Ivorians laud Nigeria, France for intervention in crisis

Ivorians on Saturday in Yamoussoukro roared with applause at the mention of Nigeria, France, Burkina Faso and the United Nations during the investiture of President Alassane Outtara on Saturday.

In the highly attended ceremony held at the Houphouet Boigny Foundation, Ivorians expressed their gratitude by giving standing ovation to the three countries and the UN.

Ouattara also took time during his speech to pay special tributes to the three countries and the UN.

“Jonathan Goodluck, President of Nigeria and the Chairman of ECOWAS, is my friend.

“I am grateful for the unique role the country and ECOWAS played in the Ivorian political crisis.

“Nicholas Sarkozy, we remain grateful to you for the grand role you played during the trying moment of the country,’’ he said.

Ouattara recognised the Burkinabe president, Blaise Compaore, for taking a stand for democracy in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the investiture was conducted by the Ivorian President of the Chancellory, Henriette Dagri Diabite.

Ouattara was declared winner of the presidential election held on November 28, 2010, but his opponent, former president Laurent Gbagbo, refused to hand over power.

Gbagbo said the election was rigged in Ouattara’s favour, while the former president’s friends in the Constitutional Council declared him winner and was sworn in on December 5, 2010.

However, Ouattara had earlier sworn himself in as president at a small ceremony at the Golf hotel in Abidjan on December 4, 2010, pushing the country into a political deadlock for five months.

Ignoring international pressure and advice, Gbagbo ordered his army to besiege the Golf hotel where Ouattara was held up for five months.

Ouattara was, however, protected by the UN military force.

Gbagbo turned down offers and invitations from the U S, French and Nigerian Governments for political asylum, with seven heads of state visiting the country to persuade him to hand over power.

Rebels in the Northern part of the country fought their way into Abidjan on March 27, 2011, and supported by French soldiers and the UN military force, arrested Gbagbo on April 11, 2011.

He was arrested in his bedroom with his wife, Simeone, who had been a firm and open supporter of the former president holding on to power.

The UN said more than 3,000 people were killed in the five-month political crisis which grounded the economy, especially the main stay of the Ivorian economy, Cocoa.

NAN reports that Ivorians had struggled to pick up the pieces of their lives after the crisis, with Ouattara assuring of speedy recovery of the economy.

Ouattara had directed all public hospitals to treat citizens for free, but the queues forced many to go to the private hospitals.

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Jonathan gives NNPC 24-month ultimatum to rehabilitate 3 refineries

AS part of his four-year term agenda towards growing the economy through oil sector, President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to as a matter of national priority carry out a comprehensive rehabilitation of the three refineries within the next 24 months.

The refineries are Port Harcourt Refining Company, with an installed capacity of 210,000 barrels of crude oil per day; Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company, with a production capacity of 110,000 barrels per day and Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company, with an installed capacity of 125,000 barrels per day, bringing the total national capacity to 445,000 barrels per day.

The presidential directive which is now to form the Federal Government’s 24 months target for the major rehabilitation of the three public enterprises, the first of its kind since the construction of the refineries, is to ensure maximum efficiency and installed capacity utilisation, when completed.

According to Vanguard findings, when completed, the Federal Government is expected to save annual revenue of about N1.3 trillion currently spent on petroleum products importation and the associated subsidy, which has become a major cesspool for oil cartels in the country.

All these targets are coming on the heels of the ongoing negotiation with a Chinese firm for the construction of three new Greenfield Refineries to be sited in Lagos, Bayelsa and Kogi States.

A highly placed Presidency source told Vanguard yesterday that the nation’s carrier, the NNPC, has already mobilised financial resources from its internally generated funds to handle the major rehabilitation works in the affected refineries.

It was learnt that the Group Managing Director, GMD, NNPC Mr Austen Oniwon, acting on the directives of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has begun ordering long lead items ahead of the conclusion of negotiations between NNPC and JGC/Tecnimont Consortium (the original contractors that built the refinery) for the commencement of the rehabilitation works at the Port Harcourt refinery.

The rehabilitation work which is the first on the line of such repair works will commence by August this year, and is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2012.

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LAUTECH hospital first among equals -Alao-Akala

HE Executive Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, has described LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, as first among equals, just as he said he was committed to giving sound education to the students of Ladoke Akintola University and its associated teaching institution.

The governor, who said this on Friday, during the official commissioning of the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and College of Health Sciences, Ogbomoso, stated that since the time of Pa Obafemi Awolowo, education had been “the major industry of this part of the country,” adding that any administration that did not give education its pride of place would be regarded as a failure.

Otunba Akala, who declared that he was not indebted to any bank in the N24bn project — hospital construction work (N9bn); College of Medicine, over (N7bn), and the cost of equipment and furnishing of the hospital and college (N7bn) — stated that the commissioning of the project had made him a fulfilled man.

According to him, the foundation of the hospital and college of health sciences, which was laid in 2006, and which consists of various departments, has now reached a stage where it will become one of the best medical schools in the country in terms of physical, spatial provision and equipment, adding that, “we have raised the bar and set a new standard for the provision of teaching aids and medical facilities in colleges of medicine.”

In his address, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Kola Obisesan, while thanking the governor for his immense support in the building of the state-of-the-art hospital, confirmed that the hospital had been equipped with standard equipment such as MRI, CT scan, Dialysis machine, Doppler, Ecno-Cardiograph X-Ray, Ultra Sound, Special Theatre table and laboratory equipment, among others.

Professor Obisesan pleaded that the hospital be given a free hand in its operation to ensure effective health service delivery, adding that the intention of the management is to bring in expatriates to handle the modern equipment in order to ensure effective handling of the equipment.

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Ibori’s wife must refund N1.3bn in 1yr - Court Orders •To sell London House.

Former Delta State First Lady, Theresa Ibori on Saturday, appeared before the

Southwark Crown Court in London and confessed to spending millions of Pounds Sterling stolen from Delta State on choice properties in the Westover area of London. According to Saharareporters, an online medium, Mrs Ibori testified that the properties were purchased in her name with the funds.

The former first lady the report added was ordered to refund £5.175 million (about N1.3bn) in one year with a caveat that if the money was not returned, she must be ready to serve an extra 10 years in prison.

Madam Ibori was said to have accepted the court’s decision to sell her 7 Westover Hill Mansion and another one known as Great Ground Property after which, she was returned to prison where she is currently serving a 5 year jail term for money laundering.

Mr. Ibori, her husband and former Delta State helmsman from 1999-2007, is currently awaiting trial in the United Kingdom after being successfully extradited from the United Arab Emirates. He also faces money laundering charges.

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Aregbesola advocates single versity for south west

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has advocated the establishment of a single university that would operate a collegiate system for the South-West states.

Aregbesola made the suggestion on Saturday at the maiden convocation ceremony of the State University, Osogbo.

He argued that the establishment of such University would drastically reduce the cost of management.

The governor added that it would allow indigenous and indigent students to have access to affordable and qualitative university education.

“ It would have been cost effective if the south-West, as a zone, has one great University operating a collegiate system, in which each state will have a college and also each college graduate at least 4,000 students every year.

“The university could be funded from a rolling bond payable in at least 10 years and each state putting forward N2 billion annually,” he said.

The governor frowned at the current high and unaffordable fees charged by the UNIOSUN, saying that the development had shut the door against children of the less-privileged from gaining admission into the institution.

He added: “In spite of the heavy dependence on government, the university still charges high fees.

“This has made it practically impossible for most people in the state, especially the middle class, to send their children to the university.”

He advised the authority of the University not to admit “unworthy and unqualified applicants” who often gained admission into the institution because they could afford the high fees.

Aregbesola also charged the university to demonstrate resourcefulness in seeking alternative means to fill the shortfall in its budget.

He assured that the state government would carry out its responsibility in the funding of the institution.

Aregbesola noted that a lot of students graduate from the university without having the necessary skills that would make them employable.

“Even those who study basic professional courses like Medicine, Law, Engineering, Banking and Finance, hardly possess the skill that can make them attractive to employers and indeed a lot of them are still unemployed.

“UNIOSUN must ensure that all its courses add value to education in order to make graduates of the university relevant and irresistible to employers in the highly competitive job market,” he said.

According to him, the administration is working hard to address the notable challenges facing the education sector in the state.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Sola Akinrinade, challenged the graduates to position their minds for leadership.

Akinrinade said: “If you do not lead, you stand the risk of being misled by others. I challenge you to be worthy ambassadors of the school.”

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who is the Chancellor of the school was conferred with Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters at the occasion.

A total of 362 graduated from five out of the eight colleges in the University with nine of them bagging first class Honours, 167 second class upper,176 with second class lower while 10 had third class.

The prize for the overall best student was won by Miss Salami Adejoke, from Microbiology department, with the highest CGPA of 4.76.(NAN)

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Asuu call for speedy passage of retirement bill

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again called on the government and other stakeholders in the education sector to appeal to the National Assembly, to as a matter of national urgency, pass the 70 years retirement age for academics in Nigeria Universities.

Speaking after a congress of the Union held at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State Chapter on Wednesday, the Chairman, Dr. Busuyi Mekusi said that the issue is one of the provisions of the FGN/ASUU 2009 agreement and that since then, ASUU has been struggling to get this agreement implemented.

Sarkozy backs Nigeria for UN Security Council seat

French President Nicholas Sarkozy has pledged to rally international support for Nigeria and spearhead the lobby for Africa’s permanent membership as well as zonal representation on the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

Sarkozy spoke in Cote d'Ivoire during a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Yamoussoukro Presidential Villa before they proceeded to the Felix Houphouet Foundation for Peace Centre for the inauguration of President Allasane Ouattara.

He described Nigeria as a “giant of Africa” with enormous economic and political potential to remain great as a country.

He congratulated Jonathan on his victory at the Presidential election last month and expressed optimism in his ability to succeed.

“If you do not succeed, I can’t imagine who else can,” Sarkozy told Jonathan.

While noting that Africa is under-represented in world governance, he maintained that Europe needs the collaboration and alliance with Africa to enable the continent grow.

Sarkozy said the linkages between both continents are such that they need each other to explore and get benefits.

Jonathan thanked him for the immense contribution France has made to stabilise Nigeria and enjoined him to continue to support the country and Africa in surmounting challenges, especially in the area of good governance.

“We need your support and encouragement to succeed, we will always appreciate your show of love and interest for Nigeria” he told Sarkozy.

Jonathan said he opposed the government led by former Ivoirien President Laurent Gbagbo to send a signal to African leaders that they must do the right thing, and that he insisted on free and fair elections in Nigeria to ensure the respect of the rule of law.

“I insisted on doing the right thing because I needed to have the moral right to challenge political wrong doing in the continent.”

He expressed satisfaction with Sarkozy’s leadership of the G8 and G20 and also his country’s several aids to Africa.

Meanwhile on Sunday, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, urged Nigeria to expedite action on improving access to healthcare across the country.

Ki-Moon, who is on his first official visit to Nigeria, made the call during an inspection of the Maitama General Hospital, Abuja.

He said he came to personally observe government intervention in infant and maternal survival health, noting that Nigeria has shown commitment to reduce death among vulnerable groups.

“I am here to observe for myself to see what you are doing for maternal and child health to show the world as a good example,” Ki-Moon enthused.

The UN recognises the need for healthcare systems the world over and wants Nigeria structured to work for women and children.

He said the death of 1,000 women and 22,000 children daily is a “totally and truly unacceptable situation, as most of these deaths are preventable.”

He urged governments to place top priority on health, as “healthy women, healthy mothers, healthy children mean healthy societies and healthy world.”

Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu expressed the appreciation of the government for Ki-Moon’s visit.

He disclosed that Nigeria has kept its pledge on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially with the reduction of infant-maternal mortality, polio, and HIV/AIDS prevalence rates.

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Akpabio Intensifies Clampdown On Child Rights NGOs; Forcefully Evacuates 127 Children From CRARN

Governor Godswill Akpabio has made good his earlier pledge to go after proprietors of orphanages for children in Akwa Ibom State accused of witchcraft. His invasion and forceful evacuation of some 200 inmates of Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN) continued yesterday.

SaharaReporters recalls that Akpabio had threatened that “heads will roll” when he ordered the arrest of Sam Ikpe-Itauma and Gary Foxcroft following a news report by US-based Cable News Network (CNN) on the child witch syndrome in Akwa Ibom.

Yesterday, Mr. Wisdom Udoka, who has spearheaded the onslaught on the private homes, is reported to have used a machete he pulled out from his vehicle to force the children to comply with the evaciatopm order. Udoka claimed that failure to obtain the consent of the children should not stand in the way of the orders given by Akpabio that the orphanage should be closed down immediately.

At the CRARN site, Udoka forcefully abducted about 29 children, bringing the total number so far evacuated to 127. Mr. Udoka had earlier carried out raids accompanied by Atta Ikkideh, a UK based propagandist believed to be fronting for the governor. Traumatized by the latest naked display of force, some of the children ran into adjourning bushes to escape being abducted by Udoka.

The abducted children are being camped at the newly constructed “Security Village” in Uyo. The site was originally constructed to house council chairmen and political office holders in the state’s 31 LGAs.

Apparently in a hurry to execute his agenda against child rights activists that are perceived to have embarrassed Akpabio by drawing attention to the child witch issue, the governor seems unwilling to wait for the report and recommendations of a panel he set up in 2010 to look into the witchcraft allegations and child abuses in Akwa Ibom. That panel visited the United Kingdom two weeks ago.

Stepping Stones Nigeria Child Empowerment Foundation, another NGO affiliated with Stepping Stones UK, producers of the controversial TV documentary, suffered a similar attack from the Akwa Ibom government last week when some children being supported by the NGO were seized and taken to the security village.

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BREAKING NEWS..rapture has been post-poned in Nigeria as the materials required to rapture the saints in the 36 states have not arrived. The Chairman of the Rapture Committee said this is to ensure a credible,free and fair rapture..A new date will be announced later today

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Strike imminent as ASUU presses home demands

Universities across the country may, once again, be thrown into another round of indefinite strike if the Federal Government failed to give legislative backing to parts of the agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the next two weeks.

ASUU therefore, “urges the National Assembly to, as a matter of urgency, pass the relevant law in respect to areas of agreement before the expiration of the current legislative tenure.”

Sambo promises govs-elect FG’s cooperation

VICE President Namadi Sambo has pledged Federal Government’s cooperation with state governors-elect to enable them to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

He also reassured the international community of government’s commitment to partner with them to propel Nigeria to greater heights.

Sambo stated these on Friday at the closing ceremony of the induction/symposium organised by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) for returning and newly-elected governors, which took place at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.

He counseled them to ensure that they abided by the oath of their office in order to justify the confidence the electorate had in them.

According o him, the delivery of free and credible elections by the present administration was in fulfillment of its earlier promise to positively transform Nigeria and “the first step towards our collective desire to deliver on all our promises.”

He said: “As we get ready to be sworn-in on May 29, we must not forget our oath of office and allegiance and must strive to abide by it,” noting that “as elected representatives, we are for all and we must work for all.”

Vice President Sambo, while reiterating President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to transforming the socio-economic status of Nigerians and putting the country on the highest pedestal in the international community, said the administration had already put in motion measures to improve power supply and revitalise comatose infrastructure.

PDP supporters set to relive Aminu Kano’s memories

Memories of the late Aminu Kano have resonated in Kano as supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are now putting finishing touches on the adornment of his trademark white dress and red cap on May 29, when governor-elect Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso will take over the reins of power from Ibrahim Shekarau.

The supporters of the party are now spending their hard-earned money to purchase the traditional red cap and white agbada (flowing dress) popularised by the late sage, who identified with those regarded as the commoners or talakawas, as they are known in Hausa, of Kano city.

The PDP supporters, who number in their thousands, claim they can see all the virtues of the founder of the defunct People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in Mr Kwankwaso.

They have, therefore, resolved that come May 29, they will march to the venue where power will be ceded to Mr Kwankwaso as governor of Kano State. They also plan to wear green shoes to remind all that the PDP is now fully in control of affairs in the state.

A visit to Kurmi, Katin Kwari and Sabon Gari markets, where the dealers in the various materials are found, showed that, since the emergence of Mr Kwankwaso as the governor-elect, business has been flourishing.

Ibrahim Garba is one of the major dealers in the red cap; he is happy with the level of patronage he now has.

“There has been a turnaround in this business since Kwankwaso won the governorship election. It started picking up when President Goodluck Jonathan visited Kano State during campaign period. We have two types of the cap: one is sold for N500 and the other N5000, which used to be sold for N200 and N3000, respectively. We are currently witnessing high demand as the swearing date draws nearer and we have short supply.”

Rufai Ahmed, a staunch supporter of the late Aminu Kano, shares the same view with many of the PDP followers. He believes that Mr Kwankwaso’s incoming administration will carry the downtrodden along.

“This outfit symbolised late Mallam Aminu Kano of blessed memory; he stood for the emancipation of the common man and they share the same dream with the government of Kwankwaso. He has done it before and trust that he will do it again. Because his government will create job opportunity for our youth; the free feeding of primary school pupils, free anti–natal care and, above all, we Kano people will now feel the presence of the federal government.”

Garba Gwammaja is the brain behind the idea of using the swearing-in ceremony to remember the politician who was popular among the ordinary people. Mr Gwammaja also likens Aminu Kano’s virtue with that of Mr Kwankwaso.

“I’m glad to let you know that this my project started like joke but you will be surprised that today in Kano in virtually every household you will find someone that has purchased this regalia and is waiting for the swearing-in of our able governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.”

Group seeks Lagos Speakership for Ikorodu

A non political group, ‘The Ikorodu Progressives (TIP)’ has appealed to the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos state to zone the position of the speaker of the State House of Assembly in the 7th Assembly to Ikorodu axis in the Lagos East Senatorial District.

The group made the request in a release addressed to the Chairman, ACN Lagos state, Chief Henry Ajomale and signed by its Chief Coordinator, Sir Ayodele Elesho.

TIP is specifically requesting that Hon. Sanai Agunbiade who represents Ikorodu 1 constituency be allocated the seat, assuring the party leadership that their representative will not disappoint the party and indeed the good people of Lagos state

"We wish to passionately appeal that under this new dispensation, the speakership should not only be zoned to Ikorodu axis of the East Senatorial District, but specifically allocated to our son, a distinguished returning member of the House in person of Barrister Sanai Agunbiade representing constituency 1 in the House", the release read.

The group appealed to the party leadership not to concede the seat to anyone currently representing a constituency in the Central or West Senatorial Districts because they produced the governor and deputy governor respectively, "doing so will be tantamount to a rape on the long standing zoning/sharing formula", TIP said.

Justifying its request on the principle of zoning that has been in practice in the state since 1992, the group said "it is only fair and politically equitable to zone the speakership seat for the new Assembly to be constituted to the East senatorial."

Buhari’s petition: CPC shops for forensic experts

Fresh facts emerged yesterday that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is shopping for forensic experts from abroad to prove that its candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, won the just-concluded presidential election.

The CPC and Buhari are however likely to face fresh hurdles on forensic analysis bordering on the discretion of the tribunal, the logistics of moving the ballot papers to the tribunal and time constraint.

The party also yesterday condemned the denial of entry visa for ex-US Ambassador to Nigeria , John Campbell.

But the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday filed its response to CPC’s petition and insisted that the presidential election was free and fair.

Investigation by The Nation showed that the CPC is still searching for forensic experts who may be "tactically unveiled" when its petition gets to a crucial stage.

A top party source said: "We are determined to employ forensic analysis to prove our point that President Goodluck Jonathan got a "stolen mandate."

"We are shopping for forensic experts from some countries and at the critical moment, we will bring them into the country to justify our petition.

"For tactical reasons, we will not unveil our forensic experts until the last minute. If a former US Ambassador to Nigeria can be denied visa, this government is desperate and it could make our forensic experts to suffer a similar fat

Speaking on the hurdles the CPC has to face, a top source added: "The CPC is going about its case as if forensic analysis of the ballot papers is automatic. The party has forgotten that it is at the discretion of the court.

"The legal teams of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have drawn the battle line and may oppose the application for forensic analysis. So, the CPC will need to convince the court beyond reasonable doubt why the analysis is necessary."

A top source in INEC also added: "A major challenge the CPC may face is time constraint. The tribunal has only 180 days within which to hear the petition of the party. Can it analyze all the presidential ballot papers in 20 or 22 states within 180 days?

"Yet, this is a party that is still coming up with a motion for the leave of the court on certain issues on Monday. Yet, we have not got to pre-hearing stage which will be regulated at the end of pleadings by all parties. So, time is not on the side of the CPC for forensic analysis. But we will see how it will go."

Lobbyists in overdrive over Jonathan’s next cabinet

According to Section 147 of the Constitution, the Nigerian president has the right to choose his ministers and form a cabinet. However, a convoluted selection system which panders to governors and party strongmen ensures that it is a right that Goodluck Jonathan cannot freely exercise.

Although there is a clamour for a lean Federal Executive Council largely made up of technocrats, as Theophilus Danjuma noted at the valedictory session of the Presidential Advisory Committee Wednesday, there is little hope of this happening.

The president himself said that: “Your suggestion for a smaller cabinet is excellent and I agree with you, but this cannot be achieved without constitutional amendment.” The constitution stipulates that each state in the country must produce a minister.

But that is only part of the problem. There are other critical factors that make it almost impossible for the president to ensure that most of these 36 or so people are vibrant minds with proven skills, rather than political jobbers.

Already there are indications that, contrary to reports that the president will be choosing ministers based solely on their proven competence and qualifications, the cabinet will as usual be made up largely of politicians and their cronies.

Any hope that things will be different this time around was complicated by the letter the Peoples Democratic Party’s acting chairman, Mohammed Bello Haliru sent to state councils of the party asking them to “nominate ten eminently qualified persons to occupy executive positions”.

NEXT learnt that the process has since been hijacked by the governors in states where the incumbent is from the ruling party. In many instances where the governors failed re-election or have completed their tenures, they have chosen to put their names on top of the list.

In Ondo, Yobe, Anambra and Oyo states, the party is enmeshed in crisis over the list. A founding member of the party in Oyo, Wole Oyelese, said Mr Jonathan should “disregard any list of nominees that might have been sent by the governor (Adebayo Alao-Akala) for ministerial and other positions, as it has been done without consultation with any other leader who doesn’t see eye to eye with him.”

Mohammed Abdulsalami Ohiare, a member of the president’s campaign council told newsmen that Mr Jonathan is unhappy with the way governors unilaterally took over the compiling of the lists. He said the president may actually dump their nominations into the waste basket.