Arewa To Commence Oil Exploration
August 18, 2008 by 
Felix Ashimole · 2 Comments
As a sequel to the position of the 19 Northern States governors that the region can survive without Niger Delta, the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Abubakar Yar’Adua has revealed that NNPC will soon commence exploration in the North to ascertain if there is oil deposit in commercial quantity in the region. According to the GMD, the NNPC will use 3D seismic technology as against the 3D that was used in the Niger Delta. The GMD said that the 2D technology was prone to error and can only be used where the base rock is accessible.
The GMD made this disclosure while briefing newsmen on the activities of the NNPC over the past one year. It will be recalled that the GMD drew the ire of MEND when while testifying at a Senate Committee that the NNPC paid about 12 billion naira to the militants in the creeks of Niger Delta to secure oil pipelines.
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Nigerian Journalism : Thisday Newspaper, Tinubu, Fashola, and the Chagoury Tango.
August 18, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
The news that Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu the predecessor to Governor Fashola of Lagos State was hosted in Beirut by the cronies of late Gen. Sani Abacha, made front page in Thisday Newspaper after Thisday hosted her annual musical festival in Abuja. The report has it that using Hitech limited, the Chagoury are in control of over 60% of the total infrastructural development contracts in Lagos.
Since this news broke, the Lagos State government using The Nation Newspaper believed to be owned by Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu have engaged Thisday. It got to a ludicrous head when the Lagos State Governor returned the award given to him in February as the best Governor 2008 in infrastructural development. Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim also got the best governor in the environmental category. When these awards hit the airwave, my reaction was “why give 2008 award in the beginning of 2008?” More also why should a media house that ought to be a watch dog and an Oliver Twist, be giving an award to governors whose elections as at that time were seriously challenged and the courts were yet to rule.
Arising from the bashing by Thisday’s negative report on Lagos State, the Lagos State governor answered my query. Those awards are Greek gift given to solicit adverts and other concessions from the recipients. This was evident with the deluge of state government adverts that flooded Thisday after the award.
Thisday newspaper is not the only Nigerian media outfit involved in this unethical reportage. A newspaper led concurrently for three weeks with damning exposure of questionable award of pension by Gombe State House of Assembly to Governor Danjuma Goje. When adverts from Gombe State and friends of Gombe State started appearing in the pages of this newspaper and other newspapers, nothing was heard of the Goje pension saga.
This questionable journalism practice is also extended to corporate Nigeria. A GSM service provider gave tariff free lines to major columnists and editors. This Greek gift has ensured that this company does not get the truth about her reported. When any columnist or editor runs out of weekend cash, or money for staff salary, a not too favourable report is done, which is automatically followed by an advert or appearance on the cover of the weekend edition/centre page special report or pull out from the affected corporation or individual. This is how Nigerian media runs.
If not, why did Thisday report a story they have had in their shelf during the award ceremony, only to release it when they were denied right to host this year’s Thisday Music Festival in Lagos? The previous year’s was hosted in Lekki Lagos state.
Though this style of reporting common in Nigerian media is a shame, the issues raised by Thisday have not been addressed by Lagos State government. Was Hitech responsible for the Ijegun fire disaster? Has she and Lagos State government paid compensation to the family of those who lost their lives due to the negligence of Hitech?
Instead of following these leads and investigate the activities of the Chagoury during Abacha’s maximum dictatorship, another Nigerian newspaper has joined the fray. Nation Life in her Saturday August 16th 2008 Edition in page 52 took an upper cut at Thisday publisher Mr. Nduka Obaigbena. This week’s report is part (2) of what must have started last week. The rider reads How Thisday Publisher got into trouble in South Africa. To show the cowardice of the paper, the by-line of the story is merely by Our Reporter. This alleged incident happening in 2004. The report went ahead to claim that the publisher of Thisday has gone to “beg” Mr. Albert, (Gilbert) the head of the Chagoury family. With a graphic description of the conversation, one would have expected Nation Life to reveal the name of Bank’s MD that made the visit with Mr. Nduka and the serial number of the N20 milion cheque that was bounced. In case the publishers of Nation Life do not know, giving a dud cheque is a financial crime worthy of EFCC intervention.
In other climes, media expositions of crimes have led to the collapse of multi-national corporations and the resignation of government officials. But the Nigerian journalist, for a port of cold portage throws objectivity to the winds and sees no need for adequate investigative journalism.
The Abacha Henchmen Chagourys Take Over Lagos story of Thisday, was signed off thus “ This article is the first in Thisday series on state governments” Nigerians are sceptically waiting for the expose on other governors, provided they are also those that have been giving Thisday centre spread adverts.
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RE: University Degree and HND disparity in Nigeria Civil Service
August 17, 2008 by Guest Writer · Leave a Comment
SOS TO THE PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ALHAJI UMARU MUSA YAR’ADUA
This is to appeal to the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to use his good office to implement the much publicized, recently concluded removal of the existing dichotomy in the conditions of appointments/service of the holders of first degree and HND.
It is a thing of regret that two years after the Federal Executive Council’s recommendation of the removal of the undue dichotomy and ceiling on the Salary Grade Level/Rank attainable by Higher National Diploma holders in the Civil Service (ref: Government White Paper on the Report of the Presidential Committee on the Consolidation of Emoluments in the Public Sector, Chapter 6 Section 6.2 of December 2006 pages31/32 ), the implementation strategies and time fixed at “medium term” are yet to materialize till the present moment.
In a nation where people’s aspirations are directed at serving the fatherland with love, strength, faith, heart and might; calling for leaders to be guided right, helping our youth to know the truth; growing in love and honesty , living in just and truth and building a nation where peace and justice reign and where democracy equally guarantees continuity in governance. One begins to wonder whether all the afore-mentioned aspirations as expressed in the national anthem are mere rhetoric rather than virtues to live by. In the Civil Service,’ Servicom’ was launched to enhance efficiency and right service to the clients. Is it not high time that the same level of efficiency and right service manifested in the public service and similar national executive bodies?
Your Excellency Sir, many technical cadre civil servants(HND holders) attained salary grade level 14 step11( the former ceiling for that level) over 10years ago, officers(Degree holders) on level 10 at that time are right now on levels 15 or 16. Affected officers are annually being exempted from promotion interviews to level 15 even though the Federal Executive Council has accepted the recommendation of the removal of the ceiling since 2004. Paragraph one of page 5 of the quoted white paper states that, ‘On 11th June, 2006, the President set up the White Paper Drafting Committee on the Consolidation of Emolument in the Public Sector, to among others , work out a White Paper or better still, detailed programme of implementation of the accepted parts of the Report so as to ensure that substantial implementation begins in 2007 along with substantial implementation of Public Service Reforms and Right Sizing’. A lot of public service reforms including disengagement from service(right sizing) had been implemented whereas the issue of the removal of ceiling placed on HND holders also covered by the same White Paper still remains a no-go area. Is this not a perversion of justice and fairplay?
It is disheartening to state that the HND holders are still being statutorily and financially dehumanized as follow:
1. The period of study to attain HND is a minimum of five years ( 2yrs for OND, 1Yr of Post OND-Internship and 2Yrs for HND) while some of the first degree programmes require only 4Yrs for Courses in Education, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences , Arts etc. It is a fact to recognize that most Polytechnic students meet the minimum entry qualifications for University admission before choosing a career in the Polytechnic.
2. The point of entry into the Civil Service is Salary Grade Level 08 for holders of both qualifications. They undeniably assume the same responsibilities
3. It is a national shame to see some Nigeria Universities quoting the HND as one of the acceptable Entry Qualifications (into Part One of First Degree Programmes) while at the same time same or some others accept the same qualification (with PGD) for their masters programmes. (the NUC needs to revisit this issue). This waste of human resources and retardation of the national technological advancement need to be arrested forthwith. Some universities need to be aware that tertary institutions abroad afford HND holders from this country admission for post-graduate studies without any discrimination.
4. Technical Cadre staff on the so-called ceiling are being paid same salary (i.e. GL 14/11) year-in, year-out, without any annual increment even if they have to stagnate there till retirement decades after and nobody seems to care. More embarrassingly these officers are being paid the same Duty Tour Allowance of N8,500 with their sub-ordinate officers on salary grade level 07. Where are the so called incentives to enhance staff efficiency and productivity? What are the prospects for tertiary Vocational Technical Institutions in Nigeria ? Where is Nigeria ’s technological drive heading to? A lot of Physical structures are presently rotting away in Polytechnics for lack of students while those of Universities are being over-stretched. Some Departments in the Polytechnics are either without Students or their lecturers outnumber the students’ population. Is this country not loosing her focus on Technological Education? This country has to borrow a leaf from a country like Japan whose philosophy and objective of education is, ‘aggressive survival technology and effective use of adapted technology’.
Right now some Federal Ministries and Parastatals are gathering data for the next promotion exercise but the technical cadres on SGL 14 are completely excluded for the reason that the afore-mentioned white paper does carry with it ‘any directive’ to implement. What other directive is required, going by the Pages 5, 31 and 32 of the quoted White Paper?
Your Excellency, Mr. President, I wish to appeal once again that you use your enviable, and honourable office to save the affected officers the psychological trauma of the predicament they find themselves.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Long live Mr. President.
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Peter Odili Celebrates 60 Years In Abuja.
August 16, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
The birthday bash of Sir Dr. Peter Odili, immediate ex-governor of Rivers State in Sheraton Hotels Abuja on Friday 15th August, has put an icing on the allegation by the incumbent governor that those who ruined River State have relocated to Abuja.
For a governor who testified at the Justice Eso led rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Panel that he was generous to a fault while serving as governor of Rivers State for 8 years, one would have expected Sir Dr. Peter Odili to celebrate his birthday in Port Harcourt where he claims he touched lives and has a strong following.
It is a shame that Nigerian Politicians are like the proverbial sheep that soils her sleeping stead and prefers to sleep on all fours. It was during the tenure of Sir Odili that the local communities’ agitation against the oil companies grew fangs and gangs believed to be armed by the PDP ahead of 2003 General Elections introduced criminality into the peaceful struggle for resource control.
Sir Odili, whose wife is a judge of the Court of Appeal got perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from investigating or and prosecuting him or his activities as governor of Rivers State. I think Mrs. Waziri Farida should brief a SAN to appeal this questionable injunction if she is serious about running after ex-governors.
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Abuja Carnival Runs Into EFCC Troubled Waters
August 15, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
The office of the Abuja Carnival located at Aminu Kano Crescent was last Friday raided by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). At the end of the raid, cases of documents were carted away with no arrest made.
But at the turn of the week, the Chairman of Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Otunba Olusegun Runsewe was arrested and queried for two days by the EFCC before he was granted administrative bail and told to report again to the EFCC office off Adetokunbo Ademola crescent Wuse II Abuja. Also invited to the EFCC include the administrative staff of the Carnival secretariat. A good number of them had their houses raided at about 8 PM, in front of their children. At press time, these administrators are answering questions from EFCC operatives.
A reliable source at the EFCC said that the investigation is in connection with the 2006 Abuja Carnival held while Chief Femi Fani-Kayode was the minister of culture and tourism.
Chief Fani-Kayode had been picked up by the EFCC in connection with his role over the aviation intervention fund. At a Senate public hearing Chief Fani-Kayode accused his predecessor in the aviation ministry of unaccountable 9 Billion Naira. This led to the arrest of Chief Babalola Borishade at the premises of the National Assembly.
Our source at EFCC reports that it was during the interrogation of Borishade that he squealed that certain money was misappropriated by Fani-Kayode as minister of Culture and tourism.
It was further learnt that the misappropriated carnival fund was used to finance the failed third term bid by the PDP under Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
There is no doubt that the Abuja Carnival put Nigeria on the international tourism map. This EFCC probe as commendable as it is, should not kill the hard earned clean image of Nigeria gotten with money invested in the Heart of Africa project.
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Bakassi: Does she want to be a Nigerian?
August 14, 2008 by Felix Ashimole · Leave a Comment
All African Countries are a product of colonial administrative convenience. Cameroon and Nigeria are no exception. Cameroon in fact has an interesting history of having three colonial masters. First it was a German colony and became a spoil of war for Britain and France after the defeat of Germany in the First World War. (1919 League of Nation Mandate)The English speaking part, not wanting to be assimilated by the French culture, tilted towards Eastern Nigeria and expressed their political desire via: NCNC-National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons.
Ever since the South-West of Cameroon has been deemed Nigerian no political analyst asks, do these people whose ancestral land was invaded by European marauders after the Balkan Conference of 1885 want to belong to any of the geographical expressions?
As a child growing up after the Nigerian Civil War, I was told that Biafra lost the war because a part of Cameroon refused to allow arms meant for Biafra to sail through and as a reward, Gen. Yakubu Gowon returned that part of Cameroon back to Cameroon.
Now as an adult, I read of The Green Tree Agreement, wherein it is agreed that instead of washing African brotherhood’s dirty linen in the International Court, Big Brother Nigeria, agreed to hand over Bakassi to Cameroon on 14th August 2008. At 11 am today, the ceremony begun with the Nigerian Attorney General and Minister of Justice Michael Aondoakaa leading Nigerian pack.
What I make of all these is that a great injustice has been done to the people of Bakassi. Over the years they have been pushed around like ping-pong at an Olympic tournament. All the groups claiming Bakassi have not the interest of the people at heart. All they are after is the mineral deposit in the peninsula, which I read has a large commercial quantity of crude oil.
It is this discovery that makes me sad. In all the African countries where crude oil has been discovered, that country has never known peace. The expatriate oil companies exploit the oil without corresponding development for the people and the areas where this black gold is scooped from. The lingering environmental problems in the Niger Delta of Nigeria are an example. Seeing the “battle” raging on in the Niger Delta, would Bakassi still want to be part of Nigeria?
Paul Biya. Did I hear you say who? He has been president of Cameroon as long as I can remember. His long stay has eclipsed Ahmadu Ahidjo’s tenure. Am sure the people of Bakassi will not want their resources to be used to further fuel the life presidency project of Paul Biya.
Poor people of Bakassi. If a plebiscite was conducted, except supervised by Nigeria’s INEC, I am sure Bakassi in conjunction with her English speaking “brothers” in Cameroon would have voted to be in an independent sovereign country.
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NDDC Offers An African Insurance Solution To Development
August 9, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
The Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Mr. Samuel Edem was last night arrested by the Nigeria Police Force in connection with allegation of conspiracy to murder the Managing Director of NDDC Mr. Timi Alaibe. According to the Police, his arrest is also in furtherance of the investigations into the missing N800M meant for developmental projects in the Niger Delta.
According to Mr. Edem he was hypnotized into paying huge sums of money to a spiritualist, one Mr. Perekabowei a.k.a Mathew Sanoma about N350M. The spiritualist in his response to the Police claimed that Mr. Edem consulted him to make good luck charm (juju) and other incantations that will kill the NDDC Managing Director; make the Vice President Mr. Jonathan favourably disposed towards him and secure his tenure at the NDDc.
Things fell apart when the spiritualist’s incantations did not kill Mr. Alaibe on the guaranteed date. Mr. Edem blew the whistle and reported the spiritualist to the Police claiming he is a victim of 419. In the course of investigation, the Police smelt conspiracy to murder and quickly turned the complaint to a suspect.
As bizarre as this story may sound, there is nothing new to it. A good number of Nigerian elite have one spiritualist or a full fledged native doctor working for them. From anointed handkerchief to abracadabra during Election Day, a high percentage of Nigerian politicians are guilty.
Chris Ngige made Okija shrine popular in a bid to get assistance from the “gods” to win election, even if his manifesto is not people orientated.
The Election Tribunal sitting in Umuahia Abia State ruled against Governor Theodore Oji reading that he is a member of a secrete cult.
Most recently, the 18 Ekiti State lawmakers who impeached their Speaker needed African Insurance before they could sit on the legislative seat believed to have been laced with juju during the battle for the impeachment.
In deed Nigeria, should review the place of African Science in our daily lives. The Nigerian Penal Codes, fashioned after that of colonial Britain, has no provision for admissibility of juju evidence.
As hurt as the image of Nigeria will be from this lack of evidence will see Mr. Edem walking away.
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