackling the problems, the vice chancellor stated:
"I appreciate the reality and impact of our 'Nigeria context' on leadership attitude to positive change in our university. I am not naive to the struggles each of us go through with some of our colleagues who have no business being in the academic, talk less of being in leadership roles."
He said the retreat held despite nay-sayers "who told me not to bother with this retreat because nothing positive and sustainable will come from it. They cited so many examples of failed projects but thank God, for each example of failure, I had two successful examples to back our decision to invest in this leadership retreat. It is all about attitude."
He added: "The positive change we seek will require great struggle, great sacrifice and a transparent team spirit. Therefore, more than anything, this is a battle in our hearts and minds about what kind of university and country we want and how hard we are willing to work for it.
"So let me remind you that change will not be easy. Change will take time and tremendous effort. There will be setbacks and false starts and sometimes we will make mistakes. But we must not be afraid to admit our leadership gaps and refuse the temptation to dwell on failures."
Multifarious challenges confront the first indigenous university in Nigeria. Facilities are inadequate for its large and growing population of 40, 000 students; municipal infrastructure is a huge challenge: it is common to enter the University and find lecturer's offices and lecture rooms without power for days on end. The same lecturers and students retire to homes and hostels similarly without power; a common Nigerian challenge made even more difficult by lack of funds to adequately fund alternative sources.
Books are in short supply, although this is improving as University Librarian Dr. Charles Omekwu recently received donations from alumni in the Diaspora, staff of Chevron and others into the largest library in West Africa. Also, the Nigerian Factor has found a large seating space in the University.
Funding causes the University administration severe headaches. UNN groans like many federal universities with a huge wage bill that sucks the subvention from the federal government, leaving little for most recurrent expenditures not to mention capital projects.
All of which has resulted in lowered academic standards, reflected in poor research output, low number of publications by academic staff compared to their peers even nationally, and a lowered reputation for the university that took off the starting block in 1960 with many firsts and began establishing a reputation for stellar graduates with the performance of the first set in the Western Nigeria civil service examinations in 1963.
The Leadership Retreat thus aimed at sharing the challenges with all of the leaders of the university at middle and senior management and the vision to change for the better. According to Prof. Ogbu, a former consultant with the World Bank, leaders of the UNN need not look too far as the original vision articulated by the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe is still very relevant in the circumstances of today.
Azikiwe in a 1959 essay said of UNN, "It was conceived that such a Temple of Knowledge should be organized as to give physical and spiritual poise to Nigerians and facilitate the development of their personalities as free men and women in a free world. ...It should imbue those who study within its portals with a sense of mission in the building of a new nation.
"We are founding the University of Nigeria in order to create a glorious opportunity for ambitious men and women, young and old, who have the aptitude and the vision to prepare themselves for greater service to their communities ...to guard jealously the fundamental rights of man".
Of current challenges, Ogbu said the first Chancellor had foreseen it and proffered solutions while speaking of UNN's distinct features in a 1960 speech. Zik had said that UNN shall not be exclusively residential; shall combine professional cum vocational education with social equality between the two; cater for a large number of students specialising in a variety of courses , whilst maintaining the highest academic standards, and its sources of income will include earnings from its agricultural and commercial estates.
UNN was also supposed to recruit faculty and staff from across the globe without regard to race or nationality, and provide them with opportunity to maintain contact with intellectual and academic life in the outside world. Because its goal was to produce world class graduates, it was not supposed to restrict the number of students purely on the basis of the potential absorption of its graduates into vacant jobs within the territorial limits of Nigeria.
Tapping the opportunities in the environment to earn income for the university through research as well as producing graduates with requisite and relevant skills for today's market was the subject of the charge by Chief Loretta Aniagolu, chair and CEO of LOC Metals and Minerals and managing partner of FT Consult in Enugu. She emphasised the importance of a solid reputation for research and production of competent graduates as the basis for increased income and standing by the university. With vivid examples, she demonstrated to the dons that they had within them the greatest resource of all — human capital — which creates wealth through application of knowledge.
"Profit centres are increased and sustained by skills and knowledge", Chief Aniagolu stated. "Make learning exciting. Think of your students as quality products from your factory line, the society as the market that is willing to pay for your products, despite other competing ones and to provide the money necessary to sustain you."
The fired-up faculty and staff of the institution signed declarations to, among others, align the processes of their units to the university mission and vision, internalise the university's core values and integrate them with the scholarship of teaching, learning and research practices and pass same to all faculty.
With a vision that emphasises producing world class graduates, the university will integrate the action plans of its empowered faculty and staff to tackle the key tasks, which are to
• Obtain funding from government earmarking and grants, donations, research grants and income from agriculture and its commercial activities
• Maintaining accreditation
• Develop, sustain and deliver current and competitive curricula and programmes of study in all faculties to differentiate itself and meet demand
• Complete research and background activities that contribute to the university's motto and mission
• Attract, recruit and effectively enrol students
• Attract, recruit quality staff and effectively mentor new staff
• Provide student services and address ongoing student needs
• Manage student satisfaction and attrition to acceptable standard
• Manage the graduation rate to acceptable standards
• Influence the employability and earning power of graduates, and
• Sustain the university's integrity, public standing and image.
UNN has taken the first step with the enrolment of its core team to the leadership vision. Participants expressed their buy-in and excitement at the retreat and learning. Prof Damian Okpata, dean of the Faculty of Arts, remarked that he found the retreat useful because, "At the same time that we were being introduced to leadership modules, we are also taking part in designing the change. We want not only change, but positive attitudinal change. It is an exemplary introduction to what is good."
Dr. Pamela Eze-Uzoamaka said the event "quite exceeded many of our expectations". She added, "I have been in the university for 17 years and I have never heard that such an event held and never attended one. I have learnt many new things and have also been affirmed in some of the things I have held on to and tried to implement."
Peter Akubuilo of Examinations and Records department at the Enugu Campus said the event was unheard of in his 30-year stint in the university. Dr. Okechukwu Okafor of Morbid Anatomy department, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital remarked, "I did not know there were people that were committed to the university like this. I thought my problems were mine alone. I found that there were those who shared the same problems and they were speaking on it."
The smiling faces, high-five salutes and sense of empowerment of the faculty and staff should serve to provide a groundswell of committed teamwork as the university administration works to change cultures and performance at the University of Nigeria.
The teachers were amazed at the transformation when they complied with the dress code for the black tie dinner at the end of each session. They also spoke of meeting with fellow faculty one-on-one in a relaxed yet serious capacity for the first time despite years of working together.
Dr. Onyia, with years of consulting on organisational capacity building particularly for the education sector in the United States behind him, asserts that "Nsukka can only get to the level it has articulated in its vision when all departments and faculties are pulling together and operating optimally."
Vice chancellor Prof. Okolo could point to accomplishments in the direction of getting buy-in and belief in the university by local and global bodies with various schemes in support of enhanced teaching and learning in the school. The lodestar is the wireless infrastructure project; lead promoted by Google Inc and MTN, which is drawing support from various other corporate bodies and institutions. That project should come on stream in September and Okolo says it is only the beginning. His job is "to mobilise resources for the smooth and efficient running to the university" and with staff and faculty singing from the same song book he intends to hit the road in search of such resources from alumni, from corporate bodies and from grant agencies locally and internationally in the quest to build a "global centre of learning" at Nsukka and restore the dignity of man and of the institution, once again.
Source: The Guardian, 27th June 2010.
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Obi becomes UN Force commander
Our Reporter
Nigerian Army officer, Major-General Moses Bisong Obi, has been appointed the new Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). Obi succeeded Major-General Paban Jung Thapa, a Nepalese who has completed his tour of duty in the mission. He will be inducted into the mission on May 22.
Until his appointment, Obi was the Chief of Training and Operations, Army (CTOP'A') at the Army Headquarters in Abuja. He had also served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Nigerian Army.
Obi who hails from Oku-Bushuyu in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, attended the Nigerian Military School, Zaria after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy. He has since his commission into the Nigerian Army, also attended several military and civil courses locally and abroad. He has also held several command, staff and instructional appointments at various levels.
Obi is a veteran of many military operations and has participated in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and the multinational operation in the Lake Chad Area.
General Obi is a 2004 recipient of the National Honours Award of the Officer of the Order of Niger (OON), for professional Excellence. He also has the Cross River State Medal of Honour.
He is married to Mrs Patricia Obi and they are blessed with children.
Source: Daily Champion, 28th April 2010.
Nigerian heads UN mission in Sudan
From Kelechi Okoronkwo, Abuja
A NIGERIAN, Maj.-Gen. Moses Bisong Obi, has been appointed the new Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).
Gen. Obi succeeds Nepalese Maj.-Gen. Paban Jung Thapa who has completed his tour of duty in the mission.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. A. C. Olukolade, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, added that Obi would be inducted into the mission on May 22, 2010.
The statement read: "He will be inducted into the mission on May 22, 2010. Until his appointment, Maj.-Gen. Obi was the Chief Officer, Training and Operations, Army (CTOP'A') at the Army Headquarters in Abuja. He has also served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army.
"Gen. Obi who hails from Oku-Bushuyu in Boki Local Council Area of Cross River State attended the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, after which he proceeded to the Defence Academy. The Gen. has since his commission into the Nigerian Army attended several military and civil courses at home and abroad. He has also held several command, staff and instructional appointments at various levels."
It added: "Gen. Obi is a veteran of many military operations and has participated in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and the multinational operation in the Lake Chad Area.
"Gen. Obi is a 2004 recipient of the National Honours Award of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for professional excellence. He also has the Cross River Medal of Honour. He is married to Mrs. Patricia Obi and they are blessed with children."
Source: The Guardian, 29th April 2010.
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