NAIROBI, Kenya, November 10, 2015/ — The Orange Group (http://www.orange.com) announced yesterday that it has signed a binding agreement with Helios Investment Partners for the sale of its entire 70% stake in Telkom Kenya.The finalization of the transaction remains subject to approval from the relevant authorities.This signature reflects Orange’s constant focus on optimizing its portfolio of assets. The Africa and Middle-East region is a strategic priority for the Group.Telkom Kenya is the country’s incumbent fixed-line operator and is the third player in the mobile market. The company, which operates a high-quality mobile data network, had four million mobile customers at the end of June 2015 according to figures published by the regulator.
Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Orange.
About Orange Orange (http://www.orange.com) is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 39 billion euros in 2014 and 157,000 employees worldwide at 30 September 2015, including 98,000 employees in France. Present in 28 countries, the Group has a total customer base of 263 million customers worldwide at 30 September 2015, including 200 million mobile customers and 18 million fixed broadband customers. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services. In March 2015, the Group presented its new strategic plan “Essentials2020” which places customer experience at the heart of its strategy with the aim of allowing them to benefit fully from the digital universe and the power of its new generation networks.
Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN). For more information on the internet and on your mobile: www.orange.com, www.orange-business.com, www.livetv.orange.com or to follow us on Twitter: @orangegrouppr. Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Exploits for Adobe Flash Player and Internet Explorer are most popular with cybercriminals
LAGOS, Nigeria, November 9, 2015/ — In its Q3 IT Threat Evolution report, Kaspersky Lab has published the details of the key security incidents of the quarter. Using statistics from the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN), which obtains information from millions of Kaspersky Lab product users in 213 countries, the report sheds light on the increase in mobile threats, the attempted theft of money from online bank accounts and targeted cyberattacks in the evolving threat landscape.
According to Kaspersky Security Network (KSN), in the third quarter of 2015 overall 45.3% of KSN participants in Nigeria encountered malware that spread in local networks, via USBs and storage disks, while 13.8% faced cyberthreats emanating from the Internet. This puts the country on the 64th and 128th place worldwide by the percentage of users who encountered the two types of malware.
Globally according to KSN data, Kaspersky Lab solutions detected and repelled a total of 235.4 million malicious attacks from online resources located all over the world. Kaspersky Lab’s web antivirus detected 38.2 million unique malicious objects: scripts, exploits, executable files, etc. – this is 46.9% higher than in Q2. There were 5.68 million registered notifications about attempted malware infections that aim to steal money via online access to bank accounts.
The overall trend so far for 2015 has continued in Q3: exploits for Adobe Flash Player and Internet Explorer are most popular with cybercriminals.
Mobile threats:
323,374 new malicious mobile programs were detected by Kaspersky Lab mobile security products in Q3. This is a 10.8% increase on Q2 2015 and a 3.1-fold increase since Q1 2015.
There were more than 1.5 million malicious packages installed on mobiles during the quarter, 1.5 times more than in the previous quarter.
Displaying adverts to users has remained the main method of making money from mobile threats. During the quarter, Kaspersky Lab observed a growing number of programs that used advertising in this way. They often root the device of a victim and use superuser privileges, making it very difficult to combat them. In Q3 2015, these Trojans accounted for more than half the most popular mobile malware.
Web-based financial attacks:
In Q3 2015, Kaspersky Lab’s solutions blocked almost 626,000 attempts to launch malware capable of stealing money via access to users’ online banking. This number is 17.2% lower than in the second quarter of the year, although it is a 5.7% increase since Q3 2014.
During the quarter, there were 5.68 million notifications about attempted malware infections to steal money from users via online access to bank accounts.
In Q3 2015, countries with the largest number of users attacked by banking Trojans were Austria (5% of all Kaspersky Lab users in this country encountered this threat), Singapore (4.2%) and Turkey (3%). Most of the countries in the top 10 have significant numbers of online banking users, attracting cybercriminals.
“The developments in Q3 demonstrate that the global threat landscape is continuing to evolve at a fast pace. Malicious mobile programs are on the rise, and with 5.6 million cases of attempted theft from online bank accounts, and cybercriminals continually developing sophisticated attacks, the use of high quality cybersecurity products has never been more important. It’s vital that all those using the Internet – both individuals and organisations – protect themselves from these growing threats,” says David Emm, Principal Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab’s Global Research and Analysis team.
Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Kaspersky.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
With the abysmal failure by Chief Nyesom Wike the Tribunal sacked Governor of Rivers State in his one single futile project: to run down his predecessor, mentor and benefactor, former governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi which he has carried out so religiously since he was erroneously declared the Governor of Rivers State at the expense of over one hundred souls of Rivers State APC members slaughtered during the last elections in Rivers State in a bid to install him as the Care-Taker Governor of Rivers State. Observers of the politics of Rivers State could have noted that since his assumption of office as the Governor of Rivers State on May 29, 2015, he has only emphasised and embarked on carrying out this sinister single agenda by throwing caution to the wind and there is nothing in the book of propaganda, dirty politics, blackmail and falsification of records that Chief Wike has not employed and deployed in his desperation to drag Amaechi’s name to the mud. Apart from commissioning a commission of inquiry with one sole agenda: investigate, condemn and find Amaechi guilty and, if possible, arrest and imprison him and to his chagrin this kangaroo Commission could still not found Amaechi culpable or wanting in all aspects of its investigations. Wike went ahead in his frustration to issue a white pepper indicting Amaechi of corruption without any recourse to the findings of the Panel of Inquiry set up in this regard.
Not satisfied, he sponsors damaging and satanic documentary on Africa Independent Television (AIT); sponsored publications such as advertorials, columns, editorials and Op-Ed articles in major international, national and local print media; sponsored personality discussion programmes in the electronic media and sponsored special documentaries for television and radio through independent groups and organisations; all aimed at disparaging Amaechi. All these ploys aimed at presenting Amaechi not only as a corrupt personality but a non-performer during his tenure as the Governor of Rivers State; with hope of retiring him from politics or national limelight and rubbishing his efforts in bringing to reality the All Progressives Congress (APC) government at the centre.
Though God, President Buhari and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have thrown to the dustbin all the efforts of Wike in his futile adventure to rubbish Amaechi by screening and confirming him as a Minster of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; I have in various write-ups defended the administration of Amaechi and in that regard, as an insider, I wish to use this forum to present Amaechi’s feats in the education sector during his tenure and leave the reader to judge, if Amaechi was a success, or failure as Wike and his misguided collaborators are trying to state.
Educational Revolution under Amaechi
On assumption of office the Amaechi-led government declared a state of emergency on the education sector and completely took over the payment of salaries of primary school and junior secondary school teachers, hitherto the statuary function of local governments, to ensure that education takes its rightful place in the scheme of things. This intervention cost the state government N800 million monthly, to pay salaries of primary school teachers. To further strengthen and ensure qualitative education in the state, ex-governor Amaechi signed into law five bills brought for his assent by the State House of Assembly. Among them are the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Amendment Bill 2012 and the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools’ Board Bill 2012. The then governor was upbeat while signing into law these bills, including the one on social services levy recently passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly. The government targeted building 700 model primary schools with 500 completed – each with 20 classrooms costing about N116 million each and equipped with ICT facility, modern library, science laboratory, football field, basketball pitch, volleyball pitch and nursery playground. These model primary schools were built to the standard of the United Nations as obtainable in developed parts of the world.
The State Government also built 24 model secondary schools across the 23 local government councils in the state, well-structured and fully-equipped with modern educational, recreation and boarding facilities, with standard housing for teachers’1B, of which one was recently commissioned by the former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. These secondary schools have been referred to by some observers as universities. What Amaechi said about his mission: “We knew that the problem of the state was basically education, the state of our quality of education was abysmal and we knew that the quality can only improve if we take over primary education.” He expressed concern over what local government councils were doing with the money meant for this purpose. Rivers State under Amaechi introduced the study of ICT in the model primary and secondary schools. According to Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, then commissioner for education, whose word was a law on issues of education in the state: “The introduction of ICT in our schools was to enhance technological development of our students in the state. The world is a global village and the need to embrace technology at an early stage is essential in the intellectual development of the students. I am proud that Rivers State is the first state in Nigeria to introduce the study of ICT at the primary school level. All the schools in Rivers State today are equipped with ICT facilities with internet connection, as the state is eager to make all her pupils and students to be technologically ahead of their counterparts in other parts of the country.
“Our candidates Rivers State are ICT-compliant and write external examinations like WAEC and NECO. Today, I am proud to state that technology has eased learning in our society as our students can do their assignments on the internet. Today, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) is leading the way in technological drive in Nigerian universities and has shown Nigerians how ICT can easily be used to enhance learning and administration process in the academic environment. All these are to the credit of the great revolutionist of our time – Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi,” Lawrence-Nemi enthused.
Apart from retraining teachers, the government employed 13,000 teachers from the 20,000 shortlisted for interview, out of the over 45,000 teachers that applied – a feat uncommon by any other government in Nigeria. Rivers under Amaechi offered scholarships to over 2,000 students in Nigerian higher institutions, and spent about N5 billion on her students in foreign institutions. The state embarked upon building a world-class university, which when completed will turn out well-equipped graduates that will hold their own in any field. In the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, the Amaechi administration was building a hostel that will accommodate about 6,000 students, and accommodation for all the lecturers of the university that will be ICT-compliant. It is important to point out here that the Rivers State Government is among the few in Nigeria that offer free education and free health delivery to its people, but stands apart as the only state offering free education, free sandals, free books and free uniform in Nigeria. About 500 new primary schools have been built in 350 communities across the state.
Port Harcourt as UNESCO World Book Capital 2014
Apart from the above, Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State of Nigeria, played a historic role when it hosted the US-Nigeria Bilateral Commission on October 16 and 17, 2012, thereby becoming the first city outside the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to do so. This event is a top bill in international rating and the strategic relevance of the Gulf of Guinea area makes the meeting in Port Harcourt even more important. The United States Deputy Secretary of State and two Assistant Secretaries led the US delegation. On the side of Nigeria, the US-Nigeria Bilateral Commission is viewed with seriousness, especially by the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) led by Amaechi. It would be recalled that UNESCO, moved by the revolutionary feats of Amaechi in the education sector, crowned Port Harcourt the 2014 World Book Capital City in April 2014, beating ten other great cities that include Oxford in England and Moscow in Russia. For this to be achieved against all odds and challenges simply demonstrates that Amaechi was a visionary and focused leader who has received accolades in this regard by world leaders. His administration has, in addition, promoted overall United Nations activities in the South-South geo-political zone, through the provision of an outstanding facility that can house over 15 UN agencies in Port Harcourt. As a result, there are five UN agencies in Rivers State at the moment; and more are expected to follow in due course.
Port Harcourt’s reign as World Book Capital 2014 began with the handover by Bangkok at an impressive ceremony at Hotel Presidential in the Rivers State capital. Dignitaries at the event included former Governor Amaechi, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka; UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova; former World Bank Vice-President, Africa, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili; wife of the former Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi; Engr Tele Ikuru, former
Deputy Governor of Rivers State; Rt Hon O.D Amaechree, then speaker of State House of Assembly, members of Rivers State Executive Council, senators and members of the House of Representatives from the state. This feat by Port Harcourt in becoming the very first African city south of the Sahara chosen as World Book Capital based on public voting, beating ten other great cities that include Oxford in England and Moscow in Russia, is commendable.
Other Feats
Another giant step taken by the Amaechi administration in the educational development of Rivers State was the construction of new 20-classroom blocks’ model primary school, to commemorate the status of Port Harcourt as the current World Book Capital. Known as World Capital City Model Primary School, the edifice is located in Port Harcourt Township and was already furnished and operational with commencement of classes for the 2014/2015 school year. In addition to classrooms and teachers’ offices, the model school is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities like demonstration science laboratory, library, ICT, sick-bays and reception class. The former commissioner of education stated that construction of the 20-classroom blocks was necessitated to address the issue of out-of-school children in the state. The state government embarked on this project to ensure that every child in the state has easy access to the free education policy of the Amaechi-led administration. The project is in line with the Education for All (EFA) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) vision of providing access to all children of school age by the year 2015. Samples of the 20-classroom blocks are built in all the 23 local government areas of the state, which include demonstration science laboratories aimed at giving children the opportunity to visualise what they are being taught in class. The introduction of laboratories is in line with the new national curriculum, which allows children from four years and above to be exposed to science education early so as to better understand science courses in the future. The demonstration class is where the teacher demonstrates for the pupils what they are learning. It makes teaching and learning easier for the teacher and the pupils.
“Also Home Economics will be demonstrated in the Lab. The essence is to teach the pupils the basic ways of cooking, personal hygiene and general home-keeping. The schools are well equipped with books and e-books. The State Government is using the medium to promote reading culture among pupils and students. Every school has reading period and pupils are made to pick a book. Each pupil will summarise the book during book reviews at the end of the period.”
Obasanjo, Buhari on Amaechi’s Educational Feats
Former President Obasanjo, who embarked on a two-day visit to Rivers State to commission some landmarks projects executed by Amaechi during his six years’ historical and revolutionary administration in the state, described some of the structures of education in Rivers as mind-boggling. The former president was so elated and astonished by the type of world-class projects he was asked to commission, particularly the Ambassador Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School at Ebube, Eleme – one of the 24 model secondary schools scattered all over the 23 local government areas of the state – which tops most of the universities in Nigeria in areas of facilities, structures and landmass. The former president shouted while addressing the Rivers State people in the assembly edifice of the school, saying that the k-leg of Governor Amaechi has been straightened. If we can recall, Gen Obasanjo (rtd) denied Amaechi the PDP ticket to fly the flag of the party in 2007 after winning the primaries of the party, until the Supreme Court reinstated Amaechi ‘as the duly elected Governor of Rivers State.’ Obasanjo went further to hail Amaechi for his administration’s developmental strides. He stated: “I came to see developments and I have seen developments and I will confess developments! What I have seen is worth declaring! The area of health, education, agriculture, sports and road infrastructure is worth declaring. When I see development I earmark, eye mark and mouth-mark.
“It is our prayer and expectation that Port Harcourt’s reign as World Book Capital 2014 heralds’ even greater days in stock for Rivers State under the watch of APC and for the entire Nigerian nation which, by the grace of God, will come under APC’s leadership after the 2015 general elections.”
President Buhari, in a statement during his visit to Rivers State on November 5, 2013, described Amaechi as a hero and a great leader: “PDP decided to target some governors that are progressives and we feel will make a difference. We seek your support through Amaechi. I lived in Port Harcourt during my military career. I was a staff officer to Gen Danjuma in 1973. Rivers State has produced great men such as professor Tam David West. 2015 will be another watershed in Nigeria. Amaechi is a great leader. We decided to come together to save Nigeria from misgovernance. We must come together and make Nigeria move forward. Amaechi has given Rivers people responsible leadership. The schools he has built will give Rivers children a better tomorrow, while women and children stand to benefit from the standard health centres he has built. He has also carried out physical rehabilitation of infrastructures in the state. People like Amaechi should join the APC to move Nigeria forward.”
International Organisations’ Comments on Education
The United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) commended Amaechi on the strides recorded by his administration in the health and education sectors. Country Representative of UNICEF, Ibrahima Fall, who described as tremendous the progress made in these sectors, said: “This is the most exciting news for every mother, for every child and for every family in Rivers State.”
In appreciation to the feats of Amaechi’s administration, the former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, stated: “The impression that I always get when I come to Africa is that these countries have enormous potential, and your country and your state (Rivers) have enormous potential and I think that you happen to have at this time in history also, a dynamic, energetic and capable leadership that can make the dreams of building up the state into a reality of life for the 5.1 million residents in Rivers State that want their lives to be of much higher and greater quality.”
In extolling this great revolutionist, the United States’ Consul-General in Lagos, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins, told journalists: “I must commend Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State for embarking on numerous people-oriented projects and showing enthusiasm on Niger Delta issues. We are very appreciative of all that Amaechi has done. We are quite clear that addressing the issues of the Niger Delta, the challenges require focusing on things like education development, agriculture, health, all sorts of issues. And the governor was kind enough to show us, on the ground, some of the projects the government of Rivers State is working on, so we are very deeply appreciative of his support.”
Conclusion
I am very happy that since the declaration of a State of Emergency in the education sector by Amaechi in 2008, the sector has witnessed total turnaround: from decay to decorum. The decorum in the education sector has necessitated a surge in admissions into public schools in Rivers State, a situation that prompted the construction of 20 classroom blocks across the state. To me, this is an exhibition and promotion of excellence unequalled by any other state in Nigeria. Former governor Amaechi’s feats in the area of education that assisted in making Port Harcourt the World Book Capital City are unequalled by any African leader, either in the past or present. His administration has churned out over 500 model primary schools and 24 model secondary schools that are termed to be better than some universities in Nigeria. It has also employed about 13,000 teachers, offering free education with free books as part of a strong vision to promote and sustain activities that would make promotion of literary activities and make literacy a staple in the state’s agenda.
Finally, I must commend and congratulate President Buhari and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for recommending, screening, confirming this erudite scholar, enigma and visionary leader of our time as a Minster of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it would have been a disaster if Wike has succeeded in his wicked and devious plots to run down an innocent man just because of he saw to the election of President Buhari as the President of Nigeria during the last election.
It is a well-known fact that his weapon in revolutionising education was Lawrence-Nemi, a lawyer, who served as the commissioner of education. This unassuming Amazon, and definition of hard work, is a pride to her family in particular and Rivers State in general.
•Attached are some action pictures on Amaechi’s educational feats as Governor of Rivers State.
•Chief Eze is a Port Harcourt-based Media Consultant and can be contacted either through ezemediaconcept08@rocketmail.com
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ABUJA, Nigeria — This week marks the nationwide release of “Cut Off Your Head,” an eye-opening new spiritual book by author Opeoluwa Dele-lge.
In “Cut Off Your Head,” the author reveals that in a world that is ruled by logic and reason, where people hardly believe what is not revealed to their senses, most of them are having little or no supernatural experiences. It has therefore become expedient that they trace their way back to that place where they recognize that their human wisdom cannot get them anywhere far because the things that are not seen are the real and eternal things.
Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.
Dele-Ige is a microbiologist who trained from one of the Nigerian universities. She is passionate about seeing men and women live the fullness of life that their heavenly Father has prepared for them, and she does this through writing and one-on-one counseling.
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For more information, please contact Michelle Whitman, publicist, at (405) 458-5642 or send an e-mail to michelle@keymgc.com.
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Sincerely,
NORIE LIBRADILLA MEDIA DISTRIBUTION SPECIALIST
Office Hours: 7 am – 4 pm (MNL) M-F
Tate Publishing & Tate Music Group 4th Floor JY Square Mall, Salinas Drive Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines 6000
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Any careful observer of the interaction between Nigeria’s justice system and the political attacks on non-conformists will immediately surmise that Nigeria’s justice system is under attack. Similarly, as democracy is aimed at enshrining institutions and precedents for the common good, and not to serve vested interests, people have started to notice that the way and manner our investigative bodies and our courts are handling certain legal cases, does not bode well for the future of our great country in the long-run.
During the 2015 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presented its manifesto to Nigerians with promises of fighting corruption and prosecuting those found guilty of corrupt practices irrespective of class, status, and party affiliation. Nigerians had high expectations of having a corruption-free society in no time. Now that the present government has been sworn into power, things are now taking a different turn from what was earlier promised.
The rise to power and the subsequent intended-purging of chosen targets in the political space, one by one, group after group, has become the order of the day.
So far, we have witnessed arrests, re-arrests, court cases, court hearings, EFCC invasions of private properties, public harassment and embarrassment of Nigerians both in power and out of power. It has also become apparent that only members of the opposition party (PDP), and people who supposedly do not bend to the whims of the present government have been through this ordeal time and time again. Now, I ask: “Is the promised War on Corruption?” Also, “Can corruption be used to fight corruption?”
First, it was the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki. Having been alleged to have orchestrated President Buhari’s arrest over three decades ago, the Department of State Security (DSS) violated the law by harassing him when the case against him was already before a court. Even after Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High court ordered his passport returned to him to enable him to go abroad for medical treatment — an order from some highly placed people was given to the operatives to effect his arrest at the airport.
Godswill Akpabio, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and the current Minority Leader in the Senate, was then next on the target list. We all saw how he was being tossed around like a child — arrested one day, released in the evening of that same day, then re-arrested again the next morning. Have we lost our value for human rights? Whatever happened to due process?
And now, the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has subjected itself to being used as a tool by some highly placed and masked puppeteers to persecute the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, who many seems to pose a threat to the future ambitions of some nameless 2019 contenders. According to Comrade Shehu Sani, the Senator representing Kaduna Central, the people going after Saraki think that by pinning him down with a case of corruption, he will be discredited, thus, making him unsellable for the future.
Saraki is not just being tried by an incompetent court, but by an incomplete tribunal. Constitutionally, the CCT should have a three-man panel. However, given the need by the political interests to expedite the case against the Senate President, perhaps to remove him before he becomes even more of the ‘perceived threat’ that they think that he is, the court has been sitting with only two members – a breach of Paragraph 15 (1) of the Fifth Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution. Furthermore, to add insult to injury, the court has insulted the superiority of the Supreme Court by going ahead with the trial, even after Saraki’s lawyers made it known that they had filed a case before the apex court of the Federal Republic.
In addition, with the way and manner in which Saraki’s case has been handled, his fundamental human rights are being trampled upon as well. In respect to this, Saraki has sought for the intervention of the High Court, Appeal Court, and now the Supreme Court with a bid to halt the proceedings of the CCT and annul the decision of the Court of Appeal. Will the Supreme Court also subject itself to be used by some puppeteers?
Under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the rights of an accused person standing trial for a criminal offence are fully guaranteed. The relevant sections are sections 35 and 36. Such rights include: the right to be informed promptly in the language that he understands and in detail the nature of the offence; the right to be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defense; the right to defend himself in person or by legal practitioner of his own choice; and the right to be presumed innocent until he is proven guilty.
The trial judge must also ensure compliance with the fundamental rights of the accused in Section 36 (6) of the constitution and there cannot be a fair trial, when any of the constitutional rights of the accused are violated.
With what has been happening in the CCT for the past few months, it is evident that Section 36(6) of the constitution has been bridged without fear or consideration of the law.
Furthermore, the constitution also states that the accused must be given adequate time and facilities to prepare his defense. In this area, the court should grant adjournment to the accused person either to obtain the service of a counsel where necessary or call a witness that will be material to his case.
During the last hearing at the CCT, Saraki’s legal team walked out of the court in protest of the CCT’s defiance of the case already filed at the Supreme Court which left the Senate President with the option of either defending himself or hiring new lawyers to defend him.
When he was asked how long he would need to get a new set of lawyers, he responded by saying one month. However, the counsel to the Federal Government, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, asked the CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, to rule for one week which he did, and then Rotimi Jacobs checked his calendar and realized that the date will not favor him, he then went ahead to ask Justice Danladi Umar to rule for two weeks and just like a puppet, the CCT Chairman ruled as he was asked. This was done to the amazement of all present in court and against the wishes and convenience of the accused. Are these not enough pointers to the fact that justice in Nigeria has taken a new turn for the worse?
With all this presented, it is clear that there is more than meets the eye in the cases against Dasuki, Akpabio, and Saraki. At this point, we must all pay attention, and we must all begin to ask about the other APC-stalwarts that have been accused of corruption. Why is no one banging on Amaechi’s doors seeking his arrest at night? Why has Fashola not been invited in for questioning by the EFCC? Why is Fayemi sitting in the comfort of his own home — waiting to be sworn in as a Minister?
The official status and relationship ties of these perpetrators with The Presidency shields them from sanction, creating a culture of impunity in which the most inhumane corrupt acts can be carried out without fear of repercussions.
Everyone seems to be shutting the doors of justice against Bukola Saraki right now. Let us not forget the famous saying from Martin Niemöller:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Slowly, the three arms of government are beginning to lose their independence and the executive wants to take us back to dictatorship.
Now they have come for the Legislature and the Judiciary is not speaking out. Someday, when they come for the Judiciary, there may be no Legislature left to speak for them.
If we allow this current government to violate the rights of Saraki, Dasuki and Akpabio today, you do not know who it might be tomorrow.
– Chima Chime is a Writer and Activist from the East –
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
It has come to the attention of the Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, that Governor Nyesom Wike, having been thrown into panic mode due to recent unfavourable tribunal and Supreme Court rulings, impending mass desertions and bashing/advice by his associates such as Dr. Abiye Sekibo and Barr. OCJ Okocha, the governor has now embarked on hurried but curious appointments that have strong tainting of nepotism and greed.
Even in the haste to shore up his fledgling support base, Gov. Nyesom Wike insists on appointing family members and business associates into positions in utter neglect for the greater number of his party members who took part in the violence and rigging of the 2015 sham elections in Rivers State except a few he has just appointed into Caretaker Councils whose fate hangs in the balance.
Indeed, Wike did not disappoint in displaying his nepotistic self once again by appointing his first cousin, Barr. Anugbum Onuoha as a Special Adviser after he had foisted same Anugbum Onuoha on Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a Commissioner in RSIEC when Wike was Chief of Staff to former governor Amaechi. Mr. Isaac Okemini who was seriously touted to be appointed as Commissioner for Finance ended up as an SA. Same for Shedrack Akalokwu who lobbied to be appointed Commissioner for Information; Prof. Israel Owate hoped he would be appointed Commissioner for Education but have to make do with appointment as another SA to the governor. The appointment of David Briggs as Chairman, State Post Primary Schools Board may be premised on the fact that he was a former Commissioner in the State.
Wike has also appointed his brother in-law, Marshall Obuzor as a Senior Special Assistant on Social Media. This appointment of someone who is said to be an unknown quantity amongst social media practitioners, is basically to keep an eye on the other SSA on Social Media, Oraye Franklyn who many believe may not enjoy the full confidence of the governor. So far, this is the second brother in-law of the governor appointed by the latter. The first is Architect Nnamdi Obuzor, appointed into the newly constituted board of the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority [GPDA] shortly after Wike was sworn in as governor.
However, the most disconcerting is Wike’s appointment of his business front, Barr. Hanachor [Hanny] Woko as a full time member of the State Post-Primary Schools Board. It is imperative to note that since May 29, 2015 the Wike administration has awarded at least 3 contracts to SAHANY LTD. which Mr. Hanachor Woko operates as a front company for Governor Nyesom Wike. One of the contracts awarded to SAHANY LTD is the East/West – Ogbakiri – Degema – Abonnema Road Rehabilitation for N112.8m and was fully paid by the Wike administration.
The APC is convinced that these appointments by Gov. Nyesom Wike are in readiness for electioneering campaigns towards election re-run even if he has appealed the judgment that annulled his purported election. But Rivers people cannot be deceived as they know Barr. Nyesom Wike too well enough not to vote for him to be governor under a free and fair atmosphere like now.
Rivers people would rather advise Nyesom Wike to stick to his job as a successful contractor. He would make Rivers people happy if he utilizes his money and large construction equipment yard at Rukpokwu to carry out the following:
i. Complete the road in Rumuolumeni which his company, EASY-E bought from Hon. Tony Okeah, former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly [Chair, House Ctee on Works].
ii. Complete Ogbandele – Ibaa Road which he used EASY-E to buy from Hon. Timothy Nsirim, former Chairman, Obio/Akpor Local Government Council.
iii. Re-construct the poorly executed Amaechi Road linking GRA II to Mile 4 for which his company was fully paid.
iv. Complete Eneka – Rukpokwu Road which his company poorly executed.
The APC would like to urge the governor to constitute the state cabinet without further delay, it does not matter how short he believes his administration will last. Government is a continuum. But if what the governor is doing by making some half-hearted appointments is aimed at winning a re-run election as governor, it might interest him to know that Rivers people know Barr. Nyesom Wike as a contractor and they will never vote for a governor who doubles as a contractor at the same time.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, Nigeria has not had a prepared president. That is a president who was willing and yearning to become president before being made or elected president; a president who has spent a lot of time thinking long and hard about what he wants to do for this country, how he wants to do it and with whom he wants to do it before being saddled with the responsibilities of a president.
Obasanjo was really not thinking of being the president before he was released from prison and asked to go to Aso Rock. Yaradua never told anyone he wanted to be president but the powers that be wanted him to be president and lo he became our president. Goodluck Jonathan in my estimation was the most unprepared of all. Infact he became everything he never said he wanted to be, from Governor to Vice President and all the way to being President.
I’m not saying they didn’t have their personal dreams and wishes for this country before they became presidents; we all have wishes and dreams for this country. But becoming a president demands a deliberate planning and a long term yearning that should allow for a well-documented articulation of such a wish and dream.
So when Buhari presented himself for the elections in 2015 for a record 4 times, I thought finally we have got a prepared man for the office of the president. I thought no man will run for the president 4 times without having a well-oiled machinery, a well-articulated vision and a well prepared team to execute the duties of the president speedily, efficiently and effectively. This supposed preparedness was Buhari’s main selling point for me.
So I was not impressed when it took months after winning the elections for the President to send the list of his ministers to the Senate. For a man who first contested for the president in 2003, such display of unpreparedness was inexcusable on any ground. I consider all those talk of the president being slow, steady and tactful as glorification of tardiness.
In the movie ‘The Meeting”, Rita Dominic said “Weekend is a long time in government.” And truly 5 months is a very long time in government. I’m still even trying to wrap my head around how a president who has 4 years to deliver his campaign promises will spend 5 months to assemble his ministers.
43-year old Justin Trudeau was elected the Prime Minister of Canada on 19 October 2015 and when he was sworn in on 4 of November 2015, less than 3 weeks after, he announced his cabinet of 15 men and 15 women. But after waiting for months what did our slow, steady and tactful president gave us? A bunch of old faces, no youth and a sprinkle of women.
I’m concerned with how tardiness has become the hall mark of governance in Nigeria and the President is taking this red tape and ‘slowness’ to new heights. Everywhere you turn you will see government officials walking around doing nothing and feeling important.
Recently, when I came back from Gabon for The New York Forum Africa I contacted a young aide to the Governor of Cross River State to tell him about an educational invention that will revolutionize the teaching and learning of Mathematics for secondary school students and how the government can acquire this for students of the state. I asked him whether I should submit a proposal for his perusal and he said he will look into it. I was dumbstruck. What is he going to look into? I have not even submitted a proposal yet.
This is over 2 months now and he has not gotten back to me with any sort of feedback. I guess he is still looking into a proposal I have not submitted. This is a young man who is barely 30 but he has already imbibed the bad habit of being slow and doing nothing to look important. And when you point this out, they will say you don’t understand how government works. But the truth is that a man who knows what he should do, what he is doing, how he should do it and with whom he should do it will certainly do it speedily.
Being slow, is very often, a symptom of internal confusion. Sadly it is only in politics that people will have the liberty of wasting time without result. No Bank Manager will spend 5 months to choose his team members. He will be fired immediately. Politicians and their praise singers are ‘forcing’ us to equate slowness with wisdom. Don’t be fooled. Let’s resist this institutionalization of attitudinal fallacy.
And this is supposed to be PDP’s fault. That’s what we keep hearing from the President and his men. The PDP destroyed the country so fast, so the President has to be slow to fix a destruction that happened so fast. PDP might be responsible for the mess in the country but certainly they are not responsible for the governance of the country today.
This is not even news. We know PDP wasted our resources, we know PDP messed our economy, we know that, we know this. That’s why we elected you to fix it. If the PDP government was good, APC wouldn’t have been elected into governance. The APC should stop telling us what we already know, fix it.
Recently the president said he will never stop talking about how PDP ruined this nation. Really? Is this another way of admitting he cannot fix it? Or maybe it is to keep this as an excuse of his inability to fix it perpetually fresh in our minds.
Now we hear that some of the ministers designate will not have portfolios. I wonder what will qualify one minister to have a portfolio and another not to. This is an issue for another piece.
In ancient Rome, gladiators, who are usually slaves, stand upon the sand of large amphitheater to fight themselves to death while the crowd cheer. Before they commence their bloody fight, they will lift up their heads and address their Lords and Masters in the following words: “We who are about to die, salute you!” I don’t know why they did this. Maybe it is to show respect and gratitude to the Lords and Masters who will even consider it worthwhile to watch them kill themselves in the sand.
The fate of the gladiators might not be very different from the fate of millions of Nigerians. We stand in the sand with sweat on our brows, tilling the arid ground and drinking the aroma of unending struggles. With war from the North East and the sound of trouble from a frustrated people in the South East. It is the survival of the fittest.
As we fight for survival, we lift up our eyes to the hills where our Lords and Masters dwell and we see them playing ayo with our lives. Lawyers are walking out on judges, the legislature is breaking campaign promises through legislative fiat and the president is telling us how broke we are.
Mr President, we who are about to die. salute you!
For decades unemployed Nigerian youths have lived without any sort of stipend from the government, they were not really complaining. But APC told them during the electioneering campaign that they will be paid N5000 monthly and 5 months into the tenure of the APC led government, they instructed their senators to break this campaign promise on the floor of the senate.
Don’t bother telling me why they have to do that, the President has already told us: the country is broke. But the country is buoyant enough to pay the same legislators even wardrobe allowance. The country is buoyant enough to pay most of them who are ex Governors stupendous amount of pension.
Mr President, we who are about to die, salute you!
APC and the President Media handlers have the proclivity of being ridiculous most times. How else can one describe the story they tried selling us about the President administering the country with his body language? A lot of “miracles” were ascribed to this amusing body language. Please I don’t want to talk about how shameful this line of yarning was, make we just leave am abeg.
I must commend the flurry of anti-corruption activities going on, though we hear more about it than we see it. We are still waiting for significant conviction of these much touted looters and the recovery of their loot. But it is pertinent to point out that governance is not just about probe and dramatic litigations. Our economy cannot be fixed with recovered loot alone.
We trusted the APC with the task of fixing this country, let them do it fast. Show us the way and we will follow. Give us a blueprint to work it. Don’t just point us to the broken walls, give us some tools and lead us to build the broken walls. Free us from being gladiators and killing each other in the sand while you watch. Take our salute but free us from the prophecy of death.
We, who are about to die, salute you!
First Baba Isa (FBI) writes from Abuja 07037162029 meandisa@gmail.com 52F84BE5 @firstbabaisa
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The President has told us that nearly half of the 36 ministerial nominees cleared by the Senate will not be given portfolios because the Federal Government cannot afford to pay them. He claims that his decision is even backed by the constitution. According to him the constitution only mandates him to allow the ministers to sit in his cabinet. And the Senate President has even lend his support to President Buhari’s stance by reminding him that this will not be the first time Nigeria will be having ministers without portfolios.
I have read every word of the 1999 constitution as amended searching for even an alphabet that supports this claim by the President and Senate President and couldn’t find any. With the deepest respect, the President’s claim is unconstitutional and his stance is a political and personal invasion of the 1999 constitution as amended. And the Senate President’s remark is misguided, politically anachronistic and a clear show of party nepotism.
Let me begin with the Senate President’s remark. The only time we had ministers without portfolios was in the First Republic when we practiced the parliamentary system of Government. Then, cabinet ministers were also members of parliament. So for the Senate President to compare that era with the presidential system we practice now is a comparative dislocation with the intent to deliberately mislead.
Section 147(1) of the 1999 constitution says “There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President.” This section begins with a “Shall” and ended with a “May”. That is to say it mandates the President to establish offices of Ministers of the Federal Government but the number of such offices is left to the discretion of the President. In other words, we must have ministers and ministries but the number of ministries (offices of ministers) is left to the President to determine.
Section 147(3) has already mandated the President to nominate at least one Minister from each of the 36 States of the Federation, so, he very well has no choice in that. Whether he decides to have just 5 ministries or offices of Ministers, which he has powers to determine, he must have 36 ministers.
Section 148 (1) says the “The President may, in his discretion, assign to the Vice-President or any Minister of the Government of the Federation responsibility for any business of the Government of the Federation, including the administration of any department of government.” I believe this is the section that might be confusing some people as to the President’s powers. The discretionary powers vested on the President by this section does not in any way empower the President to keep a Minister idle.
Section 148(1) empowers the president to give any office, ministry or portfolio to a minister as he likes or deem fit. In other words this section is saying that the President has the discretionary powers to say Minister “A” should be the Minister of Defense while Minister “B” should be the Minister of Agriculture. The framers of the constitutional, surely, did not envisage any president using this power to keep a minister idle or without a portfolio.
Who is a minister of the Federal Government anyway? Someone becomes a Minister after going through 3 constitutional stages. The first stage is when his name is sent to the Senate for screening and confirmation. At this stage he is known as a ministerial nominee. After the screening and confirmation by the Senate he is known as a ministerial designate. So when does he become a minister?
A joint reading of sections 147(2) and 148(1) of the constitution will show you that after the confirmation by the Senate, someone can only become a minister when he is appointed by the President into an office. The President cannot just declare a person a minister without giving him a portfolio. The constitution didn’t make provisions for ministers by declaration; we have ministers by appointment. And an appointment must be done into an office.
An online dictionary defines appointment as “The act of appointing; designation of a person to hold an office or discharge a trust. The state of being appointed to service or office; an office to which one is appointed. The assignment of a person by an official to perform a duty.” So where did we get the idea that someone can be appointed a minister without an office or portfolio? Ministers without portfolio is unconstitutional and a lynching of commonsense.
The President said most of minister designates will sit in his cabinet without having portfolios. This is surely going to be a constitutional tragedy. As I have earlier pointed out, without being given portfolios they are not ministers in any sense. They are only minister designates. What is a cabinet in governmental sense? An online dictionary defines a cabinet as “The group of ministers responsible for creating government policy and overseeing the departments comprising the executive branch.”
Section 148(2) that stipulate cabinet meetings says “The President shall hold regular meetings with the Vice-President and all the Ministers of the Government of the Federation…” so any person who attends these meetings without a portfolio is not a minister and as such has contravened this section of the constitution. The President should be careful not to plunder the very constitution he swore to uphold.
And the economic reason being given as why some minister designates will not have portfolios is suspect. Is attending cabinet meetings or sitting in the cabinet not part of a minister’s job? Who says they are not entitled to remuneration or allowances just by attending meetings or sitting in the cabinet? If you ask them to sit, you can as well be asked to pay them for sitting.
This whole “they will just sit in the cabinet” thing gets more ridiculous when you look at the constitutional oath the minister designates will take as contained in the Seventh Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Part of the oath reads: I, ………. do solemnly swear/affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that as Minister of the Government of the Federation, I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability, faithfully and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law, and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria…” So do you see it? President Buhari will ask the minister designates to take an oath to discharge duties he will not give them.
If they are not given portfolios they are not ministers and it will be unconstitutional for any of them without portfolio to sit in the cabinet. Any minister designate who is not given a portfolio is not a minister and his home state cannot be said to have a minister in the Federal Cabinet as stipulated by sections 14(3) and 147(3) 0f the constitution.
I wonder what will qualify one minister to have a portfolio and another not to. The President has been accused in the past of being tribalistic and sectional in his appointments. Some people believe that if the constitution has not forced his hand, he wouldn’t have named indigenes of some state in his ministerial list. Indigenes of such states will be hard pressed not to believe that this is a ploy to technically deny them a ministerial slot if their indigene is one of those who will not be given a ministerial portfolio.
This is why we should all be worried. What if states who might be denied ministerial portfolios are those who voted massively against President Buhari? They might see this as punishment for their electoral sins. And even those who voted massively for the President might feel slighted if their indigene is among those denied a ministerial portfolio. This is a political gamble a wise party who wants to remain long in power will not play.
Nerves are strained, people are frustrated, and this government should not take actions that are opened to so much sectional colourations. I will advise any state denied a ministerial slot by not being given a portfolio to approach the courts to test the law in this regard.
If money is truly the problem then the President should negotiate with some of them to work without pay. Afterall no man or woman on that list is poor. Some of them are ex this and ex that, earning fat pensions from our commonwealth. I hear that some of them have even offered to work for free. If this is true and the President is still insisting on having ministers without portfolios then there is more to it than meets the eye.
I believe the large retinue of lawyers around the President are not blind to this illegality he is about to commit and I understand the burden they must have in trying to interpret the constitution to suit the President’s whims but when the consequences dawn on all of us, this nation will remember their legal silence.
First Baba Isa (FBI) writes from Abuja 07037162029 meandisa@gmail.com 52F84BE5 @firstbabaisa
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The past weeks have been filled with lots of activities in the Red Chamber. These activities ranged from the recently concluded Ministerial Screening and Confirmation to lots of other Legislative matters. Despite all the happenings and long hours of plenary activities, the Senate still had the interests of Nigerians at heart. They attended to other Legislative Businesses, which saw the Presentation of Bills and Motions and other matters that affects the everyday Nigerian. Some of the Bills presented to the house in October 2015 are:
1. The Disabled in the Society Over 10 percent of Nigeria’s population is believed to be disabled, either by sheer providence, accident or other causes. These people are daily confronted with several challenges. Senator Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) presented a Bill on the “Discriminations Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill 2015 (SB. 22)”. One of the challenges among the disabled in the society is gross marginalization and discrimination by reason of their incapacity. This bill seeks to integrate these persons into the society and establish a commission for persons with disability. Therefore, one would agree that without necessary legislation, the challenges that the physically challenged people encounter would be difficult to overcome.
2. Poverty Eradication Senator Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East) presented a bill on “National Poverty Eradication Commission (Establishment, etc) Bill 2015 (SB. 23)” The aim of this bill is for the establishment of a body to be known as the National Poverty Eradication Commission The functions of the Commission shall be to coordinate and monitor all poverty eradication activities; assist in formulating and reviewing policies on poverty eradication, provide technical expertise and sensitize all levels of government and organizations on poverty eradication, evaluate and monitor the level of social amenities throughout the country with direct impact on the poor.
3. Insurgency in the North East Due to the level of destruction by Boko Haram in the North East geo-political zone, Senator Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) presented a bill titled “North East Development Commission (NEDC) (Establishment, etc) Bill 2015 (SB. 31)”. This bill, when passed, will facilitate the creation of a North-East Development Commission, which is to be saddled with the responsibility of rebuilding the region and fast tracking the re-settlement of indigenes of the affected region which has witnessed large-scale devastation from Boko Haram. The Commission will seek to rehabilitate and repatriate the surviving people and also move for the reconstruction of the economy of the region.
4. Food Security Despite its considerable arable land resources, Nigeria is a large importer of food. The country spends more than USD 3 billion annually on food importation, even though at one point, agriculture was the nation’s biggest source of foreign exchange. In this regard, Senator Theodore A. Orji (Abia Central) presented a bill titled “Food Security Bill 2015 (SB. 71)” This bill, when passed, will aim at working on programmes to guarantee the nation’s food security for the coming years, bring about sustainable access to affordable and high-quality food for all Nigerians, promotes the involvement of the private sector in agriculture and facilitates farmers’ access to agricultural machinery and feedstock.
5. Parole and Probation in Prisons Senator Isiaka Adeleke (Osun West) presented a bill titled “National Parole and Probation Bill, 2015 (SB. 87)”. This bill, when passed, seeks to establish a national parole system in Nigeria prisons. This board will consider parole application by a convict before the expiration of the prison term, form an opinion as to whether the prisoner has shown sign of remorse to be granted a parole, consider whether the convict is a first offender or has been previously convicted, fix the condition to be fulfilled before a parole is granted, review sentences passed on convict, and for such other matters in connecting with one or more of the foregoing as the board may deem fit. The exercise of the parole system will benefit; first offenders, aged people, female offenders with minor offences, pregnant women, and those who may have been victims of possible miscarriage of justice.
6. Employment Senator Tijani Y. Kaura (Zamfara North) presented this bill titled “Employment Services Bill 2015 (SB. 60)”. The bill, when passed, aims to promote employment, improve access to the labour market for job seekers, provide opportunities for new entrants into the labour market to gain work experience, improve the employment prospects of job seekers – particularly the vulnerable ones, improve the employment and re-employment prospects of employees facing retrenchments, facilitate access to training job seekers, promote employment, growth and workplace productivity.
7. The Local Economy Senator Mohammed S. Lafiagi (Kwara North) presented this bill titled “Local Industry Patronage Bill 2915 (SB. 67)”. The proposed law would boost the local economy and reduce the amount of imported products and ensure that goods made in Nigeria enjoy patronage locally. It could also make a positive impact on re-industrialization efforts of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, revive distressed industries, increase capacity utilization and above all create mass employment for the millions of the unemployed youths. This bill will address the issue of poor infrastructure, notably poor electricity supply, high costs as well as short tenure of funding, policy summersaults, addictive waivers, raw material crisis and complete lack of local patronage of locally manufactured goods, which had forced many local industries to close and increase in cost of local production.
8. Students Aide Senator Isah Hamman Misau (Bauchi Central) presented this bill titled “Students Financial Aid Scheme (Establishment, etc.) Bill 2015 (114)”. This bill seeks to create a scheme to provide for the granting of Loans to Eligible Students at Higher Institutions. This scheme will aid in allocating funds for loans and bursaries to eligible students, develop criteria and conditions for the granting of loans and bursaries to eligible students in consultation with the Minister, raise funds and recover loans, maintain and analyse a database and undertake research for the better utilisation of financial resources, advise the Minister on matters relating to student financial aid, and perform other functions assigned to it by this Act or by the Minister.
Abang Dove writes from Abuja and she tweets @abangdove
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Almost fifteen years ago before leaving his office, I wrote to former President Clinton pleading to either order a presidential pardon or at least issue an immediate mandatory house arrest whether in the United States or in Egypt regarding “The Blind Sheikh”, the Egyptian inmate elderly cleric, who is serving his life sentence due to his conviction in the mid-nineties [.]
This urgently compelling and compassionate plea stemmed from the outrageous and immoral inhumane conduct and action of [v]iolence take[n] by [t]he prison guard [i]n beat[en] (“the Sheikh”) up for [no] apparent reason whatsoever except [a] malicious hatred, at that point in time, which constituted [a] sufficient fact and evidence to trigger awake conscience [t]o call for mercy [.] Given the undisputed fact and circumstance that the guard may have forgotten that [h]e was guarding and dealing with [an] unarmed and spiritual blind elderly man [.]
Unfortunately, the former president [h]ad ignored the plea entirely, and had not [e]ven respond to the letter as an elected “democratic” president governing in [a] civilized society which would be considered not just abnormal behavior, [but] rather an unethical inaction and neglect [,] especially when “the leader of the free world” in question [is] the neglectful one [.] [H]ad the undersigned included with that letter [a] personal check for one hundred thousand dollars to giveaway as [a] “donation” for his library [,] the blind cleric ma[y] have been free since [.] This letter and plea also would have been avoided and obviated [.]
Frankly, it would not be exaggerating to concede and acknowledge for someone who is known as an eloquent speaker with a background as a former law professor, as you are, that [h]ad the former president acted responsibly and professionally by considering the plea submitted to him in this regard seriously and compassionately, [t]he entire tragic event of September 11th would have been prevented and obviated [.] It would not just have been existed, but [i]t may have never come to light [.] At least, it would have [h]ad positively given ample opportunity for [t]he perpetrators to have [a] second thought [t]o rethink time after time of their action as to whether their “merciful” hearted victims deserved such horrific attacks. [T]his undeniable reality cannot [be] ignored by anyone who [is] familiar with the culture, customs, traditions and [t]he remarkable history of this extremely religious part of the world [.]
[T]he United States cannot and [shall] not keep saying that it “[must] win the hearts and minds of [t]he Moslem World” by [only] talking with[out] an approaching compassionate action [t]o implement what [i]t really says in the real world [,] and [not] just its merely hypocritical style for which the entire world despises and disrespects us [.] It takes “moral” [courage] to act [now] and swiftly––It [must] leave [t]he U.S. caught between [a] rock and [a] hard place with [only] one corner in [one] court [t]o choose between “arrogance” and mercy [.]
[W]ith that in mind, the latter would [be] the suitable choice and the proper option for the U.S. since the last horrible and horrific adventure the U.S. must remember to neutralize when it makes it[s] vital choice [t]o avoid having this elderly diabetic and blind cleric die in its prisons. [T]he Arab and Islamic world would never forgive [nor] forget the U.S. if occurred [.] Although the terrorist charges he was convicted of are [not] contested herein, the undersigned completely disagreed with the scenario and tactic that led to the charges and indictment in the first place [.]
Having clearly addressed that point, [t]he argument of mercy contradict[s] and supersede[s] the core foundation of his conviction [.] The Sheikh has been in jail isolate[d] in solitary confinement for more than two decades of imprisonment in high-security detention centers on the crime of “words” which contradicts the fundamentally foundation canon of the Constitution and [t]he Rule of Law of the United States [,] and absolutely tragically shocking [t]o the judicial conscience as well to [t]he polestar justice [.] if [not] the interest of justice itself [.] This tragic judgment and fate [is] one of those which [no] reasonable person [can] condone –––– This outrageous tactic and practice must [be] shocking to the judicial conscience as well as to the administration of justice. The taxpayers [shall] not bear the burden for this kind of set up crime of “words” without action, especially when the suspect [is] “blind” [,] as [is] the case here [.]
[N]o decent [one] will be proud to be [an] American until the (“Guantanamo Bay University of the Academic and Satanic Barbaric Torture and Humiliation of All Human Rights”) [is] being shut down and demolish[ed] forthwith [.] With an end [t]o cease and desist [a]t once the [spying] activities and surveillance of wiretapping, tampering, intercepting, opening and delaying mail to particularly discriminate against American Moslem, except the hypocritical folks for whom the undersigned is [NOT] one of them [.] See Abulkhair v. USPS, et al, with its publish[ed] painful scandal –––– *** [“An Open Petition To The Immoral And Corrupt Judges Of The United States Court Of Appeals For The Third Circuit”] *** –––– everywhere. As [a] direct result, there can be [no] question that the ruination image and reputation of the United States together with its corrupt judicial system continue[s] to tarnish [,] day after day [,] which undermined it[s] damaged credibility around the world [.]
How any decent American could be proud of his/her citizenship when he or she visit[s] his/her local library asking to borrow the “Painful Questions” book to face up with [a] strange stare at his/her face treating like [a] criminal or someone who [is] looking for forbidden drugs [.] As a matter of fact, [no] single library in the State of New Jersey carries the book –––– [I]t comes as [no] surprise [.] This is [not] “free” America anymore as we know it, Mr. President [.] Unfortunately, people scare to speak out or even discuss any subject regarding the book in question –––– Once again –––– [t]his is [not] (“America”) anymore [.] Thus, [w]here is [t]he “change” [,] Mr. President [?]
While the critics of foreign policy and other nations demand your administration to urge the “Chinese President” to encourage more freedom and democracy there, regrettably, we should urge you, Mr. President, [t]o encourage our stray[ed] government [t]o return back [t]he forgotten sacrificed and victimized liberty, democracy and [t]he well cherished privacy to [all] American People [.] These well-established and well settled principle[s] of any decent civilization were attacked or rather snatch[ed] with[out] consent or justification –––– where [t]he hypocritical legislators (“law makers”) on Capitol Hill together with [t]he coward major (“big time”) news media and newspapers all over the county [,] who lacked [t]he moral courage, and remain[ed] silent [,] preferring [t]he virtue of “silence” under their illusion of the deceptive ([Un]-Patriot Act) which designed to discriminate and deprive American People of their liberty and fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the Rule of Law [.] [N]othing more –––– [N]othing less [.] They are [only] clever by attacking and criticizing other nations’ judiciary and human rights violations and forgetting and neglecting their own [.]
[T]he freedom and democracy [w]e tried falsely pretending [t]o convince the outside world that we have fought and still fight “them” for [,] for which in fact we do [not] have any longer in [our] society [.] How shame [is] that [!] [W]e even lost [t]he trust and confidence in our government to eve[n] conceive that this underlying message would [e]ver reach you –––– Therefore, we have [no] recourse [e]xcept to publish it, [not] for seeking useless publicity, [but] rather in order to convey our redress of grievances to the deviate[d] untrustworthy government [.] It should also remind you by your own words at the 2004 Democratic National Convention when you delivered the keynote address and declare[d]: “[I]f there’s [an] Arab-American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties” [.] Mr. President, the entire Moslem and Arab American families [are] “terrorist” suspect[s] in [t]he eye and mind of [t]he American Law under the unprecedented and unwarranted cruel, immoral and illegal religious discrimination and spying surveillance maliciously articulated, illustrated and demonstrated by the unlawful conduct and practice aggressively and satanically orchestrated and exercised by [t]he strayed government with [neither] due process [nor] even probable cause [.] Does not seem [t]o bother you at all to witness [t]he most heinous religious discrimination against American Moslem in [t]he absence of any suspicious activities or [e]ven charges whatsoever [t]o correct [t]he wrong policy orchestrated and exercised by the corrupt, immoral and strayed government. [I]t reminds us with the painful racial segregation that consists with [t]he unconstitutional, illegal, immoral and inhumane discrimination against the African Americans and the most savage Slavery era. [T]he real change [is] when you really mean [i]t with an affirmative action, [not] just rhetoric to gain votes [.]
To that end, the burden and the responsibility of preventing another tragedy similar to the one occurred in Benghazi is completely laid on you, Mr. President. [W]e know very well about [t]he challengeable mentality of this fanatic part of the world as well-experienced expertise [.] [Y]ou simply (DO NOT) [,] despite the fact of your background and heritage descended from an African Islamic family roots. Otherwise, you would be reluctant [t]o support or eve[n] appease by refusing [t]o list and label them as [a] “terrorist” group in [Egypt], which [is] terrifying and terrorizing the society by killing innocent people and campaigning its “democratic” style with [a] severe campaign of car bomb on [a] daily basis with [no] comparison to [t]he decent and spiritual “blind cleric” [;] this pleading designed for him. [T]his unwise and unethical support compelled the undersigned to write “an open letter” then to alert your conscience and to persuade you to realize the undisputed and undeniable reality on the ground, which dominated all factions of the fabric Egyptian society and streets, and to stand on right side of history where the policy and changeable tune and attitude of your administration has become noticeable thereafter [.]
By faxing this “second” [REQUEST] and plea for the presidential pardon for the underlying “blind cleric” to the White House and Congress since our corrupt, immoral and arrogant government tampering with our privacy by intercepting and [spying] on Moslem citizens’ mail and emails –––– and publishing the same to the outside intellectual world, targeting specifically on [t]he hearts and minds of young Moslem[s] everywhere [,] the Arabic and Islamic World in particular [,] urge their leaders and governments and especially the President of Egypt and any future president to respect the will of the Egyptian People and their honorably prestigious judiciary by refusing [t]o intervene [,] directly or indirectly [,] in the judicial system and [t]o issue any pardon demand from any western country [un]less [a] mutual policy and respect for the judicial judgments [h]as been effected and implemented [.] [T]his letter probably will be published before even it reaches your attention––[i]f it does [.]
In any event, as I had made this argument clear to the former president in my previous request, that I have [no] relative connection or relationship of any kind with the Sheikh. I am extremely motivated and compelled by the overwhelming force of compassion and moral courage which driven by the principle[s] and values earned from [t]he school of life [.] The precious virtue of moral courage that encourage[s] to stand up and speak up for an elderly silent “blind” man who is compelled and coerced to accept the unacceptable sentence and fate in his late age until the remainder of his remaining life as [a] victim of betrayal, deception, mistrust and mistreatment with neither sign of relief nor [a] voice to be heard loudly and clearly on his behalf to call for mercy and his release. It is the mute voice for a silent man who distinguished himself with an extremely significant and unique resonant voice when he recites the verses of God [Allah] from the Quran [h]e memorized as [a] whole when [h]e leads the prayers as an (“Imam”) to finally say –––– Enough [is] enough [.] The two decades served by this totally “blind” elderly cleric [is] more than enough under the existence of these extraordinary circumstances [.] The Sheikh [is] approaching eighty (80) years of age. More importantly though, adding to his tragic and painful blindness [,] his diabetic medical condition require[s] a special medical care and service which can [only] be provide[d] by [h]is family [.] It is about time to return him home where he came from and belongs for the sake of this argument of compassion [.]
Lastly, I really hope that the U.S. would realize the reality on the ground and finally choose the right path of embracing mercy over the path of arrogance [,] which “God” [Allah] has admired, as inspired and recommended us, as [t]he loving, compassionate and merciful beloved [will] of his deepest chosen virtue of merciful choice [h]e recognized and preferred [t]o honor himself with and attached to [h]is majestic and [h]oly name referred as –––– *** [“In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful”] *** –––– as [h]e emphasized as [t]he beginning of his verse[s] in [h]is Holy Quran Book that you [are] supposedly very familiar and knowledgeable about. Thus, the Islamic World should expect him to be pardoned before leaving your office if not sooner [.]
The wrong that has been done must be repaired. Atonement must be made. Justice may be slow, indeed, but it comes in the end [.]
*(“اللهم أنىّ قد بلغت –––– اللهم فأشهد”)* [!] *[God bears witness]* [!]
Thanking you for your merciful clemency of pardoning the blind Sheikh, I remain,
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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