►Vol.
6 No. 48 June 10 - 16, 2008
News:
ENTERTAINMENT
ONELGA
Boss, Councilors Visit Oba
…Harp On Their Readiness To
Develop The LGA
-
From Victor Nwokocha Omoku
 The
Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Honourable Chris Okey Ochije says
his administration would strive to develop the Local Government Area through the
provision of infrastructure and empowerment to the people. Hon. Ochije who gave
the indication when he and his team paid a courtesy visit on the Ogba Monarch,
Sir Chukumela Nnam Obi II said that to achieve this, all hands should be on deck
to give the area a peaceful environment that could lift it to greater heights.
He re-echoed his initial pledge to accord respect to the traditional rulers and
spiritual leaders and work in concert with them, to enable him and his team tap
from their wealth of experience. ‘The Chairman noted that his watchword is peace
and’ progress and assured the Oba that he would be in touch with him always to
ensure that ONELGA is delivered. He therefore urged the people to participate
massively in the democratic process to ensure that governance of the people
becomes worthwhile.
Responding the Oba (Eze - Ogba) of Ogbaland,
Chukumela Nnam Obi II said that the involvement of humble and visionary citizens
in politics is a healthy development for the people of the Local Government
Area. Oba Nnam Obi II stated that he was proud of Ochije’s presentation of his
vision for ONELGA. He noted that by this presentation he was convinced that he
was ready to lead the people of the Local Government Area and prayed God to
bless him through out his tenure of service. He advised emerging politicians to
shun the erstwhile notion of regarding politics as the short cut to get rich
quick and advised them to serve the people diligently and receive the blessings
of God in abundance. The Ogba Monarch lamented the neglect the people of ONELGA
had suffered over the years from various levels of government, adding that the
present political dispensation in the country calls for leaders who should
eschew the bickering of the past to achieve the social, political and cultural
development.
In his vote of thanks, the
Leader of OgbalEgbemalNdoni Local Government Council, Honourable Chukwudi Dike
Umesi said that they were positively embraced by the Oba’s open-mindedness and
his hospitality and hoped he would support them serve the people creditably.
back to top^^
Asari Weds Lady Bakumo
-By
Okis Bob-Manuel
 Saturday,
7th June 2007 at Warri, Delta State of Nigeria, one of the
great sons and Chiefs of the Ijaw Nation, Alh. Mujaheed Asari Dokubbo took a
wife, his long-term friend and confidant, Lady Caroline Bakumo. The wedding
characterised by the high play of tradition, history, royalty and regality was
attended by over 40 High Chiefs of the Ijaw Nation extraction. Chief Odubo Tom
Big Harry the representative of the Amanyanbo of Kalabari, and King (Prof) TJT
Princewill were at the head of the Kalabari Team. The wife and Queen of
Amanayabo of Kalabari Kingdom, Queen Florence Princewill led the
women groups to give colour to an already exciting display of historical tie
between Delta and Rivers State. The Rivers State Action
Congress Leader, Prince Tonye Princewill a blood relation to Alh. Dokubo, was
accompanied to this memorable event by Hon. Daimi Akpanah member, of the House
of Representatives representing Degema/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency, Bar
Osimah Ginah the Honourable Commissioner of Urban Development of Rivers State,
Rivers State AC Leadership and over 1000 youths from Rivers State in a
convoy of over 60 cars. Prince Tonye Princewill
in a short remark during the eventful occasion described it as “A marriage made
in heaven and long overdue on earth and renewal of the brotherly and historical
tie between Rives State and Delta Sate. A wedding
that will take Asari to the next level of his task of contributing towards
building a new and virile Nigeria” Alh. Asari Dokubo, a famous freedom fighter
in Nigeria is the Leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDDV). In an
emotional speech, he thanked the Amanayanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, King TJT
Princewill, all the High Chiefs that accompanied him to Warri, Prince Tonye
Princewill, Hon. Akpanah, Bar. Osimah and all that attended the wedding for
according him and his family the type of reception unprecedented in his life. He
stated that he will live to remember this great day in his entire life on earth.
back to top^^
RSG News
Amaechi
Approves 100% Bursary Allowance To Rivers Students
 In
line with the present Government emphasis on Education and the welfare of
students, the State Government has approved a 100 per cent increase in bursary
allowance paid to students of Rivers origin in tertiary institutions. The
Commissioner for Information, Mr Ogbonna Nwuke, who made the disclosure while
briefing Government House Correspondents on the outcome of the State Executive
Council meeting in Port Harcourt, said the essence is to ensure that students
with poor backgrounds continue their higher education with ease. Mr Nwuke said
the state needs to produce more qualified manpower that can cope favourably with
others elsewhere in the country, noting that the government is going a step
further by trying to secure admissions abroad for qualified indigenes to ensure
that not only the children from wealthy homes have access to foreign education
but others could benefit also. The Information Commissioner also hinted that the
construction of the Model Schools promised the people of the state by Governor
Amaechi would begin soon, stressing that the Ministry of Education had presented
the designed plan of the schools to the council for approval and reassured that
the state government remains committed to its agenda of rendering quality
services to the people.
Also briefing, the State Commissioner for Works,
Mr Dakuku Peterside said the state Exco has approved the construction of six
major internal roads in Oyigbo Town as part of the state
accelerated rural roads programmes. Mr Peterside said council also considered
the need to re-establish the Works Registration Board, which would handle the
supervision of contractors engaged by the state government in the execution of
its projects. The Works Commissioner who explained that the State Government is
determined to ensure that contractors deliver quality jobs to Rivers people,
emphasized that Governor Amaechi is impatient with the slow pace of work and
poor performance.
On the rising prices of
food stuffs, Mr Peterside said the state Exco directed the Commissioner for
Agriculture to do all within his powers to ensure that Rivers people have
unlimited access to grains at reasonable cost.
back to top^^
…Tells Nigerians
To Shun Praise Singing -By
Okechukwu Geoffrey
The incumbent Governor of Rivers Sate Rt. (Hon)
Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has called on Nigerians and especially politicians
across the nation to shun the habit of praise singing for their leaders and
allow them concentrate on the development of the people. The governor who stated
this during the media award ceremony dinner party organized by Treasure F.M Port
Harcourt to mark its five years anniversary at the Protea Hotel said leaders
when eulogized randomly develop big head and whether (real or imagined) a larger
than life image and warned those who think the shortest means of drawing
government’s attention is through unnecessary praise singing to put a stop to
it. He re-iterated his administration’s resolve to impact positively on the
people as according to him, the purpose of God making anybody a leader is for
such a leader to give his people a sense of belonging and condemned the attitude
of those who praise their leaders just because they want to gain one or two
things from the government in power and maintained that his administration would
not give attention to such praises. The state Chief Executive however
congratulated Treasure F.M on their five years anniversary and promised that his
administration would continue to partner with the Federal Radio Corporation of
Nigeria (FRCN) and Treasure F.M in particular to move both the state and country
forward.
In a related development, the wife of the Rivers
State Governor Lady Judith Amaechi has again re-assured the people of the state
that she would never be deterred in the act of ensuring that both children and
adults in the state are given their rightful place in this dispensation. Lady
Amaechi who also was among the award recipients thanked Treasure F.M for deeming
her qualified for the award pointing out that the award will spur her to do more
in the act of serving humanity. Meanwhile, the five years anniversary which
started since Wednesday finally came to an end on Sunday with a thanksgiving
service at St. Francis Catholic Church Rmuokuta in Port Harcourt. The
anniversary also featured the who is who in the media industry.
back to top^^
Who Is Harcourt To Own
Port Harcourt? - By Odimegwu
Onwumere
 They
called him Lewis, Viscount Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies of
Britain. Harcourt was said to have founded a port in the year 1912 now known and
called Port Harcourt, which remains today as the capital city of the present day
Rivers State, Nigeria. But Rivers State was created, as a state in
Nigeria, in the year1967. But how did the rapacious Harcourt found the now
called Port Harcourt whereas there were people (blacks) who were living in this
port before the alleged discovery, and they called it Igwe Ocha? The population
of Port Harcourt is estimated at 1,320,214 as of the year 2007, of which no
lineage of Harcourt was included. Igwe Ocha lies along the Bonny River and is located in the
Niger Delta. We were mearnt to understand that the initial purpose of the Port
Harcourt founded was for him to export the coal which geologist Albert Ernest
Kitson had discovered in Enugu . That in earnest meant that there was a
particular place, a small place, where this greedy Harcourt was using as his
port, and should not mean the whole of Igwe Ocha, now called Port Harcourt .
Still using the name Port Harcourt reminds one of what happened in the days of
colonialism and the name Harcourt, in Igwe Ocha, showcases that the hand of
colonialism is still intact in Nigeria . However, after the equivocal Harcourt
may had died chasing the trade of coal, Nigerians were enlightened on what goes
on in the present day Port Harcourt. We were meant to understand that the main
city of Port Harcourt is the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area. In this
council there is Azikiwe Road , Aggrey Road , Eastern Bye-Pass,
the beginnings of PHC-Aba Express Road and Ikwere Road as its major roads. And
the Port Harcourt Urban Area ( Port Harcourt metropolis) is made up of the city
itself and Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Its major roads are the extensions
of PHC-Aba Express Road and Ikwere Road, Olu Obasanjo Road, Airport Road,
East-West Road, Refinery Road, Stadium Roads among many others. Abuloma,
Amadi-ama, Amadi Flats,Borokiri ,Rumuokoro, Rumuodara, Woji, Presidential
Housing Estate, Rumibekwe Housing Estate, Shell Residential Estate,and Elekahia
Estate, are towns or in African parlance villages in the Igwe Ocha. The main
industrial area is located in Trans Amadi. But those who still hold to the
colonialists view said some of Port Harcourt ‘s more popular and well-known
residential areas are Port Harcourt Township ; better known simply as “Town”,
G.R.A phases 1-5.
The University of
Port Harcourt and the Rivers
State University of Science and Technology are two universities within the city.
According to accounts, the city has an International Airport, Port Harcourt
International Airport , two seaports (F.O.T Onne, Port Harcourt Wharf ), two
stadia (Sharks Stadium and Liberation Stadium) and two refineries. As at 1967
when Rivers State was created, there were
fifteen Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State and when Bayelsa State was
carved out in 1996, additional LGAs were created such that the present
Rivers State is made up of
twenty three LGAs. The State has many communities that organise community
development efforts aimed at mobilising the local resources and assisting the
State government in the maintenance of law and order. And this was not done by
Harcourt or his dicendants! If there were any. The ethnic composition of
Rivers State is very diverse,
according to analysis. These include Kalabari, lkwerre, Okrika, lbani (Bonny and
Opobo) Ekpeye, Ogba, Etche, Khana, Gokana, Eleme, Ndoni, Abua, Odual. Linguistic
scholars have grouped these communities into six major linguistic groups, namely
ljoid, lower Niger (lgboid), Ogoni, Central Delta, Delta Edoid, and Lower Cross.
The ljoid group comprises four groups of dialects namely eastern ljoid (Kalabari,
Bile, Okrika, lbani and Nkoro). The Lower Niger (lgboid) comprises dialects such
as Ekpeye, lkwerre, Ogba, Egbema, Ndoni, Etche, and lgbo. The Ogoni group
includes a large number of dialects which can be grouped into four Khana, Gokana,
Eleme and Tai. The Lower Cross group has only one member in Rivers State , with the rest being in
Akwa lbom and Cross River States. The language, Obolo, in this group, is spoken
in Andoni and Opobo Local Government Areas (Salawu. Like in other world’s
democracies, we are told that there are three arms of government in Rivers State
these include, The Executive Council; The Legislature; and The Judiciary. In the
State Executive Council, it is made up of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, and
about 20 commissioners, special advisers and the Secretary to the State
Government. The commissioners are the overall heads of the ministries, while the
permanent secretaries oversee the daily activities of the same ministries. The
parastatals are organs of the government charged for the establishment and
running of certain key economic areas of the State government. They are placed
either under the supervision of the Governor or the Deputy Governor. The special
advisers are assigned responsibilities in the following areas to enhance
productivity and accountability: education, information, hotels and tourism etc.
We are also told that there is a block called the
Podium Block of Rivers State Secretariat, which is the icon of the city, an
eighteen storey building. It has the tallest building in the South/South and
South/East Geopolitical zones combined. The city is sprawling in nature as
building codes and zoning regulations are poorly enforced. Igwe Ocha being a
peace loving town before the advent of Harcourt, the activities of several armed
militant gangs have cast a huge pall on life and commerce in the once peaceful
town in recent times. The gangs claim to fight for the interest of the
indigenous people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta region
of Nigeria without going to fight Harcourt who exploited the land. These gangs
are asking for a share of Nigeria ‘s oil wealth. Accounts say, they are however
better noted and feared for violent conduct that include random and targetted
killings, arson, kidnappings of both foreign workers and indigenous people and
bombings. After a spate of violence in 2007, a curfew was imposed on the town.
This was however lifted by the Governor of Rivers State in the last days of
2007. On new year’s eve, 2007, Port Harcourt was once again rocked by violence
which left at least sixteen people dead.
So, should we still
continue to answer the name of this English man who looted us? What remembrance
is there in answering Harcourt’s Port, instead of Igwe Ocha? Igwe Ocha is
African than Harcourt. We have to look into this and make amends. The same is
applicable to those who bear the white man’s names. For what reason should the
clergy prefer to baptize a child with the name of a whiteman instead of our
local names? It is high time we began to look into most of these errors the
white men caused us and begin to correct them; else we remain a people so
confused forever.
Odimegwu Onwumere,
A poet and an author,
Is the Founder, Poet Against
Child Abuse.
Rivers state. 08032552855
back to top^^
Feature
Yar'adua's Regime: Getting Slow Or Getting Slog?
- By L. Chinedu Arizona-Ogwu
 I
have read Nigerian dailies and marvel why our president, Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua
could bear “baba-go slow” as a label. Our destiny lies in our own hands, and I
know that we all share that view. I shall not elaborate the agenda that lies
ahead any further, but I can foresee the need to work together for us to
prosper, if we so wish and as we have already started, to design the more
specific policies that will be needed. I am also confident that, once Nigeria
has clearly begun to set its house in order, we will find hands to support in
this task. Before the country was colonized by Britain, during the second half
of the 19th century, the various nationality groups that currently make up
Nigeria were largely an agricultural people. They were food self-sufficient and
produced a variety of commodities that were exported overseas. British colonial
administrators amalgamated (joined together) the nationality groups in 1914 into
a larger economy for exploitation for the benefit of British industrial classes.
Under colonial rule, Nigeria remained an agricultural country, exporting raw
materials to Britain and importing from it finished goods. Therein lay the
origins of the dependence of Nigerian economy on commodity markets of the
industrialized Western world for its foreign exchange. While the
industrialization of the country was discouraged, rudimentary foundations for a
modern Nigerian economy, however, were laid. Colonial economic policies shaped
future independent Nigeria's economy, particularly in marketing, labor supply,
and investment. The process of colonial rule and formal economic exploitation
ended in 1960 but left Nigeria a relatively strong but undiversified economy.
Thereafter, Nigerians were poised to remedy this defect and to build a
self-sustaining Nigerian economy comprising agricultural, industrial, and
service sectors. From independence in 1960, the state took up the direction and
planning of economic growth and development. Education was progressively
expanded at all levels to reduce the rate of illiteracy and to provide the
requisite skills and labor force for development. Infrastructure of roads and
communication networks were constructed far beyond what was inherited from
colonial rule. Hydroelectric dams were built to generate electricity. Secondary
industries and automobile assembly plants were established to create more
employment opportunities. Because of the paucity (small number) of indigenous
(native or local) private capital, these activities were undertaken and financed
by the government, often with foreign assistance from such countries as Britain
and the United States. Foreign oil companies, such as Shell-BP, Exxon-Mobil,
Chevron, Agip, and Texaco, operate in partnership with the government in the oil
sector, the mainstay of Nigeria's economy. The capital-intensive oil sector
provides 95 percent of Nigeria's foreign exchange
earnings and about 65 percent of its budgetary revenues.
Because the established, government-owned
industries and businesses were often inefficient and corrupt, productivity was
low at best. In particular, mismanagement and corruption were endemic
(characteristic of) in the successive governments and throughout the nation.
However, the gravest problem was caused by the government's decision to stress
the industrial sector above all others. Caught in a web of competing demands for
scarce resources, the officials took the path of rapid, large-scale
industrialization at the expense of the agricultural sector, as well as light
manufacturing. They directed the bulk of investment capital towards the
promotion of what Western advisers captioned "industrial take off." This
decision to abandon the knownagriculturefor the unknownrapid large-scale
industrializationwas a fundamental error. The capital and the skill needed for
rapid, large-scale industrialization were not sufficiently available. Thus, an
unskilled workforce and insufficient funds severely handicapped the industrial
sector. Also, Nigeria's neglect of the agricultural sector aggravated already
problematic food shortages. Nigeria had raised enough food to meet domestic
needs during its colonial period and in the decade following independence.
However, it experienced food shortages in the 1970s and 1980s, which
necessitated the importation of food from foreign countries. Among the imports
were palm oil (from Malaysia), of which Nigeria had been the world's largest
producer and exporter, and rice (from the United States) which was considered
less nutritious than Nigerian brown rice. Once Africa's largest poultry
producer, Nigeria lost that status because of inefficient corn production and a
ban on the importation of corn. Furthermore, it is no longer a major exporter of
cocoa, peanuts, and rubber.
Economic Reforms in Nigeria had been introduced
in 2003, that is, during the administration (second term) of President Olusegun
Obasanjo. The reform program started on the basis of the National Economic
Empowerment and Development Strategy. The aim of the Nigerian government was to
improve the macroeconomic environment and to control the public expenditure
management. Stress also had been given on the structural reform. This direction
was deemed necessary for these reasons: (a) During 1999, most of the human
development indicators of Nigeria were not good in comparison with the other
least developed economies,(b) Nigeria depended strongly on the oil export
business which led the country towards macroeconomic volatility, for the oil
prices were not stable all the time. (c)The annual Gross Development Production
had been decreasing for a long time, for example, during the period of 1992 -
2002 the average annual GDP growth was 2.25%(d) Volatile fiscal spending were
making the country's macroeconomic conditions unstable (e) Private investments
were not coming in this volatile economic environment, and the government's
expenditure was raising (f) The employment rate in Nigeria was low. Moreover,
the domestic business climate was also getting worse because of this unstable
economic situation(g)The amount of domestic debt was increasing and so was the
rate of inflation. In 1999, the inflation rate was 10.4%, whereas in 2003 it
climbed up to 21.8%. The Nigerian citizen's average income per capita was very
low, below 300 dollars.
Our business is a business in new, reviving
Nigeria. We may not only lay the basis the nation's economy, but also we shape
the social base of the country its middle class. For us, as well as for all
citizens of our country, such values as a life in Nigeria, national revival,
freedom, family, the order and stability in a society, social and interethnic
partnership, mercy and validity are important. It is characteristic, that high
rates of economic growth are provided mainly not due to the traditional raw
branches, a favourable conjuncture and the high prices in the world market on
separate kinds of raw material and materials, and due to serious structural
shifts and an intensification of the manufacture advancing developments of
branches, focused on release of ready competitive production and rendering of
modern services. Due to what factors and preconditions for last years will
reach high and steady economic growth? Certainly, it is a complex of factors -
political, economic and social. But in a basis of each of them - the national
model of market reforms developed by the President of the country. One of
primary factors - stage-by-stage perfection of structure of the economy, most
full was equitable interests of the country. Structural reorganization and
increase in a share of branches with deep Hopefully, we will see
governments elected in succession here, with competing parties and feelings of
participation from all parts of the country. Yet this present period is
critical. Unless a firm foundation is established now, politically and
economically, there is no guarantee that democracy will survive nor economic
hopes realized. That is why the international community is watching the Nigerian
economic reform program so closely. Now encompassed in the National Economic
Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), it lays out a program of fiscal
reform, transparency, countering corruption, investment in badly needed
infrastructure, revival of agriculture, investment in health, and opening
opportunities for the private sector. As these reforms move forward, the
Nigerian government hopes that the international community will respond with
significant reduction of Nigeria's debt and increases in foreign investment,
especially in the non-oil sector.
A second barrier is that such reforms, largely
macroeconomic, do not translate into immediate benefits for the population at
large, the majority that is experiencing severe poverty. Indeed there is pain
for many in the short run, with higher fuel prices, unsettling changes in key
institutions like the banking sector, and continuing unemployment. The results
of macroeconomic reform are always slow to bear fruit for the economy as a
whole. It is one reason that such programs are often abandoned before such gains
are realized. In Nigeria, the problem is compounded by institutional obstacles
and I include in such a euphemism corruption -- to delivery of services and
public investment, obstacles that exist from the federal government on down
through state and local governments. In sum, people do not feel that the reforms
are for their benefit if they are real at all. There are exceptions, of course:
Governors and local governments that are making serious investments in
infrastructure, water, education, and industrial development; federal programs
that are adding to the power grid revive agriculture and improve access to safe
drugs. But these programs are not extensive enough to overcome the sense of déjà
vu, of continued economic torpor, and of favoritism in the access to riches.
Is this skepticism justified? Like most complex
questions, the answer is mixed. There has been real progress on reform in
Nigeria in transparency of budget allocations, in improved revenue collection,
in fiscal discipline, and pending reform of the financial sector. Steps are
being taken to monitor government contracts and to bring to justice those
engaged in financial crimes. Growth may reach 5% this year, though some of that
has to be credited to climate. Inflation is trending downward. Plans are under
way to audit the entire oil sector, as a prelude to Nigeria meeting the criteria
of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, to which Nigeria was an
early signatory. On the negative side, there are still exceptions made to the
rules for favored interests, sometimes with trade decisions, sometimes with
contracts or other transactions. Hardly any who have been charged with
corruption involving government transactions have been convicted. Privatization
has slowed. Questions continue about the proceeds from the oil sector, some
perhaps exaggerated or based on rumor, but some based on the government's own
investigations. The pathway to private investment, as this conference has
detailed, remains filled with bureaucratic and financial obstacles. Problems of
infrastructure power especially, but still also telecommunications, roads, and
railroads make Nigeria increasingly less competitive in a globalizing economy.
Above all, as pointed out earlier, poverty remains the overriding fact of life
for most Nigerians. Then there is the state of justice. To reduce corruption,
achieve transparency, and strengthen accountability, there must be justice.
Nigeria's once proud system of justice, in particular the judiciary, has lost
much of its luster. That feeds the skepticism about the anti-corruption drive as
well as the prospects for personal security. Restoring the independence and
capacity of the judiciary would also restore confidence to Nigerian and
international business that Nigeria is a predictable investment environment in
which commercial and investor rights are protected, and disputes are resolved in
a fair and unbiased manner. Perhaps this is an area that Nigeria's strong bar
association and legal community can take on as their cause. The problem of food
shortages and imports was addressed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In the
late 1970s the military government of Olusegun Obasanjo embarked upon "Operation
Feed the Nation." His civilian successor, President Shehu Shagari, continued the
program as the "Green Revolution." Both programs encouraged Nigerians to grow
more food, and urged unemployed urban dwellers to return to the rural areas to
grow food crops. The government provided farmers with fertilizers and loans from
the World Bank. The food situation has stabilized, although Nigeria still
imports food. A related problem which has not been completely resolved is the
pollution of water in the Delta region and Ogoniland by oil companies. Water
pollution disrupts farming efforts and has been a source of friction between
farmers on one side and the national government and the oil companies on the
other.
The oil boom which
Nigeria experienced in the 1970s
helped the nation to recover rapidly from its civil war and at the same time
gave great impetus to the government's program of rapid industrialization. Many
manufacturing industries sprang up and the economy experienced a rapid growth of
about 8 percent per year that made Nigeria, by 1980, the largest
economy in Africa. The growth, however, was not sustained. The new oil wealth
did little to reverse widespread poverty and the collapse of even basic
infrastructure and social services. The iron and steel industry, started with
the help of the Soviet Union, still has not achieved a satisfactory level of
production. The oil boom also provoked a shortage of labor in the agricultural
sector as members of the rural workforce migrated to jobs in the urban
construction boom and a growing informal sector. When the price of crude oil
fell and corruption and mismanagement still prevailed at all levels, the economy
became severely depressed. The urban unemployment rate rose to 28 percent in
1992, and crime also increased as 31.4 percent of the population lived below the
poverty line. In addition, the Obasanjo second coming put into place programs to
help the poorest of the people. One such program is the Niger Delta Development
Commission (NDDC), funded by his regime and the oil companies to provide
physical infrastructure in oil-producing areas. NDDC has been a partial success.
Recent protests resulting in precautionary shut-ins have extracted more promises
from the Yar'Adua's regime concerning jobs, roads, electricity and water. The
federal government has been promising to help the Niger Delta for decades. But
successive government have come and gone with little progress. Peanuts payment
compared to the problems of the Niger Delta as well as slow movement in the
government is delaying much-needed new projects in the region.
Clearly, there is a long
way to go before Nigerians can claim even a portion of the wealth that the
government enjoys. The energy sector spends some $150 million each year on
community relations projects, but this clearly is not enough. The industry must
review its community relations memoranda; not only must it be politically
correct, it must move beyond symbolism and the generally perceived lip-service
to genuine sustainable development. Tackling youth unemployment, discouraging
violence and encouraging pacifist ways are vital to finding enduring solutions.
Yar'adua's Regime: Getting Contd.
The first year of President Yar'Adua's
administration has been about working to ensure fiscal responsibility, that
state governments spend oil revenues in the way they are supposed to. According
to the constitution, oil revenues - currently $12bn (£6bn) - have to be shared
out among state governments. And governors are lobbying hard for the cash to be
released. But if it remains potential for the government to risks
inflation-driven economy, this regime should spend the money on power, schools
or hospitals .From the constant power outages crippling its cities to oil
pipeline bombings in the Niger Delta creeks, little appears to have changed in
Nigeria after President Umaru Yar'Adua's first year in office. Sworn in last May
29 pledging respect for the rule of law, he was seen by many as a breath of
fresh air after eight years of rule by Olusegun Obasanjo, an overbearing
ex-military ruler with a penchant for disregarding court orders and legal
detail. But with economic reforms grinding to a halt, the national power grid on
the verge of total collapse, and militant attacks on the oil industry rumbling
on, Nigerians are wondering whether Yar'Adua has the muscle he needs to lead
their chaotic nation.Yar'Adua's allies acknowledge that progress may seem slow,
particularly to a population which endured three decades of almost continuous
army dictatorship, when political decisions were fast, final and rarely subject
to debate. But they say Yar'Adua's mantra of due process and upholding the rule
of law is vital if the world's eighth biggest oil producer is to break a cycle
of graft and cronyism which has left it ranked among the most corrupt countries
in the world. Nigerians are used to the 'immediate effect' syndrome inherited
from the military, but current emphasis on rule of law has created the
impression that nothing is happening. But
Nigeria is beginning to do
things in a more planned and consistent way. Going by the ex-president
Obasanjo's "big man" style of politics may have been unpopular with some, but it
allowed him to push through reforms which won international respect, a momentum
which Yar'Adua's critics say he has failed to maintain. The new leader,
Nigeria's first to be university-educated, has set up committees to investigate
corruption under Obasanjo's rule but little tangible progress has been made with
much-needed infrastructure and power projects. The unfortunate excesses of the
last administration have probably rightly been staunched but what has followed
in the wake of that has been a complete lack of action. In this sort of
environment, with so many vested interests that oppose reform, if you stop you
lose the momentum and you effectively have a vacuum at the centre where those
vested interests will start to push back in.
Of particular concern is Yar'Adua's ability to
keep a tight control on spending of the country's oil income, which has hit
unprecedented levels with world crude prices at record highs. Nigeria saves oil
revenues above a benchmark price in an excess crude account, a policy that has
won plaudits from the International Monetary Fund and foreign investors. But it
has caused tension at home, with powerful state governors saying the money is as
much theirs as it is the federal governments and staking claims to their share.
More than $7 billion have been withdrawn since Yar'Adua came to power to satisfy
a newly-elected crop of governors who complained their treasuries were empty,
and one economist predicted the next round of negotiations could be costly.
Others were more optimistic. The most important thing is getting the governors
to sign up to responsible management of the money, and he is doing that through
dialogue, through peer pressure. Yar'Adua moved swiftly after taking office to
engage rebels in the Niger Delta, who have led a violent campaign of sabotage
against the oil industry since 2006, freeing two jailed militant leaders and
drawing up plans for formal talks. But the peace process has made little visible
progress since then and one rebel faction, the Movement for the Emancipation of
the Niger Delta (MEND), blew up a Shell Nigeria's pipeline on Monday to mark
Yar'Adua's first year in power. The unrest in the Niger Delta has depressed
Nigeria's oil output by a fifth and helped drive up world oil prices. While
opposition candidates demanded a re-run and appealed to the judiciary to
overturn the result, it always seemed unlikely that the People's Democratic
Party (PDP) candidate would be ousted from office. Nevertheless, the judges
considered the pleas and duly announced: "Umaru Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan
remain validly elected as president and vice-president of Nigeria." It was
argued that the opposition had failed to prove that the electoral violations
were "substantial enough to invalidate the election result". Judge Abdulkadir
Abubakar Jega said: "The petitioners did not bring anything of substance to show
that these breaches of the electoral act substantially altered the outcome of
the election." The judges also concluded that Yar'Adua had received an
overwhelming 70% of the vote, against just 18% for Buhari and 7% for former
Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
However, the Tribunal and the Supreme courts have
overruled the election of seven state governors and several senators. As in the
presidential election, opposition politicians had claimed there had been
widespread polling irregularities. Buhari's appeal to the Supreme Court may not
stand much chance of success but it will continue to cast a shadow over this
administration. The ANPP claims that the serial numbers used to track ballot
papers were missing on many returned papers; that 100% turnouts were recorded in
areas where ballot papers did not arrive at polling stations before the election
was over; and that evidence to be submitted to the judges in the original court
case had been tampered with. Paradoxically, When Yar'Adua emerged out of the
political darkness as the presidential candidate of the PDP, the surprise of his
candidature led some to label him immediately an Obasanjo 'puppet', a President
in name but with the former President pulling the strings whilst he enjoyed a de
facto 'third term'. For others, Yar'Adua was simply an unknown quantity; and, as
the former governor of a small State in
Nigeria, the question was
whether he was suited to run a fractious country of over 140 million people. In
time both worries may prove to have been unfounded. Ex-President Obasanjo
intended to pick someone whom he believed would continue the reform programmes
which he had started. The first indications are that Yar'Adua will not only
continue but will expand and probably accelerate the reform programme, keeping
the nation on the course set by the 1999-2007 administration. If so, the former
President may do no more than make sure that the political machine of the PDP
stands four square behind its President, thus removing the need for Yar'Adua to
overly concern himself with micro-managing party politics as Obasanjo so often
had to do. As for being an unknown quantity, the Umaru Yar'Adua can soon change
that, internally and externally, although he may feel that he has less
compelling reasons to tread the international stage than his predecessor. There
is no question that President Yar'Adua is very different from his predecessor,
even if they share the same desire for reform. Ex-President Obasanjo was a
combative leader, not always at home in the world of political compromise and at
his best when being 'action man', a stance which often hid another, more
thoughtful side. By contrast, Yar'Adua, the country's first graduate President,
is quiet, self-effacing, more academic and more inclusive in his approach. The
style will be very different, even if the substance is not. Though he may begin
his presidency operating under the shadow of the recent elections, President
Yar'Adua should not be written off as an Obasanjo 'clone' or as a president
stricken before his term has started. If Yar'Adua can repeat his Katsina reforms
on the larger set of Nigeria, he can bring a sense of coherence and economic
well-being to the country. This will mean, among other things, improving the
planning and conduct of elections, using his status as a Northern Muslim
President to maintain the religious balance between Muslim and Christian and
between North and South, and, with his Vice-President reaching a workable
solution for the Niger Delta region. If he can achieve that, President Yar'Adua
could turn out to be, not only the surprise package of Nigeria, but, in time
perhaps, the surprise package of Africa.
Arizona-Ogwu writes from
Oyigbo, Rivers State, Nigeria.
back to top^^
How Obama Did It
 Barack
Obama was campaigning last October in South Carolina when he got an urgent call
from Penny Pritzker, the hotel heiress who leads his campaign's finance
committee. About 200 of his biggest fund raisers were meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, and among them, near
panic was setting in. Pritzker's team had raised money faster than any other
campaign ever had. Its candidate was drawing mega-crowds wherever he went. Yet
he was still running at least 20 points behind Hillary Clinton in polls. His
above-the-fray brand of politics just wasn't getting the job done, and some of
his top moneymen were urging him to rethink his strategy, shake up his staff, go
negative. You'd better get here, Pritzker told Obama. And fast. Obama made an
unscheduled appearance that Sunday night and called for a show of hands from his
finance committee. "Can I see how many people in this room I told that this was
going to be easy?" he asked. "If anybody signed up thinking it was going to be
easy, then I didn't make myself clear." A win in Iowa, Obama promised, would
give him the momentum he needed to win across the map but his backers wouldn't
see much evidence of progress before then. "We're up against the most formidable
team in 25 years," he said. "But we've got a plan, and we've got to have faith
in it." More than seven months later, that faith has been rewarded. The 2008
presidential campaign has produced its share of surprises, but one of the most
important is that a newcomer from Chicago put together by far the best political
operation of either party. Obama's campaign has been that rare, frictionless
machine that runs with the energy of an insurgency and the efficiency of a
corporation. His team has lacked what his rivals' have specialized in: there
have been no staff shake-ups, no financial crises, no change in game plan and no
visible strife. Even its campaign slogan "Change we can believe in" has
remained the same.
How did he do it? How did Obama become the first
Democratic insurgent in a generation or more to knock off the party's
Establishment front-runner? Facing an operation as formidable as Clinton's,
Obama says in an interview, "was liberating ... What I'd felt was that we could
try some things in a different way and build an organization that reflected my
personality and what I thought the country was looking for. We didn't have to
unlearn a bunch of bad habits." When Betsy Myers first met with Obama in his
Senate office on Jan. 3, 2007, about two weeks before he announced he was
forming an exploratory committee to run for President, Obama laid down three
ruling principles for his future chief operating officer: Run the campaign with
respect; build it from the bottom up; and finally, no drama. Myers was struck by
how closely Obama had studied the two campaigns of George W. Bush. "He said he
wanted to run our campaign like a business," says Myers. And in a good business,
the customer is king. Early on, before it had the resources to do much else, the
campaign outsourced a "customer-service center" so that anyone who called, at
any hour of the day or night, would find a human voice on the other end of the
line. Meanwhile, Obama's Chicago headquarters made technology its running mate
from the start. That wasn't just for fund raising: in state after state, the
campaign turned over its voter lists normally a closely guarded crown jewel to
volunteers, who used their own laptops and the unlimited night and weekend
minutes of their cell-phone plans to contact every name and populate a political
organization from the ground up. "The tools were there, and they built it," says
Joe Trippi, who ran Howard Dean's 2004 campaign. "In a lot of ways, the Dean
campaign was like the Wright brothers. Four years later, we're watching the
Apollo project." Even Obama admits he did not expect the Internet to be such a
good friend. "What I didn't anticipate was how effectively we could use the
Internet to harness that grassroots base, both on the financial side and the
organizing side," Obama says. "That, I think, was probably one of the biggest
surprises of the campaign, just how powerfully our message merged with the
social networking and the power of the Internet." But three other fundamentals
were crucial to making Obama the Democratic nominee:
A Brave New Party
In most presidential elections, the Iowa caucuses
are an anomaly. Competing there is a complicated, labor-intensive undertaking
that, once finished, is cast off as an oddity and never repeated. But in 2008 it
became for Obama the road test of a youth-oriented, technology-fueled
organization and the model for many of the wins that followed. It was also a
challenge to history. The iron rule of Iowa had always been that caucusgoers
tended to look the same year in and year out: older people, union households,
party stalwarts just the kind of folks who would seem more inclined to back
Clinton or John Edwards trudging out into the cold night for a few hours of
political conversation. Instead, Obama saw the Iowa caucuses as a chance to put
a stake through Clinton's inevitability. "Mission No. 1 was finishing ahead of
Hillary Clinton in Iowa," recalls Obama campaign manager David Plouffe. "If we
hadn't done that, it would have been hard to stop her." But counting on new
voters had proved disastrous for Dean in 2004. The Obama campaign knew that it
would have to build a network of Iowans rather than supporters brought in from
other parts of the country, says Plouffe, but "we didn't have to accept the
electorate as it is." At bottom, Obama built a new party in 2008. It was
difficult. Not until the morning of the caucuses did the campaign reach its goal
of 97,000 Iowans pledged to support Obama that it thought it would need to win.
Then came the real question: Would these people show up? Show up they did,
shattering turnout records. Obama prevailed with a surprising eight-point margin
over Edwards, who came in second. Obama counts Iowa as his biggest victory, the
one that foreshadowed the rest. "Voters under 30 participated at the same rates
as voters over 65. That had never happened before," the Democratic nominee says.
"That continues to be something I'm very proud of how we've expanded the voter
rolls in every state where we've campaigned. I think that means we can put into
play some states that might normally not be in play." The Iowa playbook, as
everyone now knows, hasn't always worked. In Texas, for instance, the grassroots
operation counted on more African-American voters than actually turned out. In
California, organizers expected more young voters. But while Obama rarely
managed a clean win against Clinton in the big states the ones that will count
most in the fall he kept winning delegates even when he lost primaries. By
April, it became almost mathematically impossible for Clinton to catch him.
The Key-Chain Campaign
Atlanta businessman Kirk Dornbush has raised
millions of dollars for the Democratic Party and its candidates over the past 16
years. Before campaign-finance laws banned unregulated soft money, he recalls,
there were times he walked around with six-figure checks in both pockets of his
jacket. But these days, he does much of his fund raising in a much humbler
fashion: selling $3 key chains and $25 T shirts at Obama rallies. At the first
merchandise table Dornbush set up for a Georgia event, "we were just completely
sold out," he says. "There were lines of people. It was unbelievable."
Dornbush's experience explains the second fundamental change Obama has brought
to politics: his campaign was built from the bottom up. Even fund raising, once
the realm of the richest in politics, became a grassroots organizational tool.
At nearly every event this year, Team Obama set up little tabletop trinket
shops, known as "chum stores" because all those little Obama-branded doodads
aren't only keepsakes; they are also bait. Every person who buys a button or hat
is recorded as a campaign donor. But the real goal of the chum operations was
building a list of workers, supporters and their e-mail addresses. A similar
innovation came in fund raising. Normally, it is only the big donors who get
quality time with a candidate. But Obama devoted far more of his schedule to
small-dollar events. In Kentucky, the month after he announced his run for
President, the first such effort quickly sold out all 3,200 tickets at $25 a
head and produced the beginning of a local organization. "It's the difference
between hunting and farming," says Obama moneyman Matthew Barzun, 37, the
Louisville Internet-publishing entrepreneur who arranged the event. "You plant a
seed, and you get much more." Obama uses a different frame of reference. "As
somebody who had been a community organizer," Obama recalls, "I was convinced
that if you invited people to get engaged, if you weren't trying to campaign
like you were selling soap but instead said, 'This is your campaign, you own it,
and you can run with it,' that people would respond and we could build a new
electoral map." The chum stores, the e-mail obsession and the way Obama
organizations sprang up organically in almost every congressional district in
the country meant that by the time Obama's field organizers arrived in a state,
all they had to do was fire up an engine that had already been designed and
built locally. "We had to rely on the grass roots, and we had clarity on that
from the beginning," says Plouffe. By contrast, the Clinton campaign, which
started out with superior resources and the mantle of inevitability, was a
top-down operation in which decision-making rested with a small coterie of
longtime aides. Her state organizers often got mixed signals from the
headquarters near Washington. Decisions from Hillaryland often came too late for
her field organization to execute. Obama's bottom-up philosophy also helps
explain why he was able to sweep the organization-heavy caucus states, which
were so crucial to building up his insurmountable lead in pledged delegates.
What was not appreciated by many at the time: while Clinton spent heavily in
every state she contested, Obama's approach saved money. Says Dean-campaign
veteran Trippi: "His volunteers were organizing his caucus victories for free."
Obama Means No Drama
The team that Obama put together was a mix of
people who, for the most part, had never worked together before but behaved as
if they had. Some like chief strategist David Axelrod and adviser Valerie
Jarrett came from Chicago and had advised Obama in earlier races. Axelrod's
business partner Plouffe had worked in former House Democratic leader Dick
Gephardt's operation; deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand, who oversaw the
field organization, had come from former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle's.
Daschle's former chief of staff Pete Rouse served that same role in Obama's
Senate office, from which the candidate also brought aboard communications
director Robert Gibbs, who had briefly worked for John Kerry. Obama tapped the
business world as well, filling key operational posts with executives who had
worked for Orbitz, McDonald's and other firms. And yet, Obama says, they all had
the same philosophy. "Because I was not favored, that meant that the people who
signed up for this campaign really believed in what the campaign was about. So
they weren't mercenaries. They weren't coming in to just attach to a campaign,"
he explains. Temperament mattered too. "It was very important to have a
consistent team," Obama says, "a circle of people who were collaborative and
nondefensive." Like the team around Bush, Obama's is watertight. Leaks are rare,
and for all the millions Obama has raked in, Plouffe keeps a sharp eye on where
it is going. Consider the salaries: Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson was paid
almost twice as much in a month $266,000 went to his firm, according to her
January campaign filing as the $144,000 that Obama paid Gibbs for all of last
year. Obama staffers are expected to double up in hotel rooms when they are on
the road and are reimbursed by the campaign if they take the subway (about $2)
to the downtown-Chicago campaign headquarters from O'Hare International Airport
but not if they take a cab (about $50). Volunteers are asked to take along their
own food when they are canvassing. How will a team that has been living off the
land fare against the kind of G.O.P. operation that was so effective at turning
out the traditional Republican base in 2004? John McCain's campaign manager,
Rick Davis, flatly declares that what got Obama the nomination "is not a
general-election strategy" and contends that Obama's operation will be weak
against McCain's crossover appeal in such states as Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin,
Minnesota and Nevada. Maybe so, but compared with McCain's, Obama's operation
has been a model of efficiency and executive function. Obama has already
changed the way politics is practiced in America and he is poised to keep doing
so. After delivering his dramatic victory speech in St. Paul, Minn., Obama walked offstage
and spent the next 45 minutes signing dozens and dozens of his books that had
been brought to the Xcel Center by admirers. When he
finished, he happened to see fund raiser Dornbush and told him, "Enjoy the
celebration tonight." Then Obama took a few steps, turned around and added, "But
it's right back to work tomorrow."
back to top^^
Omehia Splashes Out Naira On Family Members ...Settles Each With
N1 Millions -
By Okechukwu Geoffrey
 Omehia,
the five months old Governor of Rivers State whose tenure the Supreme Court
terminated on the 25th of October last year as a result of illegalities
surrounding his election, we gathered settled every member of his family (male
and female) with the huge sum of One Million Naira each. A reliable source from
Ubima told our reporter that the immediate past Governor of the oil-rich state
Celestine Omehia three days to that fateful day having foreseen danger sent two
of his drivers from the Government House to convey some Ghana-must-go bag full
of money to Ubima. The source went further to say that the drivers who landed
Ubima in the midnight drove straight to Omehia’s new site where his family
converged for the sharing of the money. Beneficiaries of the loot we gathered
are not doing badly in Ubima and else where as majority of them are now living
in good houses with flashy cars and enough money in their pockets. But problems
the Beam checks revealed started when members of K12 in the area decided that
their master (Omehia) must settle them too or else his family members will not
know peace. Some of the K12 members also went as far as threatening to raze down
Omehia’s new building should he refuse to give them their own share of the loot
and wondered why their master would chose to settle his family members first and
abandon those who fought for him. Our source however disclosed that peace has
returned to the K12 camp as Omehia has ordered his anchor man in the area to
give certain amount of money to them based on their category of support during
his tenure. When our reporter contacted a strong member of IYM in the area he
confirmed the story but maintained that the only worry the K12 members have in
Ubima is how to reconcile with the Amaechi supporters whom they ridiculed,
maligned and dealt with during the reign of their master.
In Ikwerre land as a whole Rt. (Hon) Rotimi
Chibuike Amaechi is believed to be the leader and the founder of the Ikwerre
Youth Movement Alias IYM while Celestine Omehia is the leader and founder of
K12 which so many referred to as pressure group in Ikwerre land. It could be
recalled that when the incumbent Governor of the state Rt. (Hon) Rotimi Chibuike
Amaechi took over from the illegal Government of Sir Celestine Omehia on the
25th of October 2007 following the Supreme Court decision only very small amount
of money was left in the coffers of Rivers State. Meanwhile, the IYM
members at Ubima have called on their K12 counterpart to forget the past and
join hands with the Amaech led Government to move both Ikwerre land and Rivers
State forward urging them to do away with the erroneous belief that their master
the new person will soon take over from Amaech as according to them, the present
Government has come to stay by the grace of God. In another development, the
students of Brookstone Secondary School located along Rukpokwu/Igwuruta road
early last week escaped death following a heavy thunder storm which de-roofed
one part of the school. A source told our reporter that none of the students
present was injured. Meanwhile, the proprietor of the school and the immediate
past Governor of Rivers State Sir Celestine Omehia is yet to comment on the
incident as he is still at large since seven months now. In the meantime, the
management of the school is doing everything within its power to put the place
in order as some parents have threatened to withdraw their children who are
right now learning under an open roof.
back to top^^
‘NAOC’ Urged To Implement ‘MOU’ Or Pack Within 14 Days -
From
Victor Nwokocha, Omoku
The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) has been
asked to step up action and implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) it
entered with the Omoku Community in 2005, especially the attendant projects of
2007. This was contained in a resolution of the Omoku City Development Committee
(OCDC), the Omoku City Council of Chiefs (OCCC) and the Omoku Youth Association
(OYA), in a tripartite welfare meeting held by the three bodies at Omoku. In a
statement issued by the Chairman of the Omoku City Development Committee (OCDC),
Honourable Ndu Amadike, the secretary of the Omoku City Council of Chiefs (OCCC),
Chief Essor, Friday and the Chairman of the Omoku Youth Association, Comrade
Uche Jerimiah, said that ‘NAOC’, a multinational company that had been exploring
and exploiting oil for over forty years in the area (40 years) has not done
anything tangible to equate the amount of wealth it had tapped for many years
from their land. The statement remarked that the massive oil production by Agip
has rendered their land infertile, reducing the agricultural benefits from their
lands to nothing, thereby exposing them to squalor and abject poverty, while the
attendant problem of ecological hazards which had resulted to epidemics and
other health hazards through gas flaring, completes the rot in the land, yet
NAOC do not deem it fit to attend to their plight. They noted that as law biding
citizens of the country, they have been supporting Agip to achieve industrial
harmony over the years. But unfortunately the company has branded this as
cowardice or regarded us as a people who don’t know their rights. They seem to
forget that confrontation has always been the way of settling issues in other
parts of Rivers State and Niger Delta where oil
is produced. The statement explained that Omoku in particular and ONELGA as a
whole produce the highest quantity of oil and gas that is the main stay of the
nation’s economy shortly after the Nigerian independence. But for some unknown
reasons, nothing had been done to plough back something commensurate and
relative to the contribution the people had made in this regard.
The community felt slighted that ‘NAOC’ failed to
conclude the meeting they held with them for six consecutive times which they
viewed as an insult to the host community, having given the company maximum
cooperation that allowed them function in their operations unimpeded. They
concluded that ‘NAOC’ is insensitive and has no regard for the community, which
suggests that they are prepared for a possible industrial dispute.
The tripartite meeting ended with the decision to give the Nigerian Agip Company
(NAOC) two weeks (2) ultimatum to attend to their agreement or they would be
forced to take actions that may disrupt the cordial and smooth relationship the
company has been enjoying from the host community, nothing that they are
prepared to sacrifice anything on the altar of this long neglegency.
back to top^^
NEMA, SEMA Distribute Material To Accident Victims In Imo State
-
From Emeka Iwuala, Owerri
Materials worth more than N10 Million were
recently distributed to victims of various mishaps in Imo State by the joint
efforts of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency
Management Agency (SEMA). These items include maize, wax prints, foams, cements,
towels, beans, roofing sheets and nails, rice, plastic buckets and cash.
Presenting the items to the victims on behalf of the state government, the
Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Cosmas Iwu thanked NEMA and SEMA for
their magnanimity and support. MR. Iwu who observed that most accidents were man
made and therefore could be avoided urged traditional rulers in the state to
embrace peace and use dialogue to settle communal disputes in their various
communities. He pointed out that the Federal and State Governments set up the
Emergency Management Agency to provide succor to families and victims of such
unavoidable mishaps. Earlier in his remarks, the South-East coordinator of NEMA,
MR. Eze Udemezuo said the materials were given in the bid to sympathize with
victims for the mishaps. He informed that the agency is handing over the
materials with mixed feelings owing to the nature of the accidents because such
are man-made.
He pointed out that the material and the cash
would have been used for the economic growth of the state instead of such
purposes. He encouraged all and sundry to support and help prevent most of the
man-made occurrences. Mr. Udemezuo stated that the Agency has concluded plans to
mount serious campaign against fire incidents in the South-East states. In his
vote of thanks, Mr. Donatus Okwusha, a victim of Okigwe park fire incident that
occurred on the 10th of January, 2007 thanked the Agencies for the relief
materials. He said the materials provided have brought succour to the victims.
This publication however learnt that most of the victims came as a result of
communal clashes in various communities in the state.
back to top^^
Choba Monarch Mourns Dr
Ozuru -By Joe Kalu
The Paramount ruler of Choba Community, HRH Eze
Raymond O. Webilor Okocha (JP) has lamented over the sudden death of Dr. Ikezam
Ozuru, a lecturer in the Education Dept. of the University of
Port Harcourt who was also one
of the illustrious sons of Choba, the University Community. The Monarch was
making his feelings known during a condolence visit to him by the University
Principal Officers, during the week over the death of the lecturer. He described
the late Ozuru as a role model and a big asset to the Choba Community. Eze
Okocha recalled how the late lecturer rose from a classroom teacher at the
University Demonstration Secondary School, UDSS to the school Vice Principal and
then a lecturer in Uniport since four years ago when he completed his P.hd
degree through hardwork. He further noted that but for awareness, the aggrieved
community would have gone on rampage to register their protest against the
sudden death of their illustrious son whom they had looked forward to grow to a
height in the society. We have been trying to find a way for a peaceful
coexistence between the school and the host community and also considering the
fact that our target is an unidentified assailant “otherwise somebody cannot
come into our land and kill our son and go scot free” he noted. The Monarch
regretted what he described as the porous nature of the Uniport’s security
otherwise he noted how can cultists pass through the whole security system to
attack the Chief Security Officer of the school, without any residence neither
was there any attempt to do something over the threat letters and calls they
have been receiving before the attack.
He said he would not know the reasons behind the
attack but that the school authority should check its insurance policy to
ascertain ways and means to take care of the family Dr. Ozuru left behind. He
however commended the effort of the new Police Commissioner Mr. Bala Hassan and
Gov. Chibuike Amaechi for their renewed effort in combating crime in the
state.Eze Okocha was particularly happy to hear that the state Chief Executives
cut short his busy schedule to race dawn to Uniport to see things for himself.
In a chat with newsmen later the Royal father said the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission, TRC set up by the state Government to reconcile aggrieved persons in
the state was a welcome development as long as those testifying will be sincere
and honest in their report and the panel obey the rules and attend to aggrieved
persons appropriately.He however opined that grievous cases should be referred
to the court of law for proper trial.On issue of compensation, he supported the
Government’s stand for infrastructural development that will take care of the
aggrieved persons instead of direct compensation, “otherwise everybody will
become cultist and victims if we go for direct compensation”. On Government’s
stand of not forgiving the cultists and other contributors to the violence
unleashed on the state, Eze Okocha said that there was nothing wrong forging
them. “There is repentance and forgiveness, if anybody is sorry for what he/she
has done and asks for forgiveness he/she should be pardoned”.
He however pointed out
that the grievous ones should be referred to the law courts which has the power
to sentence/sanction offenders.
back to top^^
How
Land Dispute Claims Two Siblings In Two Weeks -
By Joe Kalu
Wonders they say, shall never end in this
surface, earth. The Orokwuruolanu Orofu village in Rumuola Community, Obio/Akpor
LGA of Rivers State is still in the state of
shock since the announcement of the death of her two citizens Mr. Temple Owhole
Igwe alias Oshimini (37) and his younger sister, Miss Irogbunwo Patience O. Igwe
(26) recently. In a chat with this publication, the members of the Igwe family
said they have reasons to strongly suspect their half brothers for the sudden
death of the two siblings “We have been in land dispute for a long time and they
had once boasted of sealing us up if we refused to let go the land”. They
disclosed that the former Rumuola Youth Forum President, Promise Risi Igwe is
the arrow head of their accused brothers who are first suspects on the death of
their loved ones. The bereaved family narrated how the disputed land situated
behind the defunct “Sunray” Publication premises along Aba road had been judged
by two separate panels which they won. Madam Comfort Igwe the bereaved mother
explained that the disputed land belongs to their grandfathers and those who
have judged the case earlier in their wisdom shared the property to the two
large family descendants but unfortunately she said, the other Igwe family would
not want to hear anything of that and went on fighting. After the first hearing
last Friday, June 6, 2008 before adjourning, the case appears favourable to the complainants as
they sang and danced home. Meanwhile, the
burial of the two siblings has been fixed for the same day Saturday June 14,
2008 at their residence.
Their Obituary posters pasted everywhere in
Rumuola which looks like husband and wife have continue to attract sympathy for
the bereaved family. On what is the family’s next line of action, the immediate
elder sister to the late Igwes, Miss Victoria Igwe said “we have to leave
vengeance to God who knows everything since we don’t have power of our own”. On
how they came to the conclusion that their brothers were responsible for the
sudden death, she explained that it was actually the enraged community youths
who went in search of the cause and came up with the findings which she said
shocked everybody ands at the same time confirmed her mother’s suspicion all
along
back
to top^^
Trouble Looms…As Company Abandons Accident Staff In Hospital -
By Joe Kalu
This is not the best of times for Bullet
Construction Company, BBC as the Coalition of Rivers State Youth bodies has
risen in defense of one of her own, Rawlings Alagbo, a 24 year old, final year
surveying student from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State who was involved
in an industrial accident while serving his Industrial Training (IT) in the
company six months ago and has since been abandoned in the hospital. According
to Mr. Kingsley Wonodi of the Rivers State Youth Federation, the victim’s left
hand has been amputated, the right hand useless while the whole body itches him
always. The young man who hails from Andoni LGA of Rivers State lamented that his tall
ambition has been terminated abruptly and called on good spirited Nigerians to
come to his rescue as he is not willing to die. The poor parents have been
draining themselves to take care of the hospital bills until they ran out of
cash and the victim was abandoned to die. Irked by the nonchalant attitude of
the company, especially having discovered that the accident was as a result of
the company’s carelessness to its own safety measures, the youth bodies under
the aegis of Rivers State Youths Federation came to their member’s aid. Firstly
they contacted the Institute of Human Right & Humanitarian law without any
headway. Later, lawyers were contacted from the Asita Chambers who succeeded in
dragging the company to a round table discussion.
The youths among other things demanded for N100
Million Naira for Mr. Alagbo’s hospital treatment in addition to making him a
permanent salaried staff of the company since he is no more or less useless to
himself. But our source said the company offered to pay N30 million Naira only
which the youths refused and discussion was stalled. Worried by the stalling of
prcedures the youths took the matter to the Government officials. First they
went for the embattled Deputy Speaker, Hon Nwile and later the SSG, Hon Magnus
Abe and met their absence as it was during the period of their retreat. They
later succeeded in seeing the permanent secretary, Ministry of Works Mr. Elechi
who invited the company’s management for a dialogue. The source further
disclosed that it was only the company’s PRO who came and the youths chassed him
back. Later the Personnel Manager came apologizing that his Managing Director, a
white man who has the authority to discuss such matter is not in the country,
promising to let him know soonest and the matter came to a dead end once more.
The youths decided to match down to the company’s premises at Rukpokwu for a
protest. They met only the plant manger who sympathized with their cause and
promised to inform the MD and he was given 24hrs to do that. Yesterday, Monday
June 9, 2008 was fixed for more organized protest march while the youths went to
the commissioner of police for permission that would cover thier action.
It would be recalled that Alagbo, a student who
was undergoing his IT in the company suffered from electric shock as a result of
high tension that paralyzed him almost immediately while working at its site at
Eliozu. The accident was later traced to the carelessness of the safety dept
that left the high tension fully loaded. The victim was rushed to the University
of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital UPTH,
where the left hand was immediately amputated and has been on admission there
where he has been bedridden. Also speaking with our reporter, Comrade Izzevie
Akpadu PRO of the Niger Delta Youth Assembly warned of dare consequences should
the company continue to take the youth bodies for granted. Efforts made to let
the embattled company react to the allegation proved abortive as everybody at
the premises was playing safe on the issue.
back to top^^
Delay In The Appointment Of CPS Worry Journalists In Rivers State
- By
Okechukwu Geoffrey
The delay in the appointment of the Director of
Press to the Rivers State Governor Rt (Hon) Rotimi Amaechi has become a source
of worry to journalists in the state as majority of them are beginning to wonder
what the reasons of the Governor are for keeping such a revered office vacant
for quite sometime now. The journalists who expressed sadness over the delay
called on the Governor to see the office as important as any other ministry in
the state as the importance of the Director of Press Affairs (as is now called)
cannot be over emphasized in any administration. They pointed out that since the
appointment of Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke as commissioner for information the office of
the Chief Press Secretary has been lamed and maintained that something must be
done to give journalists a sense of belonging in that regard.
Whether the Governor likes it or not the people
said, any further delay in the appointment will not do this Government any good
and pleaded with him not to leave Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke to carry all the burden
alone both as Information Commissioner and Director of Press Affairs
respectively. Journalists in the state also informed the state Chief Executive
that they were still celebrating the appointment of Mr. Nwuke as the
Commissioner for Information which they described as a square peg in a square
hole and called on him to ensure that the same was done to the office of Chief
Press Secretary. They reminded the Governor that his pattern of appointment
would ever remain green in the minds of men of the fourth estate of the realm as
he was doing that based on credibility and professionalism. They however called
on the Governor to not compromise with any form of illegality in the appointment
of his Chief Press Secretary. Please look for a professional like you did in
the information ministry when appointing your CPS or your DOPA as called now
they averred.
back to top^^
Ogonis Say Goodbye To Shell
-
By Okechukwu
Geoffrey
The people of Ogoni in
Rivers State of Nigeria have
said goodbye to Shell Petroleum in the whole of Ogoni land as the people have
described Shell as the worst thing that has happened to them for the past
fourteen years ruining. The people have also told Shell not to think of having
anything to do with Ogoni land till the end of this generation. It would be
recalled recently that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alhaji
Musa Yar’adua in his visit to South Africa told the whole world that his
administration had concluded plans to replace Shell with another giant company
that would do what was required in Ogoni land since Shell has disappointed the
nation. One of the contending companies this publication gathered that might
take over oil exploration in Ogoni land from Shell is Total as it has since
commenced its assessment of the area. Meanwhile, the Ogoni people through its
dogged leader Ledum Metee have also concluded plans to storm Government House
Port Harcourt to thank the Governor Rt. (Hon) Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi for making
the exit of Shell from Ogoni land possible as the people had said that “over the
years they had begged previous administrations in the state to see reasons with
them but all to no avail and lauded President Yar’ adua for his bold steps on
the matter.
In the meantime, the Ogonis have agreed to decide
on which company would be allowed to operate in their land after the exit of
Shell as the days when anybody/Government forced any company on them were gone.
However, the MASSOP leader Ledum Metee has described the non-violent approach
taken by the Ogonis to achieve their aim as commendable and maintained that the
people would continue to implore dialogue which he described as the best means
to resolve all their differences. Among those who expressed happiness on the
latest development in Ogoni land were the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the
Rivers State House of Assembly Hon. Beffii Nwile and the National Youth Vice
President South South Marvin Yobana.The
duo have also said that the Ogonis must be given free hands to chose the company
that will operate in the area.
back to top^^
EFCC: Brooking Or Booking
Executive Crimes - By L. Chinedu
Arizona-Ogwu
Suppressing and/or controlling corruption
requires not only the relevant institution-building and legislative measures but
also creating the fear against crimes, affordable commodities and enabling
environment as well as requirement for establishing the rule of law. It is of
decisive importance to foster a democratic political and economic culture based
entrust and respect of government institutions, transparency and openness of the
activities of the administration, and an orientation towards stability and
predictability of the economic and social environment. Our anti-corruption plans
and activities are currently being perceived as witch-hunting exercise. If just
a particular umbrella is active than others, it could foster misinterpretations
on why the past regime christened the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)
to hatch its prosecutions. With what hums around this anti-graft watchdog, some
people are viewing the corruption fight of this nation as mere shadow chasing
.The Institution is seen as a grossly dependent institution, pointing accusing
fingers against those that fail to support the third term bid of ex-President
Olusegun Obasanjo as well as the people who frown at the April 2007 rigged
elections and the PDP elections manoeuvres. The recent reshuffle and unnecessary
changes inside the Ant-graft institution portray that there could be dangers
ahead. Confusion set to allow fiscal manipulations and ruse to take place. It
could be unacceptable, if the EFCC is hand-controlled by those it supposed to
prosecute. With the over-night appointment of Mrs Farida Waziri without the
Senate screening, it shadowed flaw to due process and rule of law. To my own
view, I am not against President Umaru Yar'Adua's regime and would never support
people who chide him on health ground. The President personae are the charisma
Nigeria needed most for now.
But my confusion is, what plans has these
government to eradicate corruption inside this nation and why is the EFCC
head-pilots tampered frequently. As if a game-plan were sketched to destabilize
the rigidity of this Anti-graft body to enthrone more and filth-devised
corruption practices. Perception is a critical issue here. It is also a central
issue in any analysis of justice, hence the principle that “justice must not
only be done, but must be seen to have been done”. What I find monumental in
that principle is that perception is a crucial aspect of understanding when
justice has been done in a given case. The same reasoning will seem to apply in
our analysis of EFCC, and how it discharges its sacred mandate to Nigerians.
This Regime is making efforts to combat corruption, yet the results are not as
expected. The practice of prosecutions is seen short-lived and the issue of
bargain over the loots snatched off from what I and you could have benefited all
round an omen of the herald of things to come inside what this government calls
corruption fight. The vast majority of initiatives in the EFCC should have
directly involved the abolishment of the root causes of corruption, but to no
avail. Significant progress could had been made in many key sectors such as the
management of government revenues and expenditures, the management of natural
resources, land management, education and health. Existing requirements were not
implemented to strengthen the enforcement of a code of ethics that was embedded
inside the EFCC act. The mechanism of an Obasanjo anti-graft establishment:-the
ICPC, the Code Of Conduct Bureau and the so called EFCC have been established to
investigate and strengthen the enforcement of laws and regulations once the case
is beyond anyone Ministry's mandate or capacity. The draft Anti-corruption Law
was referred to the National Assembly and the Senate for adoption and
subsequently pass-marked .Early priorities for the coming period include the
streamlining and computerization of service delivery processes to improve
transparency, responsibility and accountability and thus to reduce opportunities
for corrupt practices, the adoption of the Anti-corruption Law to deter corrupt
practices, facilitating the adoption of anti-corruption codes for all
stakeholders (because corruption takes place when there is a briber and a bribe
receiver) and establishing an office to protect the interests and rights of
clients of public services. As experience shows all over the world, controlling
and eliminating corrupt practices is a long-term and difficult process.
Increasing risks associated with corrupt practices is only one element of a
multi-faceted strategy. Laws and regulations are only as good as the mechanisms
to implement them.
Originally, the EFCC Anti-corruption strategy
focuses on three intertwined essential factors: Prevention, Law Enforcement and
Public Support. It happened that prevention led to a gradually reduction of
opportunity for corrupt practices through without regard to the legal framework
and procedures that are set in ways that respect the principles of good
governance particularly as they relate to the management of public funds and the
delivery of public services. Obviously, the citizens who use public services are
aware of and understand the legal framework, procedures and their rights and
obligations. Oversight mechanisms of the antigraft watchdog ,EFCC, which was
recently criss-crossed by the Ribadu- Oandoakaa supremacy tussle were in place
and instituted to control the implementation through empowerment and operations.
The EFCC is the only parastatal that its requisite logistical support in terms
of equipment and sufficient operating budgets are in place and are timely. The
EFCC has been promoting law enforcement on Money Laundering through the
establishment of One-Window-Services throughout the country. The Anti-graft
Agency's Law enforcement is an element of the Anti-corruption strategy with the
objective of strengthening the rule of law and other factors that determine the
effectiveness of the implementation of actions, including preparing human
resource training to enhance capacity and skills of civil servants, who are
responsible for law enforcement, to fulfill their job effectively, Strengthening
the investigation mechanism and having the tools to obtain sufficient evidence
for fairly, predictably, and effectively convicting or punishing anyone who
commits corruption, Strengthening and monitoring the implementation of the
Sub-decree on Public Procurement Management, Strengthening monitoring and
controlling the implementation of laws, Sub-decrees, and existing regulations of
the EFCC and of state institutions in order to assure the integrity,
effectiveness, transparency and accountability, Taking strict measures to reduce
corrupt practices in any systems and procedures that provide the opportunity for
corruption, Promoting the publication and dissemination of the Supreme Court's
decisions, Promoting the establishment of an independent anti-corruption
institution as soon as expected, Public support is an important factor that
cannot cut off from the anti-corruption strategy, where the support from the
public can be sought through: Organizing seminars at national and international
levels and creating programs to disseminate the EFCC principles on
preventing/obstructing and combating corruption to make the public aware of
them, and in particular, to ensure civil servants understand the issue and have
adequate skills and means to perform their job properly, effectively and fairly.
Corruption is the cause of “the horrible, horrible history of failure of
leadership and failure of governance” in the developing world. Tackling
corruption would be the fastest way to address problems like poverty, disease,
and illiteracy.
The EFCC has investigated powerful politicians,
businessmen, government and police officers, cyber scammers, and others under
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu who has secured more than 150 convictionsagainst none prior
to EFCC's arrivaland recovered over $5 billion of stolen public funds. But he
has also lost three of his staff members to reprisals from the interests he has
disturbed. Known in Nigeria as “a messenger of hope” and described as “a hero on
the frontlines. It is time to say 'enough is enough.' Nigeria is oil-producing
countries that still imports 90 percent of its consumption needs and suffers
from poverty and lack of basic services. Now for the first time in its history,
people are being called to account, stolen resources are being recovered, and
the corrupt are being punished. We have the possibility to establish rule of law
and accountability. What we need is training, equipment, and exposure for our
staff. We also need your support at the international level. So much of grand
corruption is out of our control, as the money goes out of our jurisdiction. If
the World Bank can help us retrieve stolen money and ensure there is no safe
haven outside, it will help us immensely in our fight internally. There should
be no hiding place for the corrupt; treat them like terrorists. The EFCC's
success has in part been because it both investigates and prosecutes; unlike in
Kenya or Ghana, where prosecutors are part of a government cadre and the
attorney-general could be a political appointee with no incentive to take on his
masters. Moreover, Nigerian law has been amended so that the high courts can
designate special judges to handle EFCC cases. These (so far) 14 judges have
delivered the 150-plus convictions. EFCC has gained popularity with the public,
but now that it has taken on powerful political interests (“six of whom control
80 percent of the Nigerian media”), he was not expecting anything good to be
said about him. It was in this context that international support and scrutiny
were critical. I have seen multinationals and big oil companies play by the
rules elsewhere, but behaving badly in
Nigeria and Africa because of
our collapsed systems. We have to insist ourselves on the rule of law and order;
then everyone will behave. Working with the judiciary and police could be a
challenge, especially as the Nigerian Constitution insulates the judiciary
itself from investigation. Arizona-Ogwu writes from Oyigbo, Rivers State,
Nigeria.
back to top^^
Feature
Hillary's Fond Farewell
 Linda
Mahoney and her partner Edith Miller, both in their sixties, were among the
first to line up to see Hillary Clinton end her bid for the presidency. Decked
out in Hillary t-shirts and hats, the couple from Silver Spring also had printed
signs pinned to their backs: "Remember in November to vote present." Obama "is a
mediocre Chicago machine politician and he will not stand up for us," said
Mahoney, who added that she will never again give money or volunteer for the
Democratic Party and plans to stay home in November. The couple both donated the
maximum for Clinton and spent 23 days traveling to five states to work on her
behalf. But, 10 minutes into Clinton's remarks Mahoney and Miller were heading
for the door, refusing to hear Clinton's endorsement of Barack Obama. "Now, when
I started this race, I intended to win back the White House and make sure we
have a President who puts our country back on the path to peace, prosperity and
progress," Clinton told the crowd of several thousand gathered at Washington's
National Building Museum. "And that's exactly what we're going to do, by
ensuring that Barack Obama walks through the doors of the Oval Office on Jan.
20, 2009." The door swung shut behind Miller and Mahoney. The crowd reacted with
cheers, boos and hisses, underlining the work that remains to be done in
uniting the party. Clinton, in a black suit and blue shirt (perhaps
unconsciously black and blue), repeated her endorsement of Obama eight more
times, using his full name in each instance to underline the formality of her
support. Each time Obama's name was mentioned, there was a mixed response.
"Emotions are running high right now," said Ellen Malcolm, head of Emily's List,
a non-profit group that works to elect Democratic women candidates and one of
Clinton's strongest backers. "I don't think anyone's going to vote for John
McCain in the fall. Given some time to grieve, they'll see the importance of
electing a Democrat, Barack Obama, in November." Clinton encouraged her fans to
move on. "I want to say to my supporters: When you hear people saying or think
to yourself, 'If only,' or, 'What if,' I say, please, don't go there. Every
moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward," she said, her voice
echoing throughout the cavernous room, just blocks from the White House. "Life
is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high to dwell on what
might have been." Clinton launched her bid for the White House on Jan. 20, 2007,
promising to fight for many of the same things she named in her speech today:
universal healthcare, retirement security and a vibrant economy. She made
history as the only former First Lady to ever run for her husband's office.
Today, Clinton for the first time openly spoke about the historic nature of her
candidacy and the importance of continuing the struggle for equality of the
sexes. "It would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal, I in any way
discouraged any of you from pursuing yours," Clinton said to a crowd that was
easily two-thirds women. "To build that future I see, we must make sure that
women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and their
mothers, and that women enjoy equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal
respect."
Clinton also started the process of rebuilding
her husband's legacy, a man whose missteps on the campaign trail have been
controversial. "In the last 40 years, our country has voted 10 times for
President. Democrats won only three of those times, and the man who won two of
those elections is with us today," Clinton said, gesturing to her right where
Bill sat in a dark grey suit. "We made tremendous progress during the '90s under
a Democratic President, with a flourishing economy and our leadership for peace
and security respected around the world." It is a cliche in politics that
sometimes concession speeches are so good, folks wonder why they hadn't seen
this candidate all along. Think back to Al Gore in 2000 or John Kerry in 2004.
On the campaign trail Clinton often got wonky; in Pennsylvania a staffer
remarked to me that, though boring to reporters, this was the secret to her
success with the middle class. Indeed, audiences, especially those who were
economically depressed, paid rapt attention to her lists of proposed legislative
acts. In leaving the race, Clinton left the lists at home and her rhetoric
soared as high as any Obama speech, at times rousing the crowd and then quieting
them down during poetic and poignant moments.
There's been a lot of
speculation about what Clinton will do now. One task she has before her: helping
to unify the Democratic Party and bring back into the fold supporters like
Mahoney and Miller. Clinton made it clear she's not going anywhere. "I've had
every opportunity and blessing in my own life, and I want the same for all
Americans. And until that day comes, you'll always find me on the front lines of
democracy, fighting for the future," she said, drawing one of the longest
ovations of the speech. First Lady to New York Senator to presidential
candidate, this is not the last we'll hear from Hillary Rodham Clinton.
back to top^^
The Rule of Law in Nigeria -
By Emmanuel Omoh Esiemokhai
When the British Government formally granted
political independence to Nigeria on October 1, 1960, the politicians, who took
over the reins of Government was well-educated, experienced, sophisticated and
above all, very patriotic. The Rule of Law, a basic and dynamic legal concept,
which formed the kernel of British democracy, was adopted in Nigeria. The
Westminster parliamentary system recognized the “supremacy of law”. However, in
1966, the rule of law was forcibly replaced by the rule of force. The
legislative authorities in the Eastern, Western and Northern regions were
replaced by army councils that were totally unprepared for governance. Through
hurriedly enacted military decrees, the rule of law became encumbered. Each time
subsequent governments took over, the rulers merely paid lip-service to the rule
of law. As a result, democratic practice suffered inexorably. A hedonistic
culture developed. Corrupt practices became rife. Mediocrity gained ascendancy.
People, whose names were very obscure and whose epicurean dispositions were
consummate and ill-defined, became national figures. They managed to get into
strategic government positions and looted the treasury. It is a truism that a
state of anarchy must exist in the absence of the rule of law. This is why the
late Justice Taylor, in Olayori's case, (1969) 2 All N.L.R at page 308, said,
“…If we are to have our actions guided and restrained in certain ways for the
benefit of society in general and individual members in particular, then
whatever status, whatever post we hold, we must succumb to the rule of law. The
alternative is anarchy and chaos…” Governments must acknowledge that the rule of
law is effective regulatory machinery that brings order and good governance to
any society. The late Chief Justice Sir Adetokunbo Ademola told the African
Conference on the Rule of Law, in Lagos in 1961, that “the rule of law is not a
Western idea, nor is it linked up with any economic or social system. As soon as
you accept that man is governed by law and not by whims of man; it is the rule
of law. It is based on principles; it is not an abstract notion.
The various Nigerian Kingdoms adhered strictly to
the dictates of traditional values and public order. Even Kings and Chiefs were
sanctioned where they overreached societal norms and ancestral civility. In
Politics, Vol 111, page 16, the Greek philosopher, Aristotle said that” the rule
of law is preferable to the rule of man” The American Declaration of
Independence (1776) and all the other human rights proclamations through the
hurrying centuries, have upheld the rule of law. In the last eight years, the
destroyers of Nigeria inflicted maximum damage on the Nigerian state and its
people with impunity and recklessness. This was not a one-man action. So, the
Yar'adua administration has been trying very hard to revert governance to the
rule of law and due process. This is laudable. Professor Wade wrote that “every
act of governmental power that affects the legal rights, duties and liberties of
any person, must be shown to have a strictly legal recourse.” So, when citizens
feel aggrieved either with the government, a corporate entity or an individual,
they must be able to seek redress in court or in any other lawful manner.
Justice does not excuse anyone. Professor A. V. Dicey wrote that “the rule of
law excludes arbitrariness.” Arbitrariness on the part of anyone leads to strife
and social dislocation. A harmonious society presents a cordial environment for
man's existence on earth. Professor Wade further explains that” all acts must be
in accordance with the law to be valid”. He stresses that government's
activities must be conducted within a framework of defined rules and regulations
and that disputes involving the legality or illegality of government actions
must be decided by courts independent of the government. It is his view that no
one should suffer punishment outside the authority of the law and that no-one
should enjoy undue privileges and discrimination. Professor Garner said that
“Man is a social animal, but to live in a society, he has had to fashion for
himself and in his own interest, the law and other instruments of government,
and as a consequence, those must to some extent limit his personal liberties.
The problem is how to control those instruments of government in accordance with
the rule of law and in the interest of the governed” In Nigeria, citizens, who
are not indigenes are discriminated against in matters of promotion and in
other matters of personal rights. I was a victim at the Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife, in a most despicable and condemnable way and I was not
alone. Anyone, who is interested in the matter, should browse through my files
at the University. When one sought redress from the “authorities” prejudice,
group dynamics adorned one's path. Inter-ethnic relations suffer inexorably, as
a result of the damnable acts of a few low-cultured irredentists in any societal
setting.
The rule of law is a shield against
discrimination, xenophobia and other reactionary-minded tendencies. Due process
hinders those, who love to cut corners in order to reap where they did not sow.
In fact, they never cared to sow! As Nigeria enters a new era of responsible
governance which pledges to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms
through the observance of the rule of law and due process, the citizens should
sharpen their consciousness, so that they can distinguish what is just from what
is unjust, what is human from what is inhuman? They must be ready to denounce
injustice, repression, oppression, ethnic bigotry, abuse of power and
partiality. Those, who did not criticize the past government are now so erudite
in shouting about what they perceive are the short-comings of the present
administration, without offering meaningful suggestions on the way forward. The
practice of not seeing, not hearing evil when the son-of-the-soil is in office
is the hall-mark of intellectual dishonesty, which some Nigerians have practiced
since 1960. Some analysts are so morbidly blind to reason that they do not see
anything wrong with government in which they hope to benefit from. It is only
where their hopes were dashed that they say that “the grapes were sour”. This is
opportunism. Progressive-minded Nigerians realize that opportunism violates
human dignity. Their ideological position is that the welfare of the nation is
more important than individual acquisitiveness and personal aggrandizement.
These are the ones that have kept Nigeria afloat. The psyche of Nigerians must
continue to be demilitarized. There is need to work for greater democratization
of the political and socio-economic structures. We must ensure national security
and arms control. The fight against corruption, a Herculean task, must
continue. However, due process must be maintained. The “crucify him” syndrome
must abate. There are civilized investigative methods in the rule book. There
are complaints that officials have turned the anti-corruption campaign into
personal benefit. This has weakened the people's confidence in the rule of law.
Recently, some academic renegades, in the service of known looters advocated for
revolution in Nigeria. They do not have the revolutionary zeal of Ernesto Che
Guevara, Fidel Castro or Saddam Hussein. They will be the butt of the
revolution, if and when it comes. As the government enters its second term,
there will be no time for complacency, but there is time for slight hope. Since
hope and patience do wane with time, we must rely on capable hands, popular
movements for democracy and the rule of law, to save Nigeria.
In order to replenish the treasury, government
may wish to improve upon its tax collection strategies. In the United States,
the revenue collection system is almost perfect. In Nigeria, civil servants and
public servants pay their taxes as and when due. I understand that companies
have promised to do the same. They will also remit all the VAT funds that they
are with-holding. This is good news. Any corporate entity that violates Nigerian
revenue laws should seek advice from the President whether one should pour
concentrated sulphuic acid into water or water into concentrated sulphuric acid!
This, being the Age of Aquarius, the age of spirit-consciousness, Nigeria's
blessed saints have headed off the machinations of Nigeria's Luciferians. The
forces of darkness have been confronted and are being over-powered. They have
been removed from their lofty positions in circumstances they themselves do not
understand. Many are being neutralized. Others have taken over their offices and
GOD will continue to overturn, overturn and overturn, until light replaces
darkness in the affairs of Nigeria. This country must not rotate around the
three major ethnic groups. The minorities need to calibrate their energies in
order to rescue themselves and Nigeria from the throes of hegemonic and
irredentist manipulations and control. There is obviously a permanent quality in
the thought that the rule of law and the rule of force seem hard to reconcile.
At Bosas International Law Bureau, we subscribe to legal theory, which is in
agreement with the Belgian doctrine of universal jurisdiction. Any World leader,
who propagated war policies that have resulted in the destruction of cities,
towns, villages and whose acts resulted in genocide, aggressive wars and crimes
against humanity, will be tried, at a future date. Professor Emmanuel Omoh
Esiemokhai teaches International Law at the School of Law, Shandong University of
Science and Technology, Qingdao, China. He is the Executive
President of OEP News Agency World-wide.
back to top^^
ENTERTAINMENT
I’m Grateful To
Kennis Music, Says 2face
 Aftermath
of duet with R Kelly, for those who don’t know, 2face Idibia will be featuring
R.Kelly in his next album.
The song has
already been recorded in a studio in Uncle Sam’s country and R Kelly did his
part.The song is one of the past songs of R&B American star, R Kelly. He
actually did a remix and sent it to 2face to add his part to it. Of course, the
song is about love and 2face did justice to it. 2face, in a chat with Showbiz
Now, reveals that it was a dream come true for him, ‘doing collabo with R Kelly
is a dream come true’ he says, and he went on to shower praises on the Kennis
Music family whom he credited with the international exposure his songs have
enjoyed. “When I look back at my career and how it all started, I am deeply
humbled. I never believed I would come this far.
That is why I would always
be grateful to Kenny Ogungbe, D 1 and the crew at Kennis Music and above all God
Almighty who made all this possible. We are like one big family at Kennis.”On
the R Kelly duet, the act, who has been spending less time in Nigeria following
his European Music Award (MTV) says fans should watch out for it because it is
the bomb. “He is one man I have tons of respect for. Maybe, I dreamed of doing
stuff with him but it was in the distant future. When Uncle Kenny called me and
raised the idea, I was so excited. Off we went straight to New York, now the
rest is history. We have recorded a love track together; R Kelly and I, just
doing our thing and I’ll tell you what, it’s a bomb!”Tuface hit limelight as a
member of the Plantashun Boiz alongside Blackface and Faze in the mid 1990s. He
hooked up with Kennis Music following the break-up of the Plantashun Boiz in
2004 and ever since he has never looked back.
 Adultery
Saga Trails RMD’S Wife
Wife of
the handsome actor who is presently working for Governor Uduaghan of Delta
State, Jumobi-Odugbesan-Damijo is been trailed recently by some adulterous
allegations. Despite all the love, care, affection and gift shower on this
former broadcaster,Jumobi, we learnt still involves in some extra-marital
affairs with some Celtel Communication big boys who are said to be constantly
warming her bed at their Omole based matrimonial home whenever her hubby,
Richard Mofe-Damijo is out of town or on official assignment. NFC exclusively
gathered that a-supposed-to-be-decent house wife, Jumobi, is involved in this
ugly act to pay her husband back in his own coin as the tall and handsome father
of six children from three women, we gathered, has an uncontrollable libido for
anything in skirt most especially widows or married women. There are still other
stories which are coming up after this timeout.
I Am Not A Tailor — Genevieve
 Following
the successful launch of her fashion brand, St. Genevieve, very talented actress
and mother of one, Genevieve Nnaji has declared to all and sundry that she is
not a tailor. There have been talks that she has turned to tailoring and dumped
acting that brought her fame and fortune to irk out a living. Immediately we got
wind of her turning to cloth making, we put a call across to the Mbaise, Imo
state born actress to verify the authenticity of the talk. Hardly had we
finished our enquiry that she started laughing, her first set of words were in
yoruba, eyin omo yi, eni pami meaning, you journalist will not wear me down with
your enquires.
Weeks before
then, papers have been full of reports that she has now turned to cloth making.
Some praised her for her versatility, while others mocked that acting roles are
no longer up to the task of picking her bill, hence, need to look else where.She
however told us that none of the talk has any iota of truth. Samuel, I am not a
tailor she told us unequivocally. She promised to send us the invitation to the
launching ceremony of her cloth line, St. Genevieve so that we understand what
it was all about and true to her words she did. The launching was everything a
fashion event should be. It was full of razzmatazz, fashion parade and ladies
with fashion statement that would make Victoria Beckham nod her heads were
there. The event which took place on May 4, at Coral Hall, Victorial Island
Lagos was organized by Ndidi Obioha led Enthyst Event and she coordinated every
inch of it flawlessly. It was there that we got to know that Genny as Genevieve
is fondly called is only inspiring fashion designs, while Lamide Ajayi of
Iconola does the sowing. As it is, Genny draws the design or tell Lamide the
sort of designs in her head while Lamide applies her tailoring ingenuity to
create the reality of Genny’s designs. Lamide is one fashion designer that has
earned her respect in the fashion industry as one of the very best. It was sort
of two of the very best in two worlds teaming up together to create timeless
designs. Presently, the ready wear cloths can be purchased at Iconola, the
outfit of Lamide, but Genny is planning big time to open a boutique on the
island, where her ready-to-wear brand, St Genevieve would be easily purchased.
She plans to throw the door open for other
boutique to purchase in wholesale and take it to other part of the country.She
informed the audience that the need to throw open the door of her private
designs came about as a result of people asking where she got her wears from.
Most people who come across her usually wonder if her cloths are made in
Nigeria. She reveals that most of what she wears she designs; her tailors just
bring them to reality. The need to make the designs that have done her pride
accessible to other fashion conscious women made her enter into the partnership
with Lamide. It is on record that Genny is one of the most fashionable actresses
we have in Nigeria. Meanwhile, Genevieve who just returned from a movie location
in Abuja told us she is still busy acting and that is the more reason we’ve not
been able to sit her down for a chat.
That effectively put the
rumour that she is no longer getting movie script to rest. That we can tell. But
what we can’t however tell is when the former face of Lux would start designing
for men, so that we can have a piece of her creative mind on our body.
Our Marriage Still Intact, Monalisa Chinda & Dejo Richards Cry Out
 The
news created feverish feeling in the movie industry. It cannot be true, why not,
and so on are the reactions of so many people when they heard that the seemingly
perfect marriage between star actress, Monalisa Chinda and showbiz hubby, Dejo
Richards had collapsed over irreconciliable differences. The story has it that
she has packed to her uncle’s house at FESTAC, Lagos. We almost believed it too,
but a phone call to the couple changed everything. Dejo was furious at the
reporter and immediately tore the reporter that wrote the story apart. ‘My wife
and I are still together’ he says. ‘The guy that wrote that story is on the
payroll of Kelvin Luciano (CEO of Question Mark). My wife and I are still tight.
I’ll give the phone to my wife so that you can speak with her. There is no
problem between me and my wife, I have one of the best marriages in this
industry; the write-up was a lie from the pit of hell. I’ll make sure this is
the last story the guy wrote about us. I am too angry over that. I am one of the
artistes that have good marriages. He gave the phone to her and she was too
angry to speak for a long time. ‘I am speechless.’ She said. When we asked about
her uncle’s house she raised her voice and asked us to tell her why she would
pack to her uncle’s house. For what? I went to do a job in FESTAC and my uncle
lives there. Why would anybody say that? It is their marriage that will break in
Jesus name.’ We pressed further, asking if there was ever an argument over her
return to movie location. According to the story, the reason the couple broke up
was that Dejo cautioned his wife about returning to work early after her
delivery. ‘There was no argument at all.’ This should silence doubters who
believed these showbiz’ couple would go the way of Eddy Remedy and Kenny Saint
Brown. It will be recalled that the couple had their first baby after four years
of waiting in February.
back to top^^
Religion
The Spiritual Gifts Through The
Looking Glass
It has popularly but erroneously been ,believed
that there are only nine spiritual gifts (to match the nine spiritual fruit).
Let us examine these numerous gifts in more detail to help you’ recognize your
own. Remember what I had said earlier that no child of God is bereft of gifts of
the Holy Spirit. Every child of God has at least two gifts: evangelism and
giving (Matthew 28:18-20;7:21-23: Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, ‘
shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in
heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in
your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in’ Your name?’
And then 1 will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who
practice lawlessness!’ . By their fruit you shall know them. Acts 26:35; 2
Timothy 4:5). We may not all have the same measure of faith for the same 0 gifts
but for every command of God, here is a corresponding grace gift. THE GIFT OF
KNOWLEDGE This is the ability to have remarkable insight into the word of God.
It is given essentially to those who easily study the word of God total
dependence upto the Holy Spirit. Such people do not mind whether the world
praises or judges them; they are simply preoccupied with searching for the
truth. Someone who does not have this gift has a different response: when the
word of God judges him, he changes the interpretation to suit his own desires.
The apostle Paul was familiar with such people and had to declare that he and
his co-labourers were not handling God’s word deceitfully or with craftiness (2
Corinthians 4:2). Proverbs 2: 1-5 is a guide for developing this gift that
contributes to the growth and well-being of the body of Christ.
THE GIFT OF WISDOM
This gift is usually, but not always, connected
to the gift of knowledge. It is the ability to use the revealed knowledge of
God’s word (His divine revelation) to help and bless the people of God. Somebody
with the gift of wisdom may also have ~he gift of knowledge but this is not a
fixed rule. Mere knowledge prompts you to “speak the truth as it is” whereas
wisdom prompts you to “speak the truth in love” (Proverbs 4:5-9, 1 Corinthians
2:1-10, 1 ‘Corinthians 8:1; James 3:13-18). Godly wisdom is humble, meek and
concerned with the good of others, therefore believers who operate in this gift
are usually at an advantage in the counseling’ ministry As with other gifts;
wisdom can be buried like a talent or enhanced. In fact, very believer has a
measure of this gift .and the starting point for cultivating It is to walk in
the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7; Proverb~ 9:10) which will also enable you to
live in submission to our Lord Jesus Christ “…who became for us wisdom from
God.” (1 Corinthians 1"30).
THE GIFT OF FAITH
This is the ability to discern the mind of God
and, with a singular purpose, take appropriate action in spite of all odds. If
you have the gift of faith, your undaunted confidence in God 3.l).d His
abilities will cause you to take His ‘word literally and apply it to life’s
circumstances without doubt or the fear of failure. Sometimes those with this
gift are also visioners or dreamers and as they believe the impossible, they can
possess the unseen. “Note carefully that it is not waking up one morning with
wild ideas, creating fantasies and building castles in the air that will never
materialize. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. “These
people can literally move mountains and not surprisingly, might express
impatience with those of Jesser faith. The gift of faith is tied to.
intercession and exploits of an extraordinary degree. Every believer has been
given a certain measure of faith but those with this gift have an incredibly
high level of trust, , unshakeable. and implicit belief, that their God-given
vision shall come to pass for no other reason than because God said. so. This
faith gift expresses itself in the risk you’ ire willing to take because God has
spoken.
THE GIFT OF HEALINGS
The gift of healings is the ability to serve as
11 channel or conduit for God’s power so that through prayer, the laying on of
hands; mere utterance or with some other form of contact, ‘those who are sick
and infirm can be restore to health. The person with this gift: has no power to
heal; he is God’s intermediary and the healing occurs at the discretion of the
Holy Spirit. It is important to look more closely at 110w,this gift operates.
You might lay, hands on people pray and they recover but this does not mean you
possess the gift of healings. In James 5: 14 17, God enjoins His church to pray
forte. sick. Know also that just because you are flowing in this gift does not
guarantee the healing of every person. In Luke 4:27 Jesus said, “and many lepers
were in Israel at the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed
except Naaman the Syrian. “ The apostle Paul, who had this gift, left Miletus
sick (2 Timothy 4:20) yet extraordinary miracles were done through him (Acts
19:1112). The power of God to heal may not be present all the time (Luke. S:
17) and you do well to understand that sometimes, men of God are put under great
pressure to perform. Some actually succumb and err by thinking that they control
the healing power.. When this happens, even when the power of God to heal is not
present, .they seek for ways to increase the. methodology of manipulation and
this should not be. The infirm Timothy was given medical advice (1
Timothy 5:22-23). The apostle Paul could have called him and said, HI lay hands
on you. Come out of him, you spirit of infirmity, “ but he knew that only God
can heal. God can use multiple means to effect healing and this may include
healing gradually rather than instantaneously, as well as working through
medical personnel and medication. Also, the word used for gift of healings is
always in the plural, indicating that God has numerous methods of healing. Some
ailment may require words of comfort and genuine tears shed at the graveside
might heal a broken heart. “I am sorry” or “Please forgive me” can heal a root
of despondency. Let us never limit God.
THE GIFT OF MIRACLES
This is the ability God gives to His children to
do things that cannot be accounted for by natural laws. This gift often works
with the gifts of faith and healings; results are expected as the gift is
exercised. As with the gift of healings, the believer with the gift of miracles
realises he is merely a channel for the awesome, indescribable power of God to
flow through. In Acts 14: 8-11, a remarkable healing is recorded. Note that this
particular incident was not actually called “healing.” Rather, it was clearly a
miracle. As God’s power moves through His chosen vessels, it is important that
they maintain a proper alignment with Him by holy, righteous living because the
anointing will not rest upon an unclean vessel. Miracles are real and still,
occur today. Sometimes, the ordinariness of the miracles makes us to miss their
import, for even sleeping and waking daily is a major miracle of life.
THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
This is the special ability to receive and
transmit a message from God for the edification of the body of Christ. As the
divine mind is interpreted, the prophetic flow may manifest as foretelling and
forth telling (speaking God’s will about the future or about an immediate,
present situation); forth telling constitutes the larger proportion of these
divine messages (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-11; 2 Peter 1 :20-21). It is possible to
flow in this gift without having been called to the office of a prophet; it is
even possible for God to give an anointed prophetic proclamation to a person
,who does not have this gift (John 11 :49-51). The prophetic flow at times
follows the office or duty that God assigns to a person; this is what happened
to Caiaphas. Anointed singing, preaching, teaching and praying are part of this
prophetic flow.
THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT OF
SPIRIT
This is the ability to see through people,
evaluate what they say and do, and know with certainty whether they are prompted
by the flesh, Satan or the Holy Spirit. To discern is to be able to sift the
spirit and identify it clearly for what it is. The word “discernment” suggests
evaluation or judgment. The church cannot function effectively without this gift
(Mark 8:32-33; Acts 13:9-10; Acts 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 2:14), nor can
individuals or families. Many have fallen victim to people and circumstances
because they lacked discernment, so it is desirable that every believer be able
to exercise this gift (1 John 4: 1). In spiritual warfare, it is indispensable.
Of course, the greatest hindrance to’ the effective use of and growth in this
gift is carnality, which opens you up to all manner of deception. To be truly
discerning, therefore, you need to walk closely and continually with the Holy
Spirit in the word of God. Discernment of spirits is closely tied to the gifts
of faith, prophecy and exhortation. To grow in discernment, you must remain
knowledgeable in the word of God.
Discernment is one of the most profound gifts of the Lord to His church. Acts 5:
1-8 is an excellent example of this.
back to top^^
Feature
Podolski Punishes Poland
A brace from Lukas Podolski handed Germany a
comfortable 2-0 victory over Poland in Euro 2008 Group B. Pre-tournament
favourites Germany were never truly troubled in their opening match in Austria
and Switzerland and goals either side of the break from Podolski earned a
deserved victory. Ahead of kick-off there were fears that the historic rivalry
experienced by the two sides could have led to a heated encounter in Klagenfurt.
However, Germany dominated proceedings and when Polish-born Podolski opened the
scoring in the 20th minute as he tapped home following unselfish play by
Miroslav Klose there only looked to be one winner. Germany goalkeeper Jens
Lehmann was largely a bystander in the first half and little changed after the
interval as Poland continued to struggle to create. And Podolski duly decided
matters with 18 minutes remaining as he volleyed in from close range. The
victory continues Germany's impressive unbeaten
record against the Poles, which now stands at 12 wins and four draws, and saw
them replace Croatia at the top of Group B. Germany, one of the tournament
favourites despite not having won a finals match since their 1996 triumph in
England, suffered a nervy start when from the first attack of the match
goalkeeper Jens Lehmann spilled a cross after colliding with team-mate Per
Mertesacker. Fortunately for the former Arsenal custodian, though, Poland
midfielder Jacek Krzynowek blazed the loose ball into the massed ranks of German
fans behind the goal. Joachim Low's side did not have to wait long to create
their opening opportunity though, and it really should have resulted in the
first goal of the game. A Michael Ballack through-ball sent Klose away, but
instead of taking the chance himself the striker opted to slip the ball inside
to Mario Gomez, who with the goal gaping was unable to stretch enough to get a
clean connection and his effort dribbled agonisingly wide of the post.
An entertaining start continued with Poland
captain Maciej Zurawski just failing to get on the end of a low cross from the
right as the German defence again looked uncomfortable under pressure. Germany
took the lead not long after though when Klose again broke the Poland offside
trap, with Gomez sending the striker clear. Once more Klose unselfishly opted to
set up a team-mate, and this time his pass across the face of goal took Celtic's
Artur Boruc out of play and allowed Gleiwitz-born Podolski the simplest of
tap-ins. The Germans were good value for their lead at that point, but Poland
were not without their chances and Wojciech Lobodzinski saw his low drive held
by the diving Lehmann, before Zurawski dragged a decent chance wide of the far
post during a purple patch for Leo Beenhakker's men. At the other end Gomez
missed a similar chance for Germany following good work by Clemens Fritz down
the right before Mariusz Lewandowski saw Lehmann save his long-range piledriver
with what was the final effort of a decent first period. The half-time
introduction of the lively Roger Guerreiro gave Poland a spring in their step at
the start of the second period, but despite giving the German back line plenty
of think about, the Poles were still playing catch-up as the game entered the
final 30 minutes. Poland may have been enjoying plenty of possession, but
Germany were looking threatening on the counter-attack and substitute Bastian
Schweinsteiger tested Boruc with a low drive before the Polish goalkeeper
produced a brilliant fingertip save to deny Ballack in the 70th minute. The
Chelsea man looked certain to score after latching onto Philipp Lahm's cut-back,
but Boruc was equal to the Germany skipper's rising shot to keep Poland in
touch.
Boruc's good work was undone soon after however
when Germany pounced on a defensive mistake from Pawel Golanski to double their
lead. Golanski took too long in attempting to clear the ball and Schweinsteiger
was able to block before feeding the ball inside for Klose. Klose, who turns 30
on Monday, was unable to grab himself an early birthday present as he mis-hit
his shot, but the ball spooned up nicely for Podolski who slammed an unstoppable
volley into the roof of the net. That left Poland with a mountain to climb to
avoid defeat in their first appearance at the European Championship finals, but
Beenhakker's side almost gave themselves a lifeline when Guerreiro's near-post
cross was glanced goalwards by Marek Saganowski. However, Lehmann blocked
Saganowski's header and Poland were unable to capitalise on the subsequent loose
ball. Podolski had a
chance to grab himself the match ball with two minutes remaining, but he fired
over with his less-favoured right foot from 15 yards out, but although he did
not get his hat-trick, he had already done enough to earn Germany the points.
back to top^^
Chimbonda Questions Arrest
Tottenham Hotspur's Pascal Chimbonda has
questioned the police investigation into alleged football corruption after the
player was released from bail earlier this week. Spurs defender Chimbonda was
released from bail on Friday by officers investigating allegations of football
corruption. Chimbonda had been arrested last September by officers from the City
of London Police on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud. The arrest surrounded a
£18,000 loan given to Chimbonda by the player's agent Willie McKay with the
agent defending his decision to give the player the loan. The 29-year-old has
now been cleared of any wrongdoing and the French international is unhappy that
the whole matter has painted him in a bad light. Chimbonda also believes the
incident affected his position at Tottenham with the club bringing in Alan
Hutton during the January transfer window. "I am happy that I have been cleared
of any wrongdoing and I always knew I would be," Chimbonda told skysports.com.
"When I was arrested I was amazed by all the media coverage with the news on the
television and on the front and back pages of the papers. Tears "My family were
in tears when I was arrested and I found it very difficult to explain to them
what was happening when I had done nothing wrong in the first place. "I did not
know what was going on and it affected my position at Tottenham.
"When I was released from bail this week there
was no coverage in the press. "I was portrayed in a bad light to people in the
public because when they see someone arrested they don't know the facts and just
see someone arrested, when in fact I did nothing wrong." Affected Chimbonda
faces an uncertain future at Tottenham this summer and the player feels his
arrest has affected his long-term position. "The investigated affected me
as I was forced to spend two days in the cells for nothing," the Frenchman
explained. "I love England and playing in the Premier Legaue, but I find the
policing in England very strange."
back to top^^
SPORTS
Ghana, Libya
Survive Late Scares
 Ghana
survived a late onslaught by Lesotho to win 3-2 in the 2010 World Cup and Africa
Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Black Stars dominated most of the game going 3-0
up after Laryea Kingston opened his account after 15 minutes and Junior Agogo
scored a brace. But Lesotho scored two goals in injury time courtesy of Sello
Muso and Lehlohonolo Seema. Ghana maintain their position at the top of Group 5
with six points, while Lesotho are third. Libya
survived a late scare to secure a 1-0 win over Gabon in Group 5 of the 2010
World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Saturday. The north Africans
sealed the win thanks to an awful own goal by Bruno Ecuele Manga in the 6th
minute. Manga clumsily took the ball over his own line after a Hesham Shaba
cross that didn't seem any real threat. The visitors emerged strongly after the
break, setting up a frenetic second-half but the Libyans hung on for a
hard-earned victory. Libya are now second in the group with three points after
two matches while Gabon, who have played one game, are bottom with no points.
Libya continue with their 2010 qualifiers next weekend when they travel to
South Africa to face Lesotho
while Ghana will play Gabon in Libreville.
Milan Claim Drogba Talks
 Milan
claim they have been given the go-ahead by Chelsea to open talks with Didier
Drogba over a possible move to the Rossoneri. Drogba is believed to be one of
Milan's top summer transfer
targets as they look to improve on a disappointing campaign last term when they
missed out on qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. The Ivory Coast
international's future has been the subject of intense speculation for some time
with the player admitting he is unsettled at Stamford Bridge. Milan
vice-president Adriano Galliani told Sky Sports News earlier this week that he
had met with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon to discuss some matters.
Galliani claims Chelsea have given them the green light to begin discussions
with Drogba, but have blocked any move to bring Andrei Shevchenko back to the
San Siro. "Chelsea have authorised us to open negotiations with Drogba,"
Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Unfortunately, the response we feared came
(for Shevchenko). Chelsea consider Andrei unsellable. This epilogue makes us
very sad." Galliani also revealed that Milan had started talks with Barcelona
forward Samuel Eto'o. Eto'o could leave Barca this summer as the Catalan titans
plan to rebuild their squad after a trophyless season last term. However,
Galliani claims Milan face competition from a number of English clubs to sign
Cameroon international Eto'o.
|
