Gabon’s coup leaders have announced a re-opening of the country’s borders, three days after soldiers seized power from President Ali Bongo.
Speaking on national television on Saturday, the army spokesperson said the reopening of the border is because the junta was “concerned with preserving respect for the rule of law, good relations with our neighbours and all states of the world” — and wanted to keep its “international commitments”.
The land, sea and air borders would be reopened “with immediate effect”, the army spokesperson said.
The military officers led by Brice Oligui Nguema, former head of the country’s presidential guard, had cited institutional, political, economic, and social crises as reasons for the coup.
After announcing that they had seized power, the soldiers, who identified themselves as members of the Committee of Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), said they were dissolving “all the institutions of the republic”.
The soldiers also announced the closure of the country’s borders.
The coup — the eighth in West and Central Africa in three years — has raised concerns about a contagion of military takeovers across the continent, painting a picture of democratic regress.
Oligui is due to be sworn in as the transitional president on Monday.
[TheCable]
Human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, has reacted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) decision to engage the services of popular social media influencer, Adedamola Adewale, a.k.a. Adeherself, to sensitize serving corps members on the dangers of cybercrime.
DAILY POST recalls that the EFCC had in June 2020 arrested Adeherself for cyber fraud and was granted N500,000 bail by an Ikeja Special Offences Court in July.
In February 2023, the Commission rearraigned the social media influencer before an Ikeja High Court over an alleged N7.9 million internet fraud. On a three-count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences, attempt to obtain money by false pretences and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct.
However, the EFCC unveiled the defendant as a stakeholder in its anti-graft war and further engaged her to admonish corps members to shun cybercrime.
In a post on its official X, the anti-graft agency said Adeherself was a speaker during a sensitization programme organized by the commission at the NYSC orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.
Aisha Yesufu, reacting to the development on her official X, stated that “In Nigeria, crime is not the issue as long as it is done big time. Petty crime is what is criminalized.”
[DailyPost]
President Bola Tinubu has given marching orders to security agencies to immediately recover over N577 billion disbursed to farmers as loans under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), THE WHISTLER has learnt.
The ABP was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 17, 2015, to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and small holder farmers (SHFs) of the required key agricultural commodities.
It was designed to provide farm inputs (in kind and cash) to SHFs to boost production of the key commodities, stabilise input supply to agro-processors and address Nigeria’s negative balance of payments on food.
Agricultural commodities covered under the Programme include cereals (Rice, Maize, wheat etc.), Cotton, Sugarcane, Soyabean, Oil palm, Cocoa and livestock among others.
According to data from the CBN, over N1.1 trillion had been disbursed as loans to states, farmers associations, individuals and companies under the programme as of March this year.
About 4.6 million smallholder farmers cultivating or rearing 21 agricultural commodities have benefitted from the programme so far.
The funds were disbursed through eligible Participating Financial Institutions(PFIs) including deposit money banks and microfinance banks.
According to the CBN guidelines, the tenor of the loans was based on the gestation period of the targeted commodities.
While many of the beneficiaries had reportedly paid back their loans, a total of about N577 billion is said to be outstanding.
A senior presidency source told THE WHISTLER that the president has given security agencies up till September 18 to recover the outstanding loan repayment.
Some banks which reportedly failed to fully disburse the loans to beneficiaries and refused to return the balance to the CBN are also targeted for the recovery effort.
Among other defaulters are states, companies, individuals and various farmers’ associations.
“I can confirm to you that the presidency has ordered security agencies to go after those who have refused to repay the loans received through the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme,” said the source who added that a September 18 deadline was given for the loan recovery.
It is unclear which of the security agencies will be involved in the loan recovery effort, but there are reasons to believe the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Police Force could be involved.
The DSS has been at the centre of the ongoing investigation of the CBN under Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the bank.
Peter Afunanya, spokesperson of the DSS, did not confirm the development but said, “It is not out of place for security agencies to be tasked with activities of this nature.”
The Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, has denied a report that he is being considered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the replacement for the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Imram Muhammad had on June 12, claimed that presidential sources told him that Elumelu who is also the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa is being considered for the top job at the apex bank.
Muhammad had tweeted through his X handle @Imranmuhdz, “According to a Source President Tinubu is also considering Tony O. Elumelu as CBN Governor.”
But Elumelu, in a tweet seen by THE WHISTLER advised Nigerians to disregard the report.
“No, please. This is false news!” the UBA boss denied.
Elumelu’s denial of the report came a few days after he met President Tinubu in Aso Rock Vila on August 30.
Although the outcome of his discussions with Tinubu was not made public, Elumelu tweeted through his X account, “Our pursuit of nation-building must be characterised by unwavering determination, empathy, and a commitment to creating a legacy of progress, unity and hope for generations to come.”
President Tinubu on June 9, 2023, suspended the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele over what people described as a personal vendetta. He was replaced by Folashodun Shonubi to head the apex bank in an acting capacity.
But Tinubu suspended the governor on the grounds of his investigation by the Department of State Service and the presidential reforms of the monetary policy.
The DSS had in December 2023 secretly requested a court order from the Federal High Court in Abuja to arrest Emefiele over alleged “terrorism financing, fraudulent activities and economic crimes of national security.”
However, the DSS was denied because they failed to present sufficient evidence to justify the claims.
But Emefiele’s issues with Tinubu can be linked to his naira redesign policy which was announced late in 2022. Emefiele announced the withdrawal of N200, N500 and N1,000 notes on the grounds of reducing vote buying and money in circulation.
A former Governor of Ekiti State Ayodele Fayose has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against expelling Nyesom Wike.
Wike, a chieftain of the PDP, worked against the party in the 2023 presidential election and has since been appointed as a member of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
Despite the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister’s alleged anti-party activities, Fayose is warning the PDP against going after the former Rivers State governor.
“Some people say fight Wike, expel Wike, sack Wike. I think they do that at their own peril. You see, the first thing in your family even when you have extreme situations, or indifferences, is not to drive away your wife or husband. Wike is a force in the PDP and beyond PDP, a force you cannot ignore,” he said on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, a prerecorded show that airs Friday nights.
“Ignore Wike, sack Wike, or fight Wike at your own peril. He is a man of capacity,” he said.
According to him, the PDP needs to unite members and work to restore the party which came second in this year’s presidential election.
Fayose reiterated the need for the southern part of Nigeria to produce the president, saying it could have been unfair for the northern region to have done so. In spite of his stance against the PDP which featured Atiku Abubakar – from the northern region – as its candidate for the poll, the former governor does not want to leave the main opposition party.
“The moment I am not in the PDP, I would never join another political,” he said. “And I would never be a member of the APC – not whether they are good or bad.”
He also debunked reports of him resigning from the PDP.
Away from politics, Fayose spoke about the recent wave of coups in Africa, attributing it to a sit-tight syndrome.
Even though The PDP chieftain hates military incursion into politics, he is “very happy” with developments in Gabon after soldiers seized power in the oil-rich Central African nation.
“In a country where one man is spending 30, 40 years, they must boot him out of the place,” he maintained.
President Bola Tinubu has recalled Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola.
Ishola was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021.
However, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maltama Tuggar, in a letter dated August 31, 2023, stated that the decision signalled the end of Ishola’s tenure as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom.
“By this communication, you are now expected to commence the process of winding down your affairs, and take formal leave of your host government within sixty days and to return to Nigeria by 31st October, 2023 at the latest,” the document read said.
“I seize this opportunity to express Mr President’s appreciation for the service you have rendered in your capacity as Nigeria’s Ambassador and Principal Representative in United Kingdom.
“While looking forward to welcoming you in Abuja on your return, please allow me to join Mr President in thanking Your Excellency for your exemplary leadership and service to Nigeria. I wish you God’s continued guidance in your future endeavours.”
Kano State Gov, Abba Yusuf, has approved the appointment of 57 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and 44 social media aides who will work as reporters at the various ministries and agencies.
In a statement on Friday, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sanusi Tofa, said all appointments take effect immediately, and the appointees are directed to collect their letters of appointment from the office of Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
He said the SSAs will help execute the policies, programmes and projects of the state government, while the social media aides will provide access to information on policies, programmes and activities of the Yusuf administration.
Tofa listed the SSAs and their portfolios to include: Anas Abba Dala, Senior Special Assistant, Political Awareness; Ali Muhammad Bichi, Senior Special Assistant, Religious Affairs; Alhajiji Nagoda, Senior Special Assistant, Information; Babban Alhaji Sagagi, Senior Special Assistant, Broadcast Media II; Ibrahim Muazzam Sanata, Senior Special Assistant, Public Affairs II.
Also appointed as SSA are Ismail Murtala Zawa’i, Senior Special Assistant Media Awareness; Shamsu Aliyu Samanja, Senior Special Assistant, Publicity II; Fahad Balarabe Adaji, Senior Special Assistant, ICT Maintenance (Hardware); Abdullahi Ibrahim, Senior Special Assistant, Digital Media; Hassan Sani Tukur, Senior Special Assistant, New Media I.
Also appointed are: Hadiza Aminu, Senior Special Assistant, New Media II; Hon. Nasiru Isa Dikko,(Jarma) Senior Special Assistant, Non-governmental Organisations(NGOs); Ali Hamisu Indabawa, Senior Special Assistant I Photography; Nafi’u Dankura Adamu, Senior Special Assistant, Protocol (Abuja); Abdurrashid Muhammad Panda, Senior Special Assistant, Kwankwasiyya Media Groups.
Nasiru Hassan Yan Awaki, Senior Special Assistant, Works; Abubakar Muhammad Inuwa, Senior Special Assistant, Reformatory Schools; Ibrahim Ma’aji Sumaila, Senior Special Assistant, Students Matters; Abdullahi Ghali Basaf, Senior Special Assistant, Information II; Bashari A. Yaro, Senior Special Assistant, Local Government Affairs.
Habibu Ya’u Kwankwaso, Senior Special Assistant, KSSMB; Yusuf Abdullahi Yanoko, Senior Special Assistant, Teacher Training and Development; Saminu Balago Yakasai, Senior Special Assistant, Askarawan Kwankwasiyya; Abdussalam Muhammad Sani, Senior Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs (Deputy Governor); Bala Abubakar, Senior Special Assistant, Security (Abuja).
Ishaq Abdul, Senior Special Assistant, Online Technology; Tijjani Kaura Goje, Senior Special Assistant, Lagos Liason Office; Balarabe Isa Abdullahi, Senior Special Assistant, Kaduna Liason Office; Mansur Ali Galadanchi, Senior Special Assistant, Automobile; Mustapha Ibrahim Chigari, Senior Special Assistant, Tourism.
Sani Rabi’u Muhammad (Rio), Senior Special Assistant, Butchers and Abbatoir; Ibrahim Abdu Hanga, Senior Special Assistant Printing II; Musbahu Shado, Senior Special Assistant, Abubakar Rimi Market; Abdullahi Sabo Abubakar, Senior Special Assistant, KARMA; Zainab Ibrahim D. Senior Special Assistant, Primary Education.
Dahiru Arrow Dakata, Senior Special Assistant, Environmental Sanitation; Jamilu Yamadawa, Senior Special Assistant, Youth and Sports; Yassir Abdullahi Jobe, Senior Special Assistant II ICT; Mubarak Muhammad Usman, Senior Special Assistant III, Information; Bashir Usman Gama, Senior Special Assistant II, Mobilization.
Mahmoud Abbas Sunusi, Senior Special Assistant, Chieftaincy Affairs; Adamu Maitama, Senior Special Assistant, Entrepreneurship; Rabi Hotoro, Senior Special Assistant, Women Affairs; Arc. Ahmad Ishaq, Senior Special Assistant, Urban Beautification; Arc. Abba Garba Yaro, Senior Special Assistant, KNUPDA.
Idris Tela Dandalama, Senior Special Assistant, Grazing Areas; Isa Rabi’u Wise, Senior Special Assistant II, Markets; Sharu Na Malam Dandago, Senior Special Assistant II, Religious Affairs; Rabiu Salisu Babba Dala, Senior Special Assistant, Agriculture; Aminu Sulaiman Gaya, Senior Special Assistant, Water Resources; Hassana Abubakar, Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters.
Hajiya Mariya Sani Karaye, Senior Special Assistant II, Women Mobilisation; Hajiya Sa’adatu Salisu Yusha’u, Senior Special Assistant, Women Mobilisation (Kano South); Dr. Harisu Tsanyawa, Senior Special Assistant, Primary Healthcare; Sani Isa Romi, Senior Special Assistant, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Consumables; Inuwa Salisu Sharada, (KOSSAP), Senior Special Assistant, Marshalls II; Khalil Isa Dokadawa (Amana Luxury), Senior Special Assistant II, Transportation.
The statement added that: “All appointments take effect immediately as the appointees are directed to collect their letters of appointment from the office of Secretary to the Kano State Government(SSG).”
The 44 social media activists and the ministries the Kano governor has deployed to them are as follows: Abba Zizu, Senior Special Reporter, Agriculture; Isma’il Alkassim, Special Reporter, Agriculture; Musa Garba (Jikan Oga), Senior Special Reporter, Budget and Planning; Bilal Musa Bakin Ruwa, Special Reporter, Budget and Planning; Auwal Dan-Ayagi, Senior Special Reporter, Commerce and Industry; Usman Abubakar Haske, Special Reporter, Commerce and Industry.
Auwalu Yau Yusuf, Senior Special Reporter, Culture and Tourism; Kamal I.G Kawaji, Special Reporter, Culture and Tourism; Comrd Hayatu Tanimu, Senior Special Reporter, Education; Usman Ibrahim, Special Reporter, Education; Mahmud Ali Yakasai, Senior Special Reporter, Environment; Rahma Abdullahi, Special Reporter, Environment
Sani Umar, Senior Special Reporter, Finance; Abdulrahman Gama, Special Reporter, Finance; Aliyu Kwankwason Dorayi, Senior Special Reporter , Health; Zainab Muhammad, Special Reporter, Health; Nuhu Dambazau, Senior Special Reporter, Higher Education; Zainab Musa Aujara, Special Reporter, Higher Education; Yakubu Umar, Senior Special Reporter, Information; Ibrahim Yusha’u, Special Reporter, Information.
Amir Abdullahi Kima, Senior Special Reporter, Justice; Mahmud Mahmud Dala, Special Reporter, Justice; Mustapha R. Mahmud, Senior Special Reporter, Land and Physical Planning; Nanu Kankarofi, Special Reporter, Land and Physical Planning; Khatimu Kul-Kul, Senior Special Reporter, Local Government; Aisha Auwal, Special Reporter, Local Government; Kamal Yakasai, Senior Special Reporter, Project Monitoring
Ibrahim M. Alliya, Special Reporter, Project Monitoring; Sunusi Ma’azu, Senior Special Reporter, Religious Affairs; Bashir Aliyu, Special Reporter, Religious Affairs; Shafa’atu Ahmad (Londonbe), Senior Special Reporter, Rural Development; Kabiru Nadabo Mai Rice, Special Reporter, Rural Development; Jameelat Meemi Koki, Senior Special Reporter, Special Duties; Muhammad Wasilu Kawo, Special Reporter, Special Duties
Nasiru Kassim Fulatan, Senior Special Reporter, Science and Technology; Kamila Muhammad Siba, Special Reporter, Science and Technology; Ibrahim Rabi’u, Senior Special Reporter, Transportation; Yasir Ibrahim (Monday), Special Reporter, Transportation; Auwalu Sani Rogo, Senior Special Reporter, Water Resources.
Abu Sufyan Doguwa, Special Reporter, Water Resources; Fauziyya Isyaku, Senior Special Reporter, Women Affairs; Nabeel Sunusi, Special Reporter, Women Affairs; Gambo Galadanci, Senior Special Reporter, Works and Housing; Khamis B. Ayagi, Special Reporter, Works and Housing.
The presidency has given marching orders to relevant security agencies in the country to recover loans from the Federal Government Anchor Borrowers Programme amounting to over N500 billion, Saturday Sun has gathered. The security agencies, Saturday Sun gathered, have up till September 18, 2023, to recover all the monies said to be owed by mostly banks, farmers, individuals, state governments and other financial institutions among others.
Apart from recovering the monies, the agencies have also been directed to probe the borrowers. Security sources say the recovery of the huge amount has become necessary to enable the government to shore up funds in the face of the harsh economic challenges in the country. Top security sources told Saturday Sun that out of N1.1 trillion of funds sunk into the programme, only about N575 billion have been recovered so far. It was gathered that while the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), doles out a total of N1.1 trillion to some banks and other financial institutions, some of them did not only disburse the actual amount to the beneficiaries and refused to return the money to the CBN. Some of the banks were also said to have disbursed lesser amount to the beneficiaries and pocketed the remaining. The source disclosed that many of the banks failed to account for the funds which passed through them to various beneficiaries of the loan. The source who said the security agencies have since contacted the affected banks, financial institutions and cooperatives, said “Most of the banks have not accounted for the funds given to them for the programme. Many of them got money they did not disburse and never returned such money to the Government. So they have to account for those.
“The banks have been contacted and some of them have expressed their willingness to cooperate with the probe. “As it is, the Presidency has given marching orders that the loans be recovered by relevant security agencies for the Federal Government.
“Among those who would be involved in the probe are the farmers, individuals, banks, companies, microfinance banks, credit and thrift services among others.
“The loans which amounted to about N1.1 trillion has about N575 billion paid so far. In the coming days more details would come to light over the matter, but for now it is confirmed that a go ahead has been given for the money to be recovered at all cost.”
When contacted on whether or not the Department of State Service(DSS), was part of the security agencies involved in the recovery of the money, the public relations officer in charge of the Peter Afunaya, who did not confirm the service involvement however said It is not out of place for the Presidency to give such orders to security agencies on issues of national importance.
[Sun]
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has assured that the party will bounce back to power to give Nigeria a responsive government.
In a statement issued by his media office on Friday to mark the occasion, Atiku congratulated the main opposition party for growing up to 25 years and impacting positively on Nigeria’s socio-economic and political development.
The quoted him to have said that “the PDP is the progenitor of our contemporary democracy, and therefore, the party shall ensure that democracy does not only survive in Nigeria, but that the country thrives through it.”
According to Atiku, “Being one of the founding fathers of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, I take great pride in having participated in the process of nurturing the party from infancy to a deliberate agency of socio-political and economic development in Nigeria.
“In the 16 years that the PDP was at the helm of affairs in our country, the party offered quality leadership through various administrations and the achievements recorded in those 16 years have remained the benchmark for positive growth in our economy and other critical areas of our national life.
“Of course, the PDP took leading role in the deconstruction of military rule in Nigeria, and the peculiarities of our contemporary experiences both within Nigeria and other countries in Africa demand that the PDP should, once again, rise to the occasion in cancelling the economic hardship and other structural deficiencies that directly bear negatively on our people in the past nearly eight and half years.
“I have every confidence that the PDP will bounce back to give Nigerians a responsive government,” Atiku said.
[Nigerian Tribune]
• Warn Number Of School Dropouts May Rise
• Blame Subsidy Removal For Hike In Fees
• Lament Fees Increase In Govt-Owned Schools
• ‘Palliatives Can’t Douse Current Tension’
As primary and secondary schools resume nationwide for a new academic session this September, parents have expressed distress caused by the pressure they are grappling with in their bid to send their wards back to school following the hike in fees and the prices of sundry necessary items.
Although the parents acknowledged that September of each year is always laden with heavy expenses associated with school resumption, they lamented that the removal of petrol subsidy barely three months ago by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu immensely contributed to their current ordeals.
A tricycle (keke) rider in Asaba, Delta State, Mr. Jude Nwajei, told The Guardian that he would have loved to have the resumption date extended because “each time I remember the new fees I am going to pay for my three children in primary and secondary schools, and the fact that there’s no money for that yet, or in the nearest future, I feel I am not meeting my responsibility as a father.”
He lamented that the increase in fees came at a time his income was dwindling.
“I am a keke rider and since the increase in the price of petrol, the number of passengers has reduced and we have to spend more for petrol for the same distance, whether it’s full load or not. Now, I don’t go home with the kind of money I used to make in the past before the removal of subsidy.
“Upon that, schools have increased fees and the cost of books and everything about school has gone up. Many of us cannot send our children to school again. Some parents are thinking of changing their children’s schools, to take them to where school fees are less, though the quality may not be too good. The number of school drop-outs will increase and we hope this does not lead to increase in crime in the country.”
Another parent in Asaba, Ben Onyeji, said he had resolved to change school for his children because he could not afford the current fees announced by their school.
“The fees are now out of my reach and I cannot kill myself. Where do they expect us to get the money? Do they want us to steal? They don’t consider the common man in this country. Maybe they don’t want us to send our children to schools again, so that only their children would be educated.”
Onyeji, who is a trader, lamented that though the prices of his wares depend on the amount he bought them, patronage has nose-dived as customers complain of “no money.”
“They are not buying as they used to. We are making less profit, yet the cost of education is going high. How do we cope? It’s not everybody that has access to free money, so they should consider us. To feed now is even a problem and people are cutting down on luxuries. It has never been so bad for most of us in this country,” he lamented.
A parent, Mr. Marcel Echinile, said the subsidy removal was a big blow and had put unnecessary tension and pressure on him. He argued that the removal of subsidy by President Tinubu without putting any measures in place to cushion its effect was a serious setback to him and many other vulnerable Nigerians.
He said: “I was unable to pay school fees of my children last term. The school management would have sent my children back home because of the demonic removal of the fuel subsidy if not the understanding I had with the proprietor.
“School would soon resume, perhaps in two weeks time, I am only trusting in God to do miracle for the payment of my children’s fees. The unexpected fuel subsidy removal has really thrown me off balance in meeting the basic needs of my family.
“As I speak, I am planning to pull them from private school to public school, ditto other parents, to avoid unnecessary high blood pressure as a result of the satanic removal of the fuel subsidy.”
Another parent, Mr. Okafor Ogedima, said: “The situation is affecting me so much, considering my very lean resources. The subsidy removal issue is telling on all sectors of our lives. I’m not sure the palliatives will douse any tension emanating from this subsidy removal.
“For now, I’m not thinking of sending my children to school, but how to feed them. Have you been to the market of recent? If you have, you will know what I mean. In fact, this government should go beyond scratching the surface in dealing with the hardship caused by the subsidy removal.
“This is because income has remained virtually constant, as our small-scale businesses are not helped by the epileptic power supply, which still boils down to the use of fuel to run our generators, both at home and our places of work. It all results to square one.” He said the country’s economy had become inelastic and something has to be done urgently to ameliorate the hardship being suffered by the people.
A civil servant in Calabar, Cross River State, Mr. Emmanuel Itu, lamented that the thought of school resumption had been giving him sleepless nights.
“In fact, I have been grappling with how I am going to cope with payment of school fees, books and other charges for my four children.
“As a civil servant with a salary of under N100, 000 a month, how on earth can I pay school fees for my two children in Federal Government Girls College, Calabar, now that the Federal Government has increased fees in unity schools across the country by over 100 per cent?
“Before now, I was struggling to pay N45, 000 each for two of them per term, including other charges, but with this increase, I am required to cough out over N200, 000. As it stands now, I may be forced to move them to a public school before I completely grow grey hairs.”
A widow with three children, Mrs. Grace Iwuala, also stated: “I don’t want to think about school resumption, because I don’t know where to start from. With this very difficult economic situation in the country, worsened by the removal of fuel subsidy, I may resort to selling some of my properties to be able to meet up with payment of school fees.
“If the Federal Government can declare free education at all levels for just one year, it would go a long way in cushioning the effect of this hardship, instead of this N5 billion given to politicians to do what they like with it.”
A mother of one in Calabar, who identified herself as Sandra Igiri, said her daughter’s school sent her a hefty bill to pay as first term fees. According to her, all SS1 students of the school, which is her daughter’s class, are being charged N133, 000 each for the term, which includes tuition of N5, 000; N55,000 for listed books; two pairs of uniform cost N15,000; sport wears, N7, 000; day wear, N7,500; N3,500 for laboratory; N3,000 as development levy and N300, 00 for the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) fees. I can tell you that most parents are not finding it easy to raise money to foot the new bill,” he lamented.
In Abuja, 45-year-old mother of three, Roseline Agboola, said she was looking for about N500, 000 to pay school fees of three children. Another parent, Amos Bulus, lamented that the situation was pathetic and overwhelming.
“One of my daughters has been promoted to senior secondary class and the tuition of N120, 000 has been hiked to N180, 000 while the fee for the other one in junior school has been increased from N80, 000 to 120, 000. School bus fees was increased by more than 100 per cent, from N30, 000 to N65, 000,” he said.
Another parent in Abuja, Samuel Ogbu, called on the federal and state governments to provide affordable and accessible education options to alleviate the overall economic burden on families. He explained that his family was facing increased financial strain leading to difficulties in paying school fees and purchasing essential items for his children’s education.
“The proprietress of my children’s school called to inform us that their school fees have been doubled. Honestly, I was very dumbfounded when she broke the news to me.
“As I am talking to you, I really don’t know when I am going to get that kind of money by the time the children will be resuming this September. I have three of them in that school. We are considering moving them to a government-owned school just outside the estate where we live.
“To cope with the escalating costs, I have had to cut down on other expenses, reduce non-essential spending and sometimes borrow money from friends or family members,” Ogbu lamented. Awoniyi Salau said: “My worry is that the escalating costs may increase the educational inequality gap. Nigeria currently has about 20,000,000 children who are out of school. If the current economic hardship continues, a lot of parents may have to withdraw their children from school to ease the pressure on them.
“The administration really needs to live up to expectations of the people. The hardship in the land is real and is biting hard.”In Ekiti State, residents also expressed concerns over increase in school fees and the cost of textbooks, among other sundry expenses.
Some parents who spoke with The Guardian said that in some cases, fees had been increased by over 50 per cent, while the cost of textbooks and school bus had also been jerked up.
A civil servant, Mr. Oluwatuyi Thomas, said that the private school attended by his two kids raised the fees from N45, 000 per term to N70, 000 even when salaries of workers have not been increased.
A trader at Kings Market, Ado Ekiti, Mrs. Oguntuase Monisola, said apart from increase in fees, textbooks prices had gone up by about 50 per cent. “I used to pay N20, 000 per term but now it has increased to N30, 000,” she said.
In Ondo State, parents disclosed that they were also facing mounting pressure due to the increase in expenses associated with their children’s education.
Checks by The Guardian showed that virtually all the primary and secondary schools in Akure, the state capital, increased their fees. The situation is more evident with schools that offer shuttle bus services and those operating boarding facilities.
For instance, some schools increased their fees by an additional N10, 000 to N35,000, while the bus shuttle, which used to cost around N30,000 per term, now costs as much as N83, 000 in most of the schools.
A parent, Mr. Wole Fadipe, who has two children in one of the top secondary schools in Akure metropolis, stated that he was yet to figure out how he would cope with the situation.
“My wife and I already knew that the school would definitely increase the fees, but we never thought that they would be this high. Do you know the funny thing the school did? We used to get the amount to pay for the following term on the last day of the term. But while we went to get the results of the children’s last session, we were surprised that the school did not include the fee to be paid for the next term.
“It was just last week that their class teachers sent the fees to be paid to us through a WhatsApp message. Those that I even pity most are those who have their wards in the boarding facility. It is just too high,” Fadipe said.
In Osun State, a parent, Olaide Olatunji lamented the rising cost of education, noting that everything is getting out of hand.
“My daughter’s school fees has increased from N40, 000 to N45,000. I’m yet to know the cost of books because we haven’t been given the list of their textbooks for this new session,” she said.
Another parent in the state, Seyi Adeniji, also said: “Everything is expensive; we are not happy with the situation. It is a very difficult period for me as a parent in this country. I have spent a lot of money on getting new things for my child in secondary school. Where do I start? The elder sister is also in the university.”
As a consequence of the hard times, the proprietor of a private secondary school in Ibadan, Oyo State, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that there would likely be low turnout of students this term. “As you can see, only a few students are here for summer coaching because of financial difficulty being experienced by their parents. How is it going to be when the students resume new session?”
In Enugu State, Mr. Mike Nweze, who was spotted in the premises of one of the new generation banks at the Enugu campus of the University of Nigeria, said he was running around to settle some fees for his son who just gained admission into the university. He said he still had the bills for three of his children in secondary school to settle.
“This is where the challenge is. The last time, the fees were below N80, 000.00 for each of them. Currently, they have increased it to N110, 000 per person. The books for each of them is not less than N30, 000.
“So I have decided that they will no longer be joining the school bus. I will be doing the school run and any other alternative that we may find. So, paying school the fees is now the greatest challenge.
“Remember, they will eat. You need to buy food even for the one entering the university. So, even when my salary and that of my wife who is a civil servant has not increased by one naira since they removed fuel subsidy, our expenses have continued to stare us in the face. That is the way it is,” Nweze bemoaned. Mrs. Joy Chukwu, a mother of five, is frantically looking for another school for her children.
“We decided to change schools for them when the management of the school they were attending increased the fees. They were living in the school. It is not something that we can afford any longer. But the problem now is that almost all the schools have increased their fees. So, how to meet up with the fees is making me lose sleep. There is no money anywhere. Everything in the market is on the high side. I am seriously looking up to God to come to our aid,” she said.
In Lagos State, many parents are weighing their options, following the hike in fees amid the high cost of living. Mr. Alex Bamidele has three children in a private school in the state. Though the increase in their fees was moderate, the cost of the school bus was hiked by over 150 per cent.
He explained: “The fees didn’t get a significant increase, I think they are also being considerate with the economic reality. But then, the school bus, which was N35, 000 per child, now costs N95, 000.
“As much as it is beyond their control, it is a huge burden that we will have to start living with. My income hasn’t increased. In fact, expenses have only continued to be on the rise. I wonder if there will be a way out of this situation. I look forward to palliatives in the educational sector.”
[Guardian]
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The Nigeria Labour Congress will commence a two-day warning strike on September 6, 2023, in preparation for a total shutdown which will commence in 21 days.
The decision was taken at the end of its National Executive Council meeting which was held in the early hours of Friday morning.
A communiqué released by the labour centre and jointly signed by its National President, Joe Ajaero, and Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, said it decided to take the decisions following the failure of the Tinubu-led Federal Government to dialogue and engage stakeholders within the organised labour on efforts to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol on the “poor masses”.
Already, the organised labour, in August, staged a one-day protest which grounded activities in major cities across the country.
While listing some of the other reasons why it would mobilise its members for the nationwide shutdown, the centre accused the police of laying siege to the national headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, alleged exploitation of the rights of workers in Imo State, interference in trade union matters by the Abia State Government, proposed demolition by the new minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, among others.
On the resolutions it took, the NLC NEC resolved, “To embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today until steps are taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country.
“To commence a two-day nationwide warning strike on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 5th and 6th of September, 2023, to demonstrate our readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month and to also demand that the state vacates the illegally occupied National Headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
“To embark on a mass protest and rally in Imo State within this month of September 2023 in preparation for a major shutdown of the state to compel the state government to stop the abuse and violation of the rights and privileges of workers and trade unions in the state.
“To begin the shutdown of the operations of Air Peace Airline and other companies in the aviation sector that are involved in serial violation of the rights of workers in the sector.
“To call on communities around the nation to stop taking laws into their hands but report to the authorities for amicable resolution any matter involving members of the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuffs and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria which is one of our affiliates.
“To demand that the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory desist from threatening poor masses in the FCT with demolition of their properties built from their years of toil but should focus more on making houses available to the people.”
Efforts to get the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Simon Lalong, and the spokesperson of the ministry, Olajide Oshundun, failed as messages and calls to their phones remained unanswered as of the time of filing this report.
In the light of the escalating coups in Africa, with the West African subregion having the highest, the Federal Government has dismissed any fears of coup in Nigeria, saying the country has gone past a forceful takeover of government.
It stressed that Nigerians had fully embraced democracy and that the country’s democratic institutions were becoming stronger. It said the fact that some African countries, including neighbouring Niger Republic, witnessed coup in recent times did not put Nigeria under any form of fear.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said this in an interview with one of our correspondents on Friday, noting, “I can tell you that there is no fear or apprehension at all. We have gone past that, and we have been a democratic country all this while with the institutions of democracy getting stronger.”
Meanwhile, some retired generals in separate interviews with our correspondents warned that the only way to avoid coups on the continent was for elected leaders to respect constitutional provisions and ensure good governance in their respective countries. While not justifying the military takeovers, they said leaders must be accountable and desist from repressive rule if coup must become a thing of the past.
The continent witnessed its latest coup and the second one in 2023 on Wednesday when some military personnel in Gabon seized power and placed the ousted President, Ali Bongo, and his family members under house arrest. Gabon is in Central Africa.
After the forceful takeover, which brought to seven the number of coups on the continent within the past three years, the soldiers announced the annulment of last Saturday’s presidential election that renewed Bongo’s prolonged rule, bringing to an abrupt end the Bongo family’s 56-year rule in the country.
Ali’s father, Omar Bongo, ruled the country from 1967 to 2009, and after his death, his son took over and remained in power until Wednesday.
About one month earlier, some soldiers in Niger Republic on July 26, 2023, also seized power and placed the ousted President, Mohamed Bazoum, under house arrest. The junta has since asked for a three-year transition period, which the Economic Community of West African States rejected, insisting that the junta should return the country to democracy or be forced to do so by its task force. Niger is in West Africa.
Also, on January 24, 2002, the military in West Africa’s Burkina Faso ousted the then President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, while soldiers in Sudan, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, sacked the civilian rule in place in the country and arrested political leaders while declaring a state of emergency. Sudan is in North Africa.
About two years ago, September 5, 2021 precisely, the then President of Guinea, Alpha Conde, was sacked by the military and was replaced by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya. After his sacking, he wasn’t declared “free” by the military until April, 2023. The junta promised to return the country to civil rule by the end of 2024. Guinea is also in West Africa.
Prior to this, Mali, also in West Africa, witnessed two coup within a year. On August 18, 2020, the then President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, was ousted by the military and a transitional leader installed. But by May, 2021, about nine months after, the military arrested the President and the Prime Minister, after which they inaugurated one of them as the transitional President. They also promised a return to democracy in 2024.
Independent of these, the military also retained its hold on power in Chad after its President, Idriss Deby, was killed on the battlefield on April 20, 2021. His son, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, has been in power since then despite a promised two-year transitional period. Chad is in Central Africa.
Out of the seven countries, West Africa, where Nigeria belongs, has recorded four coups, which is the highest; Central Africa has recorded two while North Africa recorded one.
No pressure –FG
On account of the intensifying coup and growing apprehension that it could spread to other countries on the continent, the Federal Government has said Nigerians have nothing to worry about.
Speaking further, the information and national orientation minister stated, “Nigeria is a different country. Nigerians will no longer accept such, so it will be difficult for anyone, at this point of our national development, to come out to do that or for us to start nursing any apprehension. We have very strong democratic institutions, so it is very difficult for anybody to just take up arms against the state. So, there is no apprehension at all.
“We have to stand up against military takeover anywhere on the continent. That does not mean we are afraid that such could happen in Nigeria. The fact that something like that happened elsewhere does not mean we have to live in fear. No, we have gone past that.”
…dismisses military shakeup
In what appears to be a swift response through shakeup in their military hierarchies, Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Paul Biya of Cameroon, both of whom have spent decades in office, retired a total of 1,029 senior military officers on Thursday. While Kagame has spent 23 years in office, 90-year-old Biya has been in office since 1982, making 41 years.
The Rwanda Defence Force, according to a local national newspaper, News Times, approved the retirement of 12 generals, including two four-star generals, James Kabarebe and Fred Ibingira, two three-star generals, Charles Kayonga and Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, and several officers.
Among those retired are two four-star generals, James Kabarebe and Fred Ibingira, two three-star generals, Charles Kayonga and Frank Mushyo Kamanzi. Kabarebe and Kayonga have previously served as Chief of Defence Staff of RDF, while the other two have been service chiefs previously.
“The President has also approved the retirement of 83 senior officers, six junior officers and 86 senior non-commissioned officers, 678 whose contracts ended and 160 medical discharges,” the statement added.
In Cameroon, the President reshuffled the military with new appointments to the Controle Generale des Armees. The new controllers are Capt Ajeagah Njei Félix Colonel and Colonel Nguema Ondo Bertin Bourger. Appointments were also made to the positions of Technical Advisers, Bureau Commissariat, and Air Force Technical Inspector.
When asked if there would be any shakeup in Nigeria, the minister said government did not have such plans, adding that Nigeria’s democracy remained stable and peaceful. He added, “That does not even arise. Let’s not talk about what does not even exist at all. Nigeria is stable and peaceful, and all our democratic institutions are very strong and are getting stronger. Like I said, there is no fear or apprehension at all.”
‘Tinubu wants peace’
The minister also emphasised that President Bola Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS, is not interested in any war with Niger.
Many Nigerians had rejected the initial threat by the Tinubu-led ECOWAS that it would consider military action against Niger if it failed to reinstate Bazoum and revert to democratic rule within seven days.
Meanwhile, after persuasion and several peace moves, ECOWAS appears to be considering peace moves, a position adopted by the subregional Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff.
Tinubu on Thursday proposed a nine-month-transition period to the junta.
The minister however stressed that Tinubu remained committed to peace in Niger.
He said, “The President is interested in the peaceful resolution of this conflict. Of course, he has maintained consistently that there is nothing off the table, but the preference and number one choice for Mr President is that there should be a very peaceful resolution of the conflict there or the return to democratic order.
“The President is a democrat and there is no way he will not support democracy anywhere in the world, particularly on the African continent. So, discussions are ongoing and the fact that something has happened in Gabon does not in any way take away the President’s eyes from the issue in Niger.
“We are not beating the drums of war and war is the last resort for anybody. The President is not interested in war; he is interested in the peaceful resolution of the constitutional disorder there.”
He stressed that consultations were ongoing on the Niger coup.
The minister added, “People are aware that on two occasions, a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, was there and of course, we know that they didn’t really get through because of some reasons for which the military authorities there have explained and apologised.
“They went back there for constructive conversations. You also know that there are efforts by the Council of Ulama that went there two times now. You are also aware that the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs was with the President yesterday to keep appealing for dialogue and calm.”
Ex-generals caution politicians
To halt the resurgence of coups on the continent and avoid it in Nigeria, some retired generals have said the only way out is for democratically elected leaders to respect the constitution and ensure good governance.
They noted that while coups were not desirable, people no longer wanted to be taken for granted.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia, stated that the coups were a reflection of how the elected leaders ruled their countries.
According to him, no one would have any moral justification to support a coup against a government that keeps its campaign promises and has respect for the country’s constitution.
He stated, “You can’t use what happened in Gabon as a template for what happens everywhere else. For Niger, have you seen the pictures of the country at all? For how many years has France been collecting nuclear materials from that country, and the country is one of the poorest in the world?
“In my place, we have a saying that if you do anyhow, you will see anyhow. So, whoever was ruling Niger, if he was teaming with foreigners to ruin their country; that is doing anyhow. So, if you have a coup now, it is seeing anyhow. I have no advice.
“Every politician knows what is right. Before resuming office, don’t they campaign? If they stick to those promises why would they have a problem? If I say this road to your place is not good, I will fix it for you, and when I get there and I fix the road, will anyone have the moral justification to support a coup against such a person? Those who are planning coups have their reason for planning it, I can’t speak for them.”
Also, Brig.-Gen. Phillip Ashim, said the way to stop coups in Africa was to ensure that the people enjoy good governance. “That is common knowledge, it is good governance. That’s all,” he added.
Similarly, a former Commander, 1 Division, Brig.-Gen. John Sura (retd.), in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, said for coups to stop in Africa, leaders must respect their constitution and democratic structure.
He added, “There are some basic things African leaders should pay attention to. First, the constitution of every nation must be highly respected. People agitate when they are disenchanted or there is an unacceptable change in the constitution. If the people enjoy good governance, I believe there will be no coup.
“If you look at the developed nations, no matter what happens, they respect their electoral laws and other laws, so people feel at home that their interests are protected. Once countries are well governed and there is respect for the rule of law, we will not be talking of a coup.”
A former Commander of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven, Major General Henry Ayoola (retd.), also noted that the coups were instructive enough for politicians to change their style of governance. He added that the practice of democracy should be done in accordance with the rule of law and that the surest safeguard was governance.
He stated, “Let’s practice true democracy and not just civilian rule. Let it be that it is a democracy where we keep to the rule of law, follow due process and procedures or the tenets of democracy. That is the surest way of keeping soldiers out of governance.
“The answer is for the politicians to play the game according to the rules. I give soldiers no reason and no excuse to tamper with the democratic rule. Let us practice democracy.”
He said further that the style of governance on the continent had entrenched impunity such that people don’t like processes and procedures. “We want to do what we like, when we like it and how we like it; that is what is playing out,” he stated.
“I mean how do you explain the Gabon case where the father spent about 27 years ruling the country and the son came spending another 13 years and he just won a fraudulent third term, tampering with the constitution? The best way is not to give the room for it. I don’t like to discuss the issue of looking up to the international bodies to solve our problems for us. It is a shame that we cannot rule ourselves.”
Kukah reacts
In a related development, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has also said military intervention was not an option for the country.
Speaking with journalists on the sideline of his 71st birthday celebration, the cleric stated, “I don’t think anybody in this country who is thinking right can contemplate or even make mention of the military; it’s totally out of the question. We have seen the best they can offer us, and we have seen the worst they can offer us.”
He restated that Nigeria remained a great country, adding, “I am confident that if God spares my life, I will see a great Nigeria. I just want to call on Nigerians, let’s be patient with ourselves.”
LP blames impunity
Also speaking, the Chief spokesman for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council of the Labour Party, Yunusa Tanko, blamed the resurgence on impunity by leaders.
He added, “I am a strong democrat who believes in democracy, but now you can see that democracy is being balkanised and held in high levels of decay and disdain. It is now almost making the people themselves hopeless as regards what they believe in. Those were the things that necessitated these coups around the continent.”
Tanko called on the judiciary to live up to expectations of being the last hope of the oppressed.
Meanwhile, efforts to get the reactions of the National Publicity Secretary of the governing All Progressives Congress, Felix Morka, and the Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, were unsuccessful.
Similarly, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party was yet to respond to an enquiry by Saturday PUNCH.
Fayose applauds coup
Meanwhile, a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Friday night expressed delight over the coup in Gabon, saying while he did not endorse military intervention in politics, the recent surge in coups in Africa was a mark of sit-tight syndrome.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, Fayose stated, “I am very happy with what happened in Gabon. I don’t like military incursions into politics but I want to say to you that Nigeria is different; we have a reasonably stabilised democracy. We have our flaws but you can see the uninterrupted democratic process.
“Nigeria has gone from one party to another party and one person to another, but in a country where one man is spending 30 to 40 years, you have to boot him out of the place in whatever way. That’s different from the Nigerian setting.”
[Punch]
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission said it had begun investigation into a petition it received from the Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee, Yusuf Gagdi, regarding job racketeering.
The anti-corruption commission disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, on Friday, adding that it also received a petition from Premium Times, an online newspaper.
It read, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has commenced investigation into petitions received from Premium Times and Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Ad-Hoc Committee on the Investigation of Job Racketeering and Gross Mismanagement in Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, over bribery allegations against the probe panel.”
Recall that the House of Representatives had issued a warrant for the arrest of a former desk officer at the Federal Character Commission, Haruna Kolo.
Earlier, the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities denied paying money to bribe members of the House Committee investigating the job racketeering in Ministries Departments and Agencies.
The Vice Chancellors at a panel hearing on Friday noted that they paid money into a particular account in order to get some foreign currencies needed for their travel.
The Vice-Chancellor, the University of Jos, Prof. Ishaya Tanko, who spoke on behalf of the vice-chancellors when they appeared before the committee, said the money that was sent by some vice-chancellors was meant for foreign exchange for them to attend an international workshop organised for them in Birmingham, the United Kingdom beginning from Tuesday, September 5.
He said, “During our last meeting, we requested for two weeks because some of the universities did not come with some of the documents required from them.
“But we read the very disturbing media publication and I can say that the vice-chancellors are not part of that. The vice-chancellors have not provided any bribe to anybody.
“What I recalled happened was that the next day, there was a workshop for the vice-chancellors and because there is another international workshop organised for the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, I recalled that a number of people were looking for estacode in the form of foreign exchange that will enable them to travel.”
Tanko added, “We are looking forward to this committee concluding its work so that the challenges relating to employment in Nigerian universities are addressed so that we can continue to provide the quality manpower we need for the development of this country.”
...To Resolve on Pruning Aspirants from Edo Central
...Opt for Consensus Building Strategy
Leaders of the pan Esan socio-cultural organization,Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI) and other stakeholders, are anxiously awaiting report of the Implementation Committee led by revered Constitutional Law Professor, Michael Ikhariale, to resolve the knotty issue of pruning the load of persons of Esan extraction angling for the Edo State Governorship race slated for 2024. Feelers reveal tthat the Committee which is wrapping up its report this weekend, may recommend consensus building perceived as “winning strategy” as a way of whipping the aspirants into line.
The 11 person Implementation Committee had a crucial engagement with the governorship aspirants across parties in Benin City, the Edo State capital last weekend as part of the move to guage their suitability in order to ensure that Esan which makes up Edo Central Senatorial Zone, puts its best foot forward in the race for a successor to incumbent Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki whose term winds up on November 12 next year.
No doubt, many of the aspirants which include Prof Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor, who had a stint as Governor for 18 months, three other prominent professors, five former Speakers of Edo State House of Assembly, among others parade worthy and enviable credentials. But Esan leaders are worried that the load of aspirants may whittle the chances of Edo Central if all of them go to primaries in their respective parties against fewer aspirants from the other two zones. In the words of Ikhariale, “there is a legitimate expectation that the Governor’s position in Edo State is now for Esan people to lose and quite frankly, there is the real possibility that we might just lose it if we do not put our house in order by quickly formulating a winning strategy.”
Although Ikhariale, who recently rounded up his term as Visiting Professor at America’s Ivy League, Harvard University, explained that their assignment was not to “screen out” any aspirants since that is the forte of the political parties, the engagement was no doubt an attempt to sift the grain from the shaft and ensure that only formidable persons with clout and influential reach to the other two zones - Edo North and Edo South are supported.
“ Before I proceed further, please permit me to make this fundamental clarification about today’s activities. We are certainly not here to “screen out” anyone neither do we have the desire or inclination to do so. The issue of screening aspirants is within the remit of the various political parties.
“What we invited you for is an interactive engagement wherein we would look at each other’s relative strengths and weaknesses and then proceed to honestly tell ourselves about our levels of readiness in the Esan quest for the governorship position.
“Going forward, we expect this engagement to be frank, dispassionate, and objectively based on a set of objective criteria. The outcome of today’s engagement shall be submitted to the leadership of EOI and other critical stakeholders for their deliberations and further actions.
“We all know that whenever brothers go into any discussion behind closed doors and they come out all smiling, it is usually an indication that they have deceived themselves. We of the EOI obviously do not intend to do such to ourselves here or unduly make anyone unhappy.
“Looking at the contemporary political landscape of Edo State, it is easy to observe that there has never been a better opportunity in recent election cycles for Esanland to produce a Governor. Constitutionally, there are three senatorial districts in the State, namely, Edo North, Edo South and Edo Central (Esanland). Of these three, it is only Edo Central that has not yet produced a Governor for almost twenty years. The last time we had a Governor of Esan extraction, his tenure was unfortunately truncated within a few months of its inauguration.
“ EOI’s primary goal, in the circumstance, is to objectively reason with all the aspirants with a view to building consensus around those aspirants who have realistic chances within their respective parties and Esan people will support those aspirants while allowing the good people of Edo State make their choice,” he contends.
Aside from Prof Ikhariale, who chairs the Implementation Committee set up by Esan Okpa Initiative with Chief Executive Officer, Novelpotta, Dr. CeleyOkogun as secretary, other members include Linguistics Scholar at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Philomena Ejele and Education Scholar, Prof Oyaziwo Aluede who teaches at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. The committee also has Acting Director General, Edo State Directorate of Quality Assuarance, Dr. Roseline Etiti Okosun, a Political Development Expert, Dr. Ono’ohomen Ebhohimhen and Engr. Francis Oriakhi, president, Esan Club 30 based in Port Harcourt as members. Both Rev, Fr. (Dr.) Fidelis Arhedo and Mallam Abdulkadiri Mukhtar represent faith based organisations in the committee while Mr. Prosper Iyere and Mr. Alex Orukpe are drawn from youth organizations.
The engagement with the aspirants mostly members of the three leading parties - All Progressive Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Patty (LP) was generally described as “fruitful”. Apart from Osunbor, some of the high profile aspirants who turned up for the event include Edo State APC Chairman, Col David Imuse, former APC Chairman, Barr Anselm Ojezua, former Chairman, Esan North East Local Government, Hon John Yakubu and former Edo State Government House Chaplain, Rev Fr Andrew Obinyan. Others are Prof Sylvester Odion Akhaine, Prof Amb Martins Uhomoibhi and Prof Osezua Ehiyamen
The gathering also featured former Speakers, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Francis Okiye, Rt Hon Friday Itula, Rt Hon Bright Omokhodion and former Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Festus Ebea. Although former Speaker, Rt Hon Victor Edoro and former member, House of Representatives, Rt Hon Serguis Ogun indicated their willingness to attend, they could not make it.
Of the 26 aspirants who responded to the invitation of the Implementation Committee, only 17 eventually made last weekend’s engagement. Three aspirants based in the Diaspora requested for a Zoom facility which could not be immediately arranged. Two others sent apologies with no word received from four aspirants who had initially responded to the letter of invitation. Leaders of Esan Okpa Initiative led by its President, Rt Hon Mathew Egbadon and other Esan elders had earlier met with aspirants of Edo Central extraction last July in Benin City as part of the move to prune the number of aspirants from the zone.