Alleviating Poverty in Nigeria - the CDD Initiative - Leadership

Leadership (Abuja)

ANALYSIS
28 November 2007
Posted to the web 28 November 2007

By Nathaniel Jonah

Several administrations in the past have made ambitious moves at eradicating poverty among Nigerians with each setting up its own agencies to tackle the ugly phenomenon but, very little has been acheived. Reports still show that majority of Nigerians still live below the poverty line. Nathaniel Jonah examines the activities of the Centre for democracy and development in its bid to alleviate poverty in Nigeria.

When President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua he left no one in doubt concerning his decision to effect a socio-economic transformation of the country. This naturally flowed from his numerous promises entrenched in his campaign manifesto entitled; "End poverty, develop Nigeria." As a fallout of his desire to move the nation out of the league of poor nations whose citizenry languish in poverty in the midst of plenty, the president further promised Nigerians to launch a massive assault on poverty using the United Nations Millennium Development Goals as his guide.

Thereupon, he launched his seven point developmental agenda which would serve as a focal point of his vision. The seven point agenda include a declaration of national emergency in the energy sector, revitalisation of the agricultural sector thereby boosting food security, wealth creation and poverty alleviation, land reform, human capital development including compulsory education for children and transport revolution which, includes mass transit. Full Story

Moeller and Yates Stump for AFRICOM in Nigeria - Threats Watch

Vice Admiral Robert Moeller, AFRICOM’s Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, and Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates, the Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Activities, toured Nigeria’s capital of Abuja in an effort to garner support for AFRICOM’s establishment among Nigerian government officials. Moeller and Yates, General William Ward’s two deputies in the AFRICOM command structure, visited with the chief of defense staff, the foreign affairs minister, and the national security adviser. Nigeria is a crucial state to get on the AFRICOM bandwagon due to its status as a major power in West Africa. At a press conference held in the US embassy in Abuja, Vice Admiral Moeller, with whom I previously spoke via a Department of Defense Blogger’s Roundtable, offered a quote addressing some of the concerns surrounding basing on the continent:

“AFRICOM does not intend to station large operational units in Africa,” said Moeller, adding that if invited by African countries, small forces could come in for specific tasks and then leave.

Speaking on the question of energy, Moeller also had this to say about AFRICOM:

“It has nothing to do [with] oil resources in the Gulf of Guinea. The resources there are Nigerian. They belong to Nigeria and to the countries of the region. What we do is work with partner nations to make sure that the resources are available for the global community, and for what they are intended for.”

Prior to arriving in Nigeria, the duo stopped in Burkina Faso and will now travel to Djibouti, the small nation in the Horn of Africa where a contingent of American forces is based. Though the larger campaign of establishing support for AFRICOM is vital for its effective operation, bringing Nigeria into the fold is especially crucial due to its special position in the region. Nigeria has come out in opposition to the command in recent days. As reported by the BBC:

The Nigerian government has said it would not allow its country to be used as a base for the US-African military command, Africom. At a meeting of the National Council of State, President Umaru Yar’Adua said that Nigeria was also opposed to any such bases in West Africa.
Full Story

Senator Tasks Yar'Adua on Roads - Thisday

29 November 2007
Posted to the web 29 November 2007

Christopher Isiguzo
Abakaliki

Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Senator Anthony Agbo has urged President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to prioritize the power and road sectors rather than carrying his entire seven-point agenda at a time in the 2008 appropriation.

He also criticized the budget profile of about twenty billion dollars as totally insufficient.

The lawmaker stated that the power and road sectors were very crucial to the realization of the Vision 2020, adding that if the sectors were properly attended to in the 2008 budget, other sectors could follow suit in subsequent budgets of the present administration. He said that the nation could have had more than that but for the near total dependence on crude oil . The Senator pointed out that seventy billion naira set aside for the roads across the country is a far cry from what is needed, even to renovate the terrible roads in the South-east geo-political zone alone. Full Story

Atiku's Petition Suffers Setback - Thisday

The petition filed by the Action Congress (AC) candidate in the April 21 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, against the election of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua may have suffered a setback.

Yesterday, the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja stopped Atiku from calling witnesses which included local and international observers of the election.

The court presided over by Justice James Ogebe disallowed Atiku, the former vice president, from calling the witnesses on the ground that the witnesses could not give oral testimony.

Some of the witnesses had been summonsed by the tribunal to produce some documents before the court at the instance of Atiku.

Among the witnesses lined up to be called by the former vice president are Prof. Robert T. Nakamura, the Nigeria Country Director of National Democratic Institute (NDI), which monitored the 2007 elections; Mr. Mourdaba Deme, the new Country Representative of International Republican Institute (IRI), which also monitored the election, and Rev. Babangida Audu, the representative of Justice Peace and Development/Caritas Nigeria (JDPC), a Catholic organisation and one of the local election observers that monitored the poll.

Other witnesses included the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

In stopping Atiku's counsel from inviting the witnesses, Justice Ogebe held that the written depositions of the witnesses were not filed along with the petition and that the Practice Direction governing proceedings at the tribunal did not allow for witnesses to give oral testimony.
Full Story

President Yar'Adua Warns of Food Insecurity in Africa Due to Climate Change - Nigeria First

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has warned of the possible consequences of climate change to create food insecurity in Africa by the year 2050 which can further deepen poverty situation in the continent.

The President who stated this on November 27 at the Africa Regional Human Development Report launch, which has as its theme, "Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a Divided World," by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Abuja, noted that although Africa contributes the least percentage in terms of activities that are damaging the environment, the continent is the most vulnerable, with the least capacity to protect them.

He stressed the need for countries to find alternatives to sources of Green House Emissions, while developed countries must live up to their obligations in preventing a global disaster, especially as they are the greatest contributors to environmental damages.

Minister of Housing and Environment, Mrs. Halima Tayo Alao, said the Nicholas Stern's report and the Fourth Assessment Report of the Inter-governmental Panel on climate change, has emphasised the seriousness of the threats to lives. Full Story

Nigeria to review privatisations - afrika awake

Nigeria's government has agreed to review all privatisation deals approved by the former president.

The administration of Olusegun Obasanjo, who stood down in May, is accused of failing to follow due process in selling off state assets.

Parliament has been inundated with petitions to review the sell-offs.

President Umaru Yar'Adua has already rescinded the controversial sale of two oil refineries made during the last days of Mr Obasanjo's government.

Multi-million dollar sales

The privatisation of state-owned businesses was central to Nigeria's economic reform programme, initiated by Mr Obasanjo. Full Story

Analysis: IMF wants eye on Nigerian budget - United Press International

By CARMEN GENTILE
UPI Energy Correspondent
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Nigeria should keep a close eye on its multibillion-dollar oil industry if it wants to preserve its increasing, albeit still fragile, economic growth, according to the International Monetary Fund.

"An immediate challenge is to manage Nigeria's oil revenues and saving to preserve macroeconomic stability," said the IMF in a statement released after Monday's meetings with Nigerian Finance Ministry officials in the capital, Abuja.

The international lenders noted that Nigeria's strategy proposing "spending levels that can be absorbed by the economy while allowing room for infrastructure investment" would allow Nigeria's economy to continue growing as long as federal government spending did not exceed its budget.

The IMF's call for restrained spending poses a particular challenge for Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua, particularly in the oil-rich yet mostly impoverished Niger Delta.

Earlier this month in his first budget proposal as president, Yar'Adua said the Nigerian government would allot $20 billion for security in the delta, where armed gangs and militants have caused the country's oil output to drop by 20 percent to 2 million barrels per day.

Since the 1970s, Nigeria, Africa's No. 1 oil producer, has pumped more than $300 billion worth of crude from the southern delta states, according to estimates. But high unemployment in the delta, environmental degradation due to oil and gas extraction, and a lack of basic resources such as fresh water and electricity have angered some of the region's youth and incited them to take up arms. Full Story

New Economic Legislation Underway -President Yar'Adua - Nigeria First

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has disclosed that his Administration will work in very close collaboration with the National Assembly to provide the legal framework required for the attainment of the goal of making Nigeria one of the twenty strongest economies in the world by the year 2020.

Speaking at an audience with the management team of Goldman Sachs International, on November 28 in Abuja President Yar'Adua said that relevant government agencies were already working on the preparation of the required bills for action by the National Assembly.

The President said that the new legislation would further empower the private sector to serve as the primary engine of economic growth in Nigeria's economy.

He assured the team, which was led by Mr. Richard Gnodde, Head of Goldman Sachs in Europe, Middle-East and Africa, that despite its present difficulties, Nigeria has all that it would require to become one of the most prosperous nations in the world.

"I am aware that given our current state of under-development, achieving our 20-20-20 vision will be one of the economic miracles of this millennium but I also have no doubt in my mind that the goal is achievable." He said Full Story

Yar'Adua Rejects Atiku's Oral Witness - Daily Champion

28 November 2007
Posted to the web 28 November 2007
Daniel Idonor
Abuja
PRESIDENT Umaru Musa Yar'Adua yesterday opposed an oral request by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to call local and international monitors to testify in his petition before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja. Atiku who is also the Action Congress (AC) presidential candidate is challenging the conduct and results of the April 21, 2007 poll of which

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared President Yar'Adua winner, had applied to invite the European Union (EU) and the transition Monitoring Group (TMG) election, monitors to give evidence at the tribunal.

But one of President Yar'Adua's counsel Damian Dodo (SAN) and the presiding Justice James Ogebe vehemently opposed the request on the ground that it violated an earlier agreement by all the parties that oral evidence would not be called in the hearing of the petition.

Responding to the proceeding shortly after the court session, Dodo said: "Besides the agreement by the parties, the practice direction for election petition does not provide for calling of oral evidence," he said.

Earlier, Justice Ogebe said that Atiku's bid to present his witnesses that would make known their observation and involvement in the April, 2007 general elections was in breach of an earlier agreement by parties in the matter to only depose to an affi davit and not to give oral evidence.

But upon serious argument by Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), one of Atiku's counsel, the tribunal ordered that the application to that eff ect be made in writing and dispatched to parties involved in the matter before 1 pm yesterday and parties should respond to the

application by 1 pm today and adjourned the matter to 2 pm today for further hearing. Ngige told the court that the witnesses in question are civil servants, independent and are not under the control of a party in an election petition, saying that, it is not practicable or humanly possible or even legally possible to depose those witnesses in advance. Full Story

Don Advises Yar'Adua On Anti-Corruption War - Daily Champion

28 November 2007
Posted to the web 28 November 2007
Erasmus Alaneme
Abuja

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has been urged to go tough on corruption and corrupt officials in the country by matching his words with action and give support to the Judiciary and the Nigerian Police to stamp his name in history.

Prof. Catherine Acholonu, a former presidential aide under the Obasanjo-led administration who made the call while speaking to journalists in Abuja, pointed out that Nigerian women were still in shock following the actions of the former Speaker of the House, Hon. Olubunmi Etteh which led to her removal recently.

Prof. Acholonu who is the President of the Movement For Gender Parity (MGP), stated that when it comes to the issue of corruption, women like men are human beings adding that the problem of corruption must not be treated based on gender.

She said that President Yar'Adua must prove to the whole world his commitment to the fight against corruption by going tough on anybody caught or fingered in any type of corrupt practice.

According to her "we are saying that corruption should be uprooted wherever it is found, whether it is found among men or among women. We are speaking on behalf of our country women and we support Mr. President's efforts to stamp out corruption no matter whose ox is gored. We are saying that we should attack corruption at its root and not only at its end but at the root of it". "We are saying that they must start at the point where choices are being made as to who would occupy which position. If you appoint people who have proven integrity, if you appoint people who have proved themselves in whatever positions they have occupied in the last, we will end up with more good functionaries and not corrupt officials at every level". She further said "but when you remove or leave people with proven integrity and you appoint people with questionable integrity and in some cases, people who have been indicted for one crime or the other in the course of their national life and you give them appointment again, what are you trying to prove?," she queried.

Full Story

Yar’Adua orders EFCC to take over Siemens probe - Nigerian Tribune

President Umaru Yar’Adua has instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take over the probe of alleged bribery of former ministers and some Nigerians by a German telecommunication conglomerate, Siemens, to get juicy contracts in Nigeria.

The story of the bribery scandal broke about two weeks ago during the trial of a former Siemens official by a German court in Munich.

The man claimed that he gave bribes totalling 10 million euros to 13 prominent Nigerians, including former four ministers of communication.

The ICPC had initially invited the named Nigerians for interrogations following a directive by President Yar’Adua. The instruction by President Yar’Adua to the EFCC to take over the Siemens bribery scandal was communicated to the commission by the Chief of Staff, General Abdullah Muhammed.

The president, through the same means, also instructed the ICPC to hand over the probe of the Siemens scandal to the EFCC, suggesting that since the case was closely related to money laundering, it would better be handled by the EFCC. Full Story

Bakassi - I Informed National Assembly, Says Obasanjo - Thisday

29 November 2007
Posted to the web 29 November 2007

Chuks Okocha and Ernest Chinwo
Calabar

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday took issues with the Senate over its call for a review of last year's cession of the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, saying the upper legislative chamber was being economical with the truth.

The former president said the National Assembly was duly informed of the decision to hand over the Peninsula to Cameroon.

Obasanjo said the last Senate and House of Representatives under the leadership of Senator Ken Nnamani and Hon. Aminu Bello Masari were duly served the Green Tree Agreement between Nigeria and Cameroon on the ceding of Bakassi for ratification by the National Assembly.

He was however silent on whether or not the agreement was ratified by the National Assembly.

The Senate had in a motion last week criticised the former president for allegedly ceding the Peninsula to Cameroon without ratification by the National Assembly, describing the act as unconstitutional.

Obasanjo replied the Senate in a statement entitled, "On the Ratification of the Bakassi Green Tree Agreement" signed by his Media Assistant, Mr. Adeoba Ojekunle,

According to Ojekunle, "The former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, in two separate letters to the Senate and House of Representatives dated June 2006, officially conveyed to both chambers the said agreement including the modalities of implementation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment."

He said the letter, which was officially copied to the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Governor of Cross River State specifically in paragraph three (3), requested the Assembly's "expeditious ratification of the Agreement".

Ojekunle said; "This is contrary to the widely held view that the last assembly was kept in the dark concerning the agreement.

"The personal records of the former President indicate that the letter was duly received on June 15 2006 and acknowledged by the two chambers.

"A copy of former President Obasanjo's letter dated June 15 2006 titled "ICJ Judgment Agreement between Nigeria and Cameroon" with reference number PRES /134 to the Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, read in parts: 'I hereby attach the agreement between Nigeria and Cameroon on the modalities of implementation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment on the land and maritime dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon. I also attach a map signed by the Secretary General of the United Nations, and Presidents of Nigeria and Cameroon as an appendix to the agreement. I would appreciate your expeditious ratification of the agreement, please. Accept the assurances of my highest consideration'. Olusegun Obasanjo as President signed the letter.

"The letter was copied to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Attorney General of the Federation, Governor of Cross River State and Secretary to the Government of the Federation," Ojekunle said.

Obasanjo had ceded the Peninsula to Cameroon on August 14, 2006 following the October 10, 2002 judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague and a June 12, 2006 agreement at Green Tree, New York where the former president agreed to surrender the Peninsula.

But after a debate on a motion entitled, "Impending Crisis in and Uncertain Fate of the People of Bakassi" jointly sponsored by Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw and 20 other Senators, the Senate resolved last Thursday to draw the attention of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to the breach of the constitution on the issue.

The upper legislative chamber specifically resolved to "draw the attention of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the fact that the transfer of Bakassi and other parts of Nigeria to Cameroon under the agreement of June 12, 2006 without ratification by the National Assembly as required by Section 12 (1) of our Constitution is unconstitutional." Full Story

President Orders Police to Investigate Uba Brothers, Chuma Nzeribe Over Igwe’s Death! - The Times of Nigeria

Without any official announcement, President Umaru Yar’Adua has begun a gradual and silent probe of his predecessor, President Olusegun Obasanjo. Just this week, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan announced that the privatization exercise carried out by the past administration will be reviewed and ordered the National Assembly to initiate the process.

Yar’Adua has also indicated interest in unraveling the rash of unsolved murder mysteries that pervaded the Obasanjo administration. For now, the focus is on the brutal double murder of Barrister Igwe and his wife. The former President of the Onitsha branch of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and his wife were killed by unknown persons on September 1, 2002 at Onitsha, Anambra state.

For a long time, close associates of former President Obasanjo were suspected of involvement in the double assassination. However, investigation into the case was purposely bungled to shield the culprits.

Not anymore.

President Yar’Adua seemed set to flash the light into the darkest spots of his predecessor’s administration; the unsolved political assassinations. A pointer towards that emerged when the Presidency directed the Police to reopen the 2002 double murder of Onitsha branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association and his wife as well as solve other such “high level profile assassinations.” Full Story

Siemens scam: Yar’Adua orders EFCC to take over - Daily Sun

In a bid to get the roiling multi-billion naira Siemens bribe-for-contract scandal done with as quickly as possible, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to take over investigations into the case from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, with immediate effect.

The ICPC, which has also given Mrs. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, up till next Monday to file her defence in the house renovation scam that swept her from office, was asked to hands off the case since the matter involved was a pure money laundering affair.

An impeccable presidency source told Daily Sun that the president directed his Chief of Staff, General Abdullahi Mohammed, to communicate the decision to both agencies without delay.
Full Story

FG Considers Domestic Gas Supply Framework - Leadership

President Umaru Yar'Adua says the federal government plans to evolve a gas supply and pricing regulatory framework as part of the reforms in the sector.

He made the announcement yesterday in Abuja at the opening of a two-day stakeholders' forum on gas development, organised by the federal ministry of energy and the NNPC.

The President declared: "The new regulation will mandate all operators in the country to set aside a pre-determined amount of gas reserves and production for the domestic market.

"It also outlines the national gas pricing policy, a sector-based pricing structure aimed at stimulating the growth of both the power and industrial sectors."

He said the prioritisation of the local supply of domestic gas over export remained a fundamental philosophy in the new regulation, to make gas available and affordable.

Yar'Adua said that energy security and its linkage to economic growth was central to government's development agenda.Full Story

Cut Greenhouse Gas Emission, Yar'Adua Tells Rich Countries - Daily Trust

Rich countries must cut their greenhouse gas emission responsible for adverse climate change in Africa if they want to work with the continent on development, President Umaru Yar'Adua has said.

President Yar'Adua declared this at the Africa regional launch of the Human Development Report (HDR) 2007/2008 titled "Fighting climate change: Human solidarity in a divided world" by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Abuja.

President Yar'adua said that negative climate change in Africa has reduced chances for African countries to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015.

He stated, "While the countries contributing substantially to global emission of greenhouse gasses are least affected by the negative impact of the climatic shocks, ironically, countries most vulnerable to climate change minimally contribute to climate change and are least able to protect themselves from its effects - a clear indication that developing countries are paying high price for the actions of advanced nations".

He said that the goals of poverty reduction and employment generation will be hampered if the consequences of climate change are not addressed, revealing that the world could lose 5 percent in Gross Domestic Products (GDP) owing to reduction in African crop yield.

"We must face up to this challenge with the urgency it deserves if africa's progress towards the realisation of the MDGs by 2015 is not to be derailed. While the HDR is advocating from the industrialised countries a reduction in greenhouse emission by 30 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, I posit that these nations should strive to reach the 30 percent mark before 2015, if they really want to partner with us in driving the achievement of our development goals," he said.

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200711280213.html

'Why We're Servant-Leaders-Yar'Adua' - Vanguard

President Umar Musa Yar'Adua yesterday threw more light on his administration's Servant-Leadership concept saying he had taken an oath to fight corruption to a standstill and vowed that whoever was caught and found guilty of corruption, be he a close friend or family member, would not stand in the way of the law regarding punishment.

"The philosophy of servant leadership should influence our national life in every profound way, particularly within the political terrain. The constant abuse of power that has characterized our political life must be jettisoned" he said.

Yar'Adua at the Presidential lecture to Course 16 participants of the National Defence College in Abuja , said, "The practice where political office is seen as a channel of amassing wealth will no longer be tolerated. The concept of servant leadership that sees political office holders as first of all servants to those they govern, shall be the norm."

"One of the most worrisome aspects of our national and public life is the persistence of corruption that is considered normal. The national cankerworm has eaten deep into the fabric of the society and polluted even the most sacred and sacrosanct institutions of Nigeria 's national life. Corruption is massive, extensive, endemic, and pervasive at all levels of government and society." Full Story

Yar’Adua invites Britain to assist Police - Punchng

The Federal Government has asked the British Government to assist it in restructuring the Nigeria Police Force.

The Minister of Interior, Maj.-Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd.), who disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, said the request was made by President Umaru Yar’Adua at the just-concluded
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Uganda.

Abbe briefed journalists on the new development after a meeting between Yar’Adua and senior officials of the Ministry of Interior.

He said that the planned restructuring was to improve on the security situation in the country.
The minister said that the President had directed him to constitute a committee of retired and senior police officers who had distinguished themselves in the Police Force.

The officers are expected to come up with a strategic plan of action. He said, “The issue of the reorganization of the NPF and the British involvement came up when Mr. President had a discussion with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, in
Uganda.

“In the course of their discussion, the British Prime Minister kindly requested Mr. President for what assistance Nigerian Government would like the British Government to render. Mr. President told him that he would appreciate any support the British Government could give us in the matter of improving the security services of this country.

“So, against that background, Mr. President is looking at the Police Force as the point
element in the security services. And that of course is giving room to this committee that is being set up to look at areas where we seriously need external help and also look at areas where we are capable of handling.

“We will then advise Mr. President who will tell the British Prime Minister on the areas of
assistance we may need.

“We have it on good authority that the British Government is ready to support us in
reorganising the NPF and empowering it to be able to carry out its assigned role of ensuring law and order.

“The extent of involvement will be determined by the committee that will be set up.
Source: http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2007112

'Yar'Adua - New Gas Policy Underway' - Thisday

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has said that the Federal Government is coming up with a new gas policy designed to boost domestic supply.

Speaking in Abuja at the first Nigeria Gas Stakeholders Forum yesterday, he also disclosed that it would require about $10 billion, up from $4.5 billion, annually to sustain the growth in capacity for both oil and gas.

According to him, gas flares had reduced to about 36 per cent owing to growth in liquefied natural gas export and demands of the various independent power projects.

He said: "In line with our commitment to properly restructuring the sector, we are coming up with a domestic gas supply obligation and pricing regulation framework. This new regulation, which takes effects soon, mandates all operators in the country to set aside a predetermined amount of gas reserves and production for the domestic market."

Beside the attention on domestic market, he said the policy also "outlines the national gas pricing policy, a sector-based pricing structure aimed at stimulating the growth of both the power and industrial sectors."

A fundamental philosophy of his administration in the regulation, according to Yar'Adua, is the prioritisation of domestic gas over export, adding: "This would have the effect of ensuring the availability and affordability of gas."

He therefore implored participants to focus on evolving a practical roadmap to effectively tackling Nigeria's energy challenges through the efficient integration of gas into the energy mix. Full Story

All the right words - compgovpol.blogspot.com

As a student of Nigerian government and politics for 40 years, I often feel that people take as many steps forward as they take back. Events I can be optimistic about are often balanced by things that cause me to despair.

Today, I offer three examples. This one offers hope. The others are discouraging.

Nigerian President Yar'Adua said all the right things the other day if he wanted to sound like a model supporter of the rule of law.

The president's statement was quoted in Leadership (Abjua).

I'll Abide By Tribunal's Ruling - Yar'Adua

"President Umaru Yar'Adua has expressed his readiness to abide by the tribunal ruling on the petitions over the April presidential elections results which declared him winner... Full Story

OSUN GOVERNMENT SHUNS NEW PROJECTS - Osundefender

... Since Inauguration

Despite increased allocation from the Federation Account, Osun State Government, in recent times has refused to embark on new projects or commission of completed ones, since its inauguration for a second term on May 29, 2007.

Recent OSUN DEFENDER investigation has revealed that the State Government, under Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, since May has decided to operate a low-profile lifestyle pending the final determination of its fate by the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Osogbo, the state capital.

The top-hierarchy of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Oyinlola’s kitchen cabinet are reported by authoritative sources, to be currently jittery over what might befall the administration and the PDP in the state if the judicial pendulum does not swing in their favour.

The state governor and some party officials are also reported to be running up and down making consultations at all levels to save themselves from what many see as an imminent defeat at the tribunal.

To achieve this aim, Oyinlola was also reported to have taken his case to places outside the shores of Nigeria and appealing to Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his Otta farm to use his influence to swing the pendulum of justice in his (Oyinlola) favour. Full Story

AGF asks Yar’Adua to stop Ibori’s trial in UK - Nigerian Tribune

THE Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Mike Aondoaka (SAN), has written President Umaru Yar’Adua, asking him to stop the ongoing money laundering trial of former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, in a London court.

The minister told the president that the trial was designed to hurt Nigeria’s image and its judicial system. If Ibori is culpable over the alleged crime, the AGF believed that Nigeria was the proper place to try him, with the glory of justice that would be done in the matter coming to the country.

He also told the president that after due consideration of a request made by one David M. Williams, Crown Prosecutor of the Fraud Prosecution Service in London, he found out that he was not the competent authority to make such a request that Ibori should be tried outside Nigeria.

He said based on the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement between the two countries, the appropriate person to make the request was the Secretary of State for Home Department while the Attorney General and Minister of Justice could make the same on behalf of Nigerian.
Full Story

Atiku opens case against Yar’Adua - Nigerian Tribune

CANDIDATE of the Action Congress (AC) in the April 21 presidential election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, will today open his case against the election of President Umaru Yar'Adua before the presidential election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja.

Atiku, in his petition on the outcome of the poll, wants the tribunal to quash Yar'Adua's victory over alleged irregularities that he said characterised the election.

A member of his legal team, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), said exhibits that would be relied upon to void the election would be tendered today.

He added that documents relevant to his client's case had earlier been tendered by the ANPP standard-bearer, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), which would be relied upon by them.

Apart from irregularities, Atiku would also try to convince the tribunal that he was excluded from the poll. He had in his possession, a version of the presidential result obtained from the internet with his name omitted. Full Story

Yar'Adua Swears in Orubebe at Last - DailyTrust

Delta State ministerial nominee, Mr. Godsday Orubebe was eventually sworn-in as a minister by President Umaru Yar'adua yesterday in Abuja. But he is yet to be assigned a portfolio.

President Yar'adua had earlier postponed his swearing-in owing to political bickering that trailed his nomination from Delta State.

Orubebe was accompanied to the State House for by the Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the Ijaw leader and one time Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark whose differences had stalled earlier stalled his swearing-in.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the ceremony, both Governor Uduaghan and Chief Clark said their differences over Orubebe have been resolved. Full Story

Yar'Adua Approves Four for NNOM Awards - DailyTrust

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has approved the conferment of the prestigious Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) Award on four distinguished Nigerians.

Secretary of Nigeria National Merit Award NNMA, Adamu Bawa Mu'azu disclosed this to newsmen yesterday during press briefing in Abuja.

Those to be conferred with the award includes Professor Idris Mohammed, an outstanding Medical Scientist and Researcher, Professor T.O. Odugbemi, a Microbiologist with over 200 publications, Professor O. O. Orangun, an Engineer who won in Heat Engines and Engineering Mathematics as well as Professor J. K. Olupona, a Scholar in Traditional Religion.

The Secretary said the President would decorate the beneficiaries on December 6th 2007.
Full Story

Nwude Accuses EFCC, Ribadu Of Fraud! - The Times Of Nigeria

In what appears like a thief accusing another of dishonesty, embattled convicted financial crimes kingpin, Chief Emmanuel Nwude, has alleged in a petition to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, that the anti-graft commission short-changed him in a plea bargain entered into, over a $120 million suit with a Brazilian businessman in November 2005.

According to the petition dated September 10, 2007, filed by a law firm, Egbene Chambers of Okey Okoye Associates in Lagos, the EFCC altered the original sum of $80 million to $120 million, and compelled the said Chief Nwude to sign, accepting the changes, even as it went ahead to sell off his assets and property in order to meet up the plea sum.

They argued that the anti-graft commission kept the processes of the disposal of the assets secretive, and failed to render accounts of what was realised from the sales to the embattled Nwude, even as it continued to prefer multiple charges against him, ostensibly to subdue any possible query from him.

The seven-page petition, signed by Okey Okoye, a principal counsel in the law chambers, also alleged amongst other things that, at the time Chief Nwude’s assets were being disposed by the EFCC, there were higher offers for some of the property, but the EFCC ignored such offers and went ahead to sell off the assets at ridiculously low prices.

It cited the sale of Russell Centre in Abuja, in which Obat Oil offered to buy at N3.2 billion as against an offer of N3.3 billion from one Chief Uba, stressing that the property was eventually sold at N2.3 billion to the same Obat Oil, less by about N900,000,000 from the original deal. Full Story

SIX PRESIDENTS ATTENDED COMMONWEALTH BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETING IN KAMPALA - API

At least six heads of States graced the Commonwealth Business Forum, which opened 20.Nov at the posh Serena Kampala Hotel.

They included the host President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who presided over the opening ceremony. Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Mr. Umaru Yar Adua of Nigeria, Mr Mwai Kibaki of Kenya and Sri Lanka’s Mahinda Rajapaksa.

President Museveni gave a keynote note address.

The host chairman Dr. James Mulwana said CBF was one of the curtain raisers of the main Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) slated for the next day. Full Story

More on criticism and its enemies - Vanguard

EGODE and Iwara, irrespective of the quantum of crumbs they are getting, or expect to get, from their masters, must pause and think deeply about the situation of things in Delta State. Is life much better now for the struggling underprivileged indigenes of Delta State than it was before May 29, 1999?

Are there things on ground to show that Ibori utilized wisely the hundreds of billions of naira that accrued to the state between 1999 and May 28, 2007 for the upliftment of “the wretched of the earth” in Delta State? Has Uduaghan taken concrete steps to show that his government would be an improvement on Ibori’s performance? These are some of the questions Egode and Iwara should be pondering, rather than waste time defending those who spend public funds recklessly.
Turning now to the general issue of profligacy in government, available reports indicate that President Umar Musa Yar’Adua is not prepared to inaugurate a regime based on strict prudent spending of public funds. In Sunday Vanguard of November 18, 2007, for instance, it was reported that in the 2008 federal budget, N827.4m has been set aside for refreshments in the presidency, while another N474.06m is for the procurement of foodstuff.

This means that the Presidential Villa would be spending N2.3 million and N1.3 million daily on refreshments and foodstuff respectively. Of the N65 billion earmarked for the National Assembly for the fiscal year, members of the House of Representatives would spend N10.33 billion for travels within and outside the country, an amount different from N268.8million meant for travelling for training-related purposes. N5.032 billion of taxpayers’ money is meant for the “general” travels of Senators, whereas N278.2million has been earmarked for their training-related travels as well. The President and his cohorts are to spend N1.27 billion for local and international trips next year, besides another N760.8 million to be spent on travels relating to training presidency aides. Full Story

Yar’Adua can't be PDP leader - Ekwueme committee - Nigerian Tribune

THE Reconciliation Committee set up by The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headed by the former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, has advised the party never to admit President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as its leader.

The committee’s suggestion is contained in a report it submitted to the PDP National Headquarters and which the National Working Committee adopted during its last meeting.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had during his tenure enjoyed the status of the leader of the party, and was usually being referred to as the Leader of the PDP.

However, the PDP disagreed sharply with the recommendation by the Ekwueme Committee, suggesting that Yar’Adua could be offered the title of PDP Leader since he is not to function as a decision maker for the ruling party.

The Ekwueme report, which was obtained in Abuja by Sunday Tribune, suggested that the title of “Leader” for any member was alien to the ruling party constitution, and hence, suggested that such a title be discouraged for its unconstitutionality. Full Story

Yar’Adua, Atiku in secret talks - Nigerian Tribune

Indications have started emerging that both President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have started closing ranks.

A top ranking member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is said to be facilitating the new development, having reportedly convened a meeting in his house located at the GRA kaduna about two weeks ago.

A Kaduna-based scholar, Murtala Atai, hinted Sunday Tribune of the meeting between Yar’Adua and Atiku, disclosing that the two had held fruitful talks likely to smoothen the relationship between them.

Both Yar’Adua and Atiku have been referring to each other as brothers with emphasis that the issues on the controversial April presidential election were not enough to sink the long standing relationship which had existed between them. Full Story

Yar’Adua appoints new perm secs, reshuffles 27

President Umaru Yar’Adua on Thursday appointed new permanent secretaries and reshuffled others.

Four of the permanent secretaries retained their posts, eight new ones were appointed while 27 others were assigned different postings.

A statement obtained by our correspondent in Abuja from the Office of the Head of Service listed the newly-appointed permanent secretaries to include Mr. S.A Osuagwu, Dr. M.A Ejiofor, Dr. A.K Mohammed and Alhalji Idri Adamu Kuta.

Others are Mrs. T.O Iroche, Dr. Y.A Thorpe, Dr.A.S Adegoroye, Mrs. E.G Gonda and Mr. Yakubu Nuhu Giwa.

Those affected by the reshuffle included Dr. B.K Kaigama, who was transferred to Foreign Affairs from Education, Dr. Aboki Zhawa who was posted to Special Projects in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation from Education; and Ms Ama Pepple, who was moved to Finance from Agric and Water Resources. Full Story

Trouble As Senate Rejects Handover Of Bakassi To Cameroon!

Abuja - Nigeria’s Senate (upper house of parliament) on Thursday in Abuja rejected the handing over of the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula and other areas under Nigerian control to Cameroon, declaring the handover was unconstitutional.

Nigeria ceded the peninsula to Cameroon on August 14, 2006, in consonance with an October 10, 2002 judgment by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague.

The ICJ based its ruling on a 1913 treaty between former colonial powers Britain and Germany. Cameroon filed its suit on in 1994.

To implement the court’s decision, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo signed the so-called Greentree Agreement with Cameroon’s President Paul Biya on June 12, 2006 in the United States. FULL STORY

Yar'Adua Directs IGP to Re-Open Igwe's Murder Case

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has directed the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, to "re-open investigation into the sifting facts" on the murder of the late Barrister B. C. Igwe.

Barrister Igwe, former chairman of the Onitsha branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and his wife were killed by unknown persons on September 1, 2002 at Onitsha, Anambra state.

Sources told Daily Trust that President Yar'Adua's as a result of a petition addressed to him by one Felix Fanta Nwafor, on the need to bring those fingered in the killing to book. FULL STORY

Yar'Adua Seeks African Standby Force

President Umaru Yar'Adua has begun consultation with African leaders on the need to establish African Standby Force to guide the continent's coastal region.

He made this call during his visit to Angolan's President Eduardo dos Santos, in Riyadh, stressing the importance of the force to the continent at large.

Yar'Adua also called for cooperation by all governments for greater security and defence in the sub-region and Africa.

He said Angola's cooperation on the issue of an African Stand-by Force, stating that the concept was very necessary given the strategic importance to global economy. FUL STORY

Yar’Adua Swear-In Orubebe After Accord With Delta Leaders

President Umaru Yar’Adua swore Godsday Orubebe in today in Abuja as a minister.

Orubebe, from Delta State, was not allowed to take oath of office alongside the other ministers when Yar’Adua swore them in on July 26.

It was speculated then that he had questions to answer with the State Security Service (SSS).

Orubebe was accompanied to the presidential villa today by the Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Chief Edwin Clark, a prominent Niger Delta leader.

Uduaghan said after the swearing-in that Orubebe’s oath of office was delayed because of a political problem in Delta State, which had since been resolved.

SOURCE: http://ofilis1234.wordpress.com/

Nigeria Offers $13m Dollars Debt Relief To Liberia

ABUJA, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Nigeria has proposed writing off $13 million out of $48 million it is owed by Liberia as a contribution to consolidating peace there, President Umaru Yar’Adua said in a letter read out to the Senate on Tuesday.

He said Liberia’s debt burden was an obstacle to economic recovery in the small West African country, which emerged from 14 years of civil war in 2003 desperately poor and saddled with $4.5 billion in foreign debts.

“The Liberian government has made several passionate pleas to Nigeria to write off the debts,” Yar’Adua said in his letter, seeking approval from the Senate for the write-off.

“There is a potential risk of Liberia sliding back into anarchy if progress is not made in achieving sustainable economic development, which will undermine our previous efforts,” he said.
FULL STORY

Yar'Adua's pledge on stable climate

The promise by President Umaru Yar'Adua that his administration would act to confront the challenges of global climate change on Nigeria's environment is reassuring. The President told members of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) recently that measures to deal with threats to the country's environment have already been factored into his administration's plans to revitalise and accelerate the pace of national economic development. Indeed, Nigeria needs to ensure that future generations inherit a country that can sustain qualitative existence. As the President noted, the current devastation of the Nigerian environment is a far cry from what obtained in the country about 50 years ago. Today's environmental condition tells the story of how unplanned and uncontrolled growth can impact negatively on the environment. It is therefore, gratifying that the Yar'Adua administration is taking the threats posed by climate change seriously. FULL STORY

Nigeria 'll Win 2010 World Cup if - Kalu

FORMER Governor of Abia State and Pillar of Sports, Orji Uzor Kalu, re-appeared from his sabbatical in politics yesterday and re-ignited the hopes of the Super Eagles of Nigeria winning the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa if he is made a Special Envoy in Sports.

He said that he can change Nigeria's sports landmark if President Musa Yar'Adua gives him the green light to turn things around.

"Sports is bigger than PDP. It is my passion. And I have made contacts in sports. It is a better thing to occupy my time than politics.

My services are available if Mr. President considers me for a role in bringing back the glory days of Nigerian sports. I'll want to be part of Nigeria's success story in Sports", the former governor still looking 'boyish' said. FULL STORY

INEC, PDP Convention And Leading Aspirants

The postponement of the PDP's national convention by INEC recently came as a surprise to keen observers of Nigeria politics. Philip Nyam analyses the issue against the disposition of President Yar'Adua to rule of law, the state of the ruling party and chances of those aspiring to become the next PDP chairman come January 2008.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC recently wedged its sledge hammer on the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) forcing the party to shift its national convention earlier slated for December 8, 2007 to January 2008. The decision of INEC to invoke the power conferred on it by the Electoral Acts 2006 against the largest political party in Africa came as a surprise to not a few political watchers.

This was so because during the Obasanjo's era, INEC was seen by many Nigerians as doing the bidding of the then president and perhaps his party, the PDP.

The preferential treatment accorded PDP in the eight years of Chief Obasanjo administration caused a lot of damage and was largely responsible for the flawed elections it conducted in 2003 and 2007 respectively. Of course, the election tribunals have since proved critics of the national electoral body right. The illegal substitution of candidates that characterised the internal workings of PDP was indeed a pain in the neck of our new democracy. People who never contested in the primaries eventually emerged candidates and INEC kept sealed lips to the aberration because the PDP was untouchable.

Thank God for the eccentric PDP leader and president of the country, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, whose belief in the rule of law and due process is within a short time bringing sanity to bear on the system. INEC is gradually coming to terms with the direction of the new government and has started making amends even before the Electoral Reform Committee is yet to come out with its findings and recommendations.

We no longer see an INEC that challenges the verdict of lower tribunals or courts through appeals. It no longer takes up issues with judges, but has become a strong adherent to the principles of rule of law.

It is often said that people gets the leadership they deserve, perhaps, the INEC that existed in the Obasanjo's years was what that administration wanted - a body that could be used to tinker with the wishes of the majority; a body that could be employed to stop opponents and perceived enemies of the government; a body that acted in total disregard to the rule of law and the tenets of an electoral organ in a democratic set up.

Professor Maurice Iwu, chairman of INEC, had always assured Nigerians of his intention to conduct a free, fair and acceptable elections. From what we see in INEC today, Iwu had the intention but may lack the courage of a Professor Henry Nwosu to turn down certain insidious and undemocratic overtures from the government at the time. But with Yar'Adua's servant-leadership style and politics of non interference, Iwu and INEC seems to have regained their confidence and a ray of hope has enveloped the electoral system.

It is only hoped that INEC will not play to the gallery but continue to be firm in its constitutional role, especially the oversight function on political parties in order to entrench internal democracy in the parties. We expect that INEC would work closely and strictly in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2006 until the on-going reforms take root.

Old habits die hard, hence it will be pretty difficult for the PDP to jettisons most of its untoward activities that earned it the notorious reputation for its total disregard to the rule of law. The party had especially between 2003 and 2007 traveled on the path of impunity befriending politics of exclusion, imposition and anointment. The founding fathers were driven away with their vision and the party hijacked by a band of self-conceited and benighted bigots made mess of the country's democracy. Under the rulership of PDP, the nation degenerated to the abyss of autocracy and maladministration.

It must be stated that the Ali's chairmanship of the party and former president Obasanjo disdain for the basic tenets of democratic practice such as the principle of separation of powers and the rule of law was a sore point in the history of the party. Desperate attempts to subsume the independent function of the legislature and the judiciary into the administration of the PDP almost truncated the democratic rule. The National Assembly was whipped into line and the judiciary decimated through incredible and brazen disregard for court orders.

The PDP was a party of "everything goes" as party supremacy metamorphosed into a major dysfunction and Obasanjo ably supported by his die-hard ally, Colonel Ahmadu Ali, deployed unimaginable political weapons and visited mayhem on members of the party, other political parties, Nigerians citizens and the entire democratic experiment. It was a carryover from this jackboot mentality that gave the party the impetus to threate PDP members of the Integrity Group to hands off the N628 million contract scam involving former Speaker Patricia Olubunmi Etteh or face sanctions.
Fortunately, President Yar'Adua's good democratic credentials and exemplary leadership is beginning to wean the PDP. His insistence to restore sanity and golden rule of separation of powers saw to the ouster of Madam Etteh and the election of Hon. Dimeji Bankole as her successor. Even at that, the party attempted to wield the big stick sponsoring a candidate who was disgraced by the representatives that have since asserted their independence from the Wadata Secretariat. The "father of PDP" according to Obasanjo, Lamidi Adedibu was only last week arraigned before an Abuja Magistrate - Court and some of the untouchables are now going under hiding to escape the wrath of the law.

Chairmanship

As the PDP trudged up the hill of redeeming its image and repositioning itself in line with the vision of its founding fathers as being pursued slowly and steadily by President Yar'Adua. In the past, even now that the convention is about two months away, the national chairman would have been known. Today, the status quo has changed and there seems to be a level playing field for all the aspirants.

Although, there are insinuations that the convention may be a battle of sort between Obasanjo and IBB, evidence on ground does not point in that direction judging by what transpired in the House of Representatives recently where Etteh who was fully backed by Obasanjo, Ali, Adedibu and their co-travelers suffered a humiliating defeat in the hands of Integrity Group.

With Yar'Adua as the leader of the party, the likes of IBB and Obasanjo are nothing but paper weight and only the will of the people will triumph at the end of the day. If Yar'Adua, who is the most powerful member of the PDP today has refused to endorsed any particular candidate, one wonders how the so-called godfathers would have the control to intimidate delegates to obey their directives.

What the PDP needs today is a credible and transparent leader that shares the vision of the founding fathers who could join hands together with Yar'Adua to return the party and Nigeria in general to the path of democratic governance. Aspirants laying claim to the power of their godfathers should be shown the way out of the contest. Who are the major aspirants and what are their antecedents?

Anyim Pius Anyim

Former Senate president, Anyim Pius Anyim comes into the race with strong democratic credentials having successfully waded off the president Obasanjo's overbearing hold on the National Assembly. Before he became the Senate president, most political pundits tagged him an Obasanjo creation but he was able to free himself from the dictatorial reins of the former president and carve a niche for himself.

His opponents have argued that he is not a grassroots politician and besides, there is the allegation that he is being sponsored by former military president Ibrahim Babangida to checkmate Obasanjo and re-launch himself into reckoning. This link with IBB seems to be Anyim's albatross as the new order does not accord credence to big names but allows the will of the people to have its way. He may have to prove to the delegates that he is not a lackey of the Minna Hilltop Czar.

Sam Egwu

Immediate past governor of Ebonyi State, Sam Egwu is banking on his records as chief executive for eight years. A former university don, Egwu like Anyim is said to be the choice of former president Obasanjo who wants to sustain his hold on the party. Recently, Egwu was reported to have accepted that he is a stooge of Obasanjo and equally accused Pius Anyim and Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu of being in alliance with Ota farmer. Apart from having herculean task of showcasing his achievements as governor for eight years, he may have to explain to the delegates why his aspiration should be tied to Obasanjo, a man most Nigerians are of the view that he had visited hardship on the nation's citizenry. Again, his opponents are quick to point out that he does not respect party's spirit of fairness and justice by daring to contest the 2006 presidential primaries when the position had been zoned to the north.

Frank Ogbuewu

Widely touted to be most experienced among the top contenders to the position having started his political career as a local government chairman. The Nigerian former Ambassador to Greece and one-time Minister of Culture and Tourism under the Obasanjo's administration has said his aspiration is to build internal democracy into the party. To him, politics is not a do-or-die affair and hence would want PDP to emerge victorious at the end of the convention but not an individual.

Unlike his other two contestants from Ebonyi State, Ogbuewu is not linked to any godfather's connection and many see him as a dark horse that would chart a unity course in the post convention era. He too parades good democratic credentials and has been tested having held very important public positions of trust.

His exploits at the culture ministry comes in handy and his insistence to contest the gubernatorial primaries against the party's anointed candidate belies his belief in the will of the people and the power of the majority. As one of the few public officers that served in the Obasanjo administration without a case with the EFCC, Ogbuewu may fit the bill of a chairman that would give the PDP a new lease of life.
Source: http://allafrica.com

Will Yar'Adua Abide By The Tribunal Ruling If He Lost?

Imagine if President Yar'Adua lost at the Election Tribunal! The president, through his special assistant on communications, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, at the State House yesterday declared that he would abide by the election tribunal ruling no matter what happens.

Read Related Story
President Umaru Yar'Adua has expressed his readiness to abide by the tribunal ruling on the petitions over the April presidential elections results which declared him winner.

Like the governors of Kogi, Kebbi and Adamawa States who are affected by the decisions of the tribunal, Yar'Adua said he would also comply with what the law decides on the issue.

The president declared this through his special assistant on communications, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, at the State House yesterday.

He was responding to insinuations that the president was afraid of possible removal from office, when he advised judges not to be guided by sentiments, but by facts.

According to the president, he was not angry with judges for doing their work, but was merely reminding them to "temper their powers with commensurate responsibility and not play to the gallery.

"We are not jittery. As an administration with a healthy record of respect for the rule of law, government would abide with the decision, as individuals, we do not always agree with the judgment of the courts, but we have to abide by it."

Nigeria Plans to Invest $75bn in Oil, Gas Sector

This Day (Lagos)

20 November 2007
Postedon 20 November 2007

Linda Eroke
Lagos

Nigeria is to invest $75 billion over the next five years in the oil and gas sector through joint venture partnership with oil companies and third party investment.

Minister of State for Petroleum, Odein Ajumogobia made this known in Saudi Arabia after the OPEC Ministerial Symposium, which looked at the current condition and future prospects of global oil and gas market.

The Minister, who addressed the world media shortly after the symposium said the new funding mechanism for exploration and production of oil and gas in Nigeria will not only eliminate the persistent deficit government encounter annually in funding cash calls but will also ensure that the targeted $15 billion annual investment in the sector in the next five years is adequately met in the mutually beneficial way between Nigeria and her partners. Ajumogobia reiterated President Yar'Adua's great concern over the rising crude oil prices which he said may not be good for Nigeria and indeed the whole world in the long run.

The minister, who stated that improving capacity of indigenous oil producing companies like NDDC and the effective utilisation of gas is the goal of Yar'Adua's administration, said Nigeria welcomes investment from all parts of the world.

Yar'Adua Requests Extradition of Two Militia Leaders in Angola

President Umaru Yar'Adua yesterday requested the Angolan President to extradite to Nigeria two Nigerians recently arrested in Angola for alleged gun running.

A State House statement issued in Riyadh, where the president is currently participating in the 3rd OPEC Summit, said Yar'Adua made the request at a meeting with the Angolan President, Eduardo dos Santos, in Riyadh.

The president commended his Angolan counterpart for his government's effort towards ridding the Gulf of Guinea region of criminal activities.

He called for continuous cooperation by all governments for greater security in the sub-region and Africa.

Yar'Adua also sought Angola's cooperation on the issue of an African Stand-by Force, stating that the concept was very necessary.

"I have already started consultations with some leaders of the continent on the need for such a force, to remove the need for external intervention forces and foreign military bases on the continent."

President Dos Santos thanked Yar'Adua for the meeting.

He said Angola had sufficient proof of alleged gun-running against the two Nigerians as well as their links with the Niger Delta militants.

Dos Santos, who acknowledged receiving a Nigerian delegation sent to Luanda to discuss the issue, said there were "technical legal details" involved in the extradition process which needed to be sorted out.


"We are trying to find a formula to resolve the issue which has nothing to do with politics but criminality; they are Nigerian citizens, so we cannot charge them in Angola.

"I assure you that we will ultimately release them to you for trial in Nigeria, but we must resolve the legal issues first", Dos Santos said.

The Nigerians, including a leader of a militant group in the Niger Delta, Henry Okar, were arrested in September in Angola for alleged gun running.
source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200711190475.html

Yar'Adua Charges Opec On Oil Challenges

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has charged the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to ensure that OPEC remains focused and steadfast in realising its noble goals and objectives.

Yar'Adua said this yesterday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the third OPEC Summit of Heads of State.While commending the efforts made by the Saudi Authorities to host the summit, the President recalled the relentless efforts of President Hufo Chavez of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in the run-up to the Second OPEC Summit in Caracas in 2000.

"Reflecting on those great efforts, and considering them alongside the indefatigable manner in which His Majesty King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al-Saud and the Saudi authorities have organised this third summit, rekindles our hope and confidence in the continued success of our organization, in the face of the rising global challenges", he said.

Continuing, he said the member countries "expect oil-consuming nations to recognise and reciprocate our longstanding efforts to ensure that the global oil market is adequately supplied with crude at all times, at reasonable prices.

In this respect, Your Excellencies, it is up to us to intensify our efforts to reach out and ensure that we are better understood in the global arena".

The President said in recent years, international concern about the environment has heightened, and climate change has been promoted to the centre-stage of global discourse.


"OPEC, as an Organisation, and our member countries, as individual sovereign states, have, to varying degrees, internalised the ideals of ensuring a clean and safe environment. We have, indeed, participated actively in all the negotiations of the United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change and its offspring, the Kyoto Protocol.

"However, we must never lose sight of the fact that we, the developing countries of the world, are marginal contributors to the historic greenhouse gas concentrations that are responsible for climate change today. Even as we continue to support the policies and programmes that should lead to a reduction of greenhouse gases in the future, we must examine the adverse effects on the developing countries of both climate change itself and the response measures of the rich industrialised nations. I include here those developing countries, which rely on hydrocarbon revenues for the wellbeing of their peoples."We, therefore, resist any form of global mechanism which, in a discriminatory manner, focuses on the search for alternatives to oil, to the detriment of oil-producing and oil-exporting nations. We must never lose sight of the fact that oil is a strategic natural resource of our member countries and that it has served mankind well, especially in the industrialised world, since the birth of modern petroleum industry a century and a half ago."We urge member states, in continued collaboration with other developing countries, under the umbrella of the G-77 plus China, to maintain a united front on the eve of the forthcoming UN climate change talks, which are taking place in an OPEC member country, at Bali, Indonesia. The negotiations for the post-Kyoto Protocol will begin there in earnest.

The Framework Convention's core principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities' will continue to guide our negotiations with the industrialized countries."If we intend to optimize the benefits of our respective countries from our Membership of OPEC, it would be wise to engender closer cooperation in the economic, technical, educational, scientific and trade matters. The advantages, that can be gained from such policies and programmes, are too numerous to mention, and the Secretariat should, accordingly, be assigned to look into this matter more closely and report its findings to the Ministerial Committee", he said.Yar'Adua expressed hope that, at the end of the summit, the ideals of the organisation's founders, as well as the statements embodied in the solemn declarations, will be pursued with great vigour. "I also should like to see an OPEC which, once again, shows more unanimity and less ambiguity in promoting its noble ideals. And furthermore, I wish to see an OPEC which will continue to pursue its avowed commitment to ensuring a stable global oil market, being a partner in the technological advancement, while protecting the strategic interests of its Member Countries, the oil-consuming nations and investors alike.He said the successful hosting of the summit will be viewed by historians as a landmark event in the development of the organisation, especially since it is being held at a time of much change within the industry at large, when there is bigger need than ever to reassess our vision of the future.
Source: http://www.thisdayonline.com/

Alhaji Sagir Muhammed Ringim Says Yar'Adua's Administration is...

Alhaji Sagir Muhammed Ringim was a former Military intelligence officer and now a traditional ruler. In this interview with Hassan A. Karofi he accuses former Head of state, General Gowon of not handling the power sector appropriately. He also spoke on other issues.

How would you assess the state of the nation since the assumption of office of President Yar'adua?

I will like to say that since the bold step taken by the president on petrol production which has now resulted in stable prices of oil and availability of the product, progress in other areas are yet to be quite appreciable to Nigerians. For example, the socio-economic sectors are yet to improve, abject poverty is becoming pervasive, situation of the country as a whole is discouraging. Sometimes you wonder when people will begin to feel the impact of government.

These problems are telling so much on everyone, however, this does not mean that we are not appreciative of the attempts to alleviate them, but government should speed up the process.

Another dangerous signal is the drought in the entire north and unless serious measures are taken to tackle the menace head on, the north will witness hunger. I want to believe that the President is being sabotaged to discredit him.

Who are the people against his progress?

Of course there are different people sabotaging Yar'adua, with Obasanjo as the arrow head. Obasanjo is infiltrating everybody to make sure that Yar'Adua does not succeed.

Now that he has sensed that someone would succeed where he failed, he is leading the sabotage against the Yar'adua government. From 1999 to 2007, Nigeria had about 16.5 Trillion naira and if you look round, there is no single project that you can say has been completed for the benefit of the citizens.

The President recently expressed concern over the judiciary verdicts in respect of the April elections. What is your opinion on this?

He should not have said that because it could be miss-interpreted, but I am sure he meant well.

Do you think Yar'adua has failed to fulfill his promise of emergency declaration in the power sector, since the problem still persists?

I think he made the pronouncement before he was sworn in, but now that he is on the saddle, I am sure he has realized the enormity of the problem in that sector and how difficult it is to tackle. I think he gave management up to December to come up with concrete decisions or face the state of emergency.

But honestly, General Gowon must share the blame for under-development of this country especially in the area of electricity. If in 1990 we had gone for 20,000 megawatts rather than 3,000 megawatts, by now our problem would not have been this bad.

I will like to recall what a former minister of power said on the issue. He said for Nigeria to be self sufficient in energy, it will take more than 40 yrs and even at that, we have to spend 6bn dollars annually.

I think he should behave like a truly commander-in-chief in a war situation where when your enemy outnumber you numerically, you should approach the war phase by phase so that you can hit your target, because he lacks the propensity to carry simultaneous affront on these myriads of problems, so let him concentrate on energy as foundation of development, concurrent with security. If we can solve the problem of power and security, he would have made history.

But personally, I do not think declaring state of emergency is necessary, when Obasanjo was sworn-in he took power into his office, and his minister of power, Bola Ige promised to effect change but they failed. So I maintain that unless serious efforts are made to restore power to the nation, through concrete means and not emergencies, Yar'adua himself will fail in that respect.

If we had implemented the vision 2010 of Abacha, most of our problems could have been solved. Obasanjo was known to have caused a lot of set back in the system like in the case of vision 2010. Another example is the toll gate issue, when the former president just woke up and destroyed something done with appropriation, without realizing that these toll gates served as points for checking weapons, and armed robbers, and now it is to be re-introduced , what kind of country is this?.

It is generally believed that the presidential election tribunal may not favour Yar'Adua and that this may explain his seemingly slow attitude to governance. Do you agree with this?

I don't know, I am not a lawyer, but I pray he does not lose out, because he is doing a good job. At least he is not corrupt and does not unduly interfere in things that do not affect his office directly.
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200711190402.html

Yar'Adua Reinstates Another Perm Sec

The Federal Government has once again reinstated one of the sacked permanent secretaries in the last days of President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration.

Alhaji Sheidu B. Ozigis who was Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Information and Communication was said to have been recommended for disciplinary action by his then Minister, Mr. Frank Nweke jnr. He was amongst other permanent secretaries sacked in May 2007 by the past administration over allegations, largely bordering on disagreements with their bosses.

Source told LEADERSHIP that President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua had in August ordered the reinstatement of former permanent secretary in the ministry of Labour, Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agary and her counterpart in charge of Railway Development at the ministry of Transportation, Mr. S. D. Matankari and over 2,000 workers sacked in the gale of the monetisation policy.
In a letter reinstating Alhaji Ozigis as a Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service and signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Engr. Ebele O. Okeke, state that the approval of President Yar'Adua to reinstate him is with effect from May 25, 2007 and his services are construed to have run continuously as a civil servant and as a permanent secretary. The letter to this effect was dated November 13, 2007.
Alhaji Ozigis still has about seven years in the service before retirement age.

"The reinstatement of the permanent secretaries and the civil servants will in no small way restore the confidence of public servants in the country especially as it relates to job security", the statement added.
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200711190502.html

President Yar'Adua by his actions continues to show Nigerians that OBJ's administration was a lawless one.
I wonder if OBJ will be able to walk on the street like a normal Nigerian.

I thought Atiku was Yar'Adua's Enemy

Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday said he remained a member of the Yar’Adua family in spite of what his detractors might think.

Abubakar spoke at a wedding reception held in honour of his son, Aminu, at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

The former vice-president said what was between him and the Yar’Adua family was strictly a family affair.

He said “Between me and my younger brother, Umaru, it is strictly a family affair interlopers should steer clear.

Abubakar said from his experience, all kinds of people milled around public officers in power but soon disappear when such people leave office. He expressed gratitude that his case was different.

He said “With what I have seen between yesterday and today shows that I have not lost my friends. My friends are still with me for this I remain grateful.”

The former Vice-President, who was flanked by his wife Titi, wife of late Maj. General Shehu Yar’Adua and other political associates, also said the family bond that existed between his family and the Yar’Adua’s was beyond what their enemies could understand.

He admonished the bride and the groom to respect one another as they go into the marriage institution. Abubakar singled out the wives of two former heads of State, Mrs. Maryam Babangida and Mrs. Maryam Abacha for honouring his invitation.

He said the gifts brought by Mrs. Babangida left him speechless. Those who attended the wedding, former governors including: Alhaji Abubakar Audu, Boni Haruna and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu among others.