Gombe (Nigeria) – A Non Governmental Organisation, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged women and youths to be part of the present administration’s fight against corruption.
The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, made call in Gombe, northeast of the country at a one day sensitization programme for Women and youth groups on their rights and constitution organized by the Centre.
The programme is being implemented through Transparency International (TI) in Berlin with the support from Global Affairs Canada to empower citizens on anti-corruption.
The Executive Director represented by the Senior Programme Officer of the organization, Kolawole Banwo said that it is important for citizens to begin to demand accountability from the government and that Nigerians are not aware of their fundamental rights and as such, cannot tell when it is violated or know where to go to seek redress.
According to him, there is a need for all Nigerians to understand their rights and demand accountability from those who govern them, hence the need for the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres (ALAC) which offers citizens the opportunity to actively engage in fighting corruption by reporting corruption cases.
It was against this background, he said, the sensitization was organised to get citizens involved in the fight against corruption, build knowledge, share ideas and support victims and witnesses of corruption.
“This is to empower citizens to become part of the anti-corruption campaign, which is the core focus of the present administration. The focus of the project is on increasing the integrity, transparency and accountability of public and private sectors, while empowering civil society to advocate for change in policy and practice. It also seeks to empower citizens to protect their rights to social services affected by corruption,” he said.
“The overall goal of IMPACT is to contribute to fighting corruption in 12 countries (eight in the Americas- Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela- and four in Africa- DR Congo, Ghana, Mozambique and Nigeria) over a four–year period, with focus on increasing the integrity, transparency and accountability of public sector institutions and the private sector, while empowering civil society to advocate for change in policy and practice. It also seeks to empower citizens to protect their rights to social services affected by corruption. This is in line with one of Nigeria’s commitment under the Open Government Partnership, OGP to support the victims and witnesses of corrupt practices.
“CISLAC proposes to support these components by establishing Advocacy and Legal Advisory Centres (ALACs). This is a centre designed to take reports for witnesses and victims of corrupt practices on a case by case basis and then working with the relevant MDAs to explore their internal processes to address the complaint in order to shore confidence in citizens and deter their staff from perpetrating similar acts.
“This will commence with sensitization of citizens on their rights and rules, regulations and code of conduct of staff of the MDAs and Service providers to be engaged. The processes can be harnessed to advocate for changes in policies.
“We also propose to undertake sensitization of young people especially in tertiary institutions to both commit to shunning corruption and becoming advocates of promoting attitudinal changes against corruption as future leaders. This fits into the ‘Change begins with Me’ Campaign of the present administration”, Rafsanjani.
Let me begin by telling a story. On June 1, 2015, the day I resumed work as adviser on media to President Muhammadu Buhari, he had admonished me: “Adesina, always tell me the truth. That is what I want from you. In this type of position I have found myself, it is very easy not to be told the truth. People will just tell you what they think you want to hear. But from you, I want the truth. As a General, I may argue, but please argue with me. Tell me the truth always.”
Based on that blank cheque I’d been given, I went to the residence one evening last year to see the President. That was the time there was deafening talk of hunger from different parts of the country. I wanted to be sure that the talk was not being filtered from the President. Of course, I know him as somebody who reads newspapers religiously, and wherever we are in the face of the world, he asks for media highlights from Nigeria. So, he would not be unaware of what Nigerians were going through. But I still wanted to raise it with him.
“Mr President, there is hunger in the land, and people are complaining. I know government is doing its best, but I just want you to be aware,” I said.
Mr President responded: “I know, I know. I am aware of what people are going through. I have people in my own constituency back home, and I know the messages they send to me. But it is a passing phase. Our country was vandalized, and we found ourselves in this problem. But now that we are here, we will do our best. We will bring change to this country, and we are already seeing it in agriculture. This period of hunger will pass.”
It was prophetic. The season of hunger will pass, and is indeed passing. Anyone that is honest will admit that things are looking up in Nigeria. The ravening clouds shall no longer be victorious. They shall not long possess the sky.
I went away with one conviction from that night’s meeting: the poor matter very much to this President. He is not the type that people would tell they had no bread to eat, and he would tell them to eat cake instead. This is a friend of the talakawas, a man who loves ordinary people, and who wants their station in life to be improved. And those people know it. That is why they gravitate towards him, and repose so much confidence in him. He is their hero. Our hero.
President Buhari turns 75 years today. But some six months back, how many could confidently say this day would come for the ramrod straight man from Daura? How many believed the President would come out of the severe medical challenge that had confronted him? It all began as a routine vacation cum medical check up in January, and few days after, the rumour mill was on overdrive. The challenge lasted till August, before the President returned home finally, and since then, he has been looking better by the day. Each time you now see him, there is a fresher glow, and you cannot but give glory to God on his behalf.
But why was President Buhari kept alive, so much so that he is turning 75 today? Why did he pass through the sea of infirmity, and he was not swept away? Why did he pass through inferno, and the fire did not kindle against him? Big question. I don’t have the answer, but I can hazard some guesses, based on divine principles.
Rigobert Song. Remember him? Song was the Cameroonian defender who played many years for the Indomitable Lions. He appeared at eight African Nations Cup tournaments, five as captain, and stood between Nigeria and victory many times. He became an idol, venerated by his countrymen and women. He retired to become a coach.
Then late last year, Song was not on song again on the soccer pitch. He had a near death experience on October 20. He went down with brain aneurysm, and was in coma for two days. Doctors battled to save his life, and he was eventually evacuated to France.
While the travails lasted, the social media was abuzz with news of Song’s passage. As someone who had followed his career over the years, I felt very sad. But this is the season of fake news. Song was not dead, he miraculously rallied back. He narrated his experience, which I found instructive, considering what our President also passed through:
“I did not know what was happening to me…I did not even know I was fighting between life and death…All these people, they put God in trouble. Because everyone in this situation, they were praying-this is what I keep in my mind-God would have been in trouble. Everyone was praying, asking, ‘God, please don’t do that, don’t take Rigobert.’ I say thank you everybody for making me come back.”
What song was Song singing? One of thanksgiving. Cameroonians who loved him bombarded God with prayers, ‘Please, don’t take Rigobert now.’ And God heard. He showed mercy.
That is the same reason President Buhari is alive today. Nigerians bombarded Heaven with prayers. With supplications, intercessions, pleas for mercy. Muslims prayed in mosques. Christians prayed in churches. President Alpha Conde of Guinea declared 24 hours prayer for his Nigerian counterpart. Prayers were going on everywhere, both at home, and in the Diaspora. I can imagine God telling Himself: ‘I must answer these prayers. These petitions are too many. I must answer.’
And God had mercy, a fact attested to by President Buhari himself. He said his return was a miracle, which only God could have done.
Why did God keep our President alive? The Holy Books answer:
“Blessed is he that considers the poor;
God will deliver him in the day of evil.
God will preserve him, and keep him alive,
And he will be blessed upon the earth;
And deliver him not unto the will of his enemies,
And raise him up from sickness.” (Psalm 41:1-3).
And this one in Surah At-Tawbah 9:128:
“There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer, for he is concerned over you and to the believers he is kind and merciful.”
President Buhari is concerned about Nigerians, particularly the helpless, the ordinary people, and he has dedicated his life to serving them. And when he was near unto death, those ordinary people besieged Heaven with prayers. That Christian hymn says “dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.” And God truly answered.
There is power in goodwill, we have seen it work. It worked for Rigobert Song, and it has worked for our President. Have a heart for men, particularly for the poor, the lowly, and the downtrodden. And see God rise on your behalf.
Consider Tabitha (Dorcas in Greek), who lived at Joppa. She was full of good works, always doing good, and helping the poor. One day, she took ill, and died. Peter, one of the apostles of Jesus, was invited. He came, prayed, and said: “Tabitha, arise!” And the woman came back to life. That is what is possible, when you have a heart for the poor.
In his New Year message last year, President Buhari told the country: “Living in the State House has not alienated me from your daily sufferings. These challenges are only temporary, we are working to make things better.”
When news came a couple of months ago that Nigeria had exited from recession, what did the President say? “Until coming out of recession translates into meaningful improvement in peoples’ lives, our work cannot be said to be done.”
In another broadcast, the President had stated: “All my adult life, I have always earned a salary and I know what it is like when your salary is simply not enough.”
That is the man we follow, and serve. Millions would today follow him into battle blindfolded. Millions upon millions would vote him again and again, if he throws his hat into the ring. Happy birthday, Mr President. You have shown us how to care for the lowly and the poor, how to bear them in our hearts at all times, and how such pleases God, and brings mercy our way. Thank you for coming this way, thank you for offering yourself for service.
Adesina is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari
Kaduna (Nigeria)–Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, has expressed bitterness over what it called age long sociopolitical marginalization the area has been subjected to by subsequent governments both at the federal and State levels.
SOKAPU therefore suggested that the report of the 2014 National Conference be implemented. “It is the view of Southern Kaduna that the conclusion reached and recommendations of that conference on the future of the Nigerian federation on the issues of State creation/merger of states, devolution of powers, derivation principle, land tenure, federating units, fiscal federalism, local government autonomy, allocation of resources, geopolitical zones/regionalism etc., reflect the yearnings and aspirations of the Southern Kaduna people and Nigerians in general,” the people explained.
This is contained in a communique issued at the end of SOKAPU town hall meeting read to journalists in Kaduna, northwest Nigeria by the President of the Union, Solomon Musa.
It said that the people are facing serious political challenge in Kaduna State, where it would be very difficult for them to produce their own son or daughter as the governor of the State.
According to the communique, unless a State is created out of the present Kaduna, stop labelling them as north west zone, but middle belt area, there would be no political headway for the area in the current circumstance.
The communique recalled that over the years, Southern Kaduna has only been enjoying the position of deputy governors until in 2010 as the jinx was broken when the then deputy governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa from southern Kaduna became governor following elevation of the then governor, Namadi Sambo to the Vice President position.
But on December 15, 2012 Yakowa died in a helicopter crash shortly after attending a burial ceremony in Bayelsa State.
Since then, they said Southern Kaduna person has never become governor except, for the traditional position of deputy governor which is currently being occupied by Barnabas Bala Bantex, a Southern Kaduna man from All Progressive Congress (APC).
They called for restructuring of the country to address issues like creation of ranching for fulani herdsmen, local government autonomy, resource control, among others.
The communique explained, “The present delineation of Federal and State Constituencies, wards, local government areas, registration areas, polling units are deliberately skewed to the disadvantage of the people of Southern Kaduna and other ethnic minorities in the north so that a person of Southern Kaduna extraction for instance will find it almost impossible to aspire to hold certain critical positions in Kaduna State e.g. Governor.
“Therefore there is need to correct these structural imbalances that have been set up to always undermine the political aspirations of the southern Kaduna people. The constitutional provisions on periodic review of polling units and constituencies should be carried out with fairness and within the intendments of the constitution and before the next general elections in 2019. There is need to carry out constituency delineation at shorter intervals than the current 10 years as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“The Southern Kaduna people are also concerned that constituencies as presently delineated do not reflect the realities on ground, as the status quo has favoured some sections to the detriment of others. For instance, in most cases, federal and state constituencies in the southern part of Kaduna state are twice the sizes of Federal or State constituencies in other parts of the state.
“That Southern Kaduna reaffirms its position and the resolution of the 2014 National Conference for the creation of additional states including Gurara State. That the creation of a new state, i.e. Gurara State out of the present Kaduna State will meet the aspirations of the people of Southern Kaduna and their desire for self-determination and justice.
“The provisions of the 1999 Constitution on creation of states should be amended to make the creation of new states easier and less cumbersome. That the case for creation of another state out of the present Kaduna State is very cogent given that the population of the area in question is over 3,945,201 people and its landmass is over 26,076Km2. Analysis has shown that the new state will be viable given its rich agricultural potential, the solid minerals in the area and its abundant human capital.
“That there is need to review the law on grazing rights and issues around that; the creation of grazing reserves and so-called international stock routes exclusively for one ethnic group; sustained and violent armed attacks on autochthonous communities by terrorists for purposes of taking over their land and to prevent other people from rearing cattle, are issues that need to be addressed. Southern Kaduna is top on the list of areas that have suffered from the acts of the murderous herds men.
“The gathering strongly notes that government has no business funding private concerns to the detriment and exclusion of other businessmen and women. That rather than establishing grazing reserves, government should facilitate ranching as a modern method of livestock grazing.
“Southern Kaduna, which is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic community of minority tribes who are non-migratory and agrarian in nature, does not fit into the identity of northwest but that of the middle belt where they should be properly placed.
“That appointment to public and political offices should reflect the unity, religious and ethnic diversity of Nigeria and the states. Furthermore the allocation of public resources and development projects should be spread in such a manner that reflects our diversity and that no part of the country, state, local government area, community, religious or ethnic area/group and gender is left out or discriminated against or deliberately marginalized.
“The sharing of political power and development projects has tended to be to the disadvantage of Southern Kaduna. Over concentration of development projects, industries, educational institutions in the northern part of the state and away from Southern Kaduna has been on for ages. Admissions to public institutions have not reflected the diversity of Kaduna State for instance.
“Institutionalized discrimination where better-qualified persons from Southern Kaduna or other ethnic minorities are passed over for appointments into public office for lesser-qualified persons has been entrenched. This has always created a sense of alienation rather than inclusion. These structural imbalances need to be addressed.
“That on land tenure and Land Ownership, the Land Tenure Law of Northern Nigeria 1948, revised in 1963, is what is imposed on the rest of the country in the Land Use Act of 1978. It has been applied without recourse and due consideration to the real owners of the land, thereby consistently denying owners of land such benefits that should accrue from owning the land. The inclusion of the Land Use Act in the Constitution makes it difficult to review it to reflect the evolving needs and realities of the time. The Land Use Act should therefore be removed from the Constitution and amended to reflect current realities.
“That there is over concentration of power at the Federal level. More power should devolve to the States and Local Government Areas by amending the Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative lists in part I and II respectively of the Second Schedule to the 1999 Constitution to give more power to the States and the Local Government Areas.
“On ownership and control over natural resources, that the ethnic nationalities should be able to have a reasonable measure of control over resources found in their domains, including having a share of revenues accruing from those resources.
“That the creation of Chiefdoms, Emirates and other traditional institutions should reflect the history, culture and wishes of the indigenous and autochthonous communities of the area in question. That these indigenous rights must be respected at all times and should not be denied the people. That government has no right whatsoever to name a community or deny them their original name that is based on their history. This is a deliberate programme for the elimination of the traditional institutions of the diverse peoples and cultures of northern Nigeria, and this affects mostly the minority ethnic nationalities.
“That the constitutional provisions should recognize the rights of indigenous people and separate between citizenship, residency and rights of the indigenous people. That these rights which are different should be clearly defined in line with the relevant UN and African Charters on the rights of indigenous people.
“That the imposition and operation of religious laws in Northern Nigeria and the violation of religious rights of minorities has constantly created conflict. This is a long-standing issue in many of the Northern States in Nigeria. It is essential that an atmosphere be created for every Nigerian to have his/her right to freedom of worship respected. The use of state resources for sponsorship of religious pilgrimage, the promotion of religious objectives and agenda of some groups should be critically examined and discontinued.
“That the Local Government Areas should be given legislative and financial autonomy with a fixed term of 4 years.
“That Southern Kaduna is concerned about security of lives and property particularly against the back drop of terrorist activities unleashed on our people based on political and religious objectives. Wars being waged by militant groups and pastoralists for the confiscation of other people’s lands must be addressed if violent conflicts and local wars are to be stopped. We are equally concerned about uncontrolled immigration and settlement of persons in the country from other countries, thereby compromising national security in Nigeria.
“It is the view of the Southern Kaduna people that if these issues are addressed, it will make for a better a federation that will truly meet the aspirations of all Nigerians, engender justice and equity and create an inclusive nation.”
Gombe (Nigeria)–A member of the House of Representatives from Kaltungo/Shongom Constituency in Gombe State Northeast of the country, Fatima Binta Bello has trained 640 women in various trades in the four local government areas that made up the constituency.
Each of the trainees was also given N20,000 as take-off grant for their businesses.
The Lawmaker made the donation on Friday during the graduation ceremony of the trainees at her Women Empowerment and Community Development programme held at the Kaltungo township stadium.
She said that the beneficiaries who were selected from across her constituency as well as the neighbouring Billiri and Balanga Local Government Areas, underwent training in seven different skills, soap, detergent, shampoo, room freshener, pomade and curry making.
Fatima Bello emphasized that the vocational training was an added advantage, economically in carrying out their marital responsibilities.
She therefore urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the take-off grant and to extend their hands to their neighbours by training them also.
“Don’t let me down. I will not be happy if I later learned you have abandoned your business,” she pleaded .
Earlier in a remark, Daniel Entonu of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja, who is the Coordinator of the programme, said the training was part of the Lawmaker’s constituency project executed by the IPCR in collaboration with the Federal Government.
Entonu said there is a link between empowerment, community development and peace, stressing that if people are provided with something to do, “they will have no time for violence.”
He observed that the programme would go a long way towards building peace in the area, urging the beneficiaries to fully utilize their training.
One of the beneficiaries, Mary Agabus, expressed gratitude for the opportunity giving to her to start a business of her own.
“With my training and the money giving to me, I will go home and start my business. I can now feed and pay the school fees of my children,” she said.
She commended Binta Bello for affording them the opportunity to become useful to not only themselves but their community.
[unable to retrieve full-text content]Note: This story is auto-generated from ‘BBC News’ syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.
Image copyrightGebel al-Silsila ProjectImage caption The remains of a small child were found along with linen used to mummify the corpse
Four intact child burials made more than 3,000 years ago are among a series of recent discoveries near the Egyptian city of Aswan, officials say.
One of the burials found by a Swedish-Egyptian team still had the linen used to mummify it, antiquities ministry head Dr Ayman Ashmawy said.
The burials date from Egypt’s 18th dynasty (1549/1550-1292 BC).
Meanwhile an Egyptian-Austrian team discovered part of a cemetery and a Swiss team found a statue of a woman.
The burials were found by archaeologists at the Gebel al-Silsila site. One was a tomb carved into rock for a child aged between two and three. In addition to the mummy linen, organic material from the remains of a wooden coffin was also found.
Image copyrightGebel al-Silsila ProjectImage caption The remains of a child aged between six and nine were found in a wooden sarcophagus
Objects including amulets and a set of pottery were found in both the second burial – for a child aged between six and nine in a wooden coffin – and the third – for a child between five and eight. The fourth burial was also for a child of between five and eight.
The new discovery would shed more light on burial customs as well as people’s social, economic and religious life during the 18th dynasty, also known as the Thutmosid period. said Dr Maria Nilsson, head of the Swedish mission.
So far 69 tombs have been found at the Gebel al-Silsila site, less than half of which have been excavated, Dr Nilson told the BBC. Most of the excavated tombs had already been plundered during antiquity, she said.
Meanwhile an Egyptian-Austrian team working at a hill in Kom Ombo town uncovered part of a cemetery dating back to Egypt’s First Intermediate period more than 4,000 years ago.
Image copyrightEgypt Antiquities MinistryImage caption Part of a 4,000-year-old cemetery was unearthed in the town of Kom Ombo
Many of the mud-brick tombs contained pottery and other funeral items, mission head Dr Irene Foster said.
She said the remains of a town dating back to the Old Kingdom (2613-2181 BC) were found below the cemetery and included a ceiling impression of King Sahure from the 5th Dynasty (2494-2345 BC).
The third find in the area was that of an incomplete statue dating back to the Greco-Roman era. It was found in Aswan by an Egyptian-Swiss mission.
Image copyrightEgypt Antiquities MinistryImage caption The incomplete statue of a woman was found in Aswan
The statue of a headless woman missing her feet and right hand was carved in limestone and is about 35cm (14in) tall.
Local antiquities head Abdel Moneim Saeed said the dress worn by the figure had similarities to that worn by the Greek goddess Artemis.
Note: This story is auto-generated from ‘BBC News’ syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.
Trade union leader Paul Francois Gomis told the BBC that staff wanted compensation for long travel times to the airport, which is 50km (30 miles) from the capital, halfway between Dakar and Senegal’s main beach resorts.
Mr Gomis also said that the 60 air traffic controllers had not been trained in the use of new equipment in the new control tower.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
Media captionSenegal’s new airport is 50km from the capital Dakar – why?
Note: This story is auto-generated from ‘BBC News’ syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.
There were no patterns and swimmers had not appeared to provoke the animals, she said, adding that people should still feel they could go swimming, as long as they maintained a safe distance.
