Tuesday 11 March 2014
FG Says No Plan to Hike Pump Price of Petrol
The Federal Government has said that there are no plans to increase pump price of fuel now or in the near future and called on marketers to collaborate with it to eradicate the fuel queues from filling stations across the country.
The Minister of Petroleum Resources and Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke stated this on Tuesday after the Ministry’s budget appraisal for 2013 and budget defence for 2014 before the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on Petroleum Upstream, Downstream and Gas in Abuja.
Mrs. Alison-Madueke informed that already the situation is coming under control and steps are being taken to flood the market with petrol in the next few weeks.
Dancing on their graves by Ibim Semenitari
I know its been over three weeks but I still cannot get the thought of 53 children murdered in their beds out of my head.
I went to a Federal Government college. It was a great experience, as anyone who had that privilege would quickly tell you. In our days it wasn’t necessarily a club for the rich. No. You wrote an examination passed it and then went for an interview. You didn’t have to be the richest kid in the room but you did have to make good grades. Yes there was still the quota system but even that was moderated by the insistence of merit to a considerable degree.
What made our Unity school experience unforgettable was the fact that it represented all the colours of our country. I am an Anglican. My grandfather was an Archdeacon of the Anglican Communion. I knew next to nothing about other denominations including my catholic brothers and sisters not to mention any other religion before I got into the Federal Government Girls’ College, Abuloma.
Besides being an Anglican, I had a pretty sheltered childhood. I had spent vacations in Lagos with my uncle outside vacations with my parents abroad but didn’t know anywhere else outside Rivers State. Even my holidays in Lagos were very controlled so I really was more of tourist and didn’t get a feel and hang of the true Lagosians. FGGC, Abuloma therefore opened completely whole new worlds for me. My friends, from outside Rivers State, Jummai Williams and Margaret Angulu who came from Niger State, Kaka from Potiskum, Amina and Talatu, Nike and Funso Williams, Stella Ofong Ekpe, Jacqueline Kalu, Uloma Onwuchekwa, Ijeoma Ukpabi and all the other girls taught me about my country and the world. I remember looking forward to the new term and the Date palms and Aya that would come from our friends in the North, the party snacks brought by the Lagosians, while those of us resident in Port Harcourt made up for it with meals cooked by our parents to support an entire troop.
Visiting days were the most fun as every parent brought food knowing that they all had responsibilities for all the children in the dorm. During mid term breaks our sisters from outside Port Harcourt had ready homes to go to as their parents happily allowed them go home with almost total strangers whose homes, languages and creed were worlds apart from theirs.
I learnt the word azumin and learnt to respect the Muslim fast even though I was quite jealous of the fact that they got to have all those sumptuous early morning meals. Our Muslim sisters also learnt to respect the fact that our faith as Christians was more than just a ritual. It was our very lives and we wouldn’t trade it for the world. I got to see a Scapula and even learnt to say Hail Mary, even though I didn’t quite agree with the concept. We lived together, laughed together and shared great moments together.
We learnt to fight, disagree and make up. We knew each others homes and families through the many stories we shared. We cried when any of us had a misfortune. We ached when there was a loss. We even cried when one of us got expelled for a misdemeanour too major to be forgiven.
Our faculty loved us like their own. On mid term breaks, our wonderful foster mum, our principal then, Mrs. Ada Agwu, would take the girls who lived too far away to go home to her house as an outing and would allow them fall over the place like her own biological children would.
I remember my days in Abuloma, a chubby 10-year-old child, after dinning, prep and lights out trying to sleep. I shudder to think how terrified I might have been if as I dozed off, scores of gun wielding marauders attacked my hostel. I can’t imagine if I ever would have recovered watching my sisters slaughtered like rams or shot dead or burnt alive. I can’t think of the pain I might have gone through if I myself was slit in the throat or burnt to death. Even as I prepared to graduate from secondary school at 15, I cant think of how I would have coped with being abducted, separated from my parents, family and friends. Shut off from the world and kept incommunicado for several months. I do not know how if I ever would have survived the scars.
I am over 45 and a mother of four amazing children. My oldest is 21 and my youngest 13. I can’t bear the thought of any them being murdered in their sleep.
It is for this reason that I don’t understand the loud silence over the death of the children in Bunu Yadi. I don’t understand how as a country we could dance on their graves and think nothing of it. I can’t understand that every time we hear of mass murders in our country, we just continue with business as usual. I don’t understand that we aren’t shocked enough to shut down everything for a moment and just try to fix this madness. I don’t get the fact that we do not notice that perhaps we no longer have a country. A country that eats its tomorrow is finished. A country that murders its future is without hope. I am scarred that my generation, which thought we had lost the good old days, appear to have lived in paradise compared to the country that is being bequeathed to our children. I say being bequeathed because I also notice that not many in my generation have had a chance to affect governance. A few have, and it is those few that appear to be exuding anger. The generation just before us and those before them appear unwilling to pass the baton. They sit tight and sadly do nothing. Maybe they have become such a big part of the rot or have stayed in the stench so long they have lost their sense of smell. They bask in their putrid opulence oblivious of the murder at noon.
I really am scared. Scared that my children may have nothing to hold on to. Not even the great memories I had of a great school filled with Nigerians of all shades, shapes, tongues and religious persuasions. I am scared that I am losing my country, the only place I can call home with relish and a sense of right. I am scared that we the elite have become so enclosed in our little unreal world with our limited view that the world begins and ends with us that we are not seeing the signs of a possible rebellion by a dissatisfied populace who have been taken for granted long enough. I am scared that while we are busy majoring on our inconsequential lust for power and greed for filthy lucre we have failed, even for self-preservation sake, to make our country work even minimally for the benefit of our neighbors. I shudder to think that just as death crept upon the innocent children at Bunu Yadi, very soon our castles, palaces and mansions may no longer be safe enough to protect us. I shudder because as long as we choose to ignore the signs of rain, we will be thoroughly soaked by the impending thunderstorm and may even by carried away by the storm.
I am shocked that fathers, mothers, grand fathers, grandmothers and even great grand parents, wined, dined, clinked glasses and laughed in what they termed a centenary celebration while the smell of burnt bodies and the blood of innocent children cried for attention from the land of Bunu Yadi
I know that I may be ranting, perhaps even making no sense, but whichever way, I just shudder to think. I am scared.
Mrs. Seminitari, the Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, sent in this piece from Port Harcourt.
A CALL FOR POSITIVE DISCRIMINATION IN FAVOUR OF WOMEN
Equality for women in Rivers State and Nigeria can be achieved on the
adoption and implementation of a policy of affirmative action of positive
discrimination in favour of women. Our women have come of age, which is
evident in all the facets of national life. We see steady increase in the
contribution of women in business, education, the professions and of
course in their efforts to be better equipped to contribute to nation
building.
This determination by women to pull themselves into the mainstream of
socio-economic cum political activities can only be enhanced by policies
that discriminate in their favour, which should be implemented by the
male-controlled governance system.
As the world marks the International Women’s Day, we express our support
for the long-drawn struggle of women for emancipation and equality in
society in line with the official United Nations theme for International
Women's Day, which is: "Equality for women is progress for all"
We support the global call for equality for women across all spheres of
human endeavour. Despite the fact that the Constitution, our laws and
international conventions outlaw gender discrimination, society still
subjugates and denies women their rights. Cultural and religious
practices, and the politics of gender exclusion further militate against
the attainment of gender equality. The 35% affirmative action for women in
itself is a derogation of the Constitution, which prohibits gender
inequality. Laws alone, therefore, are not sufficient to address the
issues of inequality. Deliberate commitments by all, especially policy
makers and drivers are required to bring about the desired change.
The responsibility for change in promoting gender equality rests on men
since it is in their minds that inequality is conceived. It is imperative
that men must take greater responsibility in championing the cause of
gender equality and by so doing promote progress for all. The fact that
women are in the majority in Nigeria makes it imperative to work in
partnership with them for our society to make progress; hence our advocacy
for positive discrimination in favour of women on the basis of merit
across all spheres of human endeavours. This would end the inequality in
our own society and open up opportunities for all. The point must also be
made that equality with women neither derogates from the rights of men nor
degrades their status; but enhances it.
Empirical studies have shown that the apparent lack of progress and
under-development of the 3rd world may be directly linked to gender
inequality in the formulation and implementation of policies and in the
running of government.
Immense benefits are accruable to our society when the principles of
gender equity and equality are promoted. For instance, education of women
leads to their empowerment and overall wellbeing. According to scientific
findings, the education of women has a direct link to the improvement of
their health and those of children.
Providing women with opportunities to work also improves the income of the
family, promotes stability of our society improves the quality of the
workforce given their dedication to work. To deprive women of formal
education, therefore, deprives society of the laudable inputs they can
make to advance society.
Encouraging adequate and effective representation of women in politics and
government will lead to the direct fulfilment and show a true reflection
of the desires of the people. In other societies, this has led to an
increase in political and social achievements.
Education remains a vital solution. Society also requires fundamental
orientation and re-orientation, especially of the men, to prepare their
minds to accept women as being competent enough to take leading roles in
society. Women who are beneficiaries of the struggle for women equality
either through appointments or elections into positions of authority
should also endeavour to use such positions to advance the cause of gender
equality, rather than undermine it.
Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack
Leader, Rivers Converge; a network of political alliances of Rivers
people, residents and friends of Rivers State.
Humanitarian Crisis in Benue State Caused by Fulani Herdsmen/Militia.
We at the Initiatives for Sustainable Environment & Community Development (ISECODEV), an NGO/Civil Society Organization, wish to draw the attention of the Benue State government, the federal government and indeed, the international community to the growing humanitarian crisis in Benue state occasioned by the incessant attacks on Benue farmers by Fulani herdsmen/militia and call on Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State to take the issue of the welfare of the internally displaced Benue indigenes seriously.
Yesterday, March 7, 2014, the Fulani herdsmen/militia invaded a Tiv settlement in Daudu, Gbajimba local government area located along Makurdi-Abuja federal highway. The crisis, which ensued for hours caused the blockage of the federal highway rendering motorists and travellers stranded in the process. The locals took to their heels in thousands with no particular destination in mind. As a result, there are so many IDPs around Makurdi town in search of food and shelter. Also, there was another security breach in Jato-Aka, Kwande local government area of the state.
We as an NGO/Civil society organization are suggesting the following to the state government in order to bring succor to our people:
1. That the Benue State government should immediately arrange vehicles to evacuate the rest of the people in Daudu who could not trek for kilometers to Makurdi to a safe place.
2. That camps should be set up and managed by the state government in collaboration with the civil society in some designated primary schools (after all, the primary schools in the state have been on strike for the past one year) where water, food and medicals can be provided for the people.
3. Temporary clinics should be set up in these camps with adequate medical personnel to cater for the medical needs of the internally displaced persons.
4. Security personnel should be mobilized around these camps against any external aggression.
5. The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BESEMA) should be on mobilized to take care of the welfare of these internally displaced persons. Relief materials that were donated to victims of the floods of 2012, which are still in custody of the state government, should be distributed to the IDPs.
The primary responsibility of a responsive government is to protect and provide for the welfare of the citizenry. Now that it has become very clear that the Benue State government is overwhelmed by the security challenges in the state, we call on the federal government to declare a state of emergency in Benue State.
We had suggested in a letter addressed to Mr. President and the NSA on February 28, 2014 that the federal government should set up a committee to dialogue with representatives of the Benue farmers and those of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in order to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis which has claimed several lives and property worth millions of Naira destroyed. We still urge Mr. President to give this letter priority attention.
In the meantime, we call on all the aggrieved parties in the violence to cease-fire and give peace a chance so as to enable negotiations to be commenced by the stakeholders. Fulani and the Tiv people have been living together for centuries with no hostilities towards each other.
Finally, we call on all elected state governors in Nigeria to always stay in their various states to tackle any security challenges that may arise instead of seeking refuge in Abuja, which is the seat of power of Mr. President and his appointees.
ATIKU HITS YOLA FOR FATIHA
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his Principal Secretary Alh
Abdullahi Nayako, after the wedding Fatiha of his son, Kamal
Abdullahi in Yola, Adamawa State on Saturday
ATIKU AT WEDDING FATIHA
NIGERIA@ 100 :SERAP backs Soyinka's rejection of centennary award
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has backed Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka’s rejection of the centenary award, and said that “any public award to indicted corrupt public officials sends a wrong message and amounts to a triumph of corruption over public probity and integrity.”
The organization also “wants the Federal Government to explain to Nigerians how much exactly it spent on the centenary celebration.”
In a statement today signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organization said that, “The award to the late military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, considered one of the most corrupt leaders the country ever had, cannot be justified on any ground whatsoever, and in fact sends the message that corruption pays. It also suggests that tacking high-level official corruption and impunity of perpetrators is not as high on the list of this government’s priorities as it should be.”
The group also said that, “Granting awards to indicted corrupt public officials represents an attack on the country’s international anticorruption obligations and commitments, and can only further encourage corrupt politicians to continue to pursue personal interests with impunity, instead of catering to the Nigerian public.”
NOTICE OF POWER UP-GRADE AT LAGOS AIRPORT
Notice is hereby given that installation of dedicated new 2.5MVA Transformer RING MAIN UNIT (RMU) to serve the chillers at the International terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport has commenced today, Monday, 10th March, 2014.
This exercise which will last for three days.
During the period, cooling at both the old check-in area and arrival lobby will be sub-optimal. However, the newly extended areas and fingers will not be affected.
FAAN regrets any inconvenience that passengers and other airport users may experience during the installation as a necessary component of the on-going power up-grade at the airport.
Yakubu Dati
GM Corporate Communications (FAAN)
ECOWAS DEVELOPS COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY STRATEGIC FRAME WORK
The inter-institutional committee responsible for planning and coordinating the strategic plans for the ECOWAS Commission and community institutions has endorsed a roadmap and the Terms Of Reference to guide the consultants that will draft the Community’s Strategic Framework(CSF) and support community Institutions and agencies in preparing their strategic plans for the the four years 2016-2020.
At the end of its meeting in Freetown on Saturday 8th March 2014, the ECOWAS Strategic Planning CoordinationCommittee described the CFC as “a systematic process of translating the ECOWAS vision into broadly defined goals and the steps for achieving them”.
TERRORISM FORCES ABIA WARRIORS TO ASK FOR NEW MATCH VENUE
League Management Company (LMC) to relocate its week 2 Glo Premier
League encounter with El-Kanemi Warriors from Maiduguri to another
venue for security reasons.
The club recalled the renewed killings of innocent people in the state
in recent times, including the killing of several football fans at a
viewing centre in the Ajilari area of the state as well as the
audacious invasion of a village in Maiduguri by members of a dreaded
sect in military camouflage in which more than 39 people who were
preparing for prayers were gruesomely murdered.
Nigeria's new Foreign Affairs Minister takes over
“As
the new Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is not my
intention to change the direction and content of Nigeria’s foreign policy which
has stood the test of time. Rather, I intend to recreate a new era of Nigeria’s
foreign policy by sharpening our focus on what will best serve the interest of
Nigeria and Nigerians in our engagements with the outside world. It is my intention
to build on existing relations and to promote new partnerships and
collaborative initiatives, centered on issues that are germane to Nigeria’s
national interest.”
-Ambassador
Aminu Wali
Nigeria’s
Minister for Foreign Affairs
FCT Minister Bala Mohammed continues to work...
FCT Minister Bala Mohammed at work!!!
Saturday 8 March 2014
Nigeria's new Foreign Affairs Minister wants cooperation
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb.
Aminu Bashir Wali has called for commitment, dedication to duty, hard work, and
honesty in order to advance the noble course of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy.
His Excellency expressed gratitude to the
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR for considering him worthy of
Ministerial appointment, adding that he would endeavour to justify the
confidence reposed in him.
He also paid glowing tribute, to the
Honourable Minister of the State 1 and Supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Prof Mrs. Viola A. Onwuliri, for the excellent manner she handled the affairs
of the Ministry, before his appointment.
Earlier, while handing over, Prof Viola A.
Onwuliri commended the Hon. Minister for his achievements in his previous
positions, especially in the International arena. She noted that New Minister had served meritoriously
as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York, USA from
2004 to 2007. She also wished him a
successful tenure in Office.
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