Federal High Court extends some governors' tenure beyond May 29

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted an extension of tenure to Kogi, Sokoto, Adamawa, Bayelsa and Cross River State governors, considering their newly sworn in oath after the re-run elections conducted in the state.

The five incumbent governors of the states, namely: Ibrahim Idris of Kogi, Aliyu Wamako of Sokoto, Timiprieye Sylva of Bayelsa, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa and Liyel Imoke of Cross-River, challenged the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct governorship polls in their states next year while, according to them, their tenure is still running.

They also asked the court to stop the People's Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting any primaries for the governorship elections in their states.

Though the primaries have been conducted and names of the candidates submitted to the electoral commission, the presiding Judge, Adamu Bello, in his judgment ruled that so far that the elections in the states have been nullified and fresh elections conducted and new oaths taken, the governors' terms effectively begin when they took their oath of office.

However, in the recently amended 1999 constitution, Section 135 of the principal Act which affirms on the issue of governors' tenure is altered in subsection (2) by inserting a new paragraph c, and states that, "in the determination of the four year term, where a re-run election has taken place and the person earlier sworn in wins the re-run election, the time
spent in the office before the date the election was annulled, shall be taken into account."p

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INEC LIST FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION, 2011

This is some of the names of candidates released for the April elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ogun State-
Daniel, who is running for the Ogun East Senatorial seat, lost to Muhammed Tayir Adetunji; Bankole, who is seeking a return to the National Assembly, lost his bid to Mr. Peter Olusegun Alawode.

Daughter of late Bashorun MKO Abiola, Mrs. Lola Abiola-Edewor, eyeing the Ogun Central senatorial seat also lost her senatorial bid to the incumbent, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello.

In Enugu State, the faction loyal to the immediate past National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, was roundly beaten by the faction headed by the state Governor, Sullivan Chime, according to the list released yesterday in Enugu by INEC.

The list showed that Chime is the governorship candidate of the PDP in the state for the April elections.

All the senatorial, House of Representatives and state Assembly candidates elected by Chime’s faction of the party, including Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, also made the list contrary to speculations that INEC had accepted the list of Chief Anayo Onwuegbu as the PDP governorship candidate in line with an Abuja Federal High Court order.

Similarly, in the neighbouring Anambra State, former aide to Obasanjo, Dr. Andy Uba, made the list to represent Anambra South in the Senate.

He is joined on the senatorial candidates’ list of the PDP by John Emeka (Anambra North) and Oguguo Okoye for Anambra Central.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidates for the Senate are Joy Emodi (Anambra North); Dora Akunyili (Anambra Central) and Chuma Nzeribe (Anambra South).

Also for the race to the National Assembly on the platform of APGA are Chris Azubogu (Nnewi North/South/ Ekwusigo); Francis Idigo (Anambra East/West); Edozie Aroh (Idemili North/South); Chukwuemeka Nwogbo (Awka North/South); Cyril Egwuatu (Onitsha North/South); Okey Udeh (Orumba North and South); Umeoji Chukwuma (Aguata); Uche Ekwunife (Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia); Victor Ogene (Ogbaru); and Simon Okpalaeke (Ihiala); Chinedu Eluemunoh (Oyi/ Ayamelum).

The PDP candidates included Eucharia Azodo (Aguata); Fort Dike (Ihiala); Lynda Ikpeazu (Onitsha North/South); Ameke Ikechukwu (Anambra East/ West); Emeka Eze (Njikoka/ Anaocha/Dunukofia); Nwafili Sunday (Ogbaru); Lambert Obidigwe (Ayamelum/Oyi); Ben Nwankwo (Orumba North/ South); Obinna Chidoka (Idemili). The lists for Awka North/South and Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo were not made available.

In Delta State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of the PDP and Chief Great Ogboru of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) made the list of candidates released by INEC to contest the April general election in the state.

Others who made the list include Afro F B Biukeme of Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPP) and Nkwoala Emeka of Labour Party (LP).

On the PDP senatorial list were Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Senator James Manager and Chief Ighoyota Amori for Delta North, South and Central respectively. Others on the DPP list included Chief Pius Ewherido, Ogwilaya Ufuoma and Prince Ned Nwoko representing Delta Central, South and North respectively.

The INEC in Kwara State displayed the name of Senator Rukayat Gbemisola Saraki as the gubernatorial candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) in the state, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed of the PDP and Hon. Gbenga Olawepo of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) for the April elections.

In the senatorial seat, Governor Bukola Saraki was cleared to contest for Kwara Central Senatorial District of the state on the platform of PDP, Senator Simeon Ajibola of PDP for Kwara South, while one time governor, Alhaji Muhammed Shaba Lafiaji also of the PDP will run for the Kwara-north senatorial seat.

The Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) has Lola Ashiru to contest for Kwara South Senatorial District; Alhaji Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi for Kwara North, while Yisa Rukayat Ajoke will slug it out with Governor Saraki for Kwara Central during the election.

In Kogi State, Alhaji Jubrin Isah Echoho is the candidate of the PDP for governor despite ongoing litigation filed by Alhaji Rasaq Isa Kutepa to restrain the party and INEC from giving Echoho the ticket until the substantive suit is disposed of.

Also on the list are Prince Abubakar Audu of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Yusuf Obaje of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Senator Smart Adeyemi as the candidate for the Kogi-west senatorial district.

In Kano State, former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (PDP); Alhaji Mohammed Abacha, son of former military head of state, late Gen. Sani Abacha (CPC); the incumbent deputy governor of the state, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo (ACN); and a former commissioner for local government, Malam Sagir Takai (ANPP) made the final list of governorship candidates for the April poll.

Senator Bode Olajumoke of the PDP emerged the candidate for Ondo North senatorial district, while former governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Agagu will fly the PDP’s flag in Ondo South. Another candidate, Senator Gbenga Ogunniya will contest for the Ondo Central seat.

On the bill of LP for the Senate are Prof. Robert Borofice (Ondo North); Akinyelure Patrick Ayo (Ondo Central) and Kunlere Boluwaji for Ondo south.

Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko of the PDP has been given the clearance to re-contest for his office. He will slug it out with Abubakar Aliyu of CPC, among others.

Senator Liyel Imoke is PDP’s governorship candidate for Cross River State. His opponents are Iheke Awa Solomon of the ANPP and Etubom Nya Asuquo of the CPC.

Others included Mr. Goddie Akpama of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Mrs. Stella Bassey Eno for Alliance for Democracy (AD), Senator Matthew Mbu Jr for the ACN and Dr. Theo Onyuku for LP.

Due to the detailed and voluminous nature of information filled in the personal data form [Form C001] by candidates of the 21 political parties which entered for electoral contest for state and National Assembly for the general election in Edo State, INEC yesterday said it could not display the final list of candidates in the state.

Besides, it said the availability of only one photocopier at the commission’s office was compounding the problem towards ensuring speedy documentation of the personal data form.

Former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola is PDP’s senatorial candidate for Osun Central; Senator Isiaka Adeleke (Osun-west) and Senator Iyiola Omisore (Osun-east).

The ACN candidates for the Senate are Prof. Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central), Hon. Mudashiru Hussain (Osun west) and Hon. Babatunde Omoworare (Osun east).

However, INEC in Kaduna State yesterday failed to display the much-awaited list amidst anxiety among politicians who stormed the commission’s Angwan-Rimi offices in anticipation of the names.

Spokesman of the commission in the state, Alhaji Lawal Haruna, explained that the list could not be displayed because it needed to be sorted out so that there would be no mistake.

Similarly, politicians in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) went home disappointed as INEC failed to display the lists of those vying for the Senate and House of Representatives.

The gubernatorial election in Abia State will be contested by 12 political parties whose candidates appeared on the list released by INEC yesterday in Umuahia.

The governorship flag bearers included Governor Theodore Orji (PDP); Reagan Ufomba, (APGA); Stanley Ohajuruka (LP); Prince Paul Ikonne (ACN); Chris Akomas, Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and Chukwuemeka A. Ikpo (ANPP).

Others included Obioma Oneagharam for Community Party of Nigeria (CPN); Chikwendu James Chibuzor, Peoples Progressive Party (PPP); Nwachukwu Kenneth Kelechi, Congress for Democratic Change (CDC); Samuel Chukwuma Eke, Citizen Popular Party (CPP); Ukpabi Uchenna (AD); Rev Ndukwe Ndukwe, National Conscience Party (NCP); and Owanta Emenike Lawrence for Democratic Front for People’s Redemption (DFPR).

On the whole, 22 political parties will contest the general election with most confining themselves to the house of assembly poll.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Obot Akapbio is PDP’s candidate in the state, while the party’s candidates for Senate are Helen Udoakaha Esuene (Akwa Ibom South), Aloysius Akpan Etok (Akwa Ibom North West) and Ita Solomon Enang (Akwa Ib

THE UNIFIED TERTIARY MATRICULATION EXAMINATION UTME AND ITS PROS AND CONS

BY
GABRIEL ALUM OF OUR NEWS DIRECTORATE

SOME MONTHS AGO the Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Professor Dibu Ojerinde INFORMED THE NATION OF A new examination policy that will replace the current university matriculation examination. Since the announcement, many Nigerians have been ASKING whether the new policy will make a difference. The new examination system NAMED Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME is expected to replace THE Universities Matriculation Examination and the Monotechnics, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Matriculation Examination. The new examination system which begins next year no doubt calls for sufficient public enlightenment and sensitization of the VARIOUS stakeholders.
The question is what informed this policy? The policy was initiated as a result of attempts by the federal government and all concerned PARTIES in the education sector to find lasting solutions to the problems associated with access and the quality of entrants into the nation’s tertiary institutions. In the past decade, the EDUCATIONAL system has witnessed too many policy changes with negative impact on student and their parents as well. It is against this backdrop that the federal government decided to overhaul the entire education system and the unification of the tertiary matriculation examination is therefore part of the positive steps in that direction. It is expected however, that UTME when operational will go a long way to place candidates in the right institutions, ENSURE harmonization of academic calendars of tertiary institutions, improvement of technical and vocational education and improvement in the quality of teachers. There is no gain saying the fact AS A NEW EXAMINATION CONCEPT may experience some basic challenges.
These challenges include acceptability, EFFECTIVENESS of personnel, inadequate centres, and security both at the examination centres and for the examination materials. Under this new arrangement, all candidates seeking admission into the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education would sit for the same examination the same day. The candidates would be allowed to choose up to six different schools, two from each of the tertiary institutions. Those who fail to be admitted into the universities would be admitted into the polytechnics and colleges of education. This arrangement according to many educationists would boost polytechnic education and reduce cost on the part of the candidates. In realization of this, the syllabus and brochures of the examinations are expected to be harmonized while some polytechnics would begin to award Bachelor of Technology Degrees. One pertinent issue that is yet unresolved is the lack of interest in polytechnics and colleges of education among young students.
The discrimination between university degree and HND holders is at the root of it. Many parents particularly the affluent ones have vowed not to send their children to the polytechnics. Besides, universities consider only first choice candidates for admission. As the entire nation looks forward to embracing the new examination system, the policy makers should strive to avoid anything capable of truncating this laudable venture. To this end, it is believed that Professor Ojerinde and his team at JAMB would leave no stone unturned to ensure that enough infrastructures and manpower are provided for a successful implementation of the new Unified Entrance Examination to tertiary institutions.


Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

SPORTS IN NIGERIA SINCE INDEPRNDENCE

BY
EMMANUEL MGBALAM

If there is anything that has given Nigeria the brightest positive image in the eyes of the international community within the past five decade. It is sports of all the sports, that the nation has participated in, on the global scene, three tower high above all other in terms of the glory they have brought the country. They are. –football, athletics and boxing, in that order. In athletics, we have participated in such competitions as ; the Olympics. The world Athletics Championships, the commonwealth Games, the all Africa Games and others. The sprints, jumps and relays have earned us move respect than other events. However, at the highest level where it matters the most, that is at the Olympics, we have only won one gold medal. Chioma Ajunwa”s Long Jump Gold at the Atlanta 96 Olympics remain the biggest honour we have earned in athletics to have done far much better, but for the bane of late preparation, poor athletes welfare, dearth of school sports Competitions as well as inadequate training facilities.

Notable names that have done Nigeria proud in athletics include: Mary Onyali, Chioma Ajunwa Falilat Ogunkoya, Innocent Egbunike, Sunday Bada, To Mention a few. Boxing has gone down the annals of Nigeria’s history as the sport that gave Nigeria its first ever Olympic medal. Nojeem Maiyegun won a bronze medal in the Light Middleweight category at the 1964 Tolajo Olympics. Beside Maiyegun other boxers have also done Nigeria proud. A few names that are worthy of mention include:Joe Lasisi, Jerry Okorodudu, peter Konyegwachi, Besh Ali etc. The biggest name in Nigeria’s boxing history in the last fifty years is Samuel peters. He rose become WBC World Heavyweight Champion in 2007; becoming the first African to occupy that enviable position. Football has brought Nigeria much more popularity than other sports. The first victory that announced Nigeria to the world as an emerging soccer power was the FIFA Under -16 World Cup trophy that the country won in 1985 Nigeria has remained one of the most successful nation at FIFA age grade competition with three titles and three silver medals under – 17 level At under – 20 level.
We have won two silver medal; in 1989 and 2005, as well as a bronze medal at Moscow 1983. Our seeming success at age grade level hasn’t been translated at the senior level however. In four FIFA World Cup appearances, our best i9s yet a Round of sixteen showing. We have won one football gold and a silver at the Olympics. Our participation at the Africa Nations, Cup began in 1963, and in 16 appeearances, we have only managed to win two titles, in 1980 and 1994. We have also won 4 silver medals and a Cuple of bronze medals. Nigerian women began embracing football only in the late 1980s . on the Afican scen, our ladies have maintained a clear dominance of the game. But at the world stage, they are only just beginning to fundtheir rhythin our National under- 20 Women team finished as runner up at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup in Germany Several men have made Nigeria proud in football.Rashidi Yekini remains the highest scorer with 37 goals for the National Team Muda Lawal holds the record of the highest number appearances with 86 caps for the Green Eagles.

While we can safely say that Austin Okocha is the most gifted and skillful foot baler to come out of Nigeria, kanu Nwakwo remains the most decorated Nigerian player ever; beside the senior World Cup, Kanu has won virtually every other important laurel in the game. Stephen Keshi has the honour and privilege of being the longest – serving captain of our national soccer team. Within the said period, the nation has played host to a number of important sport fiestas, including. The second and eighth All Africa Games of 1973 and 2003 respectively We hosted the FIFA Under- 20 World Cup in 1999 and the under 17 in 2009. We also hosted the Africa Nations cup twice. It must be pointed out however, that one of the biggest problems we have had with our sports has been poor maintenance culture. We append so much money to put up facilities for competitions, but as soon as the competitions are over we allow the facilities to rot for want of use and maintenance. We have all it takes to achieve more than what we’ve done in the last 50 years if only we will improve on our sports management and shun corruption.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

By 2060 when we shall be celebrating the centenary of our independence, we should have won the FIFA world cup at least once, and also hosted it along with the Olympics and commonwealth Games.
God Bless Nigeria.

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT IN THE LAST 50 YEARS.

BY
MITCHELL OBI
EXECUTIVE VICE-CHAIRMAN
MASTERSPORTS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Remembrance like reminiscences is not always an opportunity to embellish the past. Indeed, since independence, our sporting moments of glory have come and gone like shooting stars. As a nation, we’ve grown over the years to believe that in Sports, God is a Nigerian, and victories come from neither our diligence nor commitment to excellence but from a spirit-filled exercise. But then, this is a season to toast to our achievements. Sincerely, if our administrators both in uniform and out of it have made the kind of sacrifices we have seen of Nigerian Sportsmen since independence, this polity would have been a better place.
We are all aware that beyond the entertainment and economic value of sports, it has played a far greater role of ensuring cohesion. Where religion and ethnic allegiance have pulled at the strings of nation-hood, sports has been the glue that patched up natural cracks. It is therefore little surprising that in its 50 years of nation-hood, Nigeria has won more international honours through sports than any other field. In nearly all the world popular sports events, Nigerians have been counted as top performers. From boxing to wrestling, football to basketball, track and field to tennis, there are Nigerians who have made some marks for the world to see. THE MANY successes at international competitions have made legends out of some Nigerians. It was the late Hogan kid Bassey that put the name of a relatively young nation on the map of world boxing history with a brave performance that earned him the world title crown in the lighter weights and honour for fatherland in 1952. Bassey’s feat seem to have set the tone for other achievements that would follow from the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan in 1964 to world title fights in America and Ibadan (1967-71) and recently the brief reign of Samuel Okon Peter, as World Boxing Council (WBC) heavy weight champion of the world. Names like Dick Tiger Ihetu, Nojeem Maiyegun, Dele Jonathan, Obisia Nwamkpa, and Joe Lasisi stood tall among their peers in the professional ranks from Africa to Europe andAmerica. In the non-paid ranks, Isaac Ikhuoria, David Izonrite, Charles Nwokolo and Peter Konyegwachi have caused the world to stand and appreciate the tunes of the national anthem. But the achievements in boxing pales in significance when the golden feats at the Olympics Games in Atlanta, 1996 rushes back to memory. The Games in the America city remains a watershed in the annals of Nigeria‘s participation in international multi-sports events. First was the golden jump of Chioma Ajunwa. If that leap to gold was stunning, the conquest over two most powerful South American football nations TO WIN THE GOLD MEDAL by the Nigerian team captained by Nwankwo Kanu was confounding. In the commonwealth games, Nigeria has been dominating its track and field events right from the 1960’s.
It is all too easy to recall the exploits on the tracks of ladies like Violet Odogwu-Nwajei, Armelia Edet, Rose Adiole of the 1960’s to mid 1970’s and the contemporary crowd including Mary Onyeali-Omagbemi, Falitat Ogunkoya, Tina Iheagwam, Charity Opara AND Fatima Yusufu. Nigerian men have also always been in reckoning in world athletics even before independence. The LIKES OF THE late Dele Udo, Charlton Ehizuelen, Innocent Egbunike, Chidi Imoh, and Sunday Bada are some who have set the pace. AT THE continental level LAURELS HAVE ALSO BEEN WON. In 1976 and 1978, IICC shooting Stars and Rangers International respectively won the Africa Cup Winners CUP competition. In 1980, Christian Chukwu captained the national senior football team, the Green Eagles to win for the first time, the Africa Cup of nations. In 1985, Nigeria made FIFA history when teenagers captained by Nduka Ugbade won the inaugural U-16 World Championship in China with repeat performances in 1993 in Japan and in 2007 in S. Korea. The super eagles also won the nations cup again in 1994 in Tunisia and qualified for the world cup in the USA.
The Eagles have since that break- Through to the world’s big ranks, struggled to rekindle those moments. Football remains the nations highest sport export with over 1500 players in different club all over the world mostly from a fledgling professional league that hit its finest height when Enyimba of Aba crowned Nigeria’s 38 years elusive search for Africa’s most prestigious competition, the Champion League with back to back triumphs in 2003 and 2004. Weight lifting is another honours ground for the nation in international sports competition. Table Tennis has also put Nigeria ahead of other Africa countries since the 1960’s when a succession of the nation’s ping pong players queue to take continental titles. Women have also not been lagging in the Sport as they have also dominated on the continent. Though tennis fans may not be having the best of seasons, it has also witnessed a blissful era. Nduka Odizor, nicknamed the Duke for his exploits on the court stands out as THE nation’s tennis icon. Outside the field, Nigerians have also been scoring some impressions in the boardrooms of sports administration.
Late Oyo Orok Oyo, a former secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) rose up to the rank of FIFA executive committee member, the same position Amos Adamu, a former Sole Administrator of NFA was also elected into as well as into the CAF executive committee. Engineer Dotun Segun who was once the chairman of the Nigeria Table Tennis Association (NTTA) is the first vice president of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). In 50 years of nation –hood, Nigeria has also played host to major sporting events ranging from the All-African Games, which Nigeria successfully hosted for the second time in 2003 and the Nations Cup which she has also hosted twice. There had been world championship in football, volleyball, and continental championships. As we roll the drums, for this toast to a nation so passionate about sports, it is only fitting not to ignore the real drummers of our sports, the athletes, whose beats over these years have continued to inspire our dance steps. We have seen our leaders, over the years; treat sports as “an all-comers sector where individuals with confessed ignorance in sports are appointed as ministers who end up being misdirected by sycophants. There is the need take another look at the NATION’S reward system. WE MUST implement a comprehensive welfare package for those who make us smile and cheer.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

EVACUATION OF DESTITUTE FROM THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITOR

BY
GABRIEL ALUM

More than one thousand beggars were recently evacuated from the streets of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja by the Social Development Secretariat of the FCT. Several decades after the nation’s capital city was relocated from Lagos to Abuja, DUE TO IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS OF DISORDERLINESS, history is on the verge of repeating itself. Prominent among THESE UNPLEASANT SOCIAL PHENOMENON BEDEVILING THE CITY IS street begging WHICH HAS become one of the problems confronting the Federal Capital City ADMINISTRATION. STREET BEGGARS ARE found in MAJOR locations such as markets, churches, mosques, post offices, sporting grounds, recreational parks, traffic light junctions AND the Federal Secretariat, among others. The BEGGARS INCLUDE children, destitutes, THE disabled, the old, widows, refugees and even some who can be DESCRIBED AS professional beggars.
As THESE BEGGARS INCREASE IN NUMBER ON the streets, they HAVE constituted themselves into a very serious security problem. Equally DISTURBING is the array of able-bodied men and women who have taken up THE business OF BEGGING as they position themselves at walkways and motor parks where they solicit financial assistance to enable them travel to their PURPORTED destinations. They would pretend that they are stranded due to financial constraints. Apart from the overwhelming poverty in Nigeria, many factors have been identified as being responsible for this growing national malaise. THIS INCLUDES the absence of AN articulate welfare programme for the elderly and the destitute. The Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA, is yet to FULLY IMPLEMENT a social SECURITY policy that would take care of the needs of the vulnerable and the poor. It is not just enough to outlaw begging in the city but something concrete must be done to ensure that the destitute do not besiege the city to beg for alms. Again, this embarrassing incidence of begging in the FCT can be blamed on laziness and greed on the part of some beggars.
There is no gain saying the fact that some people naturally do not like to work. They want to reap where they did not sow. Apart from the fact that street begging constitutes a social menace, it is also an eyesore particularly to foreigners who visit the nation’s capital for business transactions or tourism. It is clear that the efforts of the National Tourism Development Commission to ATTRACT TOURISM MAY not yield the desired results in making Nigeria a tourist haven for foreigners until street beggars are taken off the streets. A NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCE OF STREET BEGGING IS THAT THEY could BE willing tools in the hands of disgruntled individuals to foment trouble in the society. Some of the beggars have been reportedly found with dangerous weapons, which they allegedly CLAIMED were given to them for safe keeping by their masters. Similarly, they can easily be recruited as armed robbers or miscreants. Many beggars have ALSO fallen prey to ritual killers. Others have ALSO been killed or maimed BY road traffic accidents.


IT IS WORTHY OF NOTE THAT THE TWO MAJOR RELIGIONS IN THE COUNTRY, ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY DO NOT CONDONE MINDLESS STREET BEGGING. IT BEHOOVES ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO PUT IN PLACE POLICIES TO DISCOURAGE THE ACT. While the appropriate authorities may be doing all they could to combat this social menace, the beneficiaries of their service are underground re-mobilizing them to go back to the streets. Abuja, the symbol of beauty in Africa should be jealously protected from the hands of beggars WHO NOW SEEM TO TAKE OVER THE CITY. HOWEVER, THE FCT AUTHORITIES MUST BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN THIS REGARD. OTHER STATE GOVERNMENTS SHOULD ALSO TAKE A CUE FROM THIS BY RIDDING THE NATIONS MAJOR CITIES OF STREET BEGGARS AND PUTTING IN PLACE MEASURES TO FULLY REHABILITATE THEM.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

Fidelity Bank’s new industrial financing activities: Blazing a positive trail in banking

Today being 26th August 2010, President Goodluck Jonathan will inugurate Africa’s largest, and West Africa’s first ultramodern aluminum can manufacturing plant in Agbara, Ogun State. The plant, built by GZi Industries Limited has the capacity to produce 600 million cans per annum at the rate of about 2 million cans a day. The plant engages 150 Nigerians in direct employment and over 2000 others including suppliers, artisans and operators of small businesses in the neighbourhood, in indirect employment. The GZi plant offers cheaper and more environmentally friendly aluminum cans to many of the nation’s manufacturers of consumer goods who have always imported aluminum cans to package their products. In essence, GZi is not only saving Nigeria foreign exchange from the importation of cans but also leading the charge in import substitution which successive administrations have clamored for. This will also lead to enhanced profitability of the local businesses from savings in direct cost and reduced damage.
This project which took less than 18 months to establish is a clear indication of the positive effects of the present administration’s policies on the economy. The plant is also an indication of the visionary reforms in the nation’s banking industry, which has given Nigerian banks enough financial muscle to serve as catalysts to the industrial sector. What is most interesting about the GZi can manufacturing plant is that it was wholly financed by Fidelity Bank Plc, one of the nation’s leading financial institutions. It is most heartwarming to note that the period of financing and building this project coincided with the time when investor confidence in Nigerian banks was at its lowest ebb and when many banks were refraining from granting loans. This is an indication of the focus and resilience of the nation’s banks and their ability to rise above tough odds. Fidelity Bank seems to be leading the charge to a foundation for the nation’s industrial growth. Since merging with the defunt FSB International and Many Banks during the last banking consolidation exercise, Fidelity has become a financial landmark on the nation’s economic landscape. The bank, which turned 22 recently, has shown very keen desire to fuel Nigeria’s industrial renaissance.
Early this year, a 25 million Dollar Independent Power Plant, generating 12.5 mega watts of electricity, financed by the bank in partnership with Lagos State Government was inaugurated in Akute, a suburb of Lagos. The Plant was constructed to solve the perennial power supply problem. Confronting the nation’s leading industrial state. A similar project intended to generate 7 mega a watt of electricity to stabilize power supply to Lagos Island is also under construction. In the nation’s oil and gas sector, Fidelity Bank has also assisted in the drive to beef up local content by financing the 20 million dollar Hot Dip Galvanizing Plant owned by Dorman Long Engineering Limited, an oil servicing firm wholly owned by Nigerians. A similar project, a 35,000 metric tons Bulk Tank Farm owned by Index Petrolube Africa Limited was also financed by the bank. In the Agro-allied industry, the bank is similarly making a remarkable impact with its Agri-Nigeria Project. Through this initiative, the bank lends a critical support to efforts by Federal and State governments to entrench mechanized farming in the country. In partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the bank financed the Tractorization Programme of the Nasarawa State Government in a bid to make modern farming equipment easily accessible to farmers. The bank also financed the basic facility needs of Kano-based Umza International Farms Limited, helping it to purchase modern equipment that would refine its paddy rice to a more acceptable standard. Fidelity is also one of the 13 banks that are currently funding the 326 billion dollar loan syndication that supports the activities of the MTN Group across Africa and Asia. It is currently financing the on-going construction of the Billion Polo Park Shopping mall in Enugu and Kwara Mall in Ilorin. From all indications, Fidelity bank is pointing the future direction of the nation’s banking industry. It is demonstrating to Nigerians, the possibilities that a strong and far-sighted bank can create in the perennial search for a solid industrial base. It reinforces the bank’s vision of being the number one in every market. No doubt, the inauguration of GZI can manufacturing plant financed by the bank, in Agbara, Ogun State, today is a clear sign that the nation’s drive for industrialization is possible.


Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

PROMOTING PARTNERSHIP FOR CREDIBLE ELECTIONS

BY LIVY UNIGWE

Election Administration is a critical and tasking exercise which evokes diverse political interests and expectations. THIS IS WHY electoral bodies strive to partner with stakeholders in the electoral process to achieve credible elections. These stakeholders range from political parties, security agencies, THE mass media, organized labour, women and youth organization, religious bodies, THE Nigeria Bar Association and OTHER RELEVANT BODIES. In 2005, INEC established the stakeholders Election Forum in all the States and the FCT. The Forum was conceived as a formidable platform for cross fertilization of ideas to foster a transparent electoral process where the power to elect government rests squarely on the people.

But SOME credible and patriotic Nigerians had shunned several invitation by INEC, to help carry out sensitive electoral duties. In one instance, a retired chief Judge offered to serve DURING the 2007 general election. BUT he later withdrew FOLLOWING alleged threat to his life by undisclosed politicians. Many other examples abound. THEREFORE, when INEC is confronted with SUCH realities it is bound to engage ad-hoc personnel whose pedigree may not easily be ascertained given the limited time frame. Politicians ON THE OTHER HAND blame every lapses that OCCUR IN the electoral process on INEC irrespective of whether such criticisms were justifiable or not. The penchant for name calling and BUCK passing has become ready weapons used by detractors to ridicule INEC, thereby cleverly diverting attention from the huge failures and misdeeds of the other prominent players in the democratic process.

Acts of thuggery, ballot box snatching, intimidation of political opponents and voters during election and flagrant abuse of due process resulting in imposition of candidates are injustices that affect credible election. As the nation approaches another round of electioneering in 2011, IT IS NECESSARY for the political parties to return to their cardinal role of mass political education as enunciated in their manifestoes, symbols and voting procedure; and ensure zero tolerance FOR electoral violence. THIS ALSO calls for a change of attitude by security agents who neglect obvious threatening security breaches to the detriment of helpless INEC officials, while party agents brazenly compromise their positions during elections. Dutiful and knowledgeable poling agents can enhance credibility during elections by not betraying THEIR PRINCIPALS while upholding the virtues of the electoral Act which empowers them to check the excess of poll officials and other IRREGULARITIES.
ONE MUST COMMEND THE leadership of the NYSC for placing corps members at the disposal of INEC for deployment as POLLING clerks during elections. The partnership is indeed a remarkable and rewarding engagement as it HELPS to lesson the burden of INEC, in recruiting a large number of incompetent ad-hoc personnel that are usually needed for elections. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR THE CIVIL SOCIETY TO collaborate WITH INEC TO ENSURE THAT ALL ELECTORAL LOOP HOLES ARE BLOCKED TO ENSURE THE ENTHRONEMENT OF A PEOPLE DRIVEN DEMOCRACY. THEY SHOULD MOVE FROM THE POINT OF WAITING FOR THE PROCESS TO FAIL BEFORE CRYING FOUL. ELECTIONS ARE not so much about the politician BUT ABOUT THE PEOPLE. In ANY democracy, the electorate must be ACTIVE AND CONSTANTLY inquisitive. They must drive issues and political debates. The people must never admit defeat to politicians or THE political class. IT IS IN THIS REGARD THAT THE RECENT DEBATE PUT TOGETHER FOR THE CANDIDATES IN THE ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS SHOULD BE COMMENDED. NO DOUBT, THE RIGHT PARTNERSHIP SHOULD BE ONE THAT must focus on how to reposition the electorate to be the kingmakers and to take the centre stage. THE TIME HAS COME FOR competent citizens WITH long standing records of integrity TO RISE UP AND WORK WITH INEC TO MAKE OUR ELECTORAL SYSTEM CREDIBLE.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

THE NEED FOR A COORDINATED APPROACH TO DISASTER MANAGEMENT

BY
EMMA NJOKU

Disaster is a sudden occurrence or unstoppable event that places people or things in a state of jeopardy. They include those that are man-made, as well as technology-induced ones. The most common disasters in Nigeria are natural and man-made. Some of these include the various floods disasters in the country. The nation has also experienced many plane crashes. The Ijeja Cantonment bomb blast and the incidents of collapsed buildings which has resulted in huge loss of lives and properly abound in the country. The response by the EMERGENCY agencies TO THE recent case of COLLAPSED BUILDING in Abuja left much to be desired. It was disappointing that THE agencies such as NEMA depended on construction companies for bulldozers and other equipment for rescue operations. It is worrisome that the reactions of the public agencies and the affected communities in cases of disaster have always been haphazard and ad-hoc in terms of search and rescue as well as recovery or rehabilitation programmes. This is largely due to lack of an actionable comprehensive disaster management policy. The social behaviour and attitude of a community are usually defined by either law or common practice. Nigerians have over the time developed a survival instinct that is largely based on an individualistic, rather than a holistic approach in pursuit of national goals, even if such action may constitute a risk to others around them. It is estimated that about 80% of the fire disasters recorded in the country are actually deliberately set. The present situation now demands the basic involvement of communities, using Community Development Agencies in the design and implementation of disaster management programmes. This must be done at national, state, local government and even village levels. There is therefore the need to re-examine the Nations policy in this regard. This should be aimed at adopting a more functional approach to containing emergencies situations and to reduce human and material losses to the lowest minimum, whenever the inevitable occurs. The suggested merger of related agencies such as the Fire Service the national Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and the Nigeria Security and Civil defence Corp may therefore be a worth while initiative. The education of all Nigerians on their roles during such hazards is also very important. Efforts should be made for the enactment of laws to provide for effective and prompt enforcement of existing safety codes. There is also need to install smoke and fire detectors as well as the provision of escape routes in public buildings. If these agencies saddled with mitigating and preventing disaster are given the necessary encouragement a lot will be achieved in terms of response to disaster. There is the urgent need to remove all obstacles that may hinder the operation of such agencies. The problems of inadequate funding, logistics and other operational problems resulting from delay in decision making at Federal and State levels have negatively affected their operational effectiveness. Even though nature has been kind to as a nation, such that we have been spared the share of annual visitation of typhoon, hurricane, earthquakes and landslides, yet there is the need for concerted efforts to appropriately manage the cases of disaster such as flooding which has occurred in some parts of the country. NEMA plays an important role in coordinating this effort, but in order to make progress, there is the need for the infusion of new resources, expertise as well as capital. More States must also establish Emergency Agencies to complement the efforts of NEMA. It is critical to pool the resources of various groups, private and the public sector to address this issue. Public Education efforts in particular, need to focus on informing citizens about potential disasters that could affect them and the importance of developing a plan of action which can be implemented by themselves and their families when a natural disaster or emergency occurs. We must recognize that disaster management is a multi-disciplinary effort and if the nation is to be spared the trauma of the attendant pains associated with disaster, we must change our approach to emergency preparedness.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

PREVENTING MASS FAILURE IN S.S.C.E. NECO EXAMMINATIONS

BY:
GODWIN OKANEME

The dwindling and embarrassing performance of Nigerian students in the secondary schools in SSCE and NECO examinations were brought to the fore last year with the shocking and startling revelation that less than 20 percent of the entire students that sat for the two examinations in 2009 obtained up to five credit and above. It was further revealed that the performance of candidates in both English language and Mathematics in the two examinations under discuss were abysmal. This disturbing scenario has attracted critical comments from many Nigerians. While it is agreed that the situation is a national embarrassment especially to our educational sector at the secondary school level, the question many educationally conscious Nigerians are asking is, what can be done to prevent a re-occurrence?
In order to prevent this, government needs to take a holistic look at our education at the secondary school level with a view to resuscitating it from its present distress. It should urgently carry out an audit of teachers in our public secondary schools with a view to flushing out the unqualified ones among them. It is a discredit to the entire educational system to have many unqualified teachers in our secondary schools while many qualified and well trained teachers remain perpetually unemployed. Again government both at the federal and state levels should as a matter of urgency employ more teachers for secondary schools to ensure efficiency and optimal performance. A situation where teachers up to three or four subjects in a school is not healthy. Also the phasing out of boarding system in most of our secondary schools is inimical to the system and should be revisited urgently. In the past, the boarding system helped to regulate the activities of students towards academic excellence and good moral upbringing. By living together, students learnt a lot from one another and also encouraged one another academically.
Government both at all levels should resuscitate boarding facilities in our secondary schools and encourage parents to allow their children to live in them rather than go to schools from private houses. Again, critical assessment of the performance of students should be emphasized. To this end, the idea of mass promotion of students from one class to another should be totally discouraged and discarded. This will ultimately encourage students to work extra hard to earn promotion from one class to another and prevent the presentation of ill-prepared candidates for these two examinations. Again, the idea of aiding examination malpractice by teachers in secondary schools should be seriously checked as this has often given these students the false impression that harkwork is of no use since they will receive assistance from their teachers during these examinations. W.A.E.C. and N.E.C.O. officials should therefore monitor their examinations critically to ensure that malpractice of any sort is reduced to the barest minimum. The Federal and State Governments should as a matter of necessity ensure the availability of text books for students in our secondary schools.
We shall be expecting too much from these students if they don’t have adequate books to help them prepare well for their examinations and yet want them to pass in flying colours. It should also be stressed that parents have a major role to play in the educational development of their children. They should compliment the laudable efforts of government in providing reading materials for their children. While at home, they should monitor the activities of their children closely. They could do this by ensuring that their children devote more time to reading their books and doing their assignments and spend less time watching movies. Again, parents should not over-burden their children with a lot of household responsibilities at home since such errands will make them pay less attention to their books. No effort should be spared in ensuring that our secondary school students who are the leaders of tomorrow do well in these two examinations since their future to a large extent may depend on what they make out of it.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

CREATION OF STATE POLICE AS SECURITY IMPERATIVE

Introduction

When in September last year, during the third United Nations Peace Day lecture in Minna , former Military President Ibrahim Babangida called for the creation of State Police, many political watchers were taken aback. Their shock may not be unconnected to the fact that given Babangida’s antecedent as military leader it would be unthinkable to make such proposals when he held sway as Head of State. But things have changed, and Nigeria has moved on and made some appreciable level of progress as far as democracy is concerned. One would therefore not be grudge the former President but rather commend him for his courage and frankness. The former president also called for state electoral commissions and fiscal federalism. It is important therefore to realise that in a true federalism like in the US, Canada, Switzerland and to some extent, colonial Nigeria, the entities met and agreed to surrender some of their powers to a central authority and at the same time, retain much of its autonomy.
Historically, in Nigeria the intervention of the army in politics abolished the autonomy of the federating units and any semblance in this regard. This turned the Central government into a Big Patron that delegate powers to the unit. But over the years the reality is that the Federal Government seems to be overwhelmed by the myriads of responsibilities it has taken upon itself.

The truth about the matter is that the nations’ leadership must sit down and take a very critical look at the call for restructuring and particularly, the creation of State Police. Arguments against the idea of state police have been largely the fear of abuse by state governors and politicians to witch hunt their perceived enemies. But that line of thought may no longer hold sway in the face of glaring realities on the ground today. The atmosphere of the rule of law now championed by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua is enough signal that if State Police are created the same spirit of the rule of law can be used to checkmate possible excesses. That is why there are State House of Assemblies and other institutions of government in the various States.

The role of the NPF in the proposed scenario
One would wonder what the role of the central command would be in the proposed settings. To answer this question, it is important to note that the Federal Police or the Nigeria Police Force, NPF will still own the two arms of Police which include;
1 . FCID (which is like FBI in United States).
2 . The Police Mobile Force (PMF)
A decentralisation of the Force as practiced in most developed nations, will give room for the Central Command to focus on raising a crop of highly professional crop of central squad that maybe deployed from time to time when the need arises. Therefore, the Nigeria Police Force as presently constituted should not see the call for the creation of state police as an attempt to undermine their constitutional role but rather see it as a way of enhancing their operations. Enough of the undue blame heaped on the force because of the structural problems.
Derivable Benefits from State Police Structure
Reduction of Crime and Economic Impact
The rising and overwhelming rate of crime which has now involved series of kidnapping, hooliganism, violent religious fundamentalism and other forms of criminal activities is a pointer that a central command police force is no longer fashionable in view of current realities. We must all realise that every environment has its peculiarities. These myriads of social cleavages can only be effectively taken care of if we fashion our police force to meet these challenges. This can only be done through a decentralised police structure where people who hail from an area; and therefore familiar with the terrain, and know the criminals and therefore can do can do effective policing. No doubt crime will go down in Nigeria and would have a direct positive impact on the socio economic condition of the nation. The current situation where we run a 12 hour economy, as people are compelled to lock themselves indoor as from 10 pm will be put behind us. An efficient security system will no doubt, accelerate and stimulate the economy. This will bring about national growth.
Employment Opportunities
A state police structure would help to provide gainful employment for the nations teeming youth as the states would embark on massive recruitment of personnel in line with their security needs which are oblivious in view of the current system.
Inadequate Manpower
The issue of inadequate police personnel also comes into focus while looking at this challenge. Because of its high population the nation is grossly under policed. At present, Nigeria has about 371,800 policemen who are in charge of protecting and policing about 140 million Nigerians and foreigners in our midst and if we are to judge by the United Nations standard, the number of available policemen is grossly inadequate as it does not meet the 400 to 1 ratio requirement. In Nigeria we have a situation where one police is faced with the Herculean task of policing over one thousand persons. This is not practicable. But a state police structure would solve this intractable problem as the federating units would determine their security needs and raise enough manpower to meet them.
Socio- Cultural realities
The issue of culture cannot be divorced from policing. A decentralised policing structure would ensure effective incorporation of cultural complexities realities as it affects out highly diverse socio- cultural environment


Diversification and Specialization
The proposed structure would give room for a Marine Police Division that will cater for Coastal states among other relevant units. In developed nations the Police are trained according to the peculiarities of the cities where they operate.The commercial city of New York in the US is an example in this regard.
OTHER ADVANTAGES
• National Stability
• Improved execution of laws in Local Government Areas’ and States as the police will be brought closer to the people and grassroots. Indeed this is when the concept of people oriented policing will be practicable.
• The wealth of experience of retired Police officers would be drawn from as they would be available to train those that will be recruited for the purpose of the proposed state police.



Conclusion
While looking at this issue we should avoid the temptation of viewing it from the political angle but with focus on the fundamental objective which is to effectively combat crime in the nation. The National Assembly and other relevant agencies must therefore rise up to the demands of the time to find ways of midwifing the creation of State Police for the good of the nation. The high level of criminal activities demands that his be done with all seriousness and urgency. It would be recalled that in October last year President Yar’Adua presented an Anti-Terrorism Bill to the National Assembly. The action of the President must be commended in view of the recent action of Farouk Abdulmutallab a young Nigerian who attempted to bomb US Airlines. Imagine if the bill was given the necessary attention it demands, it would have gone a long way in convincing the international community of our seriousness about the war on terrorism. In this vein, let us be proactive as we approach this issue of state police. We cannot afford to wait for the rainy day before we start scampering for umbrella. The time to act is now. A stitch in time they say saves nine.
Furthermore, the creation of a State Police structure would also be a major LEAP in our match towards the much cherished true federalism that has eluded the nation for a long time.

Source: FRCN Daily commentary

HANDLING OLD AGE FOR ENVIABLE END

BY
OBASI E. IKENGWU

According to the World Health Organization most conventional systems regard old age as occurring from 65 years. And of all the stages in life, old age is the most demanding. Though, everyone wishes to attain THIS AGE bracket, the psychological and mental challenges that go WITH it ARE enormous. Perhaps THIS IS WHY MANY PEOPLE IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD HAVE STRONG DESIRES to have children, and reasonable ones for that matter. The general notion is that only children can give their aged ones the needed care they deserve. Except for few, old age in this clime is generally full of stress and pressure arising from ailments, poverty and neglect.
It is often at this point that parents rediscover genuine and committed children and friends. Old age is not a time for one to be abandoned or denied care. Above all, it is an importance opportunity for one to draw nearer to God and prepare for the life beyond. At THAT STAGE there are illnesses that make an aged person a regular visitor to hospitals. No doubt, maintenance and sustenance in old age require time, money and prayers. It takes a determined mind to grapple with the challenges of old age. This is why all hands must be on deck to help THE AGED AMONG US TO cope. THE cultural PRACTICE THAT IT IS THE CHILDREN OF THE OLD THAT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THEM IS BECOMING A SEROUS CHALLENGE TO OUR SOCIETY IN VIEW OF THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN THE NATION.

IT IS WORRISOME THAT Governments at all levels have put LITTLE OR nothing in place for the care of the aged. This has continued to be the case despite the fact that adult children constitute the work force of the present generation whose occupations take them away from their aged. These adult children have in most cases become parents who have to take care of their own children also. THE SITUATION has therefore come to a stage where reliance on only the cultural practices for sustenance of the aged may not be sufficient anymore due to emerging realities. There is THEREFORE the need for proper legislations to promote the welfare of old people. This, to a large extent, will enhance their life expectancy. Government at all levels should institute welfare PROGRAMMES for old people. Those who are pensioners should have their benefits and pension entitlements paid as and when due.
TO THIS END, a new era should be ushered in that would phase out the difficulties encountered by old people in getting their support stipends. A system that allows a retiree to collapse and die while struggling to get his or her gratuity or pension is inhuman. We have reached the level where all information that will facilitate the payment of pensioners in their homes should be made available. In this era of ICT, a simple verification exercise that is credibly carried out will provide a long lasting data base that will not need regular screening exercises to update. The new contributory pension scheme is a commendable step that must not only be sustained but fine tuned to meet emerging challenges. A service to an old person is a service to humanity. Homes for proper care of old people who are indigent should be established in every state capital, including the Federal Capital Territory.
The National Health Insurance Scheme should be EXPANDED to accommodate the parents of workers because Old people require adequate Medical ATTENTION at all times. The prevalent death toll among our old will no doubt be minimized if we create an enabling environment for their up keep. WE SHOULD EMULATE THE holistic Health policy OF NATION’S fully accommodated the dependent population including old people. Churches, Mosques, philanthropists and civil society organizations as well as corporate bodies should brace up to this challenge.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

ON NLNG’S INITIATIVE TO DEVELOP MUSICAL TALENTS IN RIVERS STATE

By Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku
Of the Nigeria LNG Limited

Rex Lawson, the highlife music sensation was from Rivers State. Harcourt Whyte, a master in the art of integrating European-influenced harmonic structure with powerful African rhythms was from Rivers State. Adam Dagogo Fiberisima’s opera, “Opu Jaja” remains a world classic. He was also from Rivers State. It is time to unearth new Rex Lawsons, Harcourt Whytes and Dagogo Fiberisimas, whose fame will go beyond the State. This is the crux of the NIGERIA LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS, NLNG’s latest corporate social responsibility initiative, the Rivers State Choral Competition. To this end NLNG will today, sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with media houses for the promotion of the Competition. With a prize of ten thousand US Dollars, the competition is aimed at encouraging interest in music as a career path for talented youths in Rivers State.
The people of the state are known to be very good choral singers. It is a community where folk songs that are melodious beyond words and always sung with gusto, are heard everywhere - in the villages, churches and on moonlight nights. The competition will introduce the choirs and the cultural of the Rivers people to the outside world. It will also enable choirs in the State to meet up with international standards. Apart from supporting the discovery and development of latent talents in music amongst youths in the state, the competition is also expected to stimulate creativity and writing of contemporary art music, encourage government to make policies towards the study of music in the state primary schools and create an atmosphere for healthy competition among leading choirs. It will also significantly aid the growth of the music recording industry and the generation of jobs.



Renowned musicologists which include Prof. Richard Okafor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Mrs Marion Akpata of the MUSON School of music and Mr Nimitein West of the Rivers State Organists Association are the individuals whose expertise will being be brought to bear in staging the competition. Nigeria LNG Limited, by this effort, is not only providing the youths of Rivers state with an excellent positive avenue for self-expression but is also pursuing its goal of helping to build a better Nigeria through recognition and reward of excellence which is one of its core values. As this commendable initiative kicks off today, there is the need for stakeholders and Nigerians in general to ensure that the objectives of this noble initiative are achieved. The nation’s youths, particularly in Rivers State will no doubt be better for it. Other corporate organizations should take a cue from the NLNG as we strive to make our nation great in all ramifications.


Source recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

NIGERIA POWER SECTOR – AN OVERVIEW

BY FALOSEYI MICHAEL
Media Unit, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The amount of electricity generated is one of the major indicators to determine whether an economy is growing or not. This is why no modern economy toys with its electricity industry since power is the underbelly of wealth creation activities. The low level of economic development in Nigeria can, therefore, be traced to the state of the country’s power sector. Attempts at electricity generation started in Nigeria in 1896. The first private electricity company, NESCO, which is still in existence till date, started operations in 1929. These pioneering efforts were followed with the formation of an electricity distribution company- Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) in 1951 and the Niger Dam Authority (NDA) in 1962.

At about this time, various works departments, communities and municipalities across the country were making efforts at generating electricity and distributing electricity in their localities. The Federal Government in 1972 considered it appropriate to merge the Niger Dam Authority and the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria to form the defunct National Electric Power Authority otherwise known as NEPA, which was in existence until 2005. The decision to make concerted efforts at electricity generation initially paid off with increasing numbers of cities, towns, villages connected to the national grid, especially in the early 1970s to mid 1980s. As a matter of policy, all local government council headquarters are expected to be connected to the national grid. This is without corresponding policy to expand electricity infrastructure to accommodate new structures in government. Besides, the three tiers of government continued with electrification projects, connecting more of their towns and villages to the national grid without recourse to the system capacity.

The excessive pressure on the system notwithstanding, the Federal Government, which later had the sole authority for electricity generation, transmission and distribution continued to fail to meet its financial obligations. The utility company, NEPA, became a tool to meet social and political objectives of people in government. These resulted in neglect and insufficient investments in day to day running of infrastructure. Throughout the 1990s there was no expansion in power generation facilities despite expansion in population and government institutions and structures. As at 1999 the installed capacity of 5,906 megawatts could hardly deliver 1,750 megawatts of electricity to a population of 120 million people. By the year 2000, and with the advent of democracy, the operating capacity had further declined to 1,500 megawatts or 25.3 per cent of installed capacity. At this rate, total collapse of the system was imminent. Something drastic needed to be done. The Federal Government currently estimate that the power sector would require about N1.5trillion investment over the next few years to ensure that adequate electricity is generated, transmitted and distributed.
It was in the realisation of this that the Federal Government, at the advent of THE democratic dispensation in 1999, started the process of reversing the decay in the power sector with the inauguration of the Electric Power Sector Implementation Committee. That effort brought about the Electric Power Sector Reform Act in 2005. ITS Major objective was to ensure private sector participation. THIS brought about the formation of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC .IT also led to the transition of the erstwhile NEPA to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and THE formation of such other structures like the National Electricity Liability Management Company to wind down the government utility. Other developments that have followed the enactment of that Act include the breaking down of the erstwhile NEPA strategic business units into 18 different companies. The Federal Government during this period repaired some of the broken down power station and constructed new ones. These efforts brought about increase in the amount of electricity distribution to over 3,500 megawatts. This is, no doubt, a major improvement. It is, however, a far cry from what is required to provide power for a population of 140 million people.
The formation of NERC has also set the tone for the private sector participation in the market with some of those private initiatives already operational, while some others are waiting in the wings to take off with the removal of certain operational hurdles. Some of the major landmark reforms by the commission included putting in place the Multi Year Tariff Order, – a pricing regime that ensures predictability of what is charged for electricity consumed. This is a sharp departure from unpredictable system that was in place before 2008. The implementation of the Power Sector Reform, which started in 2005, recently received the needed fillip with the launch of the Roadmap for Power Sector Reform by President Goodluck Jonathan. The roadmap articulates the path to be taken TO ENSURE STEADY POWER SUPPLY IN THE COUNTRY. With this renewed efforts BY ALL STAKEHOLDERS it is expected that Nigerians might soon have uninterrupted power supply.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

ON REHABILITATION OF EX MILITANTS IN THE NIGER DELTA CRISES

BY
FAMOUS DAKOLO

The POOR STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE Niger Delta could be better understood when put side by side with the recent shell BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the attendant colossal damage it is causing the global environment. The PEOPLE OF THE Niger Delta have lived with this festering wound of oil spillages for decades since oil was first discovered in the nation in Oloibiri in 1956. This was why the administration under Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua went all out to confront the problem with all sincerity through the Amnesty initiative in June 2009. When the Federal Government announced the Amnesty programme for the militants not a few persons took it with a pinch of salt.


At the peak of the crises, Nigeria was said to have lost N8.7 billion daily while production slumped from 2.3 million barrels per day to just about a million barrels. With the Amnesty programme now in full swing and ex militants receiving rehabilitation, reintegration, training and certification at Obubura, Cross River State since June 28, this year, it is important that the issues which led them to take up arms, in the first place are frontally addressed . At the last count, over 20,000 militants were said to have thrown in the towel. No doubt, the success of the Amnesty programme is underscored by the large turnout of militants at the various arms collation centres across the Niger Delta and the staggering trench of ammunition AND OTHER ARMS recovered so far. Equally commendable is the fact that since the commencement of the programme sporadic outburst of violence in the region has BEEN DRASTICALLY reduced. But the Stakeholders must never rest on their oars as there is still a lot of work to be done.
The recent upsurge of kidnapping across the eastern parts of the country is evidence that it is not yet Uhuru. Efforts need to be redoubled in curbing the increasing wave of violence by addressing the fundamental causes of crime namely the abysmal poverty and high level of unemployment. According to Abraham Maslow, the basic physiological needs of food, clothing, shelter and safety needs must be provided for citizens in a decent society before crime rate could drop significantly. As a first STEP therefore, government and those entrusted with the arduous task of prosecuting the Amnesty programme must be seen to be transparent and credible in discharging their mandate. There is a whole world of difference between actual militants and miscreants who cash in on the volatility to perpetrate heinous crimes. This group of people should not be included as militants. What is important now is FOR the ex militants to be properly and effectively demobilized and adequate training given to them to make them beneficial to the society.
But beyond that, there should be a mechanism to ensure that new militants are not created in the future. The recent protest by ex-militants who arrived the outskirts of the Federal capital Territory in droves to register their displeasure over the exercise is worrisome. The issue of fiscal federalism should be looked into just as there is need to revisit the derivation percentage to the oil producing states. More importantly, certain sections of the fundamental objective principles of State Policy bordering on the environment should be reviewed to halt the litany of environmental challenges of communities hosting oil multinationals in the Niger Delta. The enactment of the Petroleum Industry Bill into law would, no doubt make the communities stakeholders in the oil business and hence reduce tension between companies and their hosts. The Local Content Act 2010 should be effectively enforced to ensure compliance. The changing dynamics of global economics demand that the nation diversify her revenue base away from oil.
Virtually every State is endowed with a resource which if well harnessed could add value to the economy. If this is done on the basis of fiscal federalism, there would be less tension, greed and avarice over the proceeds of oil at the centre.


Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

PROMOTING NIGERIAN DRESS CULTURE FOR NATIONAL IDENTITY

BY
HON. EBI CAMPBELL

The culture of dressing is as old as man. One of the features which differentiate man from other form of animals is the predisposition to cover his nakedness. History tells us that IN ANCIENT TIMES early man WORE cloths made FROM leaves, rafters, AND palm fronds. Through the instrumentality of civilization, man has invented diverse forms of fashion which has made him more glamorous, and good looking. THUS FROM time immemorial, man has always adorned himself with relevant attires as occasion demands. A traditional ruler is easily spotted simply because of his regalia; a student is identified with his uniform while a clergy IS IDENTIFIED with his cassock.
In many organizations, much emphasis is placed on proper dress code and any defaulter is sanctioned. To rekindle the interest and pride in indigenous dress pattern among Nigerians, THE National institute for Cultural Orientation NICO decided to focus its conference on the Nigerian dress culture: the role of organizations, THE programme IS NO DOUBT A TIMELY INTERVENTION AGAINST THE MENACE OF INDECENT DRESSING CURRENTLY BEDEVILING OUR SOCIETY. OVER TIME, MANY NIGERIANS HAVE FROWNED AT THE prevailing trend of inappropriate dress PATTERNS that have permeated various age grades in our society. SOME HAVE DESCRIBED IT AS a national embarrassment. A situation where youths clad in dresses that reveal SENSITIVE PARTS OF THEIR BODIES is indeed unfortunate.


Although there is no standard definition of what constitutes indecent dressing, many IN THIS CLIME are of the view that it occurs when some areas generally supposed to be concealed are exposed. The trend is a common feature among young folks today. Factors for this fashion craze include peer group influence, the affordability of some of such unwholesome attires and more importantly the influence of the Western media. Some are of the opinion that indecent dressing contributes in a way to the increasing cases of rape and other forms of amorous lifestyle amongst youths. This is however not an excuse for the heinous crime of rape and other forms of sexual violation. BE THAT AS IT MAY, such a trend is not in tandem with our AGE LONG CULTURAL ORIENTATION which regards INDECENT appearances as a sign of moral deficiency.
This decision by the Institute under the leadership of Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma to address these cultural anomalies must therefore be commended. As part of its mandate of harnessing culture for national development, THE BODY IS ALSO SADDLED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF encouraging unity among the different ethnic groups through integrated dress culture and the promotion of patriotism among Nigerians. This IS expected to serve as a veritable source of national identity, social cohesion and integration. In addition to being a tool for rebranding the nation it will put Nigeria at par with other African countries like South Africa, Ghana, Guinea and Kenya that have attained peculiar dress styles as national identity. NO DOUBT, the dangers posed by indecent dressing requires concerted efforts by all stakeholders. We must support NICO in this very important task.

Institutions and organizations should fashion out and adhere strictly to acceptable dress code just like some higher institutions are doing. As THE AGENCY collaborates with family institutions AND parents on the need to censor the dress code of their wards, the national assembly should as a matter of urgency pass a bill to set aside some days of the week for public servants and Nigerians generally to dress in indigenous attires. Government also needs to help the textile industries from their current quagmire by granting them tax holidays and financial assistance. Traditional weavers of indigenous clothes should be encouraged and assisted to produce local fabrics at affordable prices. Fashion designers and entertainment outfits should also join this campaign.


Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

TACKLING THE CHALLENGES IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR

BY MIKE EKUNNO

The recent appointment of a new board MANAGEMENT for the Nigerian communications commission has GIVEN stakeholders in the telecommunications industry renewed hope. The previous management of the regulatory body was credited with playing the midwife for the telecoms revolution in Nigeria. However after 8 years of the roll out of GSM technology, the initial teething problems had been surmounted but replaced by new ones. The Nigerian market is reputed to be 78 million SIM cards strong and has produced Africa’s most subscribed network.
But beyond these positive indices lie a spate of consumer-related issues that the new board and management should address. Top on the list of THESE CHALLENGES which the information and communications minister, Prof Dora Akunyili, had tried to get telecoms operators to address is the paradox of high charges in the midst of Nigeria’s large scale economies. It is common economics that the larger the market, the lesser the unit fixed cost. However this economic logic has not been tenable in the Nigerian telecoms industry. Notwithstanding the large market, our tariffs remain among the highest even after providing for exchange rate differentials. Nigeria’s infrastructural inadequacies should not be sufficient excuse for this paradox.
SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG SOMEWHERE. Again, poor voice quality and frequency of drop calls have been the bane of telecoms services in the country. The networks experience frequent congestion at peak periods ESPECIALLY in the major cities. These FAILURES combine to reduce customers’ satisfaction and make them UNABLE to receive value for money. Registration of sim cards has been on the front burner in the industry IN RECENT TIMES. While this may not translate to immediate tangible benefits for individual customers, it has wide benefits. It is widely believed that sim card registration will greatly discourage and reduce crimes committed through THE USE OF mobile phones. These include kidnap and anonymous calls.
However, nobody should be deceived as to the ability of sim card registration to wipe out these crimes. IT does not possess the ABILITY TO wipe out kidnapping. Instead greater use should be made of mapping of call locations using the global positioning system. The issue of telecoms operators going into unregistered lottery promotions has also recently become topical. In the run up to the last world cup tournament in South Africa, many GSM operators abused the business relationship between them and their customers by soliciting for one lottery promo or the other.



There would have been nothing wrong with this practice if not that these promos were hardly registered with the national lottery commission and were sent as sms messages in such a way that they invaded the privacy and sensibilities of the prospects. Other urgent matters in need of attention by the telecoms regulatory authority include the attainment of number portability which will make the acquisition of multiple phones and subscription to different networks unnecessary. The new board and management at the NCC therefore have their work cut out for them.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

MESSAGE FOR NIGERIA AT 50 NATIONAL POPULATION COMMSSION: PROVIDING DEMOGRAPHIC DATA FOR PLANNING

The process of nation building is incomplete without planning for the well being and prosperity of the citizens. For the planning process to be responsive to the aspirations of the people, it should entail the integration of demographic data. This is because the people are both the agents and beneficiaries of the development process. Countries that occupy enviable positions on the global development ladder are those that have been able to harness vast human resources through careful planning and exploitation of their demographic conditions. It is in this critical area that the National Population Commission has made positive contribution to the nation building. The occasion of the commemoration of the 50th Independence anniversary of Nigeria provides us with the ample opportunity to take stock of what the nation has achieved in the area of collection, analysis and dissemination of demographic data as well as put in perspective the inevitable challenges. Nigeria has proved to the international community that we count ourselves accurately and produce reliable demographic data. Although a number of census were conducted before the country attained independence, the first post independent census in Nigeria in 1962 was cancelled. Then, it was emphasized that government amenities and parliamentary seats would be allocated on the basis of population size. Hence, when the result was released, it was rumoured that it had been inflated in some region. These controversies led to its cancellation. Another attempt was made in 1963. The Federal government accepted the results without reference to the regional governments. For this and other reasons, the result was contested in the Supreme Court. In 1973, another attempt was made by the Gowon Administration. This was later cancelled by the regime of General Murtala Muhammed due to the general belief that the figures were again inflated in some States.
In 1988, the national Population Commission was established through Decree 23 of 1988 to over-see the conduct of a credible census. In 1991 a more generally acceptable census was conducted. The planning and organization of the 1991 census showed remarkable improvement based on the elaborate delineation of the country into several enumeration areas. The present leadership which came on stream in October 2001 is headed by Chief Samu’ila Danko Makama. He is supported by 37 Federal Commissioners each representing a State of the Federation and the FCT. It was under this DISPENSATION that the 2006 population and Housing Census was conducted and accepted by the Federal Government. The Commission made a giant stride through the successful conduct of the 2006 exercise. The final results of the Census, which put the nation’s population at OVER 140 MILLION was widely commended by stakeholders. About 186 priority tables have been released on the population of Nigeria as well as housing characteristics and amenities. Two national seminars and six zonal seminars have been conducted in the six geo-political zones to ensure wider dissemination and utilization of the Census data. Apart from various publications which have been produced, more information and statistics of the country are now on the Commission’s website, www.population.gov.ng as well as the Commission’s geoportal, at geoportal.gov.ng. With this the Commission has confidently put behind it the ugly era of dearth of reliable demographic data for national planning and development. The commission has also initiated the continuous registration of births and deaths in the country. The conduct of specialized surveys is another core activity of the Commission. The Commission has conducted several surveys before and after the conduct of the 2006 Census to provide specific details on sample populations. It is currently conducting the internal migration survey, Nigerian Urban Reproductive health Initiative Survey and Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey. Through the efforts of the Commission, the prospect of planned and sustainable development in the country is now brighter. As the nation marks its 50th Independence anniversary, the leadership of the Commission is inspired to be more committed to the collection of reliable data. With better funding from the government to support its activities, the Commission will no doubt provide all the required data for Nigerians to attain greater heights in all areas of our national endeavour in the years ahead.

Recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION

Today’s global economic CHALLENGES have forced many countries to look for other sources of improving THEIR economy. THIS IS WHY MANY NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE EMBARKED ON STRENGTHENING THEIR TOURISM POTENTIAL TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT. NIGERIA HAS NOT BEEN LEFT OUT IN THIS REGARD. The Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation have since its creation steadily positioned itself to place the country in the global map of countries that can earn revenue from sources APART FROM OIL. This was the FOCUS OF THE MINISTER’S PRESENTATION AT THE MINISTERIAL NEWS BRIEFING HELD IN ABUJA RECENTLY. The Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation along with its parastatals such as the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, National Council for Arts and Culture, National Troupe and the National Gallery of Arts, to mention a few has shown that Nigeria, like other countries, can earn huge revenue from marketing Tourism, Arts and Culture.

This is why over the period, the MINISTRY HAS COME up with policies that would create the much needed enabling environment for Tourism to thrive. IT IS CURRENTLY implementing the Nigeria’s Tourism Master Plan which PROMOTES SUPPORT FOR THE NATION’S TOURISM OUTFITS SUCH AS Tinapa Business Leisure and Conference Resort in Cross River State, the Farin Ruwa Water Fall in Nasarawa State and the Olokola Cultural Resort in Ondo State. The Ministry has also DEVELOPED A CULTURAL POLICY FOR THE NATIONS WHICH IS NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED IN LINE WITH CURRENT REALITIES. In recognition of the fact that culture gives identity to a people that the Ministry has not relented in its effort to preserve THE NATION’S collective cultural heritage and also use our culture to promote Tourism. In 2009, the Ministry initiated and developed six Cultural Industry Centres in Taraba, Enugu, Benue, Ogun, Ondo and Sokoto with a view to harnessing local talents, generate employment and economic emancipation. In 2009 it also established the Nigerian Cultural House in Salvador, Brazil to boost Nigeria’s image internationally. It has also recently completed work on the mapping of the Indigenous Slavery and Slave Trade Routes in Nigeria under the chairmanship and guidance of the Distinguished and world renowned scholar. Prof. J.F. Ade-Ajayi. The Book is due for launching very soon.
The Ministry’s department of National Orientation which oversees the National Orientation Agency has also been contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. In order to create an atmosphere of peace and economic development, the department recently undertook a survey of Nigeria’s six geo-political zones to examine ways to create understanding and harmony among the different religious and ethnic groups. While work is still going on these, its Public service integrity at work programme, which is a programme meant to instill high level of integrity in the Public Service and curb corruption was launched by the National Orientation Agency UNDER THE MINISTRY’S SUPERVISION. The Ministry’s Parastatal, the NTDC has ALSO recently launched Tourism FM; a Radio station meant so give tourism its pride of place in our economic development. These formed the highlights of the 2009 Ministerial Briefing of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation DURING which A call WAS MADE TO the Small Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to SUPPORT Tourism, Arts and Culture sector of THE economy. At the Briefing, the Minister gave an insight into THE policies and programmes the Ministry would continue to pursue THIS YEAR.
These include, consolidating on its achievements in 2009, CONTINUED rehabilitation of Museums and Archives nation-wide to effectively position them as foremost Tourism sites for tourists and visitors alike, completion of the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe building in Zungeru, Niger State as a historical and cultural site. OTHER TARGETS INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF a more vibrant relationship with UNESCO, European Union, Africa Union and other developmental partners for the advancement of culture and tourism in Nigeria, Launching of the reviewed National Cultural Policy as well as organizing workshops on the implementation of the policy. IF ALL CONCERNED PARTIES PURSUE THESE PROGRAMMES WITH COMMITMENT THE COUNTRY WILL NO DOUBT BECOME A TOURISM HAVEN FOR PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND IN TURN ATTRACT THE MUCH NEEDED FOREIGN INVESTMENT.


Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

REDUCING THE SCOURGE OF MALARIA IN THE COUNTRY

BY:
GODWIN OKANEME

Malaria is a disease which is transmitted by the bites of mosquitoes of the genus anopheles. Fever is the main symptom of malaria while other minor symptoms abound. Malaria accounts for the death of thousands of Nigerians annually. Many others who survive bouts of malaria ON annual basis have unpalatable experiences about the deadly ailment. Malaria of late has defied conventional drugs in its treatment and this has been a serious source of worry to many medical practitioners and sufferers of the ailment as well. While the issue of resistance to many known anti-malaria drugs remains a source of CONCERN, another deep source of worry is the issue of some unscrupulous and criminally minded Nigerians who collude with some conscienceless foreigners to produce fake and adulterated anti-malaria drugs and import same into the country. The question that should agitate the minds of millions of Nigerians with conscience is – why should these Nigerians endanger the lives of fellow citizens for the sake of money? The Federal Government through the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has been working hard to curtail the menace of these fake drug peddlers. But much more still needs to be done to step up the campaign to fish out the criminally minded Nigerians behind this immoral and dastardly act and prosecute them without delay to act as a deterrent TO OTHERS indulging in such life-threatening business in the future. NAFDAC should as a matter of urgency comb all pharmacy and patent medicine shops in the country to rid such shops of fake and adulterated drugs. It is regrettable that some of these shops have become outlets for such unwholesome drugs that are life-threatening. Perhaps, NAFDAC could go a step further by organizing lectures for drug dispensers on the dangers of selling fake and adulterated drugs. Such lectures should be made mandatory for all those involved in the sale of drugs in the country.
The Federal government however deserves commendation for importing and distributing high quality anti-malaria drugs for the free treatment of pregnant women and children in government hospitals. Such gestures should be sustained. Again the free distribution of treated mosquito nets by both the Federal and some State Governments should be intensified. However there have been cases of the nets being seen in the markets for sale. There is the need to bring to book officials who hoard the nets and turn around to later sell them. Perhaps, the greatest challenge facing our medical scientists is that of inventing a vaccine that could prevent malaria. No conscious effort should be spared in this regard for once it is invented; it will surely spare our country the millions of naira that she spends every year on the treatment of malaria. It could also be a revenue earner for the country as the vaccine could be exported to other African countries. Since it is very true that prevention is better than cure, Nigerians should adopt serious preventive measures to stop malaria attacks.
Such measures include keeping their surroundings clean and cutting of grasses around houses since dirty environments are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Again, Nigerians should cultivate the habit of sleeping under treated mosquitoes nets. Since malaria is a deadly disease, Nigerians should equally adopt deadly and aggressive measures towards its control and eradication. It has been propounded by some medical experts that it can be totally wiped out from Africa as has been done in Europe and America. Government at all levels should start thinking of how to do this in Nigeria so that we can put the trauma of malaria behind us once and for all

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary

THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY AND THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

BY ISA AREMU, VICE PRESIDENT, NLC

The history of the country’s labour movement is linked to the history, progress and development of Nigeria’s economy in the last fifty years. Nigeria achieved independence through protracted constitutional negotiations that spanned a decade. The relatively peaceful road to independence in Nigeria contrasts sharply to years of bloody armed struggles that heralded freedom in OTHER countries. Nigeria’s relative peaceful road to freedom, notwithstanding, the long struggle to the independence was also characterized by mass resistance, mass strikes and protests, enormous sacrifices largely by Nigerian workers, their trade unions and labour movement. Colonial political economy was founded on the exploitative principle. The colony served as a source of cheaper raw materials for metropolitan Britain as well as A MARKET for ITS goods. To achieve this goal, the British colonizers built railways to facilitate the extraction of raw materials like cotton and ground nuts from the North, cocoa from the West and palm kernel from the East as well as mine products from Plateau. The first generation of workers emerged from the nascent colonial economic and administrative structures. Colonial authority preferred forced unpaid labour but was challenged by the workers. In essence, the colonial order prompted the emergence of early working class movement in Nigeria. In between the two world wars, (from 1919 and 1945) the British colonial economy intensified colonial exploitation through direct increased taxation, retrenchment of the workforce, wage cuts, casualisation and hourly payments. These periods also marked the radicalization of the country’s labour movement. The high point of labour’s resistance was in 1941 when Nigeria’s railway men led by Micheal Imoudu and the union’s secretary, Mr Adenekan matched through streets of Lagos to see Governor Sir Bernard Bourdillion. The protest led to major victories for the workers in terms of improved wages and abolition of hourly pay system. Subsequent labour agitations such as the 44 day strikes of 1945 led by labour NO 1 Micheal Imoudu and the 1949 Enugu coal Iva Valley massacre in which 22 coal miners were brutally killed by the colonial police for daring to demand for wage arrears. These agitations linked the demand for better working conditions in particular with the demand for independence in general. Nationalists like Dr Nmadi Azikwe and Obafemi Awolowo backed the demands of the trade unions, deploying their journalist prowess to pressure the colonial authorities to improve the workers’ lot. Today Nigeria prides itself with a tested and robust labour movement led by two labour Federations namely the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). Of the two labour federations, NLC is the oldest. It was formed independently by the workers as far back as August 1950. IT WAS officially restructured in 1978 by the military regime of Murtala/Obasanjo. This means NLC is effectively 32 years old, a product of independent Nigeria. NLC is a mega labour centre in Africa with over four million members organized in 36 industrial unions across the public and private sectors of the economy. NLC is only rivalled in terms of independence and self assertion by South Africa’s labour Federation, Council of South Africa trade Unions, (COSATU). Since independence, the Nigerian trade union movement has led series of struggles for decent work agenda. The notable achievement is in the area of national minimum wage. From the Harragin, Turdo-Davis, Miller Commissions of the pre-colonial period to Adebo, Udoji, Shagari, 2000 minimum wage reviews and the current minimum wage Commission of the recent times. NLC has also led the resistance against polices such as fuel price increases without which the earning and purchasing power of the working class would have been eroded by inflation. The trade union has served as backbone for the first developmental effort of the newly independent Nigeria during the first and second Republics. Nigeria recorded dramatic growth rate in the first decade after independence, WHICH averaged 12 per cent and made it one of the fast growing economy surpassing then Malaysia, India and even China. This growth rate in non-oil sector especially in agriculture and nascent emerging manufacturing sector must be attributed to the productivity, patriotism and diligence of the country’s first generation workforce. During the civil war of late 60s, labour movement was a unifying force for national unity. Trade union movement remains today a formidable pan-Nigerian organization that unites all Nigerian workers for a common purpose regardless of their states and status. Significantly labour championed the struggle against military dictatorships with enormous sacrifices that included dissolutions of its elected executive councils. As a democratic independent organization that holds periodic elections and hold elected leaders accountable, THE labour movement is a leading civil society actor pushing for greater democracy in Nigeria. The challenge lies in how the labour movement will contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria in the next fifty years. As Nigeria marks 50th independence anniversary, government, employers and labour must search for a common ground to reinvent Nigeria for a sustainable development and social justice for all. Government and labour must work out a new development agenda that will make Nigeria one of the leading socially responsive economies of the world in the nearest future. As the country prepares for a historic general election, the nation looks forward to the labour movement that will constructively task the varying contestants to face up to critical governance issues as campaign issues and make sure that the vote of one man, one woman is truly counted in 2011.

Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary