A cursory look at the tactical jostling going on to occupy the office of the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party leaves one with a burning question: why does PDP always repeat the same mistake?
The report sheet of the 2015 presidential election must be brought into focus as we elect a new party chairman. All the stakes must be thoroughly interrogated dispassionately, viz-a-viz the threat of a possible collapse and the undaunted pressure of a rampaging All Progressives Congress.
The era of putting a lackey of political bull dogs as party chairman is over. The party needs to “smell the coffee” as its chances of rising up from the ash is very strong. That is, if you elect a chairman who understands critical and strategic organizational functionalism and is able to bring to bear this auspicious capacity.
This is calling on the critical mass in the PDP to rise to the peculiar contingencies and challenges of the occasion. The pregnancy of a stronger and more strategic PDP must not be sacrificed at the slaughter slab of political emperors who see the party as just another conquered fiefdom. He that has eyes and ears must listen attentively to the delicate voice of reason.
The American trained school teacher, administrator, consummate diplomat, father and shepherd, Ambassador Wilberforce Juta, must be supported in his bid to rebuild the broken walls of the most strategic, political party in Africa, the PDP. Juta should be supported as he strengthens the feeble hands and heals the wounded hearts in the party. This is not the era to relish the subterfuge and succour of denial mode or “grandeur of delusion”.
THE TRUTH MUST BE TOLD AS IT IS: PDP is injured. PDP needs a father with a shepherd’s heart, eagle’s eyes and the disciplined conviction of a pragmatic reformer. Don’t forget, the ruling APC is earnestly waiting to celebrate PDP’s utter disintegration and decimation!
With due respect to all other aspirants, Ambassador Juta may just be the critical functionalist required in a time like this. His vast experience, exposure, pedigree and resilient strength, as resplendent in his academic, career and political trajectory, would definitely come in handy.
. Al-Hassan wrote from Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State. [myad]
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has threatened to clamp down on sub-standard private schools that have been exploiting parents.
The minister who spoke at the flagging-off of the 2015/2016 Annual School Census at Government Secondary School, Area 10, Garki I District, Abuja said that his government is determined to tackle the proliferation of sub-standard private schools with a view to forcing them to maintain acceptable minimum standard.
The minister reiterated that if such schools were left the way they are, their activities would be counterproductive to the Federal Capital Territory educational system.
Muhammad Bello said that proprietors of such schools are exploiting the people, saying that it is unacceptable even as he said that though the proliferation of sub-standard private schools remains a challenge, the Administration would address it with seriousness.
“Sub-standard private schools that take advantage of the unfettered influx of the people into the city remain a challenge but the current Administration would redress it to ensure provision of high quality education for our children.”
He commended the principal, teachers and students of Government Secondary School, Garki for maintaining high standard of environmental sanitation and urged other public institutions in the Territory to emulate the school.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu said that in order to facilitate the collection and collation of education data in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Education has concluded arrangement to host the NEMIS software on the Internet for real-time online data entry and processing.
According to him, this will further ensure uniformity in data reporting so that end-users will have timely reports for decision-making and research. [myad]
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has alluded to the new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as a Boko Haram sponsor.
The former President, who reacted to Tuesday’s emergence of Senator Ali Modu Sherrif as PDP’s new National Chairman, tweeted: “Let us have a minute of silence for PDP. I don’t expect anything else than this, not even when Ayo Fayose and Olisa Metuh are the microphone of the party.
“May the days ahead bring forth a better opposition party for Nigeria that does not have a Boko Haram sponsor as its National Chairman.”
Obasanjo advised the country’s youths to be wary of politicians, saying that they must accept themselves irrespective of their political beliefs.
He observed that while youths are busy fighting for PDP and APC, “politicians and leaders are busy inserting figures in the nation’s budget.”
Obasanjo noted that if the country is to get things right, Nigerian youths, either in APC or PDP, must unite against enemies of the masses, as unity is a strong force to win the battle. [myad]
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige has described those who went to town today with the news that he collapsed on the floor of the House of Representatives as he was defending his budget for 2016 as petty. The minister who spoke to news men today, said that he was in South Africa en route to Nigeria today when the news of his collapse in the Nigerian National Assembly gained ground, describing the rumour as a ruse and an attempt by politicians to malign his ability and personality. “It’s laughable, and failed cannon targeted at me by never -do- well politicians for selfish interest. I am not in Nigeria, I attended special morning function in Zambia and I’m airborne to South Africa where I will be coming into the country tomorrow. The rumours on the social media and other quarters have to show how petty people can be. “I don’t see it as anything but I wish to tell those who still play this outdated and obsolete politics of bitterness to embrace change and know that it is no longer business as usual. The rumour has shown that I’m a great person. The late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe experienced such dangerous rumour. Those who peddle such rumour in history most often visit there before long.” He expressed confidence in President Buhari’s administration to rid the country of corrupt leaders and maintained that his ministry shall continue to play the complimentary role of promoting good governance in the country. [myad]
How time changes, and fast. Of course, the changing time has a way of favouring some and making others reeling in confusion and or self-delusion. For the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the changing time seems to have boxed it into a dangerous corner. As a matter of fact, there used to be a time, not too long ago, when the party prided itself as the largest in Africa. So large and cohesive it was that its leaders had the confidence that it would be at the centre for at least, the next 50 years, calling the shot for this country. That were the days of Dr. Alex Ekwuemes, the days Adamu Ciromas, the days of late Solomon Daushep Lars, the days of late Abubakar Rimis, the days of Chief Olusegun Obasanjos, the days of Chief Barnabas Gemades, the days of Chief Audu Ogbes, the days of General Ibrahim Babangidas, the days of Alhaji Atiku Abubakars, the days of Chief Tony Anenihs, the days of Alhaji Bamanga Tukurs and many other founding fathers. These were the days when the PDP determined the fate and direction of the country, not necessarily because it was in power, but because of the sheer strength and nation-wide-spread of who-is-who in the country. Time was when the whole country would literary shake whenever the party was having just a mere National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, not to talk of Convention: when Nigeria would catch cold simply because the party sneezed. The party began to lose it clout from the very moment Dr. Goodluck Jonathan mounted power as President of the country and as national leader (of the party). Jonathan began to assemble his own kind of leaders for the party, away from the ideals of the founding fathers. So fast the party degenerated and so high-handed the leadership turned, under Jonathan that it approached the 2015 general elections in tattered. The general belief that gave the party’s leadership some forms of confidence was that enormous funds it stashed away in various places would, as usual, give it the power. Another hope was hinged on the rigging machinery which one of the chief defectors to All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Rotimi Amaechi said was all over. Remember Amaechi saying before the elections that they, the leaders of PDP which he was part of, used to count ballot papers into ballot boxes inside aircraft, away from the votes which electorate would be busy queuing up at polling centres to cast. When eventually the nemesis caught up with Jonathan after losing, for the first time in our political or electoral history, to an opposition party, the APC, the emptiness of the PDP came out clearly in the daylight. The national chairman that led the party to the electoral waterloo, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu threw the party off his back and ran as fast as he could to where he could breath fresh air. With the disappearance of Adamu Mu’azu, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party’s national publicity secretary assumed a defacto chairmanship, even though Secondus was at the background begging to be recognized as the national chairman. At another point, a rabble rouser, Ahmed Gulak surfaced and declared himself as the national chairman. With knocks here and faltering steps there, governors under the party ignored five dark horses who showed interest to lead what remained of the party and settled for the former governor of Borno state and also a onetime Senator, Ali Modu Sheriff for the chairmanship. The governors were able to convince members of the National Executive Council and some other party organs to buy into their position. The choice of Modu Sheriff has since raised some dusts across the country, and even within the circle of the PDP. One of the points being raised against Modu Sheriff, according to no less a personality than the national auditor of the party, Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, is his alleged sponsorship of the original Boko Haram that had since developed into an international terrorist gang. Adeyanju said: “it is being erroneously speculated in some quarters that our new national chairman is a Boko Haram sponsor. Let those speculating this come out with concrete evidence and if they don’t have one, they should keep quiet and stop spreading such dangerous rumour.” What those who floated Modu Sheriff don’t know is not the point bordering on sponsoring of Boko Haram or not sponsoring it, but on the mere fact that he has been linked to it in the first place; false or otherwise. The ‘allegation’ puts him in the public domain, as a suspect. If today or during the day PDP held sway, the same Modu Sheriff was made national chairman of APC, it was obvious that PDP would have gone to town to confirm its allegation all along that APC is a Boko Haram party. At a point during the last campaign, some uncultured people went into social media to even tag Muhammadu Buhari as leader of Boko Haram. In any case, if it were not that PDP is completely bereft of earth-shaking personalities, Modu Sheriff of this world would not be so close. It is a clear case of smaller, less powerful animal feasting on the carcass of a huge, powerful animal…which passed on by miscalculative steps. To think that the rabble rouser, the boisterous ragamuffin, the garrulous, misguided, disrespectful, wayward Ayo Fayose was one of the main architects of the emergence of Modu Sheriff speaks volume about the level to which PDP has sank. I really, truly and honestly grieve for PDP as a body. This is no fun. [myad]
Two prominent televangelists of the famed Believers Love World Inc, popularly known as Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and his wife, Anita, have formally divorced. They got married in 1991. The couple has been in the news in the last few years over marital squabbles. Anita’s lawyers, Attwaters Jameson Hill, said the divorce was finalized on February 8, 2016. A statement by the lawyers said that their client, addressed as Anita Ebhodaghe, has finally divorced Chris Oyakhilome and was no longer a part of the Believers Love World Inc. The statement said: “We have been requested by Anita Oyakhilome to confirm that on 8th February 2016 a decree absolute was pronounced in the High Court of Justice Principal Registry of the Family Division dissolving her marriage to Christian Onehirokpeana Oyakhilome. “Anita Oyakhilome would like to confirm that she is no longer involved in or part of Christ Embassy AKA Believers LoveWorld Inc.” [myad]
The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode will soon deploy the three Rapid Response Squad helicopters recently purchased by his administration as a means to facilitate rescue operations as well as boost security surveillance across the metropolis.
One of the helicopters, with registration number 5N-RRS had already carried out a test landing at the emergency unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja. This was in preparation to handle any emergency situation as well as show that accident victims and others in emergency situations can be flown to anywhere in the state to receive prompt medical attention. This is coming as a prelude to plans by the Governor to roll out a Medical Emergency Response initiative using the helicopters. Aside aiding in security surveillance and traffic monitoring, the helicopters can be effectively deployed to promptly attend to medical emergencies from any part of the state. It would be recalled that the RRS helicopters recently aided in locating and rescuing crew members and passengers of a helicopter, with registration number N5BQJ belonging to Bristow Group, which crashed while heading to Lagos from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. The helicopters have also been deployed to aid security surveillance and traffic monitoring in the state. Since its purchase in November last year, the state has not recorded any major case of robbery, especially in financial institutions, as it has the capacity to track down fleeing criminals on land and on sea. [myad]
A popular Singa market in the centre of Kano metropolis today, went up in flames, consuming no fewer than 200 shops, even as President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a sympathy greeting to the victims.
The State Director of the fire service, Balarabe Kabara confirmed that the fire outbreak started about 6. 00am and that an unspecified number of shops were affected.
“We are yet to ascertain the actual number of shops destroyed as we are still battling to put out the inferno. We cannot give you the number of shops affected but the fire had destroyed many shops.”
An eyewitness who identified himself as Aminu Inuwa, siad that more than 200 shops were completely affected, adding that the fire also razed a number of warehouses of food stuff and essential commodities located in the market
In a sympathy message, President Buhari, through his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that he is deeply saddened by the destruction of very valuable goods and properties in the inferno.
“The President shares in the pain and anguish of all hardworking Nigerians who lost their wares and belongings in the unfortunate fire incident.
“He assures those who suffered losses from the fire incident that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to support the efforts of the Kano State government to ameliorate their plight.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr. Tolu Ogunlesi as his Special Assistant on Digital/New Media.
Ogunlesi, who is a renowned blogger and journalist, graduated from the University of Ibadan in 2004, and obtained an MA in Creative Writing from University of East Anglia, UK, in 2011.
Before his appointment, Ogunlesi had worked as a Features Editor and Editorial Board member of NEXT Newspaper. He also worked as a West Africa Editor for The Africa Report magazine from 2014 to 2015.
Ogunlesi is a two-time winner of the CNN Multichoice African Journalism Awards, and a 2015 New Media Fellow of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP).
Ogunlesi will be assisted by Bashir Ahmad, who is a Personal Assistant to the President on New Media. [myad]
Lagos State Government has expressed readiness to use the Austria’s vocational study model to reduce unemployment in the State. This will be through partnering with that country to create investment opportunities, jobs and reduce unemployment.
The State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade disclosed this at a meeting with the visiting Austrian Vice Minister for Foreign Economic Policy and European Integration, Mrs. Bernadette Gierlinger at the Secretariat, Alausa.
He said that the opportunities inherent in solid waste management and transportation, especially the need for the development of rail and water modes of transportation to complement road transport system can jointly be harnessed.
According to the Commissioner, other areas of mutual interest include investments in waste to energy programme which is aimed at encouraging Lagosians to sort and sell their waste products rather than dumping them indiscriminately to degrade the environment.
Ashade said that about $3billion was required for water development projects in the state, even as he highlighted the potentials in waste water management which requires huge investment.
The Commissioner said that the plan by the present administration to increase electricity supply to every part of the state using solar, wind and hydro plants will go a long way to unbundle the potentials of Lagos.
He called on the Austrian Government to make haste to partner with the State Government as the investment world is already focusing on the State.
Earlier, Mrs. Bernadette Gierlinger said that Nigeria is one of the economically promising nations, stressing that as soon as electricity and transportation problem improves in the country, Nigeria will be best hub for investment and production activities.
She said that her visit was to explore ways to diversify the produce of Austria as well as partner with the Lagos State Government in such areas of mutual interest like construction, tourism, environmental technology, energy efficiency and vocational training which has made Austria one of the countries with the least unemployment rate.
The Vice Minister said she was impressed by the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP), describing it as a detailed visionary document capable of hastening the development of the State if implemented faithfully.
She commended the Eko Atlantic project as a worthy investment, adding that Lagos and Austria have a lot in common and as such both can share in the experience of each other in the areas of urban migration, urbanization and climate change. [myad]
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A cursory look at the tactical jostling going on to occupy the office of the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party leaves one with a burning question: why does PDP always repeat the same mistake?
