By Lateef Lawal

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) said from April, all aircrafts flying within Nigeria’s airspace or over-flying it, would be tracked and automatically billed. NAMA’s Operations Executive Director, Mr. Adebisi Adedara, said that the auto billing would start in April this year, when the Total Radar Coverage of Nigerian (TRACON) project becomes fully operational.

Already, Lagos and Abuja sites are fully operational. Port Harcourt site is almost ready for deployment, while Kano site has crossed 70% completion phase. Adedara said that TRACON was aimed at providing total radar coverage for Nigeria’s airspace. He said that it would enhance civil and military surveillance of aircrafts flying into the country’s airspace as well as eliminate the use of manual billing system.

According to Adedara, the Auto Billing System (ABS) is built into TRACON and can easily capture aircraft that enters or operate within the Nigerian airspace. He said that the project awarded by the Federal Executive Council in 2003 with a completion period of 36 months was 97 per cent completed. ( Continues below….. )

The project which contract was signed between NAMA and Thales S.A of France, will be completed by the end of March. “We were able to get the Federal Government’s support and today the TRACON project is almost completed. Lagos and Abuja are running and Kano will be tested on February 23″, he said. Adedara also disclosed that NAMA had secured government approval for the purchase of Very High Frequency Radio (VHF) coverage of the airspace.

He explained that the VHF navigation aid would improve effective communication of air traffic controllers. He added that contract for the automation of Aeronautical Information System (AIS) unit had also been awarded, adding that the equipment would be manned by trained personnel. According to him, the agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigerian Navy and Air Force on the training of Air Traffic Controllers.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, NAMA, FAAN, Abuja, Lagos, Africa, Masterweb

By Kola Alapinni

( *Note: Article was submitted 23/2/10, before the sudden return of ailing President Yar’Adua )

Initially this article would have been published two weeks ago titled ‘Wishing You Goodluck President Jonathan’ save for two occurrences. Firstly, events have overtaken that and secondly I lost the initial five or so paragraphs written when my computer lost power. I am trying to incorporate the elements of the lost work into this and we’ll see how it turns out.

The Ignominious Role of Aondoaaka

Well, the first shuffle of cards in the Presidency was dealt the former Attorney-General Michael Aondoakaa. It was hardly a joker or a masterpiece move, it was just a purely Machiavellian strategy. It had to be done and he had to be kept within the palace, right under the ruler’s nose. That explains why he was unceremoniously relieved of the most powerful political law job any lawyer can aspire to and put into the strait-jacket of the Special Duties Ministry. It seems the new ruler knew how much mischief Aondoaaka will cause if let to run loose outside the palace hence why he still has to report weekly for the Federal Executive Council meetings every week. At least, you give him the false impression of being a cabinet member when what you have done technically, is to place him under surveillance. The AG’s office is one of the most cherished legal jobs any citizen can aspire to hold for his country. The AG is the Chief Legal Officer of the nation, the legal mind and brains of the administration. His word is law and woe betide any government or official that disregards it.

The Iraq War Inquiry by the British government amongst other things has revealed that the Tony Blair administration and its American allies had to practically bully the former British AG Lord Goldsmith into overuling the earlier advice given to them that the invasion of Iraq would be illegal without a UN Security Council Resolution empowering it to do so. If Lord Goldsmith had maintained his position that the war would have been manifestly and undisputably illegal. The whole course of history might have been changed because it would have legitimised the British people’s position for Tony Blair not to go to war. Neither would the British have formed a coalition with American forces. Probably, Tony Blair’s legacy would have been different to what he has now as a leader who led his country into an unjustifiable war based on faulty intelligence reports . The rest is history as they say. We are where we are now.

Anyway, Aondoaaka forgot that the enormous powers wielded by the AG is subject to approval in the court of public opinion. Once an AG becomes as unpopular as he or Clement Akpamgbo was under the Ibrahim Babangida regime he is a sitting-duck (ironically the late Akpamgbo called me to the Nigerian Bar in his position then as the Chairman Body of Benchers). It is only a matter of time before one in the volley of shots hit you. The AG’s attempt to engage the Information Minister Prof. Dora Akunyili in a market woman style shout-at-me and I will also shout-at-you politics spectacularly back-fired. An AG must not engage in ‘oyingbo market’ style of politics. It will not work! Especially, not with a woman like Dora emerged to be seemingly more politically astute than the AG, not because she is more knowledgable in state matters. No, far from it. Otherwise she would not have written a memo.

History and contemporary politics teaches us that great political schemes, machinations, reconstructions et cetera are more of an unwritten nature than written. Power is brokered and consolidated in various ways and forms ranging from persuasion, blackmail, pleas, bribery, inducement, adoption, marriage and sometimes even death. The Abacha Indian girls and apple and the Abiola tea episode in Aso Rock is a pointer to the evil twists and turns in the corridors of power (I hasten to add that I am not advocating any of this). But Dora, was simply in touch with the mood of the nation that has become tired of the ‘amala and gbegiri’ politics that ultimately played out before our eyes particularly when we got enlisted as a terror nation. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Seal of The President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is the official symbol of the Nigerian President, first used in 1979 by President Shehu Shagari.

We could not fire a salvo back because there was no one at the head of affairs who had constitutional powers vested in him as the head boy. In Washington, the Americans had no one to talk to because Ojo Maduekwe had fired the Ambassador there. The replacement was refused because his son had been implicated in a criminal matter - Rape is viewed very seriously here in the West - and in Nigeria the senior prefect had simply vanished from the boarding house. Why won’t they kick some sense into our heads? Are we in the position to use our oil has a weapon of international diplomacy and politics? No, we are not. Years of rubbishing the Niger-Deltans has turned them against the unbalanced union called Nigeria. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND) and other splinter groups has ensured an economic sabotage against the polity as symbolised by the government in Abuja.

(A) We do not export the requisite amount of crude oil to warrant that the non-exportation of the product to America would result in an economic blockade. And crucially, we do need the money, since we are not producing enough. Everyday, Nigeria loses money on refining abroad or rather buying back refined petrol from the crude oil we have exported abroad.

(B) Our refineries do not work, therefore we depend on other countries to refine our petrol, kerosine, diesel et cetera which equals to: Nigeria is not independent and therefore cannot afford to call the shots. To say that we are in a prostrate position is not far from the truth since everyone now stamps on us. They only pander to our ego when they need something badly from us. As soon as they get what they want, we are cast away like orange pips.

To conclude, Dora simply knows like the majority of Nigerians that Yaradua is unlikely to return back to the Presidency and even if he does, the office has been dealt a serious blow so much that many people would not want a sick president to lead the nation. It thus confirms the rumours that this man had been ill all along when suspicions arose at the beginning of his tenure. His response on the BBC was to challenge anyone who said he is ill to a game of squash to prove his fitness. If I were in the court, I would hereby say: My Lord, I rest my case.

Electoral Reform and A Digital Biometric Voters Register

There is a saying which says that ‘A fish starts rottening from the head’. The Niger-Delta crisis, lack of petrol, lack of security, power, lack of good roads and amenities all boils down to leadership or the lack of it. Nigeria since perhaps the late Murtala Mohammed or say to a lesser extent the Buhari/Idiagbon regime has lacked a credible leader, a proper statesman who would lead us and restore our dignity as a people and a nation. Fifty years after independence, more times than not we still fill the mould of what Obafemi Awolowo termed Nigeria: ‘a mere geographic expression’. How can we have our fellow countrymen and women performing and achieving outside Nigeria and the country is rubbish? Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Managing Director at the World Bank, Oby Ezekwesili is VP for Africa at the same institution, Bayo Ogunlesi heads Global Infrastructure Partners, they just bought London Gatwick Airport a few months ago. And many others too numerous to mention are exceling in various fields in the developed world.

Yet, Nigeria doesn’t have light, water and security. But we can send troops abroad to bring peace to other countries and serve with distinction. When apartheid fell in Namibia and Sam Nujoma became the President, the Nigerian Police Force re-trained the Namibian Police from scratch they also won accolades. That would have been the first time Namibians would have first seen black policemen en masse. That was how bad the racial discrimination was. These same Nigerian Police men of the N20 fame training another country’s police and security infrastructure with distinction. Yet we are under siege from armed robbers and hired assasins at home. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria Acting President

Let us presume that our absentee President is not going to be fit for purpose after this Saudi trip and I do not think he will because the handwriting is on the wall. The game is over. Therefore, it logically follows that the Acting President would be foolish not to secure and consolidate his position. Secondly, even if he is not going to run for the Presidency next year- I doubt he wouldn’t anyway - he needs to swiftly put a structure in place that would ensure his relevance forever in the polity called Nigeria. So which way out? There has only been one election in Nigeria that could be said to be the free, fair and widely accepted one before Babangida, the ultimate student of Machiavellian manipulations scuttled it. That was the 12 June 1993 elections and the system that produced it was the Option A4 system. The only reason which the ruling class have refused to use it again was the irrefutable power of choice it gave to the masses. The Godfathers of Nigerian politics and the tiny cabal of greedy, twisted-minds that feed fat on the endless supply of ill gotten wealth flowing from the fountain of government in Nigeria would never want an independent electorate. The lure of the easy, cheap no-questions-asked, no-anwers-given supply of money in the political structure and government of Nigeria is our bane. If Jonathan can solve this, he would be catapulted to a statesman as great as Nelson Mandela.

Reforming the electoral process goes to the very root of how we will elect a credible leader. A leader who we choose of our own volition knows he is accountable to us and not to a Godfather who has facilitated trailer loads of rice, salt, cooking oil and N1,000 notes on the eve of the elections to induce votes for his candidate the next day. Are we now surprised when the political Godfather wants to be the one appointing the Commissioner for Finance in the state, appoint the AG, appoint the Commissioner for Works and Housing, appoint the Secretary to the State Government and even appoint the Deputy Governor? He is only trying to recoup his investment.

As a matter of urgency, the Acting President must quickly ensure that the Electoral Commission not only goes digital, it must also go biometric. It does not cost much in finance, it only needs will power and sincerity. How will this work? A mechanism would be put in place ensuring that all voters are registered simultaneously and electronically nationwide. During this registration process, the voters would be registered electronically and biometrically through battery powered devices (where there is no electricity). This will all be linked to a central supercomputer. No person can register under the same identity twice, nor can anyone once register under two identities because there would be a clash of identities. Shikena! Problem solved. This is how the British authorities have resolved the issue of persons using bogus identities to apply for visas. The result for Nigeria would be that there would be no ghost voters, no stealing of ballot boxes and no need for endless printing of voting papers which would also translate into environmental friendliness. One man would equal one vote. One vote equals credible voter power. Voter power equals credible change and accountability to the electorate.

This signals bye-bye to Godfatherism, vote rigging and other manipulations at the voting booth. No need for even party agents anymore. Then it logically follows that we are able to vote for the right man and he would know that he is not indispensable or invincible. He will simply not be re-elected. Then the voted also knows that when the voter threatens not to vote for him at the next election because he has underperformed, he takes this seriously and he can sit up. The elected will know that he cannot subvert the public will by buying his way. Only then can we start having credible change from the neglected in the Niger-Delta to the unemployed ‘agbero’ in the various motor parks. From the disgruntled and disillusioned civil servant to the angry university youth who has lost faith in his country. From the armed forces to the Fulani cattle rearer, credible and merited change would cool the polity.

If the President needs help in this regards, all he needs do is ask. This particular help is available without much fuss. To the contrary, if there is no hope of clearing this mess once and for all even goodluck is not enough for President Jonathan, he simply will not survive the evil machinations of those who continue to suck our blood dry. A word is enough for the wise.

Kola Alapinni is an International Human Rights Lawyer and writes from Birmingham, U.K.

*Tags: Nigerians, Ya’Adua, Army, Military, Africa, Masterweb

[ FAAN Demand N293 million Refund from Maevis ]

By Lateef Lawal

The raging controversies over the concessioning agreement on revenue collection between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) and Maevis Nigeria Limited is getting murkier on a daily basis, since the beginning of this month when the media reported the later as complaining about some stumbling blocks within FAAN. The Commercial Department of FAAN was accused of giving waivers to some concessionaires running into several billion naira, against the terms of agreement on revenue/debt collection.

Labour unions in the industry, especially Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria(ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees(NUATE) and Nigeria Union of Pensioners(NUP) are crying foul over the issue and have given both FAAN and Maevis February 28, 2010 ultimatum to present facts before they decide the next line of action.

At a close door meeting with FAAN management, leaders of the unions told FAAN that though they have not all along being supportive of the concession of major revenue points to contractors, there were grey areas they discovered in the agreement entered with Maevis. The union leaders said such areas included the omission of penalty in case of default by either party, especially when revenue expected to be remitted to FAAN are not forthcoming when due. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: FAAN logo On A Nigerian Map in Nigerian Flag Colours

Investigations revealed that at the height of buck passing, a meeting was held between FAAN and Maevis representatives on February 10, 2010. The meeting summoned at FAAN Board Room by FAAN Board of Directors, was in respect of the controversies generated over the agreement between FAAN and Maevis on October 31, 2007.

At the said meeting, FAAN pointed out the urgent need to review the agreement due to lots of inconsistencies in it, especially the “Definition Clause” and the clause regarding “Management Fee and Enhancement Fee". FAAN demanded from Maevis, a refund of N293,124,645.44 paid in error as enhancement fee. They said the error emanated from misinterpretation of the clauses in question. ( Continues below….. )

In addition, it was learnt Maevis was requested to refund the 10 per cent statutory deduction due to Nigerian Meteorological Agency(NIMET) for landing, which is obviously not part of the revenue of FAAN. Other questionable areas raised by FAAN during the meeting include:

*The training of FAAN staff as earlier agreed to acquaint them with the workings of the technology deployed by Maevis which has not materialized two years after the signing of the agreement.

*The Payment Platform.

*The need to have a performance based revenue enhancement fee and the need to have a service agreement that is measurable and other issues surrounding the Concession.

At the meeting and in response to the issues raised by FAAN, it was gathered that Maevis noted that the agreement provided a leeway for amendment and that the company was not against amendments where, it is absolutely necessary.

The National President of ATSSSAN, Comrade Ben Okewu and the Secretary General of NUATE, Comrade Simeon Ogbuji while reacting to the latest development and the outcome of the meeting held with FAAN, said they stood by the February, 28 ultimatum given to both parties. They said they would never tolerate a situation where revenue due to FAAN are not collected, short-changed or diverted in whatever guise. They argued such would eventually affect prompt payment of workers salaries and execution of developmental projects.

In an interview, Maevis Managing Director said his company had performed better than when FAAN staff were in charge of revenue collection. He said that where FAAN workers used to collect N6 billion, his company within a year raised bills for N16 billion and had been able to collect and remit N14 billion into FAAN account.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, FAAN, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Africa, Masterweb

[ Nigeria Highway Robbery & Gruesome Massacre -Updated ]

By Masterweb News Desk

On February 25, Masterweb News Desk reported a posting on CNN iReport by an author with username “flexxybee", where he reported an attack on a Nigerian luxury bus by armed robbers. Flexxybee in the posting alleged the robbers ordered passengers who could not give them money to lie down and at gun point ordered the driver of the bus to run over them. Flexxybee’s posting is reproduced below.

“Horror along lagos- benin expressway!!! Man’s inhumanity to man. A bus was ambushed by armed robbers, the passengers were robbed and raped, those that had nothing to give were asked to lie down on the road face down and the driver olln gun point was commanded by the robbers to drive the bus over them!!!! Will send pics as proof!!!! We need to really pray for ourselves n our loved ones Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Zain Nigeria But why?” -flexxybee. Here is the link (URL) to the posting:- http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-412690

THE TRUTH

In our publication of February 25 on the incident, we sought any helpful information from our readers and the general public in ascertaining the truth as reported on CNN iReport. This led to several mails and phone calls to our news team, all confirming the crushing to death of the victims, but with different versions on how they were killed. The most reliable information came from a reader who only identified himself as “Oudeaf". The reader directed us to two duplicate local publications on the incident. The original news published August 2, 2009 was by Sunday Tribune and the republication by OnlineNigeria website. The crushing of people was by a speeding trailer that failed to stop either to elude the robbers or did not see on time, people lying on the ground as ordered by the robbers. Tribune and OnlineNigeria publications were made without photographs and under titles that did not reflect the true gruesome nature of the incident. This seemed the reason why they did not draw the attention of the public, until our publication which drew over 1000,000 views and 970 comments at the time of this report.

Sunday Tribune article titled “Robbers kill 20 on Sagamu/Benin Road- Trailer crushes 16 to death in Lagos, - As 11 CAC members escape death” and reproduced by OnlineNigeria under a streamlined title “Robbers kill 20 on Sagamu/Benin Road ” is reproduced below.

Robbers kill 20 on Sagamu/Benin Road - Sunday Tribune, 2/8/09.

No fewer than 20 passengers travel ling on the Sagamu-Ore- Benin Expressway lost their lives when a truck crushed them to death during a robbery operation.

The incident which happened in the early hours of Saturday, involved a luxury bus with registration number Edo XF 285 AKD and a truck with number plate Edo XN 808 BEN. Sunday Tribune gathered that another accident that claimed two lives also occurred on Friday night around 10.45 pm, along Ijebu-Ode- Ore end of the expressway.

This accident was reported to have involved a white Toyota Hiace, marked Edo XQ 201 EKY and a blue Bedford lorry marked XA 565 WER.

The fatal accident was said to have happened around Babcock University, Ilisan junction and Odogbolu areas of the highway.

ST learnt that the luxury bus which was on a night journey to the Eastern part of the country, unfortunately, ran into a gang of armed robbers operating on the expressway.

The robbers were reported to have blocked the highway with a huge log of wood and ordered the passengers to disembark from the bus.

The innocent passengers it was learnt, were ordered to lie down on the highway before a trailer said to be on top speed ran over the robbery victims and killed all of them.

Confirming the incident, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC), Ogun State, Mr. Olu-Mike Olagunju, said that he could not ascertain the cause of the accident as at the time of filing this report.

He said that 13 men and seven women lost their lives immediately while two men were reported to have been seriously injured.

He said,” This incident is unfortunate. What we observed is that there was no dent on the luxury bus, which indicated that the vehicles did not run to each other. The most likely cause of the accident could be because of the activities of armed robbers.

“We have said it over and over again that people should avoid night journeys. If people do not travel at nights, there is hardly a way that kind of accident would not be avoided. At least the truck would have seen people lying on the road while the motorists would have even known that robbers were operating on the road.”

Meanwhile, 16 people were also crushed to death at Ikotun Lagos by a trailer, which was descending a slope near synagogue church on Saturday evening, and victims were mainly roadside trailers.

The tragedy was caused by brake failure and many were trapped.

Sympathisers wailed as rescuers retrieved the wounded, who were still gasping for breath. Mutilated bodies, including that of children littered the area.

Meanwhile A man, rushed to a private hospital in Shagamu, Ogun State after being critically wounded in an accident when his brand new Toyota car rammed into a stationary truck on Saturday, at Kilometer 79, Lagos – Ibadan Road, may owe his life to his seat belt.

The accident, involving a Toyota car marked Lagos RA 316 AAA which occurred at about 7.00 am according to eye witnesses, incidentally took place just a few minutes before a 14- seater Toyota commuter bus marked XP 409 GGE chartered by the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Aanu, Apapa in Lagos State for an engagement in Ogun State was also involved in another accident near same spot, sending all occupants to another hospital.

While eye witnesses could not ascertain why the car driver failed to sight the stationary truck, they however agreed on the fact that the man must thank his God for his seat belt, in addition to the timely assistance of two towing vehicle operators, who, in the absence of any policeman came to his rescue, and took him to Owokoniran Hospital, in Shagamu.

One of the towing vehicle operators told the Sunday Tribune that having discovered that the man from all indications would survive the accident if timely assisted, said they felt compelled to offer the little assistance they could by salvaging him from his wrecked car, and spiriting him away to the hospital.

Here is the link to OnlineNigeria republication:- http://news.onlinenigeria.com/templates/?a=6728

Please forward any new information, article or photo you may have regarding this incident to admin@nigeriamasterweb.com. Please include your phone number in your email, so that our News Team can reach you on the phone.

Masterweb News Desk is always scouting volumes of information daily, searching for information relevant to Nigerians, Africa and the world. This is what separates us from most news media. We report all news worthy events for the information of our readers and for news syndication and aggregation. This allows the dissemination of our news articles by our readers, partner news media and RSS feed.

*To forward this article to friends and associates, here is the link to send to them:- http://nigeriamasterweb.com/blog/index.php/2010/02/25/nigeria_highway_robbery_aamp_gruesome_ma

Photo Above: Helpless Nigerians run over by a trailer after they lay down on the ground on the orders of armed robbers.

*To forward this article to friends and associates, here is the link to send to them:- http://nigeriamasterweb.com/blog/index.php/2010/02/25/nigeria_highway_robbery_aamp_gruesome_ma

*Tags: Nigerians, Crime, Armed, Robbers, Africa, Masterweb

By Masterweb News Desk

Ailing Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua reportedly, was secretly flown back to Nigeria early this morning at 1.46 am, under the cover of darkness. Yar’Adua had being in Saudi Arabia since November 23, 2009, were he had been receiving medical treatment. According to our sources, a plane from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia landed at 1.46 am at the presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, with another jet landing minutes later. Yar’Adua was flown on the first plane, reportedly a Saudi air ambulance. A presidency source speaking to Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity said: “He just landed at Abuja airport on a Saudi plane escorted by the presidential plane. He is on his way to the presidential villa now.” The planes according to reports left Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, minutes apart, with the first leaving at 8.22 pm Nigerian time.

Heavily armed soldiers from Brigade of Guards, were deployed on the route between the airport and presidential villa (Aso Rock). Soldiers according to sources were ordered for security reasons, to leave their phones behind. Airport staff were ordered out of the presidential wing by soldiers who took over the area. Power supply to the airport was switched to generator for more reliability at 1.15 am, thirty one minutes before the arrival of the first plane. On landing, both planes remained on the runway for a long period of time before an ambulance and a bus parked not too far from the planes drove to where they were. The transfer of Yar’Adua to the ambulance could not be seen due to darkness of the runway. The ambulance apparently carrying Yar’Adua left the runway at 3.00 am, while a convoy of about eight cars drove towards the planes. Both the cars and the bus(still by the planes) left the runway about five minutes after the departure of the ambulance. All vehicles, in total numbering about 18, headed for the presidential villa. The presidential jet and the ‘Saudi air ambulance’ at 3.25 am, minutes apart, taxied to park. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: President Umaru Yar’Adua of Nigeria.

Important dignitaries at the airport to receive Yar’Adua included governors of Kaduna, Bauchi and Katsina. He returned in company of his wife, Chief Security Officer and Aide-de-Camp. It is unclear whether Yar’Adua would be fit enough to resume presidential duties. It is expected he would continue his sick leave at the presidential villa, while Goodluck Jonathan (formerly Vice president) continues as acting president. The chances of early elections in November this year remain high. This means that party primaries would be held between May and June. All things being equal as calculated, PDP, the ruling party would have produced by July, a presidential flag bearer for the elections. A northerner is expected to emerge the winner, as PDP zoned the presidency to the north till 2015. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Seal of The President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is the official symbol of the Nigerian President, first used in 1979 by President Shehu Shagari.

Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, was granted full powers as Acting President by the National Assembly earlier this month. The move filled the power vacuum created by Yar’Adua’s prolonged absence that put the country on the brink. Several lawsuits challenging the manner of the emergence of Jonathan as acting president, have been filed and await hearing. Some of the lawsuits pled the court to determine whether the Senate or House of Representatives could by a resolution, empower Jonathan to act as Acting President. Other lawsuits pray the court to declare as unconstitutional, National Assembly’s declaration of Jonathan as Acting President.

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) commended with caution, National Assembly’s intervention and action on the political logjam from Ya’Adua’s prolonged absence by making Jonathan Acting President. In a communiqué issued at the end of its two day National Executive Council meeting, NBA said the National Assembly’s resolution would only temporarily resolve the leadership crisis that the long absence of Yar’Adua created in the country. The communiqué further stated, NBA would refrain from making further commentaries about the matter until it was resolved at the appellate court.

Ya’Adua’s sudden return came as a surprise to Nigerians, as a six-man ministerial team set up by the Executive Council of the Federation (EXCOF) had only left yesterday to Saudi Arabia to assess his health status. The ministerial team flew directly to Riyadh, the Saudi capital, where they met a representative of the King and expressed appreciation for the hospitality of the Kingdom to the ailing Nigerian leader. Ya’Adua without notice, left for his journey back to Nigeria before the ministerial team could get to Jeddah where he was, a one and half hour flight from Riyadh.

*CLICK LINK BELOW TO READ OUR ARTICLE OF 15/1/10 TITLED “‘Nigerian Army Watches’ As Yar’Adua ‘Aso Rocking’ Back ”

http://nigeriamasterweb.com/blog/index.php/2010/01/15/nigerian_army_watches_as_yar_adua_aso_ro

*Tags: Nigerians, Ya’Adua, Army, Military, Africa, Masterweb

[ Lufthansa Plans Special Flight Schedule - Cancels Today’s Flight Into Lagos ]

By Lateef Lawal

The management of Lufthansa has taken a pre-emptive measure to ensure that the strike planned by its pilots to begin anytime this week does not totally disrupt its flights in and out of Nigeria. As a result, corresponding adjustments are being made to its flight schedule.

From Monday(today) to Thursday, February 22- 25, about two thirds of the affected Lufthansa operated flights will be cancelled, however Lufthansa regional partners such as Lufthansa CityLine will operate their flights according to schedule.

The daily Abuja flight with continuation to Port Harcourt (four times a week) is going to operate normally. However, the Lagos flight, according to the special flight schedule, is being cancelled on Monday 22 February(today), and Thursday, 25 February.

The special flight schedule for the period of the strike can now be accessed at www.lufthansa.com. It lists all flights which should be operating according to the current planning. Depending upon the actual operating conditions during the days of the strike, further changes could be made to the special flight schedule. ( Continues below….. )

Customers who have purchased a Lufthansa ticket for a flight which is operated by a partner airline (codeshare) will not find the LH flight number known to them in the special flight schedule. Since the partner airlines of Lufthansa are not affected by the strike, their flights will operate as planned.

According to a press release by Lufthansa, the airline said it was doing everything within its power to reach its customers as soon as possible and offer them alternative travel options.

Passengers already booked on a Lufthansa flight during the period from February 22 to 25 can rebook once free of charge on another Lufthansa flight, if they wish to change their travel plans – provided their ticket was issued before February 18, the new travel date is before May 31, 2010 and their arrival and departure destinations remain the same.

Should a flight be cancelled, and the purpose of the journey no longer applies, passengers can cancel their booking free of charge.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, FAAN, Abuja, Lagos, Africa, Masterweb

By Kali Gwegwe

Human Silence is very deep, pregnant, and multi-faced. Its underlying spirit is influenced mostly by shock, regret, anger, disappointment, shame, pain, law, or desire for peace. The abnormal tight-lip posture demonstrated by President Musa Yar’Adua on the heels of the political tsunami that arose following his hospitalisation at the King Faisal Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia has helped to shed more light on the culture of silence and the collateral effects on a democratic society.

Events in the last two months has made it safe for this writer to suggest that the president’s unexpected silence has something to do with both his personal and forged perception of those people calling on him to activate section 145 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. As a kid, I was told that silence is the best food given to fools. As a matter of fact, Nigerians have been fed with enough bowls of silence about the health condition of their president. I remember vividly how one of my elder brothers nearly injured me for maintaining sealed lips when he sought information about his dinner. In my brother’s blunt opinion, I had called him a fool. By deliberately refusing to write to formally inform the National Assembly of his prolonged absence from office due to ill-health, many Nigerians believe that the president has squandered the goodwill they extended to him. They see themselves as being perceived as fools. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Nigeria’s Ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua at a Muslim prayer session in Abuja on September 29, 2009.

One other important reason for keeping silence is when one is in the premises of a sitting law court. As far as I know, King Faisal Hospital is not a law court and President Yar’Adua could therefore not be undergoing trial there. Like many others, I feel deeply touched by what the president is passing through at this time of his life. This is one strong reason why he still enjoys some amount of sympathy from Nigerians. Nevertheless, the presidency is like a tap root in a presidential democracy. A vacuum or disconnect in Aso Rock would portend danger for our nascent democracy.

Most of the seemingly anti-Yar’Adua campaigns are sincerely aimed at safe- guarding our budding democracy. Frankly, Yar’Adua’s immediate family and close aides did not manage the health issue properly. They painfully forgot that presidents and prime ministers all over the world hardly enjoy privacy. A president is more of a public property. The pro-Yar’Adua army must therefore appreciate this fact and stop seeing those who openly discuss Yar’Adua’s health as being inhuman. More than that, it is not yet a crime to fall sick. Nobody should therefore be ashamed of taking ill. Family members and close aides of Yar’Adua have painted the picture that it is a taboo for the president to fall sick. That was the reason why everything concerning his health condition has been wrapped in deep secrecy. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria Acting President

It is very difficult to explain why of the four official delegations that went to Saudi Arabia to see the president, none was allowed access. Despite this fact, more delegations are being packaged. The latest being that of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Why are we joining in celebrating a culture of silence? It is undemocratic. Due Process, Rule of Law, Transparency, Accountability do survive in societies that revere the culture of silence. Little wonder why there is so much corruption and mal-administration in the polity.

The president’s recent BBC interview opened another big chapter on the crude culture of silence. While many doubted the authenticity of the voice in the said interview, I dismissed it as Bibicitocracy- a sophisticated form of silence made to deceive listeners. As far as Nigerians are concerned, President Yar’Adua has not yet spoken. And he really needs to talk to Nigerians. For now, it is only the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) that can protect Nigerians from the artilleries of lies and deceit launched against them by the apostles and zealots of the culture of silence.

On recently, the federal government raised an alarm that some persons are engaging in campaigns of calumny against Acting President Goodluck Jonathan. The aim of the campaign is clear: To derail the acting president. The amount of success to be achieved by Jonathan would be dependent on how he is able to manage the powerful band of unpatriotic elements that have continued to hold this nation hostage in order to protect their parochial interests. Enough is enough!

Kali Gwegwe writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and can be reached at kali.gwegwe@nigerianfootballpost.com ( 0806 407 4810 )

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, Yar’Adua, Africans, Goodluck, Jonathan, Political, Politics, Leadership, Masterweb

By Lateef Lawal

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has partnered with Boeing, a major aircraft producing company to test-fly its latest product, the 747-800 series in Nigeria. The Boeing representative, Mr. Jerry Robinson, who met with the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, in Lagos said, “it’s the latest evolutionary variant of the Boeing 747 product from our factory in Seattle, USA”.

Robinson said that Boeing was willing to partner with FAAN towards developing the aviation industry, adding “Boeing is looking for airports that has facilities to test-fly the airplane”. He noted that the standard of facilities at both the Murtala Muhammed International Airport(MMIA), Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport(NAIA), Abuja met the requirements for the operation of the aircraft. Robinson continued that the runway and taxiway at both airports were adequate for the operation of the new 747-800 series.

Mr. Aisuebeogun expressed his delight at working with Boeing as a partner, and noted that FAAN and Boeing had common denominator, which was the desire to foster safety both in the air and on the ground. Boeing according to him, was sourcing for airports that has the capability to accommodate all the needs of the new airplane, which is 250 feet, 2 inches long, a difference of 18 feet, 4 inches longer than the 747-400 freighters. ( Continues below….. )

Nigeria is one of the few countries in Africa to be targeted for the test flight, because a lot of airlines targeted by Boeing ply the route. The technical committee set up by FAAN and NCAA, have already confirmed that the two airports, MMIA and NAIA, has the capacity to accommodate the airplane.

The Boeing 747-8 Freighter successfully took to the sky for the first time Monday, 8 February, 2010. With 747 Chief Pilot Mark Feuerstein and Capt. Tom Imrich in the flight deck, the newest member of the 747 family took off at 12:39 p.m. local time from Paine Field in Everett and landed at Paine Field at 4:18 p.m. According to Feuerstein: “It was a real privilege to be at the controls of this great airplane on its first flight, representing the thousands of folks who made today possible. The airplane performed as expected and handled just like a 747-400.”

This flight was the first of more than 1,600 flight hours in the test program for the newest member of the Boeing freighter family. The airplane followed a route over Western Washington, where it underwent tests for basic handling qualities and engine performance. The airplane reached a cruising altitude of 17,000 feet (5,181 m) and speed of up to 230 knots, about 264 miles (426 km) per hour. ( Continues below….. )

Powered by four General Electric GEnx-2B engines, the 747-8 Freighter will transition its testing program to Moses Lake, Washington, and Palmdale, California, where the other two test airplanes will join it in the coming month. 747-8 Freighter is the new, high-capacity 747 that will give cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any freighter.

The airplane 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long, is 18 feet, 4 inches (5.6 m) longer than the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides customers with 16 percent more cargo volume compared with its predecessor. This translates to an additional four main-deck pallets and three lower-hold pallets.

Boeing launched the airplane on 14 November, 2005 with firm orders for eighteen 747-8 Freighters: 10 from Cargolux of Luxembourg and eight from Nippon Cargo Airlines of Japan. All told, Boeing has secured 108 orders for the 747-8, of which 76 are orders for the new freighter.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, FAAN, Abuja, Lagos, Africa, Masterweb

By Ifeatu Agbu

It was just 9.30 am. Ogaga Akpomena, a commercial vehicle driver, has just arrived Warri motor station from Port Harcourt. Sharing a bottle of “ogogoro” with his friends, he was full of joy as the “agboros”[touts] strutted up and down the vicinity of the garage to entice passengers to his bus for a return journey to the Rivers State capital. To Ogaga, driving from Port Harcourt to Warri in less than three hours was worthy of celebration. The reason, according to him, is that until recently, he was spending between four and six hours on the same road because it was ridden with pot-holes. He said: “I thank Setraco, the contractor handling the dual carriageway for the work they are doing. More importantly, I thank the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for repairing most of the bad and dangerous spots, which were responsible for several accidents and armed robberies on the road.”

Thanking God for the improved condition of the Port Harcourt-Warri road is of special significance to Johnson Umeh. About one year ago, he lost his three-month old Toyota Corolla to the deep gullies between Mbiama and Kaiama. He narrowly escaped with his life. For this reason, he avoided the road like a plague for some time. So, he was pleasantly surprised when circumstances forced him to use the road recently. “I was impressed by the tremendous improvement on the road. I saw the signboards of the NDDC on several repaired spots, which I think is a commendable effort. Although a lot still needs to be done, the risk of plying the East/West Road is now drastically reduced.”

The NDDC, has taken up the challenge and is currently undertaking emergency rehabilitation and remedial works on the East/West Road, the main artery across the region. The commission’s rehabilitation works are quite evident in the hitherto very bad sections between Ahoada and Mbiama, Mbiama- Kaima, Kaima-Patani, Patani-Ughelli and Ughelli-Warri. Many of them have been repaired while work is ongoing in others. Similarly, remedial works have been done on other roads in the region. They include, Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Uyo Road in Akwa Ibom, as well as the Itu-Calabar highway in Cross River. The commission is also rehabilitating the Yenogoa-Kolo-Creek-Imiringi-Otueke Road, in Bayelsa state, among others. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Map of Nigeria’s Niger Delta Region showing Port Harcourt

Mr. Lucky Akorodudu, a commuter who said he uses the East/West Road regularly, was full of praises for the NDDC and Setraco for “coming to the rescue of travelers.” According to him, a few weeks ago, the road between Agbaro and Ughelli was virtually impassable. “The road was so bad that some motorists coming from Warri usually diverted to Out-Jeremi/Olumu bridge to Ughelli, which is about double the usual distance.”

The role of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in the face of the deplorable condition of the roads was called to question. Okorodudu, wanted to know if they are sleeping. Perhaps, their lethargy could be explained by the fact that they are supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works, which is often caught in the web of bureaucracy. Fortunately, the NDDC does not suffer from such encumbrances. In fact, in the last couple of years, it has now become a tradition for the commission to come to the rescue of road users in the Niger Delta whenever the roads are crumbling.

In 2008, the entire stretch of the Federal highway between Warri and Port Harcourt virtually collapsed and was impassable. Travelers were spending over 10 hours on a journey that should normally take less than three hours. Promptly, the NDDC waded in. Within a few weeks, it carried out the necessary repairs. It took similar actions on the notorious Ore-Benin Road some years back to alleviate the suffering of commuters, who were not just sleeping on the road but were also susceptible to attacks by robbers and rapists.

Mr. Benson Uwaifo, a driver with one of the transport companies that regularly plies the Port Harcourt-Warri-Benin route, said that if not for the involvement of the NDDC, they would have long abandoned the road. “We suffer a lot on the pothole-ridden road, which takes a heavy toll on human lives and vehicles. But thanks to the intervention of the NDDC,” he said.

As for Asoquo Coco Bassey, a Port Harcourt-based journalist, who frequently visits Calabar through the Itu-Calabar highway, the NDDC has once again made travelling on the road pleasurable and stress-free. “The NDDC has saved us from the nightmare that we used to go through on this road. In fact, motorists using this road are very happy with the commission. It used to take travellers about six hours to commute from Port Harcourt to Calabar, a journey that should normally take about three hours.” ( Continues below….. )

Even as the NDDC provides the palliatives as an interim measure, it has continued to push for a comprehensive transformation of the Niger Delta. Towards the end of last year, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N179.13 billion for the execution of 44 projects by the commission.

Ridding on this, the Board of the NDDC rose from its first meeting this year with an order to contractors handling the newly awarded mega projects of the commission to mobilize to their sites immediately. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Mr. Chibuzor Ugwoha, said that since most of the contractors had been paid mobilisation fees, there was no justification for them to be pussy-footing on the projects. He warned that the commission would no longer tolerate further delays from the contractors, more so when the rains are about to set in.

As part of its mandate to fast-track the development of the Niger delta, the commission has given due attention to the task of opening virgin forests to link up communities that were otherwise cut off by rivers, creeks and swamps. In this category, the 18-kilometre Odi-Trofani Road in Kolokuma-Opokuma council of Bayelsa state stands out. The first day that the NDDC automobiles rolled into Trofani, the people, particularly the children, were overwhelmed with joy. “Moto bodo! Moto bodo!” (Motor has come! Motor has come!), they rejoiced. Priye Adokeme, who hails from the town said: “Before this road was constructed, none of us could come home with our cars. That was very painful. Now Trofani’s sons and daughters can drive home in their vehicles and that has changed the socio-economic life of our people.”

Elder Godsday Orubebe, the Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, said he was impressed by the performance of the NDDC, in tackling people-oriented projects. Orubebe said that it was important for him to be at the commissioning of phase one of the Bomadi-Tuomo Road and the flag-off of the second phase of the Bomadi-Tuomo-Tamigbe Road because it is one of the key arteries that would link up the Ijaws in Delta, Bayelsa and Edo states.

“What the NDDC has done with the completion of the Bomadi-Tuomo Road phase one and the flag-off of the second phase that will connect Tuomo with Tamigbe is typical of what the Federal Government desires for the Niger Delta Region, no matter how difficult the terrain is,” He called on other stakeholders not to abandon the task of developing the region entirely to the NDDC, stressing that with partnership and collaboration, development would be comprehensive.

Chief Edwin Clark, a highly respected Ijaw leader, told the gathering that the NDDC has by this landmark corrected the impression that what the Ijaws desire is only river and water transportation.” I am glad this is happening in my lifetime, the world can see that roads are possible in the most difficult terrain of the Niger Delta Region.”

In Rivers State, the commission came to the rescue of the people of Omuma Local Government Area who were for long separated from their brothers in the neighbouring Etche Local Government Area by a river. The 12-kilometer Okehi-Eberi-Omuma Road with a 120-metre bridge, constructed by the NDDC did the magic. The community Development Committee Chairman, Mr. Ernest Nwosu captured the mood of the people thus: “We have gone through pains and difficult moments because of access road. Previously, the villagers taxed themselves to raise funds for the road project, but this did not succeed. Now, here we are with a fantastic road and bridge. Our people are full of gratitude for what the NDDC has done for them.”

Two brotherly Ohuhu communities in Imo and Abia states share a similar story. The Ekeoba-Umudibia Road links the two next-door neighbours in Abia and Imo states for the first time in history. Before this, the Imo River divided them. Nneoma Uwadirioha, whose farm is on the banks of the river, said that there was celebration in both communities the day the road/ bridge was commissioned. Seventy-year-old Ichie Friday Okeke said that, before the road, “we used wooden canoe to paddle across the Imo River and trek to Eke Ikpa and other places to interact with our kith and kin. Others used canoes to reach their farm lands across the river.”

In Akwa Ibom State, relief would soon come for the Ibeno people, who are waiting for the completion of Iko-Atabrikong-Ikot-Ewang-Okoroutip-Iwuuo Achang road, the first link road in the area. It connects more than 20 villages.Elder Sunday Benson-Akpan, who is already using his pick-up van on the finished part said: “I’m very happy. We are enjoying the road built by the NDDC. It is helping us to move our farm produce to Uyo and Eket".

The head of Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Dr. Christy Atako said that so far, the commission has undertaken about 4,000 kilometres of road projects in its determined efforts to open up the rural areas of the oil-rich region.

Mr. Ifeatu Agbu ( ifeatuagbu@yahoo.com ) writes from Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, Niger Delta, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Jobs, Africa, Masterweb

By Masterweb News Desk

Renegade soldiers in armored vehicles yesterday stormed Niger’s presidential palace seizing President Mamadou Tandja and his ministers after fierce gun battle. Tandja was holding a Cabinet meeting at the time of the palace attack. Tandja and the ministers are reportedly being detained at an unknown location. Their whereabouts still remained unknown at the time of this report. The mutinous troops reportedly came from a military barrack in Tondibia, about 7 miles west of Niamey, the state capital. According to Moussa Mounkaila, a presidential driver who witnessed the attack: “Armored vehicles came into the palace and began shooting at the building.” Mounkaila said he saw smoke rising from the damaged palace and jumped over a wall and fled.

The coup leader and spokesman for the junta, Major Adamou Harouna surrounded by a large number of soldiers, announced over state TV that they had staged a successful coup. He announced the suspension of the country’s constitution and dissolution of all state institutions. He said the country was to be led by the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy(CSRD). Harouna called on the people of Niger to “remain calm and stay united around the ideals postulated by the CSRD", to “make Niger an example of democracy and good governance.” “We call on national and international opinions to support us in our patriotic action to save Niger and its population from poverty, deception and corruption,” Harouna added. Col. Adamou Harouna, was former aide-de-camp of Niger’s previous coup leader Major Daouda Mallam Wanke. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: President Mamadou Tandja of Niger

Major Wanke led the 1999 coup, seizing power after Niger’s former military leader was gunned down in what the army dubbed “accidental discharge.” Wanke organized free and fair elections less than a year later, which brought Tandja to power.

Niger’s borders were reported closed with the imposition of dusk-to-dawn curfew in the capital Niamey. An Air France flight that was scheduled to land in Niamey on Thursday, was rerouted to neighboring Burkina Faso. A private plane of Senegalese foreign minister, dispatched by Senegal’s President Abdoulaye Wade met the same faith as it was prevented from landing in Niamey. The situation in Niamey remains tense, but sources say the borders were reopened today. The bodies of three soldiers, casualties from the palace attack, have been deposited at a military mortuary. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Map of Niger

Tandja became president in 1999 after winning what many described as free and fair election. He manipulated the constitution removing term limits that allowed him to hang onto power pass his full term. The amendment also gave him near-totalitarian powers.

Niger became tense and isolated after Tandja’s manipulations. The 15-nation regional bloc of West African states (ECOWAS) suspended Niger from its ranks. The United States suspended non-humanitarian aid to Niger, imposing travel restrictions on some government officials.

*Tags: Nigerians, Niger, Coup, Army, Military, Africa, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Corruption and Recruitment of the Unemployed

By Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee

The issue of corruption and its twin brother bribery, has continued to protrude their monsteric heads in all spheres of life, most importantly in the area of employment. To begin with, it is the aspiration of parents of university, polytechnic, etc. graduates that their wards get a well paid and decent job after the completion of their National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) program. Regrettably, the wish, hope and expectations of many parents and their wards are more often than not dashed, no thanks to the corruption infested leadership of this country.

This writer was shocked to the bone marrow when he witnessed colossal turnout of applicants, who came to undertake Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) job interview at the state capital of Imo state, Owerri last year December. I was surprised because I thought not too many will be interested to work as an officer of (NSCDC). The level I placed a paramilitary organization known as Man O’ War was also the same position I regarded the Nigeria Security and Civil Denfence Corps to be. I bothered myself with the question: why are people so much interested in NSCDC job? ( Continues below….. )

First, unemployment has now reached an alarming stage that one can apply for vacancies hitherto overlooked by many in the past. Second, majority of applicants want a Federal Government job that will ensure that they get paid (pension) after their retirement.

While over thirty-seven thousand applicants applied for just less than four thousand job vacancies in the NSCDC, the question is; how will the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps provide five thousand jobs assuming they (5,000 applicants) were successful in their job interview which is more than the number of job vacancies available? According to a confidential officer of the corps, when asked the time names of successful applicants will be shortlisted and released. This was his reply: I don’t know but have you followed it up to Abuja? Which means that it is only those that have impregnable connection to who is who in NSCDC in Abuja as well as the financial backbone to bribe their way in, are in a better position to have their names shortlisted. Quite regrettable, the kind of country we live in.

As it is in NSCDC, so also it is in the Nigeria Immigration service, State Security Service, Nigerian Air Force and others when it comes to bribing one’s in or out. When will the placement of job applicants be based on merit and success and not on cutting corners? When will indigent job applicants in Nigeria secure employment without being frustrated after many years of job hunt by those who know who is who in high places? ( Continues below….. )

The above state of affairs is a factor that has compelled a few unemployed persons to engage in life of crime. They are readily accessible by the political class who use them to advance their inordinate political ambition during electioneering. A handful of politically motivated assassination, though most times played down on by cops, is traceable to unemployment. The stuffing and snatching of ballot boxes by youths is also linked to joblessness.

This trend needs to be reversed by all concerned. I have always looked at existence from an optimistic viewpoint, but what is going on as concerned the subject of this piece (corruption and recruitment of the unemployed) makes me wonder whether the much touted war on corruption as well as rebranding of Nigeria will be won. It is therefore essential to give merit and success a chance in the recruitment of the unemployed, without allowing those who calls the shots to use their positions to favour those who greased their palms heavily or those who are related to them.

My God free Nigeria from this virus – Corruption which has become obstinate and endemic even with presence of an anti-virus agency – EFCC.

Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee, writes from Igboeche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Niger Delta, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

By Kali Gwegwe

Events following the hospitalization of President Yar’Adua at King Faisal Hospital in Saudi Arabia have clearly unmasked the nature of truth. It has shown that truth is very bitter. People believe and speak the truth not because they do not have tongues. They stand by the truth mainly for the good of the future. Speaking the truth is like sowing seeds. On the other hand, many do not like truth because it does not support injustice and illegality.

Every action of man and society has elements of truth and falsehood. It is very true that President Yar’Adua is human and should therefore be excused for falling sick. Despite the strong argument by some persons in and outside government that the absence of the president from office for more than two months did not create any power vacuum, it was noticeable that the Nigerian federal bureaucracy was being hampered. For the first time in the history of the nation, the Chief Judge of the Federation was sworn-in by a retiring Chief Judge. In the same vein, Federal Permanent Secretaries could not be sworn-in all because the vice president had no powers to do same. There were other functions the vice president could not perform by virtue of the presidential power vacuum. That was the reason why the 2009 Supplementary Budget was taken to President Yar’Adua in Saudi Arabia to endorse. Why was it not given to Goodluck Jonathan to sign if there was indeed no power vacuum? This is the main element of falsehood in President Yar’Adua’s illness. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria Acting President

Like I have highlighted in several of my other publications concerning the current political developments in the country, there is a huge misunderstanding of the real meaning of loyalty. The National Pledge is very clear about this:

I pledge to Nigeria my country; To faithful, loyal and honest; To serve Nigeria with all my strength; To defend her unity; So help me God.

What many government officials have been doing is a misdirected loyalty to President Yar’Adua. Nigeria is bigger than any one individual. Before the intervention of the National Assembly, some self-seeking politicians, traditional rulers, and socio-cultural organisations were almost making a dictator out of Yar’Adua by encouraging him to hang on to power at all cost. By not formally handing over power temporarily to his vice, President Yar’Adua was indirectly doing a disservice to his office and country, which he has sworn to defend. It is unpatriotic for any one to argue that the country should stand still and wait for one man. The main aim of political leadership is to secure the mandate of the electorates to offer quality leadership. It is not to advance and protect parochial interests. All the noise about power sharing agreement is aimed at protecting mostly tribal interests. No healthy country; built on the pillars of justice, fair play, and the rule of law would choose tribal sentiments ahead of noble principles- integrity and patriotism.

It is necessary to point out that in July 1985, President Roland Reagan of the United States temporarily handed over power to Vice President George Bush to enable him attend to his health. Between 2002 and 2007, the junior Bush; as president of the United States also handed over power temporarily to Vice President Dick Cheney twice when he was to undergo medical procedure at Camp David- the presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains. Presidential spokesperson, Tony Snow had told reporters then that, “Vice President Dick Cheney will serve as acting president until the president notifies authorities that he is ready to reassume his powers.” This is a fine example of a decent democratic culture- free of tribal and political sentiments. This is what Due Process and Rule of Law really mean. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: President Umaru Yar’Adua of Nigeria

By attempting to cling onto power at all cost, President Yar’Adua was indirectly saying he does not believe in the spirit of presidential democracy. Apart from tribal sentiments; there was actually no reason why a president cannot trust his vice with power. It becomes even more disturbing with a personality like Goodluck Jonathan; who has an intimidating record of humility. President Yar’Adua therefore never needed to nurse whatever fears about officially handing over power temporarily to his vice. The insinuation by the former Attorney-General, Michael Aaondoakaa that the vice president was already empowered to perform presidential duties was a lie. If not so, why was the 2009 Supplementary Budget flown to Saudi Arabia for the president’s assent? Why was Goodluck Jonathan not asked to swear-in the incumbent Chief Judge of the federation?

On the issue of legality of the actions of the National Assembly in conferring acting presidentship on Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, I make bold to state that the legislators were only being nice, and at the same time chosen an option that will promote the unity of the country. Ordinarily, the president was supposed to have been sanctioned severely for refusing to officially informing the National Assembly of his long absence from office due to ill-health. This writer believes that notifying the National Assembly of his inability to carry out constitutional presidential duties for the time being would have left the presidency on the laps of Goodluck Jonathan. To avoid this, all sorts of tricks were employed. Unfortunately, the National Assembly refused to ignore the wisdom that is buried in the shallow grave of common sense.

It is the aim of every government to promote peace, unity, and progress of man and society. If the Nigerian people; through their representatives in the National Assembly believes the essence of government would be met by making the vice president an acting president, so let it be. What we need to do now is to pray for the quick recovery of President Yar’Adua and also encourage Goodluck Jonathan to deliver on the dividend of democracy pending the return and assumption of work by the president.

Lets us as individuals and groups not play roles or take positions that will not promote the growth of democracy in this country. Posterity will not forgive us if we fail to unite this country because of our parochial interests.

Kali Gwegwe writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and can be reached at kali.gwegwe@nigerianfootballpost.com ( 0806 407 4810 )

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, Yar’Adua, Africans, Goodluck, Jonathan, Political, Politics, Leadership, Masterweb

[ Commercial Department in illegal waiver scandal ]

By Lateef Lawal

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) may have lost several billions of naira in Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) from both aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue sources. This may have been due to the connivance of some officials of FAAN’s Commercial Department in illegally giving waivers to some companies and tenants of the authority.

FAAN position contrasts Babatunde Omotoba’s (Minister of Aviation) directive that all agencies including FAAN must ensure that all accruable revenue be collected from all debtors. Omotoba further directed that all concessionaires, including oil companies must pay agreement concession fee of 5% and that audited accounts of all concessionaires must be obtained.

Contrary to the ministerial directives, officials of FAAN Commercial Department have allegedly cultivated the corrupt culture of unilaterally waiving debts for personal aggrandizement to the detriment of the authority. This also denies the federal government revenue from taxes payable on such collections not duly paid into FAAN account. debts. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: FAAN logo On A Nigerian Map in Nigerian Flag Colours

One of such illegalities was contained in a memo by a top official in FAAN Commercial Department asking the debt collector of the authority to stop collection of concession fees from oil companies that supply Jet-A1 to airlines at Lagos Airport. It is a known fact that most of the oil marketers are indebted to FAAN and in some cases when they pay, the real amount paid are not reflected in the books. This is evident in one of FAANs the letters reference no: FAAN/500/GM/COMM/495/VOL.1 and titled: RE:Concession Fees Payable On Annual Turnover from Trading Activities by Oil Companies(Jet-A1), it read: Please, be informed that oil companies supplying Jet-A1 fuel to the airlines at the airport do not pay 5% of their annual turnover as concession fees to the authority. Be advised to reverse them accordingly.

Among major debtors of FAAN which the debt collector ought to collect on behalf of the authority include but not limited to-Sahara Oil N532m, Mobil-over N200m, Total N779m and African Petroleum N800m. This is just from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos alone. Similar illegalities are said to be going on at 19 other airports across the country. ( Continues below….. )

It has been found out that Joint User Hydrant Installation (one of the concessionaires) that had been in business in Nigeria for over 15 years did not have any land lease agreement with FAAN and officials in the commercial department did nothing while the illegality continued. Joint User Hydrant only pays rent without lease agreement.

For every liter of Jet-A1 lifted by an aircraft, the sum of N1.60 is expected to be paid as fuel surcharge to FAAN. If for example an aircraft lifts 50,000 liters for a one way flight, N80,000 is payable to FAAN, in one month (30 days), N2.4m and in one year (12 months), N28.8m. A FAAN inside source noted that with the number of aircraft plying the country’s airspace and lifting several millions of liters of Jet-A1 every month, FAAN would be rendered unviable with diversion of the enormous funds from the lifting into private pockets.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, FAAN, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Africa, Masterweb

By Kali Gwegwe

The leadership institution is a very fundamental element of every family and society on the face of the earth. It among other things promotes peace, unity, orderliness, and progress. Owing to its very peculiar nature, everybody cannot lead or be a leader at the same time. While some persons are born with leadership qualities, others acquire it through learning. There are still those who are compelled to become leaders by different kinds of circumstances. Despite the category a leader may emerge from, one thing is certain: Leadership is all about offering selfless service to God, man, and society. Being selfless means pursuing a life of honesty and dedication.

Politics is a social exercise largely aimed at securing the mandate of the electorates to offer quality leadership for the good of man and society. While the electorates in Nigeria are at the mercy of politicians, the reverse is the case in developed democracies. The electorates are seen and treated like Kings. This is so because, their votes actually count. It underscores the fact that a credible electoral system is the foundation for good governance. ( Continues below….. )

No doubt, the quality of political leadership in most European countries, Australia, Canada, and the United States is by far higher than what is obtainable here in Nigeria. This is not because politicians in those countries are angels. Rather, their electoral system has practically put power in the hands of voters. This reality has forced politicians to offer quality leadership through selfless service so as to secure the mandate of voters.

Owing largely to the poor electoral framework in Nigeria, politics and public office have been turned into platforms for self-seeking individuals and groups to amass ill-gotten wealth. Little or no thought is given to the feelings of the citizenry. That is the main reason why almost fifty years after gaining political independence from Britain, a greater percentage of Nigerians do not have access to electricity, education, health care, sanitation, safe drinking water, decent transport infrastructure.

The fact that Nigeria is the sixth largest producer of crude oil makes one to wonder why poverty and disease has still continued to grow in the country. Beyond that, it has become obvious that a greater mass of the Nigerian populace is tired of bad political leadership. This could be confirmed by the rising number of pro democracy groups and emergence of the culture of political oppositions at the state and federal levels of the country within the last ten years. ( Continues below….. )

It would not be worth the effort if this writer fails to draw the attention of readers to one fundamental source of failed political leadership in Nigeria. Let me therefore emphasise here that corruption and tribalism are the major reason why our leaders have not been able to respond to the yearnings of the masses. Owing to very deep tribal interests, past military and political leaders could not locate proper solutions to combat the hydra-headed problems of corruption. It is strictly unNigerian to indict or expose a fellow tribesman for corruption. Colonial Britain planted the seed of tribalism in Nigeria. She did this for her own selfish economic interests. Before the birth of the Nigerian nation following the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914, the numerous tribes were not offered any opportunity to discuss their future. Such discussion would have enabled the tribes to set safeguards and standards on how they would co-exist. This arrangement would have also helped to protect the rights and privileges of both the major and minor tribes so as to avoid conflicts.

Every sincere Nigerian would agree that that the constitutional crisis that arose from President Yar’Adua’s long absence due to ill-health was uncalled for. It was simply the idea of a few government officials who were only pursuing their personal and tribal interests. Not minding the impression they were creating, most of the pro-Yar’Adua group clearly betrayed their parochial lust. They never had the interest of Nigeria at heart. This was the only reason why government officials could direct their loyalty to an individual- instead of Nigeria as clearly suggested by the National Pledge: I pledge to the Nigeria my country To faithful, loyal and honest To serve Nigeria with all my strength To defend her unity And uphold her honour and glory So help me God.

There is no portion in the National Anthem that directs loyalty to the president. Blind loyalty is only practiced in a military government. As humans; while it is necessary for us to identify with those that are sick, it would be unpatriotic for any one to suggest that the country be shut down for this sake. Until the National Assembly made Dr. Goodluck Jonathan the Acting President, Nigeria was grinding to a halt. If he could neither swear-in key public officers nor endorse appropriation bills; what then makes any one to believe there was no vacuum in the presidency? Let us stop deceiving ourselves!

Kali Gwegwe writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and can be reached at kali.gwegwe@nigerianfootballpost.com ( 0806 407 4810 )

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, Yar’Adua, Africans, Goodluck, Jonathan, Political, Politics, Leadership, Masterweb

[ Owes Govt., Agencies & Fuel Marketers N10b ]

By Lateef Lawal

Arik Air, the airline that prides itself as the largest operator in the country, has now been discovered to be the biggest detor airline in Nigeria. Arik is indebted to various agencies in the industry to the tune of about 10 billion naira. The regulatory agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA) confirmed yesterday that Arik is indebted to it in the tune of N1.1b.

This was disclosed by the Director General of NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren while fielding questions from journalists at the opening of a three-day workshop on the new Nigerian civil aviation regulations organized for airline operators and other stakeholders at Tamarin Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to Demuren, series of meetings were held with Arik management with the aim of persuading them to pay, but would raise issues of errors in billing which the authority is looking into. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: A landing Arik Plane

Further checks in the industry indicated that Arik is also owing the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) N1.66b in unpaid navigational charges for over two years.

Meeting had been called twice last month by NAMA aimed at reaching an agreement on how Arik would start installmental payment on the debt. Arik management both times turned down the invitation.

Arik is also discovered to owe various oil Marketers over N3b for the fuelling of its aircraft over the past 12 months. Lately, some of the marketers now operate on cash-and-carry basis with the airline, while waiting for their past bills to be settled. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria.

In the same vein, the airline is said to be owing both the newly privatized ground handling company - Skyway Aviation Handling Company(SAHCOL) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) N1.3b and about N1b respectively.

Almost all the officials of the creditor government agencies refused to be quoted on the debt situation with Arik. They claim that the owner of Arik is so powerful that he could get the Presidency to deal with them, if they dare talk to the press.

Lateef Lawal (NigerianAviationNews)

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, Arik, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Jos, Africa, Masterweb

[ NCAA Tasks Operators On 100% Compliance or Get Penalized ]

By Lateef Lawal

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA) organized a three-day workshop in Lagos on the New Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations(NCARs) 2009. It was specifically targeted at all airline operators, parastatals in the industry and other stakeholders, to get them to understand the rational behind the revised NCARs, such as the general policies, procedures and definitions of aspects of the new regulations.

The new regulations cover among others, General Licensing Requirements, ATC License, Flight Crew Licensing, Aero Medical, Cabin Crew Licensing, Approved Training Organizations(ATOs), Aircraft Registration and Marking, Approved Maintenance Organization(AMO),Operations and Air Operator Certification among others. ( Continues below….. )

The Director General of NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren after the opening session, spoke with aviation journalists on the workshop and other industry issues. Below is excerpt from Demuren’s press encounter:

Press Question: What informed the workshop? Answer: Aviation is changing everyday and the requirements for safety have become paramount to all of us. As we move higher to achieve our safety ysstandard and make sure we can have a safe operation, we need enduring safety regulations. This safety regulation, is asking for 100 percent compliance. Things have changed in the industry. In the last two years, you will find out that we have not actually failed. That is the way to do it and that is the way we are going to meet up. We will be looking at various regulations. You must train your people do maintenance.

On Expectation at the end of the workshop

Demuren Says - At the end of this conference, the entire industry will be aware exactly what the new regulations are, as regards compliance and enforcement. If there is anything like violation, there is going to be very strict penalty. The consequences may be very severe. You may get your licenses suspended, withdrawn or revoked. If we are sure that an airline is no longer in a position to carry out safe operation, we will revoke the AOC of the airline. The people are aware of this and they are doing everything to make sure they comply, while airlines that are grounded or suspended operations are doing their best to make sure they come back. Arik’s Debt to NCAA is over 1.1 billion naira. We have held two meetings with their management during which they raised questions over billings. We are doing something about this. Let me clarify the issue of Bellview and Afrijet’s AOC. Afrijet and Bellview AOC’s were not revoked. They have shown interest to start operations and they are talking to us. They stopped operations and their AOC’s were not revoked. We are looking into that. Our officials are looking into their papers, including their finances. They must comply before they can come back. They must comply with the requirements.

Still On the Conference

Demuren - This is a safety conference. It is not organized because of what happened in Nigeria. We ought to have done it before the incident of December. It was postponed by ICAO.

On Requirements by aviation agencies

Demuren Says - There is something about meeting regulatory requirements. There are certain minimum requirements that you must meet. We bring a lot of people with experience from the industry to come and implement what they have. They are only temporary staff and it does not affect the workers’ promotion. It is a short time measure.

On Nigeria’s pursuit of attaining CAT 1

Demuren Says - We are very well. We are very hopeful. Notwithstanding what has happened (Attempted bombing of a Northwest aircraft in Detroit, US by a Nigerian, Abdulmuttalab), we have already done most of the work. We virtually finished before that incident occurred. So we are on course. We just have to tidy up things.

On screening machine

Demuren Says - FAAN is doing very well to install screening machines. The latest is that FAAN is being placed on a priority list. Many nations have placed orders for screening machines, but the good news is that Nigeria is on the priority list for shipment. We are proud of this.

Lateef Lawal ( NigerianAviationNews )

Photo Above: Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria.

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, Aviation, Africans, World, Masterweb

*Nigeria: Akunyili’s Memo, FEC & The Presidency

By Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee

The way Nigeria ship of political destiny is sailing since the absence of Mallam Musa Yar’ Adua as a result of his ill health of which he went to Saudi Arabia to attend to, has continued to agitate my whole being following the hullabaloo in and around the rank and file of the political heavy weights. While a few patriotic Nigerians have stood up to be reckoned with in the political history of this forced marriage and entity called Nigeria, by asking President Umar Musa Yar’ Adua to allow the Vice President to be acting as the President of Nigeria, pending when he (Umar Musa Yar, Adua) recuperates fully well or if need be hand over power completely to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, some mischievous political faggots, albatross, squandermeniac , whose stock in trade is to truncate our dear invaluable democracy for their parochial and selfish interest to the detriment of the citizens of this country and foreign nationals have continued to their hide and seek game with fate of this nation ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Professor Dora Akunyili, Nigeria Minister of Information.

This is what I consider as the ultimate disservice any politician whether elected or appointed could extend to us all. The happenings in this country at present is a good enough reason for the khaki boys to usurp administration of this nation. But God should not allow it to be, because many have argued that the worst civil rule is better than that of the military. I still want to urge the present crop of military men and women to tolerate the politicians and the political logjam and quagmire which those at the corridors of power have immersed us in while patiently waiting for its resolution till only God knows when.

The likes of Minister of Information and communication should be commended, though for their belated demonstration of good will and rationalism, following her presentation of memo to the FEC which has continued to generate mixed reactions. While others have commended her dogged stance as regards the presentation of the memo which will allow Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to assume the full authority of the President, some unprogressive have surreptitiously and overtly pitched their tents against her by calling for her resignation. While others see her action as betrayal of trust, I am moved to ask; shall we continue to sin so that grace may abound? You answer is as good as mine. At the age of almost 50 years, this nation is to big for a few individuals or cabal who have no meaningful contributions to make, except to line their bottomless infested pocket and to hold the nation to ransom. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: President Umaru Yar’Adua of Nigeria

My advice to the Minister of Information and Communication is that, she should not retract whatsoever she must have said pertaining to the memo and if the worse comes, she should take the path of honour and morality according to OBJ. I therefore urge all to ask for that which is right to be honestly followed.

For the FEC, Hon. Dora Akunyili, the presidency, National House Assembly, civil rights activists, etc the right or wrong decisions we make today, whether morally right or wrong, will surely affect us and generations yet to come positively or negatively. Toe the right path to save Nigeria from further international disgrace and shame, chaos or military take over by swearing in Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as the acting President with unhindered presidential powers.

May God bless this good people and great or intractable nation, Nigeria.

Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee, writes from Igboeche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Niger Delta, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

By Masterweb News Desk

[ A Press Conference Speech On Sunday, February 7, 2010 By Peter Obi, Incumbent Governor of Anambra State, On His Re-Election Victory At The Polls. ]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to address you and indeed the entire world on the Gubernatorial election which was conducted in Anambra yesterday.

This election was unique in several respects: one, it was the only one that was conducted throughout Nigeria yesterday. Two, the entire world literally monitored it either directly or indirectly. Thirdly, although the age-old inadequacies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in terms of poor preparation, late arrival of electoral materials, etc, manifested, they were minimal.

However, in spite of the foregoing, vote-counting, collation and announcement of results were relatively transparent. I wish to commend the INEC, election observers and monitors in this connection. For this singular reason also, I accept the result of the election as declared by INEC, namely, that I won this election.

May I take this opportunity to thank the good people of Anambra State for their massive support for me. By returning me for a second term, you have shown that you support our modest efforts at transforming our dear State. I promise you that my team and I will even do more in our second term to better your lot.

As for my brothers and sisters who contested the election with me, I commend them for their patriotism and desire to serve our people. You have no doubt put up a gallant fight. What is most important now is that we remain good brothers and sisters that we have been over the years and join hands in building a better Anambra State for ourselves and our children.

Finally, may I sincerely thank everyone – the security agencies, journalists (local and international) , the political class, election monitors and observers, the clergy – just everyone who has contributed one way or another in ensuring that this election succeeded in spite of some odds.

May God bless all of us!

Peter Obi, Governor, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Photo Above: Anambra State Governor Peter Obi

Josiah Uwazuronye, Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), late Sunday declared incumbent Governor Peter Obi winner of the state gubernatorial election held on Saturday. In his announcement Uwazuronye said: “Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and his return elected.”

According to INEC announcement, Governor Obi overwhelmingly won the election with 97,843 votes, ahead of closest rival Chris Ngige of Action Congress (AC) opposition party, who amassed 60,240. Chukwuma Soludo of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came in third with 59,365 votes.

Emeka Anyaouku, former Commonwealth Secretary General told newsmen in Lagos that Anambra election would shape the direction elections take next year, adding that Nigeria was at a crossroads where its affairs were not as bright as they should be. Dora Akunyili, Nigeria Information Minister speaking with local AIT television news crew at the INEC office in Awka, said the election showed the need for electoral reform. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Governor Peter Obi (Left), Wife (Right)

Election results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) early Sunday morning from 5 local governments put incumbent Governor Peter Obi ahead of 24 other gubernatorial contenders. Peter Obi, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) flag bearer, amassed a total of 23,337 votes from Anambra East, Onitsha South, Awka South, Dunukofia and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas. He is trailed by Chris Ngige, Action Congress (AC) candidate, who rolled in 13,270 votes. Chukwuma Soludo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer came in third with 12,607 votes. INEC is yet to announce results from 16 local government areas. There are a total of 21 local government areas in Anambra State.

Unofficial results compiled by unconfirmed sources on Saturday from 13 local government areas, put Peter Obi ahead of other candidates. INEC declaration of Obi, the winner, and the precision of the prediction of Saturday’s unconfirm sources shows the extent private election monotoring has grown in Nigeria.

Anambra Election Watch Log for Saturday, February 6, 2010.

[ INEC went ahead and held Anambra gubernatorial election Saturday, despite a Federal High Court ruling barring it. INEC said it had not been served any court order barring the election. ]

Election News Update - Saturday, February 6, 2010

[8.00 am - 9.00 am] - Electoral materials leave INEC’s office for polling centers amidst tight security. Buses conveying electoral materials followed by opposition parties in hired buses.

9.00 am - Scores of policemen are stranded at the Police Divisional Headquareters in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA, with no vehicles to convey them to their assigned polling stations. Many are hitch hiking rides on both private and commercial vehicles. Officially polling boths are to open at 8.00 am.

9.00 am - There are no INEC staff nor election materials at several polling boths. INEC blames the police for the delay in the arrival of election materials.

9.30 am - Thugs beat up Olufemi Aduwo, INEC monitoring Committee member after he claimed to have discovered a list of INEC officials set up for bribery. Violence between suspected PDP thugs and some election monitors at Barn Hotel, Awka.

10.00 am - Election officials and materials arrive Oko, hometown of Alex Ekwueme. Voters are just now beginning to queue up in line to cast their votes. There are no election officials nor materials at Isuofia, hometown of Chukwuma Soludo, PDP gubernatorial candidate. Voters are patiently waiting at polling stations.

10.40 am - Election materials for to the various polling centers are just now being distributed at Ekwulobia Central School. A fake policeman arrested at the headquarters of Oyi Local Govt. as he tried to enter a police escort van.

11.00 am - Police at Awka North LG orders voting to stop at booths without security agents. Youth Corpers recruited as election officials are stranded at Aguata LG headquarters, because there are no vehicles to take them to their polling stations.

11.30 am - Voting yet to start at Uga, hometown of Andy Uba. Tension mounts in Achalla, Awka North Local Govt. as people await election officials and materials.

12.00 pm - Voting materials at Isuofia, Aguata LG reportedly loaded in a van and driven away to an undisclosed location. Election materials arrive Okpuno Ezinifite, three hours behind schedule. Most voters at Ojoto cannot find their names in the register.

12.15 pm - Voting has not started at Ogbunike and Umunya, both in Oyi LGA. Thugs moving around town in buses at Ogbunike.

1.00 pm - Uwazuruonye, a member of Anambra House of Assembly arrives at the office of the resident electoral commissioner in Awka South LG. complaining voting is yet to start at his ward, Awka VII.

1.30 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces that the elections must stop at 4.00 pm as scheduled. According to the statement, after that hour, no voter would be allowed into any polling station, but people already in line could continue voting. Fighting reported at Ifitedunu.

1.45 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces extension of voting across the state to 5.00 pm. Many names are reportedly missing from voters’ registers across the state.

2.00 pm - Fierce fight reported in Agukwu Nri in Aniocha LGA between PPA and APGA supporters. Damien Ejidike, a PDP member, arrested with voters’ cards at Ichi in Ekwusigo LGA.

3.15 pm - Damien Ejidike released.

3.30 pm - Ballot box missing at Uli Ward I, Unit 26. Ballot boxes been snatched at Okpokp Ward VI by thugs.

4.00 pm - Thugs armed to the teeth invade several polling stations snatching ballot boxes as voting winds down for counting at the polling boths. Security agents unable to contain thugs as they are armless at the boths as ordered by INEC.

4.10 pm - Igboukwu polling station attacked by heavily armed thugs in two green buses(one without license plates) shooting into the air and threatening security operatives and INEC officials with death. Thugs load up ballot boxes into buses, but were challenged by the army as they drove off. In a fierce shootout with the army, they abandoned the buses and as they fled four were captured and taken to Aguata police station.

4.20 pm - Voting ends in a couple of LGAs that did not witness armed snatching of ballot boxes by thugs, Dunukofia LGA one of them. Counting begins at these LGAs.

5.30 pm - Gov. Peter Obi (APGA candidate) is reported leading in Ihiala, Onithsa North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Aniocha, Ogbaru and Aguata LGAs. Chris Ngige (APGA candidate) reportedly leading in Idemili South and Idemili North LGAs. Uche Ekwunife (PPA candidate) leads in Dunukofia her home base, according to our source. Chukwuma Soludo (PDP candidate) has not won any LGA so far according to the same source.

6.00 pm - According to sources, incumbent Governor Peter Obi is leading in 13 out of the 21 local government areas of the state. Chris Ngige (AC) is said to be trailing Obi with Soludo (PDP) third, Andy Uba (LP) fourth and Ekwunife (PPA) fifth. Olisa Metuh, National Vice Chairman of PDP SE zone, describes the election as a charade, saying what took place could not pass for a credible election. Labour Party candidate, Andy Uba, describes the election a “complete mess”, wondering how a winner could emerge from it. APGA leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu showered praises on INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Friday, February 5, 2010

12.00 pm - Security forces are on high alert in Anambra State, as count down to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday begins. Masterweb correspondent reports that as at 12.00 pm today 10,000 Civil Defence Officers were in front of the Anambra State Police Headquarters awaiting deployment.

*Tags: Nigerians, Anambra, State, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

By Masterweb News Desk

Election results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) early this morning from 5 local governments put incumbent Governor Peter Obi ahead of 24 other gubernatorial contenders. Peter Obi, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) flag bearer, amassed a total of 23,337 votes from Anambra East, Onitsha South, Awka South, Dunukofia and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas. He is trailed by Chris Ngige, Action Congress (AC) candidate, who rolled in 13,270 votes. Chukwuma Soludo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer came in third with 12,607 votes. INEC is yet to announce results from 16 local government areas. There are a total of 21 local government areas in Anambra State.

Unofficial results compiled by unconfirmed sources yesterday from 13 local government areas, put Peter Obi on the lead. If these sources are anything to go by, Obi is predicted to win the election. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Anambra State Governor Peter Obi

Anambra Election Watch Log for Saturday, February 6, 2010.

[ INEC went ahead and held Anambra gubernatorial election Saturday, despite a Federal High Court ruling barring it. INEC said it had not been served any court order barring the election. ]

Election News Update - Saturday, February 6, 2010

[8.00 am - 9.00 am] - Electoral materials leave INEC’s office for polling centers amidst tight security. Buses conveying electoral materials followed by opposition parties in hired buses.

9.00 am - Scores of policemen are stranded at the Police Divisional Headquareters in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA, with no vehicles to convey them to their assigned polling stations. Many are hitch hiking rides on both private and commercial vehicles. Officially polling boths are to open at 8.00 am.

9.00 am - There are no INEC staff nor election materials at several polling boths. INEC blames the police for the delay in the arrival of election materials.

9.30 am - Thugs beat up Olufemi Aduwo, INEC monitoring Committee member after he claimed to have discovered a list of INEC officials set up for bribery. Violence between suspected PDP thugs and some election monitors at Barn Hotel, Awka.

10.00 am - Election officials and materials arrive Oko, hometown of Alex Ekwueme. Voters are just now beginning to queue up in line to cast their votes. There are no election officials nor materials at Isuofia, hometown of Chukwuma Soludo, PDP gubernatorial candidate. Voters are patiently waiting at polling stations.

10.40 am - Election materials for to the various polling centers are just now being distributed at Ekwulobia Central School. A fake policeman arrested at the headquarters of Oyi Local Govt. as he tried to enter a police escort van.

11.00 am - Police at Awka North LG orders voting to stop at booths without security agents. Youth Corpers recruited as election officials are stranded at Aguata LG headquarters, because there are no vehicles to take them to their polling stations.

11.30 am - Voting yet to start at Uga, hometown of Andy Uba. Tension mounts in Achalla, Awka North Local Govt. as people await election officials and materials.

12.00 pm - Voting materials at Isuofia, Aguata LG reportedly loaded in a van and driven away to an undisclosed location. Election materials arrive Okpuno Ezinifite, three hours behind schedule. Most voters at Ojoto cannot find their names in the register.

12.15 pm - Voting has not started at Ogbunike and Umunya, both in Oyi LGA. Thugs moving around town in buses at Ogbunike.

1.00 pm - Uwazuruonye, a member of Anambra House of Assembly arrives at the office of the resident electoral commissioner in Awka South LG. complaining voting is yet to start at his ward, Awka VII.

1.30 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces that the elections must stop at 4.00 pm as scheduled. According to the statement, after that hour, no voter would be allowed into any polling station, but people already in line could continue voting. Fighting reported at Ifitedunu.

1.45 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces extension of voting across the state to 5.00 pm. Many names are reportedly missing from voters’ registers across the state.

2.00 pm - Fierce fight reported in Agukwu Nri in Aniocha LGA between PPA and APGA supporters. Damien Ejidike, a PDP member, arrested with voters’ cards at Ichi in Ekwusigo LGA.

3.15 pm - Damien Ejidike released.

3.30 pm - Ballot box missing at Uli Ward I, Unit 26. Ballot boxes been snatched at Okpokp Ward VI by thugs.

4.00 pm - Thugs armed to the teeth invade several polling stations snatching ballot boxes as voting winds down for counting at the polling boths. Security agents unable to contain thugs as they are armless at the boths as ordered by INEC.

4.10 pm - Igboukwu polling station attacked by heavily armed thugs in two green buses(one without license plates) shooting into the air and threatening security operatives and INEC officials with death. Thugs load up ballot boxes into buses, but were challenged by the army as they drove off. In a fierce shootout with the army, they abandoned the buses and as they fled four were captured and taken to Aguata police station.

4.20 pm - Voting ends in a couple of LGAs that did not witness armed snatching of ballot boxes by thugs, Dunukofia LGA one of them. Counting begins at these LGAs.

5.30 pm - Gov. Peter Obi (APGA candidate) is reported leading in Ihiala, Onithsa North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Aniocha, Ogbaru and Aguata LGAs. Chris Ngige (APGA candidate) reportedly leading in Idemili South and Idemili North LGAs. Uche Ekwunife (PPA candidate) leads in Dunukofia her home base, according to our source. Chukwuma Soludo (PDP candidate) has not won any LGA so far according to the same source.

6.00 pm - According to sources, incumbent Governor Peter Obi is leading in 13 out of the 21 local government areas of the state. Chris Ngige (AC) is said to be trailing Obi with Soludo (PDP) third, Andy Uba (LP) fourth and Ekwunife (PPA) fifth. Olisa Metuh, National Vice Chairman of PDP SE zone, describes the election as a charade, saying what took place could not pass for a credible election. Labour Party candidate, Andy Uba, describes the election a “complete mess”, wondering how a winner could emerge from it. APGA leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu showered praises on INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Friday, February 5, 2010

12.00 pm - Security forces are on high alert in Anambra State, as count down to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday begins. Masterweb correspondent reports that as at 12.00 pm today 10,000 Civil Defence Officers were in front of the Anambra State Police Headquarters awaiting deployment.

Photo Above: Map of Anambra State, Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Anambra, State, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

By Masterweb News Desk

Josiah Uwazuronye, Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), has today declared incumbent Governor Peter Obi winner of the state gubernatorial election held yesterday. In his announcement Uwazuronye said: “Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and his return elected.”

According to INEC announcement, Governor Obi overwhelmingly won the election with 97,843 votes, ahead of closest rival Chris Ngige of Action Congress (AC) opposition party, who amassed 60,240. Chukwuma Soludo of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came in third with 59,365 votes.

Emeka Anyaouku, former Commonwealth Secretary General told newsmen in Lagos that Anambra election would shape the direction elections take next year, adding that Nigeria was at a crossroads where its affairs were not as bright as they should be. Dora Akunyili, Nigeria Information Minister speaking with local AIT television news crew at the INEC office in Awka, said the election showed the need for electoral reform.

Election results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) early this morning from 5 local governments put incumbent Governor Peter Obi ahead of 24 other gubernatorial contenders. Peter Obi, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) flag bearer, amassed a total of 23,337 votes from Anambra East, Onitsha South, Awka South, Dunukofia and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas. He is trailed by Chris Ngige, Action Congress (AC) candidate, who rolled in 13,270 votes. Chukwuma Soludo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer came in third with 12,607 votes. INEC is yet to announce results from 16 local government areas. There are a total of 21 local government areas in Anambra State.

Unofficial results compiled by unconfirmed sources on Saturday from 13 local government areas, put Peter Obi ahead of other candidates. INEC declaration of Obi, the winner, and the precision of the prediction of Saturday’s unconfirm sources shows the extent private election monotoring has grown in Nigeria. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Anambra State Governor Peter Obi

Anambra Election Watch Log for Saturday, February 6, 2010.

[ INEC went ahead and held Anambra gubernatorial election Saturday, despite a Federal High Court ruling barring it. INEC said it had not been served any court order barring the election. ]

Election News Update - Saturday, February 6, 2010

[8.00 am - 9.00 am] - Electoral materials leave INEC’s office for polling centers amidst tight security. Buses conveying electoral materials followed by opposition parties in hired buses.

9.00 am - Scores of policemen are stranded at the Police Divisional Headquareters in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA, with no vehicles to convey them to their assigned polling stations. Many are hitch hiking rides on both private and commercial vehicles. Officially polling boths are to open at 8.00 am.

9.00 am - There are no INEC staff nor election materials at several polling boths. INEC blames the police for the delay in the arrival of election materials.

9.30 am - Thugs beat up Olufemi Aduwo, INEC monitoring Committee member after he claimed to have discovered a list of INEC officials set up for bribery. Violence between suspected PDP thugs and some election monitors at Barn Hotel, Awka.

10.00 am - Election officials and materials arrive Oko, hometown of Alex Ekwueme. Voters are just now beginning to queue up in line to cast their votes. There are no election officials nor materials at Isuofia, hometown of Chukwuma Soludo, PDP gubernatorial candidate. Voters are patiently waiting at polling stations.

10.40 am - Election materials for to the various polling centers are just now being distributed at Ekwulobia Central School. A fake policeman arrested at the headquarters of Oyi Local Govt. as he tried to enter a police escort van.

11.00 am - Police at Awka North LG orders voting to stop at booths without security agents. Youth Corpers recruited as election officials are stranded at Aguata LG headquarters, because there are no vehicles to take them to their polling stations.

11.30 am - Voting yet to start at Uga, hometown of Andy Uba. Tension mounts in Achalla, Awka North Local Govt. as people await election officials and materials.

12.00 pm - Voting materials at Isuofia, Aguata LG reportedly loaded in a van and driven away to an undisclosed location. Election materials arrive Okpuno Ezinifite, three hours behind schedule. Most voters at Ojoto cannot find their names in the register.

12.15 pm - Voting has not started at Ogbunike and Umunya, both in Oyi LGA. Thugs moving around town in buses at Ogbunike.

1.00 pm - Uwazuruonye, a member of Anambra House of Assembly arrives at the office of the resident electoral commissioner in Awka South LG. complaining voting is yet to start at his ward, Awka VII.

1.30 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces that the elections must stop at 4.00 pm as scheduled. According to the statement, after that hour, no voter would be allowed into any polling station, but people already in line could continue voting. Fighting reported at Ifitedunu.

1.45 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces extension of voting across the state to 5.00 pm. Many names are reportedly missing from voters’ registers across the state.

2.00 pm - Fierce fight reported in Agukwu Nri in Aniocha LGA between PPA and APGA supporters. Damien Ejidike, a PDP member, arrested with voters’ cards at Ichi in Ekwusigo LGA.

3.15 pm - Damien Ejidike released.

3.30 pm - Ballot box missing at Uli Ward I, Unit 26. Ballot boxes been snatched at Okpokp Ward VI by thugs.

4.00 pm - Thugs armed to the teeth invade several polling stations snatching ballot boxes as voting winds down for counting at the polling boths. Security agents unable to contain thugs as they are armless at the boths as ordered by INEC.

4.10 pm - Igboukwu polling station attacked by heavily armed thugs in two green buses(one without license plates) shooting into the air and threatening security operatives and INEC officials with death. Thugs load up ballot boxes into buses, but were challenged by the army as they drove off. In a fierce shootout with the army, they abandoned the buses and as they fled four were captured and taken to Aguata police station.

4.20 pm - Voting ends in a couple of LGAs that did not witness armed snatching of ballot boxes by thugs, Dunukofia LGA one of them. Counting begins at these LGAs.

5.30 pm - Gov. Peter Obi (APGA candidate) is reported leading in Ihiala, Onithsa North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Aniocha, Ogbaru and Aguata LGAs. Chris Ngige (APGA candidate) reportedly leading in Idemili South and Idemili North LGAs. Uche Ekwunife (PPA candidate) leads in Dunukofia her home base, according to our source. Chukwuma Soludo (PDP candidate) has not won any LGA so far according to the same source.

6.00 pm - According to sources, incumbent Governor Peter Obi is leading in 13 out of the 21 local government areas of the state. Chris Ngige (AC) is said to be trailing Obi with Soludo (PDP) third, Andy Uba (LP) fourth and Ekwunife (PPA) fifth. Olisa Metuh, National Vice Chairman of PDP SE zone, describes the election as a charade, saying what took place could not pass for a credible election. Labour Party candidate, Andy Uba, describes the election a “complete mess”, wondering how a winner could emerge from it. APGA leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu showered praises on INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Friday, February 5, 2010

12.00 pm - Security forces are on high alert in Anambra State, as count down to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday begins. Masterweb correspondent reports that as at 12.00 pm today 10,000 Civil Defence Officers were in front of the Anambra State Police Headquarters awaiting deployment.

Photo Above: Map of Anambra State, Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Anambra, State, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

By Masterweb News Desk

[ INEC insists Anambra gubernatorial election would go on today as scheduled despite a Federal High Court ruling barring it. INEC says it had not been served any court order barring the election. ]

Latest Updates Saturday, February 6, 2010

[8.00 am - 9.00 am] - Electoral materials leave INEC’s office for polling centers amidst tight security. Buses conveying electoral materials followed by opposition parties in hired buses.

9.00 am - Scores of policemen are stranded at the Police Divisional Headquareters in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA, with no vehicles to convey them to their assigned polling stations. Many are hitch hiking rides on both private and commercial vehicles. Officially polling boths are to open at 8.00 am.

9.00 am - There are no INEC staff nor election materials at several polling boths. INEC blames the police for the delay in the arrival of election materials.

9.30 am - Thugs beat up Olufemi Aduwo, INEC monitoring Committee member after he claimed to have discovered a list of INEC officials set up for bribery. Violence between suspected PDP thugs and some election monitors at Barn Hotel, Awka.

10.00 am - Election officials and materials arrive Oko, hometown of Alex Ekwueme. Voters are just now beginning to queue up in line to cast their votes. There are no election officials nor materials at Isuofia, hometown of Chukwuma Soludo, PDP gubernatorial candidate. Voters are patiently waiting at polling stations.

10.40 am - Election materials for to the various polling centers are just now being distributed at Ekwulobia Central School. A fake policeman arrested at the headquarters of Oyi Local Govt. as he tried to enter a police escort van.

11.00 am - Police at Awka North LG orders voting to stop at booths without security agents. Youth Corpers recruited as election officials are stranded at Aguata LG headquarters, because there are no vehicles to take them to their polling stations.

11.30 am - Voting yet to start at Uga, hometown of Andy Uba. Tension mounts in Achalla, Awka North Local Govt. as people await election officials and materials.

12.00 pm - Voting materials at Isuofia, Aguata LG reportedly loaded in a van and driven away to an undisclosed location. Election materials arrive Okpuno Ezinifite, three hours behind schedule. Most voters at Ojoto cannot find their names in the register.

12.15 pm - Voting has not started at Ogbunike and Umunya, both in Oyi LGA. Thugs moving around town in buses at Ogbunike.

1.00 pm - Uwazuruonye, a member of Anambra House of Assembly arrives at the office of the resident electoral commissioner in Awka South LG. complaining voting is yet to start at his ward, Awka VII.

1.30 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces that the elections must stop at 4.00 pm as scheduled. According to the statement, after that hour, no voter would be allowed into any polling station, but people already in line could continue voting. Fighting reported at Ifitedunu.

1.45 pm - Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office announces extension of voting across the state to 5.00 pm. Many names are reportedly missing from voters’ registers across the state.

2.00 pm - Fierce fight reported in Agukwu Nri in Aniocha LGA between PPA and APGA supporters. Damien Ejidike, a PDP member, arrested with voters’ cards at Ichi in Ekwusigo LGA.

3.15 pm - Damien Ejidike released.

3.30 pm - Ballot box missing at Uli Ward I, Unit 26. Ballot boxes been snatched at Okpokp Ward VI by thugs.

4.00 pm - Thugs armed to the teeth invade several polling stations snatching ballot boxes as voting winds down for counting at the polling boths. Security agents unable to contain thugs as they are armless at the boths as ordered by INEC.

4.10 pm - Igboukwu polling station attacked by heavily armed thugs in two green buses(one without license plates) shooting into the air and threatening security operatives and INEC officials with death. Thugs load up ballot boxes into buses, but were challenged by the army as they drove off. In a fierce shootout with the army, they abandoned the buses and as they fled four were captured and taken to Aguata police station.

4.20 pm - Voting ends in a couple of LGAs that did not witness armed snatching of ballot boxes by thugs, Dunukofia LGA one of them. Counting begins at these LGAs.

5.30 pm - Gov. Peter Obi (APGA candidate) is reported leading in Ihiala, Onithsa North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Aniocha, Ogbaru and Aguata LGAs. Chris Ngige (APGA candidate) reportedly leading in Idemili South and Idemili North LGAs. Uche Ekwunife (PPA candidate) leads in Dunukofia her home base, according to our source. Chukwuma Soludo (PDP candidate) has not won any LGA so far according to the same source.

6.00 pm - According to sources, incumbent Governor Peter Obi is leading in 13 out of the 21 local government areas of the state. Chris Ngige (AC) is said to be trailing Obi with Soludo (PDP) third, Andy Uba (LP) fourth and Ekwunife (PPA) fifth. Olisa Metuh, National Vice Chairman of PDP SE zone, describes the election as a charade, saying what took place could not pass for a credible election. Labour Party candidate, Andy Uba, describes the election a “complete mess”, wondering how a winner could emerge from it. APGA leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu showered praises on INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Friday, February 5, 2010

12.00 pm - Security forces are on high alert in Anambra State, as count down to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday begins. Masterweb correspondent reports that as at 12.00 pm today 10,000 Civil Defence Officers were in front of the Anambra State Police Headquarters awaiting deployment.

Photo Above: Map of Anambra State, Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Anambra, State, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

By Masterweb News Desk

Security forces are on high alert in Anambra State, as count down to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday begins. Masterweb correspondent reports that as at 12.00 pm today 10,000 Civil Defence Officers were in front of the Anambra State Police Headquarters awaiting deployment.

Photo Above: Map of Anambra State, Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Anambra, State, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

By Lateef Lawal,Lagos

The management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) has deployed into operations the newly installed Radar at the Port Harcourt International Airport. This brings to three, radar sites that are fully completed by Thales ATM of France, the contractor handling the multi-billion naira Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria(TRACON) project. According to Supo Atobatele, NAMA Public Affairs General Manager, controllers started vectoring traffic from the Radar site since 29th January, 2010 with NOTAM (Notice -To -Air -Men) already issued by the Nigerian Airspace Management agency to airline operators. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Port Harcourt International Airport, Nigeria

Lagos and Abuja sites have been in operation since last year, while that of Kano is expected to be completed by the end of this month. Quoting Alhaji Ibrahim Auyo, Managing Director, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Atobatele said the new radar will greatly enhance efficiency and safety of flights in and out of Port Harcourt airport and the adjacent airports of Owerri, Calabar, Enugu, Eket, and Escravos, which are to be adequately covered by the radar. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Map of Nigeria’s Niger Delta Region showing Port Harcourt

The Port Harcourt Airport radar, will also ensure safety of helicopter operations within the Niger Delta Area. Director of Operations, Mr.Adebisi Adedara remarked shortly after the commencement of operation that the radar service would reduce the spate of air miss along the Port Harcourt axis, just as his counterpart in the Engineering Directorate, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh described the radar service as a new dawn in the aviation industry.

A technical and operational inspection team from NAMA and NCAA were at the airport to confirm the Radar system as “safe and effective” for the control of aircrafts.

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, Niger Delta, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Jobs, Africa, Masterweb

By Masterweb News Desk

Unanimity of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on its stance that President Yar’Adua was fit to govern cracked Wednesday, February 3. Professor Dora Akunyili, Minister of Information, broke from the official stance and submitted a memo calling on FEC to own up to the president’s incapacitation on health grounds. FEC hawks overcoming the shock, rallied to reject the memo from discussion on the day’s agenda. Akunyili vowed to represent it today for listing for discussion at FEC reconvened scheduled meeting for the day. Akunyili’s memo is republished below.

STATE OF THE NATION

1. I want to start my humble submission by stating that I am a 100 per cent loyalist of President Yar’Adua. He appointed all of us because he trusts us and wants us to help him to run government effectively and efficiently. Mr. President has given all of us seated in this chamber the opportunity to serve our nation as members of this council. I believe that in the choice of all of us, as individuals and group, Mr. President must have considered our ability to guide him aright to serve our people better, promote and protect the constitution in line with the oath of office taken before him in this chamber by each and every one of us. President Yar’Adua is very dear to me just as he is to all of you.

2. We are all aware of what has been happening in Nigeria, especially as it concerns the issue of making the Vice President an acting President. There have been debates for and against.

3. Some have argued that there is no vacuum and that it is okay for the Vice President to function as Vice President, not as Acting President pending the return and recovery of Mr. President. For the proponents of this theory, I want to remind them that Permanent Secretaries had been waiting to be sworn in for over two months now. Consequently, many ministries are without Permanent Secretaries including my ministry. As it is today, the Vice President cannot take any document to National Assembly. In a very desperate situation like the recent Jos crisis, the Vice President deployed troops to Plateau, but many have openly said that he does not have the right because there cannot be two Commanders-in- Chief at a time. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Professor Dora Akunyili, Nigeria Minister of Information.

4. Just recently, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, has opted out of the amnesty and resumed hostility. They argued that they have been kept in limbo since the President took ill and they appeared to have been abandoned since nobody could talk to them or keep the promise made to them. Our economy is once more being threatened.

5. The past Chief Justice of the Federation swore in his successor for the first time in the history of our nation. The power vacuum at that level has also compounded our ‘poor image’ at the international level because of our failure to rise to international expectations, commitments and engagements that require the presence of our President. Many of those opportunities have existed in the past 70 days that I do not need to recount. I do not need to repeat the uncomplimentary statements made by United States, United Kingdom and EU concerning the current state of affairs in Nigeria .

6. There has been persistent agitation by the public for members of the Federal Executive Council to do something. Nigerians expect us to rise to this challenge on behalf of our President as the leader of this administration. Some eminent citizens have spoken. They include former Heads of State and others who have served our nation in various capacities. The Senate has also taken a position of which we are all aware. The looming crisis in the system is over boiling. Our hard earned democracy is being threatened by the day.

Threat To Democracy

7. What went wrong? We love our President but we should remember that he is not infallible. Before he left Nigeria he had a moral and constitutional obligation to officially inform the Senate and hand over the mantle of leadership to the Vice President pending his return and recovery. That did not happen. Yes, the mistake has been made by our Boss and our brother.

Mr. President is ill and did not choose to be sick. But while we continue to pray for his recovery, we should try to right the wrong. 8. Some have argued that he left the country in a hurry. This argument has been punctured by the fact that he signed the Appropriation Bill for National Assembly. If he could sign the Bill, why did he not sign a letter for Vice President to act on his behalf until he is well enough? ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Seal of The President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is the official symbol of the Nigerian President, first used in 1979 by President Shehu Shagari.

9. We have a local proverb that says that “A goat does not get strangulated by the rope used in tying it when an adult is present.” We are all in a better position to know that the polity is overheated to a frightening level. Posterity will judge us harshly if we do not positively intervene to resolve this logjam.

10. I wish to call on the Federal Executive Council to act now in the best interest of our dear President and our dear Nation. We also need to save ourselves from shame because our stand is becoming very embarrassing. He has been away for about 70 days now, even if he returns tomorrow, is it not better for him to rest and recover before taking over from the Vice President?

11. We need to do what is morally right and constitutional for the President to officially hand over to the Vice President to function as Acting President. If he does not, we can evoke whichever aspect of the constitution that should make the Vice President an Acting President. On the other hand we can take advantage of the 14 days ultimatum by the court which will expire on Friday. When the President resumes duty as soon as he recovers, by the grace of God, he takes over his position.

12. I am not saying that President Yar’Adua should resign or condemn him for being sick. He did not choose to be sick. We will continue to pray for him, but all I am saying is, let us encourage him do the right thing so that our hard earned democracy will not be truncated. Anybody who feels otherwise is unfair to our President (who has been preaching the rule of law), and utterly unfair to our country.

13. The name of our President and all his achievements are being rubbished by this unfortunate debacle. The President and his family are also being put under undue pressure which will not help his recovery.

14. If we fail to act now, history will not forgive us. I rest my case.

Prof. Dora Akunyili, Federal Minister of Information, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

*Tags: Nigerians, Niger Delta, Abuja, Lagos, Yar’Adua, Goodluck, Jonathan, Africa, Masterweb

By Kali Gwegwe

The unusual long absence of President Musa Yar’Adua from office owing to his ill health has revealed how shallow the socio-political foundation of Nigeria lies. It has also abruptly unmasked the real enemies of the Nigerian nation. The actions and inactions of these anti-democratic elements have clearly turned Nigeria into a baobab tree standing on the edge of an erosion prone river.

Events following the official admission that President Yar’Adua was suffering from severe pericarditis and on admission at the King Faisal Hospital in Saudi Arabia has pointed to one ominous reality: The multi-faceted leadership institution in Nigeria is unarguably not built on the pillars of justice, fair play, and the rule of law. As a result of this anomaly, tribal and religious sentiments now shape the opinions of government officials. Instead of nursing policies that will unite and improve the lives of the citizenry, public servants now take pride in pursuing parochial tribal agendas.

There is no gainsaying that the die hard attitude by some key government officials in ensuring that President Yar’Adua does not hand over power temporarily to Vice President Jonathan is clearly a narrow minded agenda, plotted to deny a southerner from assuming the political leadership of Nigeria at this time. It shows how treacherous and unconcerned some of us are about the survival of democracy and Nigeria as a country.

Not minding whatever unofficial power sharing arrangement between the north and south, one must not ignore the fact that issues are not supposed to dislodge substance in every society where justice and rule of law are celebrated. In a presidential system of government, the presidency is a 2 in 1 ticket shared by the president and the vice president. The prevailing issues as they relate to Yar’Adua’s long absence from office bothers mainly on the headship of the Nigerian presidency by natives of the northern belt of the country up till 2015. On the other hand, there is also the case of substance regarding the culture of a presidential system of government, which clearly prescribes the order of succession. ( Continues below….. )

This writer is of the opinion that whenever issues and substance clash like it has in the case of Yar’Adua’s ill health, common sense should be applied. It would however be necessary at this point to expose the fact that the office of the vice president is nothing more than a spare tyre in a presidential democracy? Jonathan had known this since when he served as deputy governor under Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha in Bayelsa State. Many persons believe a deputy governor or vice president should exercise equal powers with their principals. Jonathan does not think so and has chosen to pursue his beliefs about the tradition of political leadership in a presidential democracy. While some had excused him, others did not. This is mostly responsible for the very wrong picture several commentators have painted of Jonathan as a politician. They would quickly dismiss Jonathan as a lily livered man, not fit to hold a tasking public office. Would Nigerians sincerely prefer the Atiku/Obasanjo option, where the president and vice president were at each other’s throat all through their second term in office? Of course not!

Perhaps, one should also remind the few tribal zealots and other self-seeking Nigerians bent on ensuring that the vice president is not made an acting president even in the face of glaring constitutional necessity that Jonathan is not responsible for Yar’Adua’s ill health. He should therefore not be treated as if he plotted his boss’ predicament. More than that, the matter on ground is not about Goodluck Jonathan. It is all about justice, fair play, and rule of law. Let me recall that it was clearly as a result of glaring injustice in the sharing of oil and gas revenue that gave rise to militancy in the Niger Delta region. Like the Nigerian civil war, we are still counting the colossal loss.

Furthermore, Nigerians are eager to taste the fruits of good governance through rapid social and infrastructural development. Ghana and South Africa have all left Nigeria far behind in terms of democracy, economy, science, and technology. Continued denial of the vice president sufficient powers in the present circumstances may push Nigeria deeper down the ladder of developing nations.

It is necessary to remind the band of Nigerians that have placed their personal and tribal interests above national concerns that a day will come when questions would be asked regarding the inglorious roles they are playing today. Their children too would be reminded of the shameful roles played by their parents in attempting to warp the entity called Nigeria. ( Continues below….. )

Frankly, Nigeria will not lose anything if President Yar’Adua hands over power temporarily to Goodluck Jonathan. But Nigeria will definitely lose her poise and shape if Yar’Adua is coerced into pushing a dishonourable and illegal tribal agenda. In July 1985, President Roland Reagan of the United States temporarily handed over power to Vice President George Bush to enable him attend to his health. Also between 2002 and 2007, the junior Bush; as president of the United States also handed over power temporarily to Vice President Dick Cheney twice when he was to undergo medical procedure at Camp David- the presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains. Presidential spokesperson, Tony Snow had told reporters then that, “Vice President Dick Cheney will serve as acting president until the president notifies authorities that he is ready to reassume his powers.” A fine example of a decent democratic culture- free of tribal and political sentiments. This is what Due Process and Rule of Law really mean.

Within the last four weeks, a number of shallow excuses have been advanced by the “Power Sharing” army, outlining the reasons why Goodluck Jonathan would not be given any opportunity of becoming the acting President of the federal republic of Nigeria. Chief among them is the charge that Jonathan is a political son of ex President Olusegun Obasanjo. I will not want to bother my readers with arguments about whether this charge is true or false. This is because; no part of the Nigerian constitution has barred any citizen from being a political son. Yar’Adua himself too is one of the many political sons of Obasanjo. More than that; it is not yet criminal for the political son of a former president to become an acting president in Nigeria. Let those that have personal and political problems with Chief Obasanjo settle same in the law courts and save Nigeria from disintegration. Nigeria is bigger than Obasanjo.

The Nigerian civil war of 1967 to 1970 was remotely a battle over the control of the oil wealth of the Niger Delta people. No doubt, the war would have been avoided if the spirit of justice and fair play were respected. The Ijaws were denied commensurate benefits from the sale of crude oil buried in their swamps. Consequent upon this, the late Major Isaac Adaka Boro decided to pull the Ijaws out of Nigeria on the 23rd day of February, 1966. It was a massive protest against the Ibo dominated Eastern Nigeria administration. On the other hand, the Ibos were emboldened by the oil wealth of the Niger Delta people to halt the ruthless and overbearing nature of the Hausas by seceding from Nigeria. In order to weaken the Biafra dream, Rivers and South Eastern States- the main oil producing areas were carved out of the Eastern Region on the 27th of May, 1967.

The present scenario in the country is getting quite close to detonating tribal bombs. However, the 2nd Nigerian civil war will be fought not over the control of Niger Delta oil. The bone of contention this time around would be political power. Let every true Nigerian pray that tribal zealots in and outside of government does not cut the rope that binds the numerous Nigerian tribes. It has been widely reported that the United States is afraid Nigeria may break up soon and has already put in place plans to face the challenges that such reality may throw up. Quite unfortunately for the Nigerian nation, her political and traditional leaders are oblivious of the negative implications of their parochial and self serving agendas.

Kali Gwegwe writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and can be reached at kali.gwegwe@nigerianfootballpost.com

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, Yar’Adua, Africans, Saudi, Arabia, Masterweb

By Kola Alapinni

On the 8th of January 2010, the Togolese national team - The Hawks - set out for Cabinda, Angola from the Congo to commence their campaign in the African Cup of Nations. A brief domestic risk assesment of this strategy would show that it was fraught with danger. And it has proved to be a serious error of judgment.

The Cabinda region is almost totally engulfed by the two Congos on its northern, eastern and southern borders. It has the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Congo had been particularly strife-ridden since the twilight days of the late Mobutu Sese-Seko. By the time Laurent Desire Kabila (Kabila Snr) was head of state, six separate armed conflict were on-going in the Congo. Congolese rebels were challenging Kabila Snr (they are still challenging his son Kabila Jnr); Rwanda had pushed the Interhamwe rebels deep into DRC territory and fighting was reported frequently; Uganda was fighting her rebels in the Congo; Sudan was doing the same; Burundian authorities and FFD rebels, Congo-Brazzaville and forces loyal to their deposed former President Lissouba; and between the Angolan government and UNITA rebels. This conflict became known as Africa’s Seven-Nation War. At some point in time even Namibia and Zimbabwe as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had troops stationed in the Congo.

The Cabinda region has been - to put it lightly - unstable for three decades. The area could be likened to the Niger-Delta area of Nigeria. It is oil-rich but poverty stricken. Reportedly more than half of Angola’s oil reserves are situated in the Cabinda region and disgruntled separatist movements believe that the central government in Angola takes too much of it’s revenue. In the last decade hostilities have heightened in the Cabinda region with the emergence of the Renewed Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC-RENOVADA). One of its modus operandi is to target foreigners to try to gain international attention and news coverage for its movement to gain independence from Angola. Though there appeared to have been some sort of peace pact between Angola and FLEC, it appears not all within the separatist group had been carried along. It was this splinter group that ‘machine-gunned the team like dogs’ according to Togolese striker Thomas Dossevi. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) & Chairman of the 2010 World Cup Organising Committee.

I have set this background so that we can get a brief glimpse into the international power play and geo-politics that existed and still exists to certain degrees in that theatre of conflict. This ban by CAF headed by the Cameroun’s Issa Hayatou has now brought up a series of serious wide ranging issues that goes beyond slapping Togo on the wrist or the face, depending on which side of the fence you are.

To begin with, the Togolese authorities need to ask the following questions:

1. Who was responsible for the bus trip?

The Vice President of the Togolese Football Federation Gabriel Ameyi told the Associated Press (AP) ‘They should not have travelled by road. They did not tell CAF that they were travelling by road. They should have flown to Angola.’ It does seem to me that there was a breakdown in the chain of command when the No. 2 man of a nation’s football body does not know the Itinerary of his boys.

2. Why were the Togolese authorities not informed of the bus trip?

3. Why were the Angolan authorities and CAF not informed when a change of plans became imminent?

4. What measures were taken to ensure that an adequate security plan was in place before the team ventured into enemy territory?

There was tangible reason for the team to have flown into Angola. The reason simply is that the team would have bypassed ground risk which caused this kind of fatalities. Also, Angola had been locked in a deadly civil war since the late 70s that only lulled when the rebel leader Jonas Savimbi was ambushed and killed. One of the legacies of that war is that Angola remains one of the most landmined country in the world! Some experts say between 500,000 to one million mines remain buried under Angolan soil. Others say it may be up to six million. Everyday there are dozens of landmine victims in Angola - many are women and children. There is a proverb of the Yoruba people of Western Africa and it literally translates: ‘The visitor has eyes, but he cannot see.’ There is no way the Togolese delegation or any foreigner could have known Angola more than the Angolan government. Local knowledge of the area is invaluable. I remember vividly a field trip to Rwanda in 2001, we were guests of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Kigali. We travelled the lenght and breath of Rwanda viz; Kigali, Butare, Gitarama, Murambi (I can’t remember the other cities now) under UN escorts to visit the UN facilities, the Gacaca Commission, Gacaca Courts, the prisons, various genocide sites et cetera. Everyday we were briefed on the risk assesmentment indicator and I think a trip to Gisenyi a border town to the DRC had to be cancelled. One of the drivers told me on one occassion that the DRC was just about 60 km away. That is what risk assessment is about and you must remember this was even seven years after the 1994 genocide. Sometimes when the foreign clubs which pay the huge salaries of these players are scared to release them, the risk assessment plays a part. The clubs have a vested interest in protecting the huge investments they made on their players. God forbid, imagine if it was Emmanuel Adebayour that was hit? I think Manchester City’s lawyers would have gone for the jugular of all parties involved, namely the Togolese and Angolan authorities and most especially CAF. I think Issa Hayatou would have been battling with a negligence law suit right now. Not in his personal capacity of course, but as the corporate face of CAF.

Granted the Angolan authority might have wanted some of the games to be played in Cabinda. It is a political decision. It was meant to appease the disgruntled region and to make them feel a sense of belonging to the Republic of Angola. The Angolan government also realises the power of sports. Football is like opium, it gives you a high. It transports you away from reality especially if your team is doing well. When the freest and fairest elections widely believed to have been won by the late MKO Abiola was cancelled by the Nigerian military in 1993, the anniversary of this shameful act coincided with the World Cup campaign in the US in 1994 Nigerians conveniently forgot that their mandate had been stolen; forgot the fuel scarcity and the long queues at the petrol pumps due to oil workers strike; forgot the skyrocketing food prices; forgot that the universities were shut down due to lecturers strike action forgot; that Abiola had declared himself as President and gone into hiding. As soon as Roberto Baggio literally kicked us out of the World Cup, The country woke up from its slumber and Nigeria burned. But every time Nigeria burnt, and we won trophies like the Tunis Cup of Nations in 1994, the Olympics Soccer Gold in 1996 it was a soothing balm on the festering sore of the nation’s political wounds and the international sanctions leveled at the military junta of General Sanni Abacha. Ironically, Nigeria did well in the sporting world under him and he used this as a trump card in international politics. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Map of Cabinda, Angola

Thus when CAF say politics should be kept away from football the reality cannot be more far from this. The power of sports in international politics cannot be underrated. The hosting rights given to South Africa for 2010 is political. Germany robbed her of that glory in 2006 when Franz Beckenbauer of Germany ran a very effective lobbying campaing to persuade the Oceania delegate Charles Dempsey, who had initially backed England. He had been instructed to support South Africa following England’s elimination. He abstained, citing “intolerable pressure” on the eve of the vote. Had Dempsey voted as originally instructed, the vote would have resulted with a 12-12 tie and Sepp Blatter who favoured South Africa would have casted the deciding vote. I rememember even the goodwill of President Mandela didn’t get the hosting rights for South Africa that year and he gave them a very strong worded piece of his mind. I can’t remember FIFA slapping a ban on SA because of that. Recently, the US President Barrack Obama had to appear in Copenhagen to lobby for his city of Chicago to host the 2016 Olympics. Brazil asked Pele to lead Rio De Janeiro’s campaign. I leave it to you to conclude whether we can separate power play and political intervention from sports? However, Hayatou should have told the Angolan authorities that Cabinda was not going to get the nod giving the political and security assessment of the region. I am sure the Angolans would have accepted that than to lose the hosting rights of the tournament. And that leads me to the more serious error of CAF’s policy making judgment.

Here is a team that was subjected to a 20 minute unprovoked machine gun fire resulting in the death of three people.The goalkeeper was seriously injured and had to be flown to South Africa for emergency surgery. We could all see the shocking pictures on television and the players were traumatized. There was indeed conflicting information coming out of the Togolese camp. That information could have been properly managed. At some point they wanted to play, some did not want to. Eventually the Togolese government came out with a position -Come home! That decision would not have been taken lightly. Some of your citizens are dead, one severely with a career threatening injury, the rest are traumatized, your nation is mourning, some parents will never see their children again, some children their fathers, some families their breadwinners. That incident almost automatically undermined the hosting of the World Cup in South Africa. The international community panicked and rightly so! South Africa had to bring out its PR machine to contain the situation. The sensible thing for CAF would have been to just kept quiet and pray that the incident blows away quietly or they could have come out with a more compassionate and humane disposition to Togo.

It seems to me that Hayatou wants to score a political point with the Togolese authorities here. It sends a message of: ‘I am in charge! How dare you try to scuttle my tournament. I will send you away for the next two tournaments, you will also pay me $50, 000 for daring to pull such a stunt’. ‘Nonsense, nonsense upon stilts’ apologies to Jeremy Bentham. I was taught Jurisprudence and Legal Theory at the premier University of Ibadan by the revered Professor Agbede and he posits that the notion ‘Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely’ is wrong. Agbede submitted that ‘Power tends to corrupt,and absolutely power tends to corrupt absolutely’. He cited the great Nelson Mandela as the example of his theory and an exception to the rule. Mandela was wrongly jailed for 27 years, became the most powerful man his country, never took revenge on the white minority government and relinquished power after four years. Hayatou became President of CAF in 1988 and it is a shame that after being the helmsman of CAF for about 22 years the best he can come up with to deal with this situation is to apply the letters of the law without examining the spirit of the laws. The draftsman did not have it in mind that when a country is the object of a terrorist attack; the nation’s morale low; families in tatters; and it says come home my children let us cut our losses and bury your fallen comrades you must ban them and slap them with fines. What the legal draftsman had in mind is that governments should not use it’s power in hiring and firing Football Association officials or to use government machinery to rig and impose officials. The law is not only there to ensure stability and independence but for the greater development of the sport! Hayatou has done the exact opposite in this case. Once again Africa brings under scrutiny the mentality of our leaders. This decision has made us the laughing stock of the world. What is wrong with Africa? Why must we always put ourselves in a position of mockery? The consequence of this ruling is that it will not stand on appeal, and the court of public opinion has condemned Hayatou. I think the honourable thing for him to do is to stand down as CAF President and allow room for fresh blood, fresh ideas for a more humane and compassionate CAF. Hayatou’s ridiculous decision is an indicator of why we are where we are in Africa today.

Kola Alapinni is an International Human Rights Lawyer. He writes from Birmingham, UK.

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: CAF, Togo, Ban, Issa, Hayatou, Nigerians, Masterweb

By Charles M. Oluchukwu

Richard A. Joseph, director of The Program of African Studies at Northwestern University, is usually credited with first using the term prebendalism to describe patron-client or neopatrimonialism in Nigeria.[1] Since then the term has commonly been used in scholarly literature and textbooks.

Joseph used the term to describe the sense of entitlement that many people in Nigeria feel they have to the revenues of the Nigerian state. Elected officials, government workers, and members of ethnic and religious groups to which they belong, feel they have right to a share of government revenues.

Joseph wrote in 1996, “According to the theory of prebendalism, state offices are regarded as prebends that can be appropriated by officeholders, who use them to generate material benefits for themselves and their constituents and kin groups…"[3]

The Yar’Adua administration that promised to fight corruption headlong in Nigeria seems to have lost focus, as many corrupt public officers still parade themselves in Nigeria with their ill gotten wealth. Waziri, head of EFCC, seems to have totally forgotten why she was appointed. The scenario today is government officials selling government properties without recourse to what the public thinks about them. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Tafa Balogun, Nigeria’s former Inspector-General of Police in cuffs being taken to court April 4, 2005, after arrest for corruption.

Worse still, our elected parliamentarians also lost grip of the constitutional duties of making laws but concern themselves with taking bribes to thwart decisions, passing laws that are inimical to the generality of the Nigerian masses. They occupy themselves with inflating their share from the national budget, asking for accommodation, furniture, revenue and repairs.

The 2010 electric power for all in Nigerians, today is a mirage as even the government budgets money for generator purchase, fueling and maintenance …what a shame? Most government officials, are owners of one oil bloc or another, importers of power generation sets. So when will this dilapidation end?

No doubt Joseph described the Nigerian public officials as such; people that mortgage public interest for their selfish ends. Public funds are mismanaged, looted with utmost impunity, yet no one raises an eyebrow, and those that try doing so are sent to the world beyond or intimidated to shut their mouth and remain quiet.

Public outcry to government policies are disregarded, no one calls for referendum or even plebiscite to decide on crucial policies. The whims and caprices of those in power and at the corridors of power prevail. Those that looted public treasury are eulogized, as many people or communities ask their kin what they achieved while in office.

Time for revolution will soon come and definitely all that have contributed to giving Nigeria bad image, and misappropriating public funds for private use will be judged. Yar’Adua should better follow the part of honour and give Nigerian a chance, so we can see what Jonathan might offer us.

[ Charles M. Oluchukwu writes from Port Harcourt. ]

Photo Above: Nigerian Ex-Bayelsa State Governor( Diepreye Alamieyeseigha ) Plush London Manson. *Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was governor of Bayelsa State, Nigeria from May 29, 1999 to December 9, 2005. He was arrested and detained in London on charges of money laundering in 2005. Alamieyeseigha jumped bail in December 2005 from the UK disguised as a woman. He denied disguise as a woman. He was impeached by the Bayelsa State Assembly on December 9, 2005 and later arrested for prosecution by Nigerian authorities. On July 26, 2007, Alamieyeseigha pled guilty in court to six count charges and was sentenced to two years in jail on each count. The sentences were to run concurrently and to be counted from the time of his arrest, nearly two years before the sentencing. On July 27, a few hours after being jailed, he was released due to time already served. Alamieyeseigha is currently seeking reinstatement as governor of Bayelsa State in court.

View @ http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/Disclaimer.html

*Tags: Nigerians, Yar’Adua, Africans, World, Corruption, Masterweb