Don’t scrap Tai Solarin varsity •HID tells Amosun

YEYE Oodua and matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs) H.I.D. Awolowo, has implored the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun to take another look at the plan to merge the Tai Solarin University of Education with the Olabisi

Onabanjo University (OOU).

Chief (Mrs) Awolowo, in a letter to the governor entitled, ‘Appeal for another look at the Tai Solarin University of Education/Olabisi Onabanjo merger plan,’ advised that the two universities should not be merged.

The two institutions, according to Chief (Mrs) Awolowo, had contributed immensely to the educational advancement of Ogun State and Nigeria in general, adding that “it appears to me that what seems to be an easy way out may actually destroy the two schools.

“The Tai Solarin University of Education is a pride to the memory of an illustrious son of this state, the late Dr Tai Solarin, and a worthy legacy which has done so well within so short time. Children in Ogun State, and indeed children from other states have been able to benefit from the qualitative education in Tai Solarin University of Education. This university has contributed immensely to the educational advancement in Ogun State and Nigeria. Therefore, it is my wish TASUED should not be merged,” Chief (Mrs) Awolowo said.

READ FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER:

His Excellency,
Senator Ibikunle Amosun,
The Executive
Governor of Ogun State,
Oke-Imosan,
Abeokuta.

ON behalf of the Awolowo family, I write to once again congratulate you on the unique opportunity Almighty God has given you to steer the ship of Ogun State. May He grant you divine wisdom to take the right decisions at all times for the good of Ogun State. It is my desire that young leaders of our people in the present generation walk in the footprints of past leaders who had led our people selflessly, with wisdom and determination to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

I recall with fond memories the legacies of job creation, good roads, potable water supply, housing, and most especially, qualitative education which my late husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his devoted lieutenants left behind for our people. It is my desire that leaders nowadays will work hard to sustain the legacies.

I have been following the story of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijagun, Ijebu Ode from the beginning. The management and Governing Council were with me a few times to seek my counsel and blessing on the progress of the university, and I was even at the N500 million endowment the young university organised around 2006 to seek money for development projects. I was quite happy to see the zeal for excellence which the management, staff and students showed. I am told that the institution now ranks among the best universities in Nigeria today, and I am not surprised.

As you know, the late Chief Bisi Onabanjo worked very hard to maintain the good record of education in Ogun State with the founding and development of higher institutions in the state. Chief Segun Osoba and other leaders have also done their best to build on the record. It is always heart-warming to hear or see these legacies doing well. Education is the best legacy that can be passed to coming generations of Nigerians, therefore no amount spent on education is wasted or too much. Furthermore, the challenges which global economic trends pose should not be allowed to deter us from the march towards excellence.

The Tai Solarin University of Education is a pride to the memory of an illustrious son of this state, the late Dr Tai Solarin, and a worthy legacy which has done so well within so short a time. Children in Ogun State, and indeed children from other states, have been able to benefit from the qualitative education in Tai Solarin University of
Education. This university has contributed immensely to educational advancement in Ogun State and Nigeria.

It is in this light that I am imploring you to take another look at the plan to merge the university with Olabisi Onabanjo University. It appears to me that what seems to be an easy way out may actually destroy the two schools. It is my wish that TASUED should not be merged.

May God grant you the courage, humility and wisdom to continue to steer the ship of Ogun State.

Nigerians to enjoy regular power soon •As FG directs states to provide electricity

TO ensure regular and adequate supply of electricity to their citizens, state governments have been given the nod to collaborate with relevant distribution companies with a view to providing electricity.

In doing this, the governors, however, have to seek permission from relevant authorities.

The  National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which gave this directive, said that they should be ready to make capital contribution which would be secured and  on terms agreed with the distribution company.

The NCP said the  assets thus acquired would become the property of the distribution company but would be wholly utilised within and for the benefit of the citizens of the relevant state.

The NCP said  the state would receive compensation within the ambit of the extant tariff methodology. “Excess capital costs, if any, will be borne by the state government. Any investment by the state will not attract any interest payments by the distribution companies,” NCP said.

At the NCP  first meeting for 2012, held on February 27, at the Presidential Villa, the council endorsed that the percentage of equity that state governments hold in a distribution company will be determined through independent valuation of actual investments by the respective states in the distribution network.

 The council said the  valuation would be determined by an independent agency jointly appointed by the state governments and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC.)

The NCP, given the economic un-viability of re-delineating the distribution companies along state boundaries, also approved that the present privatisation framework of 11 distribution companies created from the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) should be maintained.

The NCP approved that 60 per cent  of the shares of a distribution company be sold to core investors to allow state governments to participate in the bidding consortia but limit the overall federal and state government shares to 49 per cent.

Though the NCP approved that the federal and state governments would not play any role in the management of the privatised successor companies, it, however,  endorsed that the workers’ allotment would not exceed a maximum of two per cent of the overall shares or 10 per cent  of the Federal Government shares in each distribution company, whichever is lower.  

It will be recalled that the  NCP had at its meeting of October 31, 2011 deferred decisions on post-privatisation shareholding structure of distribution companies, pending when an agreement is reached with the state governments. NCP had also directed BPE and NERC to make presentations to the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) that followed the NCP meeting.

On the basis of the presentations and the attendant discussions, the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, and chairman of NEC had constituted an ad hoc committee on power sector reform to further deliberate on the issues raised and make necessary recommendations to NEC.

Subsequently, the ad hoc committee chaired by the governor of Cross River State had met on January 25 and agreed on the issues in dispute which were eventually approved by NEC on January 26.

Lagos NBA commends speaker over good goverance

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA),Lagos branch, on Wednesday, lauded the efforts of the state House of Assembly at promoting good governance, through the various laws it made.
Speaking during a visit to the Speaker, Honour-able Adeyemi Ikuforiji, the chairman, 2012 Law Week Committee, Mr Hannibal Uwaifo, said “we, as lawyers and members of the NBA Lagos branch, do not play to the gallery. We don’t just commend people until we know such people’s background. And we don’t just visit people anyhow.
“We are aware of the moves by some people to tarnish your image; but having studied you for long, and being fully aware of your antecedents as a very decent man, we are sure of your excellent background. We know you were not a pauper before you came into politics and we also know you will not leave a pauper.
“We, members of Lagos NBA, will continue to support you until there is a cogent reason for us not to do so.”
The NBA chairman, Mr Taiwo Taiwo, in his address, said “the Lagos State House of Assembly, which you lead, remains the most organised in the whole federation.”
Responding, Ikuforiji commended NBA for pursuing excellence at all times, adding that ‘this is my third term as Lagos State House of Assembly speaker. It is a delight for me to play host to such a vibrant association of yours.
The NBA remains one of the few highly responsible associations that I have a lot of respect for.”

Rwanda coach, fans celebrate draw with Eagles

Rwanda coach, Serbian Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredrojevic, was full of joy and excitement after the Amavubi Stars held the Super Eagles to a goalless draw at the Stade Regionale in Kigali on Wednesday.

Sredrojevic, who was full of respect for the Eagles, said after the game that he still holds Nigeria in high esteem but was slightly surprised that the array of stars paraded by Nigeria could not get the three points at stake from his team.

Rwandan fans and journalists were also full of praises for their team, with one of them describing the Nigerian side as a sleeping giant when he poked a question at Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi. Keshi, however, promised to wake his ‘giants’ from sleep in subsequent games.

The fans in Kigali also took over major streets of the city after the encounter, describing the performance of their team as outstanding and well deserved.

Keshi, said he was not satisfied with the Eagles’ performance but was happy that he came away with a point in the encounter.

He said, “We did not come here for a draw but that is what we got, we have made some observations after the match and we will work on them as we prepare for subsequent games. I will not give excuses but I must say we did not have enough time with the foreign based players like we did in four weeks with the home guys.”

Benue governorship poll: Tribunal dismisses ACN, ANPP petitions

Suswam

The Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi on Tuesday dismissed the petitions filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria’s candidate, Prof. Torkuma Ugba  and his All Nigeria Peoples Party’s counterpart, Professor Daniel Saror for lack of jurisdiction.
The tribunal based its ruling on the recent judgment of the Supreme Court in the Borno Appeal case which said judgment must be delivered within 180 days in writing from the day a petition was filed.
Earlier, counsels to Governor Gabriel  Suswam, Peoples Democratic Party and the Independent  National Electoral Commission, D.D.Dodo (SAN), Chief Solomon Akuma (SAN) and Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) moved a motion which sought to terminate further proceeding  on the two petitions.
 "Section 285 has become a law in Nigeria and has been interpreted and applied by the Supreme Court and to do otherwise will amount to judicial suicide,” Dodo said.
 He urged the tribunal to strike out the petitions immediately.
 Chief Akuma and Okutepa aligned themselves with the argument of Suswam’ counsel, who is the first respondent in the petition.
In his counter argument, counsel to the ACN governorship candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN),  who appeared with Femi Falana,Jeo Abaagu and Jeol Agor urged the court to disregard Suswan’s counsel and hear the petition on its merit.

Eagles held in Kigali

The Super Eagles were held to a goalless draw by the Amavubi Stars in the first leg fixture of their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Stade Regionale de Nyamirambo in Kigali on Wednesday.

It was coach Stephen Keshi’s first competitive game since taking charge of the team in November last year.

Keshi featured an experimental team of Europe-based players and players from the Nigeria Premier League but in spite of the intimidating stars in the Eagles, Nigeria failed to break the closely knitted defence of their hosts.

Nigeria found it difficult to create any clear-cut chances in the encounter but when they did, Enugu Rangers striker Ejike Uzoenyi and West Brom forward Osaze Odemwingie failed to convert their chances. Odemwingie was later substituted with Granada’s Ikechukwu Uche while VVV Venlo’s Ahmed Musa was substituted with Wigan’s Victor Moses, who earned his first cap for Nigeria.

Their entry did little to change the game as the Eagles failed to find their rhythm with Fulham’s Dickson Etuhu and Inter Milan’s Joel Obi appearing incompatible in the midfield.

The Rwandans, who quickly discovered their opponents were not coordinated, took the fillip from their cheering fans and pressed forward though causing little damage.

Vincent Enyeama was forced to make a brilliant save as Dady Birori made a run into the goal area but the Lille goalkeeper dived at his feet to grab the ball just as the Amavubi striker was about to shoot.

The striker got the home fans on their feet again in the second half when he blasted a shot over the bar.

Nigeria, however, found the back of the net through Uche but the goal was ruled offside. It ensured the game ended goalless and makes the return leg fixture in Nigeria in June a make-or-mar encounter.

Nigeria, who failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, are under pressure to make an appearance at the next edition to be hosted by South Africa.

Electronic voting likely in 2015, says Jega

Prof Jega answering questions from The Nation editors in Lagos ... yesterday PHOTOS: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Nigerians may vote electronically in the 2015 general elections, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega said yesterday.

This, he said, will depend on the amendment of electoral laws, which presently do not recognise electronic voting.

Jega said contracts are being awarded for the production of a permanent voter register, which will be embedded in electronic chips on cards.

The INEC boss admitted that the commission has not performed satisfactorily in the prosecution of electoral offenders, even though over 200 cases have been tried.

To him, the solution is to have an independent body outside INEC to handle prosecution of electoral offenders while the commission concentrates on election management.

Jega spoke during a visit to The Nation’s head office in Lagos. He was received by the management team, led by Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh.

On the use of technology in voting, Jega said: “We are working to ensure that if by 2015, the legal framework is amended to allow for electronic voting, we may be able to see it through, provided the funding and facilities are available to get electronic voting machines. 

“We have gone very far with the award of the contract for the permanent voters register. It is going to be in embedded chip contact lens cards. Each card will carry all the information about the voter, with all his biometric data, from fingerprint to photograph and so on. 

“Our hope is that in 2015, at the minimum, we are going to have an authentic verification of anybody who presents himself or herself at the polling unit for voting. We will have card readers, and it will automatically verify whether you are the genuine owner of a card. 

“If the law is amended in good time and we’re able to have the resources and to convince the public that we can do electronic voting, then we will also be ready because the chip-based card can be made compatible with an electronic voting system. 

“Also, we have been working very hard to integrate our database. We are doing it in stages.”

The popular thinking is that electoral crimes flourish because many offenders are not prosecuted.

Jega attributed INEC’s inability to effectively prosecute electoral crimes to lack of evidence, court delays and high cost of litigation.

His words: “Frankly, if there is anything we have not done to our satisfaction, to my personal satisfaction, and to the commission’s satisfaction, it is the prosecution of electoral offenders. But it is not for lack of trying.

“To have successful investigation, you need successful police investigation and report and you must have the courts to take the cases seriously. 

“But there are cases in court since April that are still there. The courts are not hastening the process. There are cases where the police said they have no evidence of illegality taking place.

“I am not shifting blame, but there is a limit to what we can do, if we do not have the support of all the other partners in driving prosecution.

“However, until this INEC came in, I don’t think anyone could point to one case of prosecution of an electoral offender from 1999. From 1999 to 2010, no electoral commission had prosecuted a single electoral offender. But we have prosecuted more than 200.”

He spoke on the long-term solution: “For me, after being on Uwais Panel and now chairman of INEC, the easiest thing to do under the circumstances is really to take that matter of litigation out of the hands of INEC. 

“Let us concentrate, as an election management body, on managing elections; and let there be an independent Election Offences Tribunal to handle the prosecution of electoral offenders. We’ll provide all the evidence and they will have their own prosecutors and investigators just as EFCC and ICPC do.”

According to Jega, elections are still being rigged, and it will take time to end the culture.

“Yes, elections have been rigged, but wherever they are rigged and we have the evidence, we have cancelled them. 

“Where we don’t have the evidence, we expect that those contestants who are on the field should take the extra effort not just to win the election, but to have the evidence of rigging and so on so that they can prove their cases in court.

“If you say election has been rigged, you should have the evidence to prove that it has been rigged. Whoever has evidence and needed our support, we have always provided that support.”

Jega defended INEC’s decisions following the Supreme Court judgment which sacked five governors, saying they were based on sound legal advice and were expedient.

He said if INEC had stuck with the old time-table for election in the affected states, it could be accused of disobeying the Supreme Court verdict. 

“Our position is that we have to be proactive and interpret decisions. If people disagree with the position, then they can go to court and get another interpretation. 

“But we can’t sit back and say ‘we can’t interpret this because it is not our job to interpret,’” Jega said.

The INEC boss vouched for the independence of the national commissioners, saying there is no evidence that any of them is a card-carrying member of any political party.

“I can tell you that I have not seen any evidence of partisanship by any national commissioner in the way we do our work. I don’t know for a fact that they are card-carrying members of any party.

“If there is any evidence, up till now, nobody has produced it. If I had that evidence, I would take it to Mr President for whatever it is worth.”

Jega said though he supported the recommendation that INEC members be appointed by an independent body outside the executive, he accepted the job, convinced he would do his best. 

“Now I have been asked to come and chair INEC under a procedure that is different from what I supported; I accepted to do it because I know I can do it to the best of my ability without any compromise.

“I can do it on a non-partisan basis. I can do it impartially. I can do it by creating a level-playing field for everybody to the best of my ability. Obviously, I expect everybody on the commission to do the same. 

“As far as I am concerned, I am the Jega that I have been before I came into INEC. I am not about to change. I have not changed. The day I realise I can’t do this job, I will leave it. 

“I have done so before in other assignments I have taken; I can do it again. But I don’t run away from responsibilities. The challenges are there; that’s what life is all about. You have to face them frontally and do your best under the circumstances.” 

Jega’s dream is to ensure that in 2015, there is a more technologically-enhanced electoral process.

“We are doing massive restructuring in INEC, and by 2015, we want INEC to be the best election management body in Africa,” Jega said.

Crisis brews in PDP over choice of chairman

Dr Jonathan

 

Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are pushing for a consensus national chairman – to stave off a rancorous voting at the convention. 

But most of the 11 aspirants prefer a direct ballot battle at the National Convention, which was yesterday fixed for March 24. 

They have vowed to reject “a family affair method”, which has led to the emergence of three national chairmen since 2008. 

Some of the  aspirants are:  Former Governor of the now defunct Gongola State Bamanga Muhammed Tukur; National Publicity Secretary Prof. Rufai Alkali;  former Minister of Commerce Idris Waziri (Taraba); former Minister of Agriculture Shettima Mustapha;  National Secretary Musa Babayo; former Minister of Agriculture Adamu Bello; former National Chairman of the defunct Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM) Gambo Lawan (Borno); former Governor Adamu Mu’azu of Bauchi State; and  former Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters Abba Aji. 

Former Minister of FCT Bunu Sheriff and Ibrahim Birma, a lawyer, among others, are also in the race.

Some members of the Board of Trustees are pushing for a consensus national chairman. 

It was gathered that the elders are looking for a candidate who could serve as a rallying point for the party to reconcile all members and win the 2015 poll. 

In fact, the elders are trying to prevail on the Presidency to adopt a former Minister as a consensus candidate ahead of the convention.

But most of the aspirants are insisting that they want voting. 

It was gathered that some of those being prevailed upon have defied the elders to open their campaign secretariats. 

The defiant aspirants are said to be enjoying the backing of some 2015 presidential aspirants. 

A source, who confided in our correspondent, said: “The elders have zeroed in on a particular aspirants in line with the tradition of the party. 

“If you can recall very well, the only time we have elected a national chairman was in 1999 when the late Super Permanent Secretary, Chief S.B. Awoniyi, slugged it out with Senator Barnabas Gemade. And with the backing of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Gemade won. 

“That 1999 election, however, left the party so divided to the extent that we have not recovered from it till today. Our preparation for 2015 begins with the right National Working Committee. We cannot afford to falter, we must get it right. 

“The elders are forward looking but some of the aspirants prefer outright ballot process. All I can tell you is that the consensus process has been initiated.” 

Asked if the party’s constitution supports emergence of a consensus candidate, the source said Article 12.87(q) and (r) empowers the National Convention to “exercise such other powers and authority not inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution as shall aid or facilitate the realisation of the objectives of the party.” 

Five of the 11 aspirants, who were contacted by our correspondent, kicked against consensus.

One of them, who pleaded not to be named, said “Some of us have been approached by some elders to forget about the race for a man they think can do it, but we have said no. 

“As for me, I won’t chicken out; I prefer to lose flatly. Why should the party follow this path again? I think they said we are reforming, then we should reform democratically. 

Another aspirant added: “I believe it is always better and democratic, if we allow all the aspirants to seek the members’ mandate. 

“We have had enough of this family affair method which has left the party more divided in the last four years. The same method led to the imposition of chairmen, like Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Mr Audu Ogbeh, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo and others who were later sacrificed by the powers that be.”

The third aspirant said: “I think it is too early to talk of the direction the party elders are going. You know in PDP, the game can change 24 hours to the national convention. 

“These elders may be proposing; the intrigues may force the party to tread a different path. I think we have three weeks to go.” 

Another aspirant said: “I have not been contacted by anyone, but I have a ready made answer not to accept such a deal at all. I am not in the race to negotiate.” 

The fifth aspirant merely said: “That will be too bad; we want to lose at the convention not through the back door.”

State Security Service (SSS) officials yesterday stopped Senator Ali Ndume (PDP, Borno) from attending the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. 

  President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, Senator Wilson Ake, Senator Hosea Agboola were at the meeting. 

Ndume, who was linked to the deadly Boko Haram sect, was arrested on November 22, last year and charged to court as an alleged sponsor of the group. 

Ndume, who arrived at the PDP National Secretariat around 1.46 p.m after the closed-door NEC meeting had started, through was turned back at the gate, which was manned by SSS officials.

They told him his name was not on the list of invitees. 

Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Dickson, who arrived around 2.10p.m, and other members of the NEC who came after the meeting had started, were allowed in by the SSS officials at the three check points leading to the venue.       

The NEC approved zoning of the offices for the NWC. It also set up a committee to have a second look at the report of its Constitution Review Committee. 

Reading the resolutions at the end of the 59th meeting, the National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Ahmed Rufai Alkali, said: “NEC passed a special resolution commending the National Working Committee for successfully piloting the affairs of the Party even in turbulent times within the last four years.” 

“As a prelude to the smooth conduct of the forthcoming National Convention and in line with the provisions of the PDP Constitution, NEC approved the zoning of offices for the National Working Committee as follows: North East Zone - National Chairman, South South Zone - Deputy National Chairman and National Financial Secretary, South West Zone - National Secretary and National Auditor, South East Zone - National Publicity Secretary, Deputy National Secretary and National Woman Leader, North West Zone - National Organising Secretary and National Treasurer, North Central Zone National Legal Adviser and National Youth Leader.” 

On the amendment of the party’s constitution, Alkali said: “NEC also received a proposal for the amendment of the PDP Constitution. NEC commended the Constitution Review Committee for a job well done and referred the report to a Special Committee comprising the President, the Vice President, governors, six members of the National Assembly, three former chairmen of the party, former chairmen of the Board of Trustees and six members of the National Working Committee.”

“The Committee shall examine the Constitutional Amendment proposal and present a roadmap for the way forward.”

Speaking at the beginning of the meeting, President Goodluck Jonathan urged party members to remain united even as the congresses and national convention of the party will hold from 3rd to 24th of this month. 

He said: “What holds us together is unity. As a party, we have to unite and that is what has made us a strong party. Here, we disagree to agree and that makes us stronger.” 

The outgoing Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, noting that the NEC will be the last in his tenure, thanked the party members for the opportunity he got to serve.

According to him, the party witnessed improved internal democracy, successful conduct of the 2011 general election, improved working relationship between the executive and the legislature under his tenure.

Salami: NJC raises five-man committee

Salami

The National Judicial Council (NJC) yesterday raised another five-man committee to resolve issues surrounding the reinstatement of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami.
The council suspended Justice Salami on August 18, 2011 after an emergency session.
But the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher on October 14, 2011 set up a 29-member stakeholders’ Judicial Reform Committee, which was headed by a former CJN, Justice Muhammadu Uwais.
The committee recommended the reinstatement of Justice Salami and reconciliation of the suspended PCA with a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu.
Although the NJC met yesterday in Abuja to consider the report of the stakeholders Judicial Reform Committee, especially the reinstatement of Salami, it ended up constituting another five-man panel.
The panel, headed by Justice Aloma Mukhtar (the Deputy Chairman of the NJC), includes Justice Pius Aderemi(Rtd JSC) and President of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) Joseph Bodunrin Daudu.
A source, who pleaded not to be named because he is not officially permitted to speak on the matter, said: “The NJC raised the five-man committee to finally resolve all issues behind the suspension and factors delaying Justice Salami’s reinstatement.
“The panel is expected to reconcile all the parties to the crisis, including Justice Salami and ex-CJN Katsina-Alu. It will also look into all cases relating to the feud that has shaken the judiciary in the last one year.
“If you can recall, these were the recommendations of a sub-committee of the Uwais stakeholders’ Judicial Reform Committee. The sub-committee, including Justice Mamman Nasir, Justice U. Kalgo, and Justice Bola Ajibola, had asked the CJN and the National Judicial Council to reconcile Justice Salami and Justice Katsina-Alu. It also asked the NJC to reinstate Justice Salami to his position.”
Asked why another committee was necessary, the source added: “The crisis is a complicated one and members agreed that it is better for the new five-man panel to isolate all the interwoven issues one-by-one and find final solutions.
“Do not forget that the crisis has also led to many cases in court. The NJC cannot just wake up to reinstate Justice Salami without finding ways of leaving the court out of the crisis.
“All I can assure you is that the NJC is in the final stage of resolving the matter.”
Asked whether there was stalemate at the NJC session, the source said: “If there was a stalemate, we will not end up agreeing to the setting up of a five-man committee.
“There are vested interests complicating the crisis but the Judiciary will surely survive it and we shall all be better for it.”
When contacted, the Media Adviser to the CJN, Mr. Adamu Mohammed, said: “A committee has been set up on Justice Isa Ayo Salami matter.”

Southwest Govs To Give More Attention To Oodua Group

Governors of five southwest states that own Odu’a Investment Company today rose from its first meeting of the year to pledge more attention to the conglomerate with a view to sustaining the legacy bequeathed to the younger generation by the former leaders of the region.

To fulfill the pledge, the governors have decided to be meeting once every quarter towards ensuring profitability of the common heritage of the people of these states.

At the meeting held in the Executive Chambers of Oyo State Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan were: the host Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun and Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state.

Also in attendance were the secretaries to the state governments (SSGs), Chairman of Oodua Group, Sarafadeen Alli , the Managing Director, Jimoh Adebayo and members of the Board of Directors of Oodua Group.

In the communiqué read at the end of the meeting by the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Fayemi, the governors described the meeting as a significant one through which the activities of the company in the last 12 months were reviewed based on the reports presented by both the chairman of the company’s Board of Directors and Group Managing Director of the group, Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli and Jimoh Adebayo respectively.

From the reports given by the two big shots of the company, Fayemi disclosed that the board and management had taken giant strides of recent at repositioning the company, part of which culminated in the relocation of the company’s headquarters to Cocoa House, currently enjoying 70 percent occupancy.

The governors in the communiqué commended the board and management of the conglomerate, which they described as hard working, stressing that the property base of the company in addition to Wemabod Estate had been expanded to as much as N76bn.

In reviewing the operational efficiency of the conglomerate, the governors decided to hire a consultant to look into the health of the investment company, principally to protect those facing challenges among the subsidiaries.

The governors in the communiqué maintained that everything needed to be done to make the conglomerate serve the people of the five states would be done and reiterated that they would create more time to interact with the Board of Directors of the conglomerate.

Welcoming the visitors to the meeting earlier, the host governor, Abiola Ajimobi said the meeting was to review the performance of the company with a review to ensuring its keeping with the mandate of the founding fathers.

Ogun ACN leaders tackle Amosun over TASUED

ABEOKUTA— The leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Ogun East Senatorial District has disowned Governor Ibikunle Amosun over the  aborted plan to scrap Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, Ijagun, saying, the party believes in ‘expansion of the scope and  scale of education.’

Emergency meeting

Rising  from  an emergency meeting, at Idowa in Ijebu-Ode recently, which had in attendance, former deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji  Rafiu Ogunleye, and  the Senator, representing  Ogun East  Senatorial  District, Alhaji Gbenga Kaka,  among other prominent party leaders, the party leaders,  issued a communique , calling  for caution by the government in its bid to scrap and merge some of the  state-owned institutions.

It will be  recalled that,the state government had announced the planned scrapping of TASUED  and merger of  four  ICT Polytechnics, the gesture, which  sparked-off controversies  and protest  which eventually led to the  loss of one of the final year students of the embattled institution.

Breaking its silence on the controversial matter,no fewer than sixty three  party leaders from each of the  nine local government areas of the district, which included;  Ijebu Ode, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Ijebu North East, Ogun Waterside, Ijebu North, Sagamu , Remo North  and Ikenne local governments, disagreed with the government on the merger and scrapping of the institutions established by past administrations.

The communiqué  which was made available to newsmen yesterday,  read in part “on the recent efforts of the state government to restructure the two state universities, Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago Iwoye and Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, Ijagun and other tertiary institutions in the state, the meeting called for great caution and patience in resolving the resultant and ominous problems and dangers government policy and pronouncements seemed to have created in academic communities in particular and among the citizenry of the state in general.

“The meeting believes in expansion of the scope and scale of education and hence does not support the scrapping or merging of the tertiary institutions in the state. Consequently, all tertiary institutions in Ogun State at present should be allowed to exist independently.

“The meeting appreciated, welcomed and endorsed the steps taken by the National Universities Commission, NUC, in taking over the administration of Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, until the issues are resolved.

“The meeting commended Senator Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka, Senator representing the constituency in the National Assembly for his timely intervention in order to give our state government and party breathing space to search for a more acceptable and equitable solution to the present logjam in the education sector.

“The meeting congratulated Governor  Ibikunle Amosun on the giant strides he has taken since his assumption of office  to rebuild Ogun State under the five cardinal point agenda and the manifesto of the Action Congress of Nigeria.

Endorsed NUC’s take-over

“The meeting appreciated, welcomed and endorsed the steps taken by the National University Commission, NUC, in taking over the administration of Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, until the issues are resolved.”

On party caucus

The meeting  however  called on top leaders of  the party  in the state to constitute a party caucus, which according to  the communiqué, should  comprise  the leadership of  the Party, the State Government, State House of Assembly and party members at the National Assembly  and from the state to re-consider   the entire proposals and policy thrusts on the two universities in the state.

It  further  called for the immediate restoration of the party’s consultative forum  “so as to move forward the functions and activities of the party and government, ensuring lasting confidence of the party members and the generality of the public.”

In America, Sango breaks loose

AKEEM LASISI reports that popular Yoruba actors are part of the cast of Sango on Broadway, a play that seasoned producer, Tai Balofin, is taking to the US

Roving from serious themes to comedy, Olaniyi Afonja has emerged a force in the Yoruba film industry. Part of his profile that buttresses this is that in the past six years, the actor popularly called Sanyeri has produced about six movies, while also taking part in  the ones made by other people.

In spite of this feat, however, he has not had an opportunity to travel outside Nigeria – as many of his colleagues have done.

But the gate is finally opened for him too. In the next few days, the Oyo, Oyo State-born artiste will land in the God’s own country – the United States – where he will be playing the role of Esu, the Yoruba god of tricks and unpredictable justice.

Sanyeri is one of the 15 actors that veteran journalist, actor, producer and promoter, Otunba Tai Balofin, has rallied for the performance of another version of the story of Sango, Yoruba’s god of thunder. The epic written and directed by Balofin will be on Broadway in several US cities that include New York, Washington, Florida, Atlanta and Boston.

Balofin says,  it is a way of marking the 25th year of his international promotion.

In the cast are Murphy Afolabi, Saidi Balogun, Bukky Wright, Peju Ogunmola, Mercy Akhigbe, Fathia Balogun, Ronke Odusanya and Bimbo Oshin.

Others are Kunle Adegbite, Aishat Abimbola, Eniola Badmus and Ronke Odusanya.

In the promotion arm of his business, Otunba has taken the likes of Shina Peters, Zebrudaya and Baba Suwe abroad. He did the same for the late Sunny Okosun and Orlando Owoh.

According to him, the current story of the god of thunder, which had been produced by others in various versions, goes into the root of the Sango phenomenon.

“But it also explores culture, love and crime,’ Balofin notes.

On what informed the choice of members of the cast, he says access played a major role.

“I have been able to obtain visas for all of them. I took 20 applications to the US embassy, and they issued visas to 18 people. I think that is a good mark,” the promoter explains, noting that he prosecuted a similar mission last year and 2010.

Multilingual Balofin, who started broadcasting as a newscaster in 1976, also hopes to shoot a film with the cast before returning to Nigeria after about 10 weeks.

On Friday, Sanyeri, Murphy, Abimbola and other actors were at SP Hotel, in Ebute Meta, where they are camped for the Sango on Broadway. All the three told our correspondents that they were in high spirits and could not wait to land in the US for the play.

Popular actor, Giringori, dies at 70

Creator of popular old TV drama, The Masquerade,  James Iroha, popularly known as ‘Giringori’, passes on at 70, write JAYNE AUGOYE and MAUREEN AZUH

After a long battle with glaucoma, veteran actor and creator of the popular television drama series, The Masquerade, James Iroha, has passed on.

The artist popularly called Giringori, based on the role he played in the drama, died in the early hours of Tuesday, according to his son, Uche.

Although Iroha suffered blindness that kept him at home for years, Uche said he had high blood pressure.

He, however, noted that the cause of the death had more to do with old age.

 Uche, who noted that the father died in a private hospital in Onitsha, Anambra State, said Giringori was in high spirits to the point of his death.

The son, a visual artist, told one of our correspondents on the phone on Tuesday evening, ‘He talked and joked with everyone yesterday. My father was always his same comic person.”

Although he conceded that he would miss the man he described as a source of inspiration and legend, he enjoined Nigerians not to mourn but celebrate him.

The late Iroha studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan. Although he was best known as an actor, he actually worked with the Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation during the Civil War. After the war ended, he was transferred to NTA Aba, Channel Six.

Prior to his retirement from the NTA, he started a new programme called Yesterday People. It involved interviewing old men who might have gone through thick and thin, and then discussed how they rose from poverty to riches.

In an interview with  SATURDAY PUNCH in January, he noted that he was inspired to create The Masquerade by his parent’s way of life.  According to him, the lead character played by Chika Okpala is a replica of  his father while Ovularia (Lizy Iboeme) is a replica of his mother.

On the choice of the title, he said, “I used it because in the African traditional context of the word, there is respect for masquerades. You could mask yourself and even talk to a king without fear of being arrested by his guards. That respect, which Africans give to masquerades, prompted me to title the drama Masquerade.”

Unknown to many people, the programme originally began airing on radio and was called The Adventures of Chief Josephat Okorigwe Nwogwu, before it was adapted for Television and began showing on NTA Enugu.

Born into a humble background, his parents were poor farmers but his father had many wives. After secondary education, he worked in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for a while before he gained admission into the University of Ibadan. He was also a pioneer student of the Department of Theatre Arts.

During the early years of Nollywood, Iroha featured in a couple of movies that include Black Angel, Osuofia, The Three Wise Men and Nneka the Pretty Serpent. He, however,  quit because of the loopholes and shortcomings he perceived to be existing in the industry.

In 1981, he was given a national honour of the Office of the Order of the Niger,  by the then President Shehu Shagari.

Although his sight began deteriorating a few years ago, he could not trace the origin.  He recalled, “I thought it was from television. It happened to Clarus and Ovularia, too. People wanted me to believe it was a spiritual attack by evil men. How can I start believing that? I have done what I can do for myself. If my best is not good enough, then it is okay.”

Iroha sought medical treatment in India where he was told by the doctors that he had cataract in one eye and glaucoma in the other.  Unfortunately, the doctor’s assessment implicated Nigerian physicians who the deceased first got into contact with.

He said, “They told me that Nigerian doctors had ruined my sight. They told me that no doctor alive would ever restore my sight. They told me I had cataract in one eye and glaucoma in the other eye. They removed the cataract and planted a lens. That is why I am able to see a little bit. I can’t read, I can’t write. Is it not worse than death.”

Today is judgment day in Benue

Ten months after, the governorship election in Benue State remains inconclusive. Today, the Election Petitions Tribunal in Makurdi, the state capital, will deliver judgment. Will the court affirm the victory of Governor Gabriel Suswam or will power shift to Professor Steve Ugbah of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)?
The tribunal chaired by Justice Halima Mohammed has been a theatre of legal war between the governor’s lawyers and ACN’s counsel.
Governor Suswam is walking a tight rope. The opposition party has accused him of using state resources to prosecute his case.
According to INEC’s Returning Officer, Professor Daniel Vershima Uza, Suswam, who contested on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), won majority of the ballots in 15 out of the 23 local government areas of the state, polling 590,776 votes to defeat ACN’s Ugbah, who polled 499,319 votes.
Senator Daniel Iyorkegh Saror of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), who came third in the race, obtained 9,234 votes. In the election, 13 political parties fielded candidates.
The ACN candidate rejected the poll results. He said that he won the election. Ugbah accused the PDP of using local militia to rig the election in 11 of the 23 local government areas, particularly those that make up the Sankera political division.
As the governorship legal tussle rages, the allegation of GCE/WAEC Certificate forgery came up and Ugbah sought to use it against the governor. Saror of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) also alleged that “Suswam was at the time of election, not qualified to contest the election, having presented a forged certificate to INEC, contrary to Section 182 (i) (j) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria”.
Citing “non-compliance with the provisions of the electoral Act 2010”, Saror submitted that the election was invalid. He prayed the court to cancel the election and arrange a fresh poll, not on the basis of irregularities, but according to him, “Suswam won the election without meeting the required academic qualification for contesting the election”.
Ugbah said:”I won the election, alleging that INEC colluded with the PDP to deny him victory. His second pleading is that Suswam filed his defence late, and therefore, his reply should not be tolerated by the tribunal. Ugbah’s third pleading, which is hinged on certificate forgery, was also restored penultimate week by the Mohammed-led tribunal.
Ugbah’s case suffered twists and turns. It was dismissed by the Justice Ladan-led tribunal which claimed that it lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter. The ruling was upheld sequel to a decision of the Appeal Court before the Chief Justice of Federation Dahiru Musdapher ordered that a new tribunal should treat the case on its merits, not on technicalities.
However, in all the separate submissions of forgery, the onus has been on Saror and Ugbah to prove their allegations, since the respondent (Suswam) denied presentation of any forged document to INEC.
 Saror, a 70-year-old Professor of Veterinary Medicine and former Vice Chancello of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, presented himself as oral witness. After taking the oath, he presented National Life  and the Power Steering magazine, which he obtained from the National Library, as exhibits.
The tribunal did not ask Suswam to show his original GCE/WAEC certificate. The governor’s lawyers, who relied on ‘technicalities’, argued that “the newspapers, on which Saror built his case, were hearsay evidence, and therefore, inadmissible.       
Ugbah presented three GCE/WAEC certificates allegedly forged by the governor, as exhibits, including a police report. The tribunal described the exhibits as “tempting”.
Lead counsel to Ugbah, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredoru (SAN), who described Suswam as a “serial forger”, is demanding judgment in favour of his client, Ugbah, a 55-year old Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, who had lectured in the California State University, Hayward, United States for many years before coming home to run for the governorship.
“Why should someone with a forged GCE result be allowed to be governor, parading himself as a man of honour? This act must be condemned in totality by the tribunal”, Akeredoru told the three-man panel.
Both counsel continued the offensive, in a sporadic duel of words. But at that juncture, the tribunal rose to intervene, appealing that, rather than take issues personal, the lawyers should only ponder on the facts on the table, for substantial judgment. “The whole world is watching us”, said a member of the tribunal, Justice Muftau Adebola.
Suswam’s counsel, Damian Dodo (SAN) told the tribunal to dismiss Ugbah’s contention of certificate forgery. “The application does not satisfy the conditions contained in the Electoral Act”, he argued.
The tribunal ruled in Ugbah’s favour. Justice Mohammed held that “the issue of qualification is a competent ground in election petitions”.
Counsel to INEC, JS Okutepa (SAN) and counsel to the PDP, Chief Solo Akuma (SAN) have admitted that Suswam did not submit his certificates with the form CF001 to the electoral body in respect of the election. “This makes Suswam disqualified”, Ugbah argued.
He added: “If the governor did not submit his relevant educational credential, how did INEC screen and certify him to contest the election? It means INEC negated completely its procedural function of screening. In other words, Suswam was not qualified to have run for the exalted seat in the first instance, he stands disqualified to contest the April 26, 2011 governorship election, having failed, refused or neglected to present his certificates, as evidence that he is educated up to [secondary] school certificate level or its equivalent, in line with the provisions of Section 177 (d) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, Ugbah’s team of lawyers have submitted.
Ugbah has subpoenaed the University of Lagos, the Law School, INEC and WAEC to bring all the certificates which Suswam used in their institutions. WAEC has already told the tribunal that it does not issue any fraudulent documents to its candidates, invariably including Suswam.
One Chidozie Ukpabi has confessed in the public and on the pages of national tabloids that he forged certificates for the Benue governor. Suswam described Ukpabi as a criminal, saying that his original certificates were stolen by robbers in a vehicle when he sent his personal assistant to go and complete his registration for a Masters programme in Public Administration (MPA) at the University of Abuja. So, he wrote to the Law School, WAEC and the University of Lagos for certified copies. UNILAG and Law School, he said, had sent him the copies but WAEC sent a wrong result after a month (in 2005), which he sent back, but forgot about it “because I did not have any need for it”.
But another counsel to Ugbah, Mr Orkuma said the certificate number SG 842969 that Suswam quoted in the letter to WAEC and the Inspector General of Police, as missing, is “forgery and perjury” and does not exist.
He further revealed that they (Ugbah’s counsel) are in possession of the University of Lagos’ 1989 transcript that indicates the governor had four carry-over courses that spilled over, and wondered when Suswam re-wrote and passed them to proceed to the Law School in 1990. 
To add buzz to the thrills that heralded Suswam’s legal woes, Mr. Terver Kakih, the only aspirant who contested the governorship primaries with Suswam in the PDP, had earlier alleged that the governor was not qualified to contest for the party’s ticket. He said that “Suswam lacked the prerequisite qualification for contesting the election”.
Before a High Court in Makurdi, where the case is being heard now, Kakih is praying the court to disqualify Suswam and declare him the PDP candidate cum governor of Benue state.
Suswam, 47-year-old former member of House of Representatives had, in an interview with Point-blanknews.com, debunked allegations linking him with certificate forgery. “I am not bothered because it’s false, it’s just a ploy by the opposition to reduce me in the eyes of the people”, he said. The governor said he finished from Government College Makurdi in 1982 and gained admission into the Law Faculty of the University of Lagos in 1986, obtained an LL.B degree in 1989, and the BL Certificate from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1990.
He has however, refused to present his 1982 GCE certificate to the tribunal. Suswam’s lawyers rely exclusively on technicalities, with an appeal seeking to quash Ugbah’s petition on grounds that the Electoral Act 2010 stipulates 180 days for the tribunal to hear and determine election petitions, therefore, the official duration of 180 days given to the tribunal expired on November 14, 2011. But ACN already filed a cross-appeal demanding judgment, since Suswam failed to submit any defense in respect to Ugbah’s Ground Three (certificate forgery) that harps on qualification or disqualification of a candidate.  The tribunal had earlier dismissed Suswam’s motion on 180days, when Ugbah’s counsel argued that the 180day-issue was not applicable in their client’s case, since the Supreme Court ordered that the petition be heard de novo. 
Meanwhile, as the people of Benue await judgment with keen interest, the battle of words between the ACN and PDP supporters on who carries the day has intensified. No discussion in Benue is complete without a mention of the alleged forgery scam. The matter has even polarised the people’s social cohesion.

KESHI TO EAGLES BEAT Rwanda silly

Keshi

•Eagles here to enjoy the game •We’ll go home with the 3 points

SUPER EAGLES coach Stephen keshi has challenged the players to put the game beyond Rwanda today by grabbing all goal –scoring chances they initiate today.

Keshi warned the players that goals win matches, propel the team that is scoring and demoralises the team conceding.

At a post training conference at the Stade Regionale de Kigali, yesterday evening, Keshi told Rwandans that Eagles were in Kigali for fun and will strive to snatch victory because that is the priority.

Where Is Aregbesola’s Big table?

“The best government has philosophers in charge”—- Plato

In whatever we are doing, the logic which is a nucleus of wisdom must be considered so that our marginal error in any judgment of a given situation would be very low; else the creationist account which says “my people perish because they lack wisdom” will be mantra on our lips.

There was this ancient fable which teaches us wisdom about turtle and scorpion. Turtle as we all know is a good swimmer, while scorpion is not, but what it lacks in swimming, it has it in its deadly sting. So, the turtle and scorpion wanted to cross a particular river and as the turtle made effort to jump into the river, the scorpion appealed to it to carry it across.

In its wisdom, the turtle stressed that what of ‘if you sting me while carrying you across’? ‘The scorpion replied that there was no logic in it because if you sink, I will sink with you’. With this dialogue, the turtle was convinced that the scorpion would keep its sting for its safety too, but the expected happened in the middle of the river as the scorpion stung the turtle heavily while still at its back, and the turtle began to sink so also the scorpion.

However, while the duo were sinking, another round of conversations began, turtle said: “but I thought you said that there was no logic in stinging me while helping you across the river, what made you do it now and the sinking scorpion then replied that, “it is not a matter of logic, it is in my character”.

When I began to ruminate about why the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo is not allowed to rest years after he had gone to the beyond, and why our politicians on the corridors of power could not afford to measure up to the profile of the man, a situation that might have warranted those politicians to be dancing back and forth on the same spot like yoyo, the submission of the ancient Philosopher, Plato on politics and government came to my mind straight, and so I was forced to read some of his views about the government, people and the society.

Therefore, when I heard Plato saying that man senses are susceptible to imperfect judgment, for they appealed to the specifics like seeing and touch, reason, a subset of logic and a product of philosophy is always coming out with truth, because it appeals to ideas.

The interesting aspect of his research was that Plato also studied politics and government. He believed that the best government has a philosopher in charge. The minds of philosophers are trained to use reason and understand ideas. According to Plato, the knowledge they gain this way would help them govern wisely and create the best conditions for the people they rule.

In order to carry out his research in practicality, after many years at the Academy, Plato wanted to test his beliefs. In 367 BC, he went to Syracuse on the Island of Sicily, off the coast of Italy. He went there to teach the new ruler of Syracuse to be a philosopher. But he failed in this effort. Plato returned to write and study in Athens. He died at the age of 80.

Now, let us ask ourselves, do we still have Philosophers in charge in this country or in our states of the federation? When last was the country witnessed unprecedented development? What happened then? These posers would certainly provoke us as a people to look into history of this country, maybe we could find some pieces of assertions to put together for this argument.

Penultimate week in Ibadan, Oyo state capital where legislative summit for the South/West and Edo was held, our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was not allowed to rest again, for his name and spirit were invoked regularly, because of his legacies resulting from his good governance, way back from his headship of the Western region in the 50s. The question is why is it that the man who ruled his people in the 50s is still a benchmark in governance till today? The answer is not far-fetched; Awolowo was a Philosopher who lived ahead of his time.

In order to employ reason as a tool, it will not be too much a labour to check out how Awolowo administered then: immediately Awolowo got the mantle of leadership to rule the Western region, the first assignment he embarked upon was to get a ‘big table’ where carefully selected wise men and philosophers in their chosen disciplines were tasked to develop framework for the development of the region and that was what brought the best out of people like late Professor Sam Aluko and others.

Then, many of our academics and wise politicians were given tasks which engaged them actively, and normally, human mind will produce the best if challenged. The buck stopped on Awolowo’s table and as a Philosopher himself, he would retreat into his study and peruse over the assignments given to his best eleven, this would afford him to come out with the best programmes, and the credit of the best brains would come to their assembler.

These days, our leaders do not borrow the leave from the way the man governed his people, rather they shout his name as if the spirit would show them the path. The path to good governance is not a rocket science, what a leader needs is a ‘big table’ where intellectual market would be put to task, and the political will to implement all carefully reached recommendations should not be lost. That is it.

Again, it is established now that fleet of degrees being paraded by some people are no longer fit to qualify them into the big table of good governance, so what our leaders need is to reflect and ruminate on the kind of people they surround themselves with, because nowadays the demand of greed and self-centeredness is taking over from the broad view of the national interest.

Give it to Aregbesola on his programmes: O’YES, O’REAP, O’CLEAN, O’TOUR, O’TECH and others. They are all product of deep thinking and ideas and I know that majority of the good people of Osun state will agree with me that things are changing now because for the first time, people at the grassroots are feeling the touch of government.

Awolowo spoke of four cardinal points, Aregbesola comes up with six point integral action plan, good direction, but where I have an axe to grind with the latter is his ‘big table’. Honestly, I appreciate what the governor might have passed through in assembling his Commissioners and Special Advisers, but I must admit that most of the people in government today are not capable of giving the people on the street some fresh air, because they lack knowledge, ideas and the know-how of the terrain of the state, despite the fact that they are from here.

I am in the know that the governor has brought a new lease of life to the weekly meeting of the cabinet, something we had never experienced in real term in Osun state for a long time, but what is the quality of the debate? Well some of the outcomes which we have heard have shown that things are changing there, but what about the quality of the debaters and how do they analyze issues affecting our people directly and indirectly? This is where I disagree with the governor on the selection of some Commissioners and Advisers based on political patronages as his political detractors would make us understand.

Politically speaking, yes it is correct, but I know for sure that philosophically, Aregbesola is not a conformist which lay man calls ‘push-over’ and that is an advantage he has over those who could not breadth until their political godfather speaks. In that wise, I suggest that Mr. Governor re-examine his ‘big table’ so that the line-up programmes would not become subject of ridicule on the streets of Osun.

At the risk of being labeled a rebel within, one area, I would point out in protest is the sleeping Bureau of Public Communication and Strategy headed by Mr. Semiu Okanlawon. Of course, Okanlawon and all the people assembled for the task of briefing the public on the thinking of the governor on all issues are experts who have excelled in journalism, but close to a year and half of the existence of the bureau now, these fellows are just not forthcoming with information that could assist the government they claim to be serving let alone the public they ought to inform.

As a result, a leader who is mindful of his big table will not wait this long to unbundle idle bureau where ego trip has become a vogue if the result is actually desired, let it be known that our people have right to choose their perception, and they have the right to keep their opinions too, but it is the duty of the government to inform us about the way we are being governed. Yes, I am part of the government, and I am a media man myself who is not completely perfect in his discharge of his duty, but the table of the governor is bigger than an individual.

Let it be known that the way I reason may be different from the way an average establishment man does, it is because I knew what the good people of Osun state passed through in the hands of infidels, I recollected how doors of prisons were opened for the innocent ones, how death was cheap and how thugs of ‘Sunday Igbohos’, ‘the laws’ and other dregs of the society were elevated to eminent position in the state; allowing the state to relapse into the coma of the locust era will be unforgiving for non-performance of some few people at the big table, because the slain Ayo Kembas and Saheed whose spirits are now at peace will turn in their graves

Aregbesola has proved himself to be a Philosopher king and he has lined up programmes of action including his effort which gave the Yoruba nation a lost identity back through his rebranding of Osun state, but I strongly suggest he re-examine his big table so that his name will be recorded as the man who came to government and made the difference.

Once again, I take responsibility for the salient points raised in this piece and I stand by it anytime.
I rest my case.