Many governors of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party shunned a Monday evening meeting called by Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau.

Mr. Jang, the self-proclaimed chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, had called the meeting to discuss crucial national issues including revenue sharing between the federal and state governments.

PDP governors including Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto, Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, and Seidu Dakingari of Kebbi all shunned the meeting.

All the 11 governors who are members of the newly formed All Progressives Congress also shunned the meeting.

The meeting was, however, attended by 16 governors, who are believed to be loyal to Mr. Jang. The governors are expected to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan after the meeting.

Mr. Jang had lost last month’s election of the governors’ forum chairman to Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers by 16 to 19 votes, but rejected the result.

Source: Premium Times

Nnamdi Oduamadi helped himself to a hat-trick, Uwa Echiejile struck twice with two deflected efforts, while Jonathan Tehau also put through his own net.

The latter also struck at the right end, with a towering header, but despite their best efforts, the OFC Nations Cup champions could have lost by a lot more, with their opponents having spurned numerous one-on-ones by rather disrespectfully trying to walk the ball into the net.

With Tahiti having arrived in Brazil boasting just one full-time professional player, it was always expected that they would be on the receiving end of some heavy beatings.

Unsurprising then, that the neutrals in attendance were very much behind the side from the South Pacific, cheering every early touch and greeting the first shot of the game, from Vincent Simon, like a goal.

Their sympathy for the side from the South Pacific only intensified after watching the desperately unfortunate way in which they fell behind. Not only did a speculative strike from Echiejile take two deflections on its way past a helpless Xavier Samin, the ball had only arrived at the feet of the Nigeria full-back because Joel Aguilar had got in the way of an attempted Tahitian clearance.

Nigeria’s second goal, which arrived just five minutes later, was only less calamitous, with Heimano Bourebare, under no pressure at all, passing the ball straight to Ahmed Musa deep inside his own half. The CSKA Moscow ace immediately fed Oduamadi, who cut inside Teheivarii Ludivon before coolly slotting the ball high past Samin.

Tahiti gifted their opponents another goal on 27 minutes, with poor Samin spilling the most routine of low crosses at the feet of Oduamadi, leaving the forward with a two-yard tap-in.

Nigeria could have added further goals before the break, with Anthony Ujah and Sunday Mba both guilty of butchering one-on-ones. However, Tahiti really should have got off the mark on 43 minutes but the lively Steevy Chong Hue, who tormented the Nigerian back four with his pace and quick feet every time he got on the ball, wastefully headed wide from a most inviting cross from Ricky Aitamai.

Nigeria continued to squander gilt-edged opportunities after the restart, with Musa firing wide with the goal at his mercy, and their profligacy was finally punished – much to the delight of a now partisan crowd – when Jonathan Tehau rose majestically above Efe Ambrose at the back post to head home a Marama Vahirua corner.

Unfortunately for the two men involved in arguably the most famous goal in the history of Tahitian football history, they were also both involved in their side falling three goals behind once again on 68 minutes, with Tehau putting through his own goal, after Vahirua had turned the ball over in midfield before then deflecting a cross goalwards as he tried to make amends for his error.

There was to be no sensational comeback, though, because Aide Ideye came off the bench to set up Oduamadi for his hat-trick goal, leaving the forward with the simplest of finishes with a low cross, before Echiejile got his name on the scoresheet for certain with a low strike from eight yards out.

Source: Goal.com

A source told SaharaRreporters that a high-powered committee, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Anyim Pius Anyim, set up to look into the crisis in the party, has recommended that Alhaji Tukur and all National Working Committee (NWC) members should resign their positions on Thursday.

The NWC consists of Tukur, spokesman Olisa Metuh, others handpicked by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Anyim committee comprises of Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, Governor of Akwa Ibom State Goodwill Akpabio, Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema , Benue State Governor, Abia State Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji and other Jonathan loyalists.

Earlier today, Mr. Tukur announced a meeting of the NWC for that day.

SaharaReporters learned that the Anyim committee met for six hours at the Legacy House headquarters of the party and resolved that members of the NWC, including Mr. Tukur, should resign in order to save face, having reached the conclusion that Tukur has run the PDP into the ground.

As of the time of this report all the members have moved to the Aso Rock villa to meet with President Jonathan to determine whether their removals will be finalized.

The source also said that Chairman Tukur might be replaced with former governor of Bauchi state, Alhaji Muazu, or Shehu Babayo, a politician also from Bauchi State.

Source: Sahara Reporters

Education is a critical tool for development, yet most leaders in Africa ignore this fact and instead squander resources on white elephant projects with no direct bearing on human capacity building.

Osun, a state in the southwest of Nigeria is one of the beneficiary territories of the free education scheme of late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. But over the years, education has not enjoyed such pronged focus from previous administration. So, when an administration comes in with a determination to revolutionise education, it is imminent that the region is again about to witness another historic achievement reminiscent of the Awolowo days.

The launch of (Opon Imo), tablet of knowledge is aimed at creating world class learning conditions for the next generation. The official launch proved to every doubting Thomas that it is, indeed, possible to equip students with this powerful, educational tool.

My visit afforded me the opportunity to travel by road to the venue of the launch in Ilesha via Gbongan – Ife Road and back to Osogbo. The trip allowed me time to interact with the people of the state who are the direct beneficiaries of the innovative policy. Everywhere, across the state, the impact of governance is being felt. The governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is seen as a God-sent at this period in the life of the state in view of his approach to administration and the public value of the dimension of projects he is embarking on.

The Aregbesola led government is embarking on several projects geared towards capturing the hearts, needs, and empowering the minds of the young ones. Opon Imo is just one of such developmental projects.
Ogbeni Aregbesola’s purposeful, passionate and focused committment on development through education is targeted at the youths. The strategy in ‘catching them young’, and preparing them as responsible leaders of tomorrow will account, in part, for the reason his administration is revamping and giving a massive boost to the education sector.

The administration’s commitment to raise the living standards of the people and through education has been a priority. And through the instrument of an education summit to crystallise the agenda, it has clearly been demonstrated that the state is determined to attain achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Highlights of the steps taken include the construction of state-of-the-art schools with modern facilities, free uniforms, elementary school free meals, payment of registration fee and WASC examinations, bursary, scholarship awards and, now, the e-learning project.

The concerns of many Africans, Nigerians, and indigenes of Osun state in the diaspora asking why challenges facing the continent cannot be tackled by educational empowerment of the people as a means is being answered. It is therefore noteworthy to witness the developmental agenda of Osun state of in enriching lives positively, and prescribed for replication by every serious- minded leader in Nigeria and Africa as a whole to lift the people out of degradation and poverty.

The almost three-year old administration of the governor rendered, on his first 100 days in office, employment of 20,000 youths through the Youth Empowerment Scheme, OYES and a further 20,000 employed in the second year. This is a record – breaking initiative among government in Nigeria. With the introduction of calisthenics into schools, the state is grooming a generation of physically robust and mentally sound students for leadership.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola brought into Osun state governance a revolutionary step in the teaching methodology of delivering education using technology as a veritable tool to impact on the peoples’ aspirations and learning processes.

It is instructive for purposeful and visionary leadership in Africa to inculcate technology to drive development. Governor Rauf Aregbesola said his administration embarked on the project to build a knowledge-based society and digital-driven economy to build human capacity to gain competitive advantage.

Governor Aregbesola while addressing the gathering at the official unveiling ceremony said Africans should no longer accept the tag of a continent without hope or future, insisting that with the launch of Opon Imo, Nigeria and, indeed, the entire black continent has sent a signal of its arrival on the world stage of development.

Aregbesola said there could be little argument that Opon-Imo is a veritable tablet of knowledge that levels the learning playing fields for all students from different social backgrounds. The tablet will allow students to learn at their own pace, wherever and whenever they choose, saying that it provides robust and uniform learning content for them, offering a feedback mechanism for monitoring of their performance.

According to him, “this little device will greatly facilitate our free education policy by saving the state a lot of money that would have had to go into procuring text books on annual basis.

“The Tablet of Knowledge is a standalone e-learning tablet that provides the high school pupils with the contents required to prepare for school leaving examinations. It provides three major contents categories, textbooks, tutorials and practice questions.

According to him, among other things that make Opon Imo ground-breaking is its stand-alone customised content, which works regardless of data networks, making it suitable for developing countries with unreliable networks.

He said: “Indigenous and customised content like multimedia content that has 56 tutorials and e-textbooks covering 17 subjects, over 40,000 practice questions and answers, seven extra- curricular books. Opon Imo can track academic progress of the pupil.

“First of its kind, stand alone educational tablet, using indigenous content. It will save the state of Osun an estimated N8.4 billion ($53 million) annually in textbook procurement costs.”

The Deputy Governor of Osun State, Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, who is also the Commissioner for Education, said the digitalisation of education in the state is a demonstration of government’s effort to revamp education. She described Aregbesola as a special gift, who is passionate about the development and progress of the state.

How is this possible in a nation without regular supply of electricity? But as African Voice probed further, one of the officials of the government and commissioner responsible for Information, Honourable Sunday Akere, said independently-powered, communal solar charging systems are installed in the schools for convenience. The device can also be powered by electricity at home with six hours of battery life. Akere said, plans are being concluded for a manufacturing plant for the Opon Imo in Osun.

Osun has proven how progressive government policies can benefit its people. Joy knew no bounds as the unveiling and handing out of Ipon Imo to students reverberated from the venue of the launch in Ilesha and throughout the state as citizens were glued to television sets to watch the official launch broadcast across the country.

Indeed, Osun is witnessing a new dawn. In the words of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, “the electronic device would afford the pupils in the state the opportunity to learn faster than their counterparts in other parts of the country. Prof. Soyinka said Aregbesola has revolutionised the education sector. Osun school children have every reason to be proud and to be motivated”.

The UNESCO Director General, represented by the Country Director, Professor Hassana Alidou, said the world education and cultural organisation is ready to partner with any government like Osun, which puts education on the front burner.

“The tablet will contribute immensely to bringing about learning in the state. I will challenge the beneficiaries (students) to effectively use this powerful opportunity to extend their reading and learning capacity.
“The tablet will be for me too a life-long learning opportunity. The message that is included in the tablet is a message of a father who loves his children. It is a message that all parents would love to communicate to their children”.

In leaving the state, a feeling of pride engulfed me and was particularly glad to have witnessed history in the making. Those of us in the Diaspora should not get disillusioned with the seeming ‘rot’ in Africa but demand that purposeful leaderships with well-guided aspirations for development emerge. Rauf Aregbesola the executive Governor of Osun is one of such leaders that the continent must take a cue from.

Known as ‘Opon-imo’, Yoruba for tablet of knowledge, the device is actually a handheld tool fitted with an e-library, a virtual classroom, and an integrated test zone.

The scheme works by storing contents of prescribed textbooks, past examination questions for the last ten years, model answers to each examination question, and other materials. The scheme is to ensure equal access to prescribed textbooks by all school children; and answer to pains of parents who cannot afford all textbooks for all subjects or deal with replacements for those lost in or outside school compounds. It will also create equal access to a new information technology tool instead of the current situation where only children of middleclass families enjoy it. A corollary benefit is expected to arouse creativity in children in the vast and widening information technology highway.
The scheme appears not to have been discussed and agreed upon by all communities. The decision to buy into it was taken when the governor went into a shop in South Korea and was instantly fascinated by a cheap and versatile computer. It’s easy portability and weight is probably equivalent to children’s school bags. He may also have recalled huge sums of money expended in purchasing textbooks for implementing the free education policy across the state. One such leakage was suggested by a case involving Universal Basic Education Commission’s textbooks for schools in Niger State being illegally sold in markets in Anambra State. Prices of books are either inflated or books are not delivered at all, despite huge claims made on the state’s treasury. Various actors in the education sector become sucked into a corruption network which callously sacrifices the future of children whose parents had voted for a government that promised them change towards a better delivery of social services.

Cynics may accuse the Governor Aregbesola of latching on to yet another publicity stunt in a season of electoral rhetoric and the run-up to the next general elections. It is, however, more useful to join in a constructive consideration of a novel scheme which seeks to improve education from its critical base. At a time when various state governments have failed to collect funds from UBEC (because they cannot account for previous allocations) for supplying books, repairing leaking roofs of classrooms, purchasing or maintaining quality furniture, laboratory and sports equipment, it is noteworthy that a state government is actively involved in ensuring equity in quality access to learning material. It is also an important move because analogue’ teachers would now be encouraged to embracing a computer culture that will guarantee availability of quality lesson materials.

For too long, publishers abandoned the creative development of their industry through a parasitical dependence on earning huge amounts of money by marketing only school textbooks. This has led to the desperate practice of self-publication of poorly edited works. Accordingly, only writers who live outside Nigeria publish works of some appreciable quality. Foreign publishers and their local agents have been the biggest offenders. The Osun State initiative marks a calling of these publishers’ bluff and throwing a line of survival for Nigeria’s writers in various fields, including architecture and engineering. This is where the ‘Opon-imo’ challenge lays, encouraging local development of software to continually update the devices, at real time and on time.

Computers, even as simple as the ‘Opon-imo’, must be kept and recharged to keep them in good condition.

Source: Daily Trust

Prof. Chinedu Nebo, V.C. University of Ekiti

Blaming the outage on systems collapse, the ministers however, admitted lapses in the power sector resulting in about 120 million Nigerians, approximately 75 per cent of the entire population not having access to power supply in the country.

Nebo also waxed spiritual when he said “there are many people who are controlled by evil forces. How can you explain a situation where people deliberately vandalise government properties? There are also people who do not want steady power supply because they are involved in the sale of generators. But what I want to say is that they will be defeated”

Briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, they insisted that the situation could only be redressed by huge investment in the sector.

This was just as they said that only 40 million Nigerians (about 25 per cent) were currently enjoying electricity supply.

This is coming barely a week after President Goodluck Jonathan presented a mid-term performance report of his administration’s two years in office in which he indicated remarkable improvement in the power sector.

Prof Nebo also admitted that the power situation in the country in the last three weeks had been a nightmare due to a combination of system failure and human sabotage
.
He hinted that they had also made presentation to council on Key Performance indicators KPI of the ministry in 2012 and said, “The power situation in the last three weeks is a nightmare. We have not had the kind of system failure like we have had in the last three weeks. For instance, Bayelsa state was knocked out for three weeks as a result of a breakdown on one of the transmission lines. It took about 10 to 12 days to restore power in the state using temporary measures. Another one happened in Kebbi.”

The power minister reiterated his earlier stance at his screening at the Senate that there were evil forces working against stable power supply in the country.

Source: NCW

The Letter

3rd JUNE 2013

MR. MUSTAPHA CHIKE OBI
MANGING DIRECTOR/CEO,
ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA,
3RD FLOOR, MURJANATU HOUSE,
1, ZAMBEZI CRESCENT,
OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET,
MAITAMA, ABUJA

Dear Sir,

REQUEST FOR THE LIST OF BENEFICIARIES OF N22BILLION NAIRA FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GRANT TO STOCKBROKERS THROUGH ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA (AMCON)

Human and Environmental Development Agenda [HEDA Resource Centre] is a Non-Governmental Organization [NGO] whose mandate is to promote, protect and defend universally recognized human rights and environmental justice in Nigeria and Africa, in accordance with international standard. HEDA Resource Centre envisions a society whose principle is based on equity, accountability and social justice.

We refer you to the June 1st edition of Premium times online with a report captioned “Civil Society Groups Condemn AMCON, Nigerian Government over secret N22billion naira largesse to stockbroker”.

According to the report, the Federal Government through AMCON decided to give a N22 billion forbearance package to 84 of Nigeria’s 200 stockbrokers. The report further stated that AMCON does not intend to publish a list of these beneficiaries because it may impact negatively on the nation’s gradually recovering stock exchange.

We believe that there is no basis for such reasoning in laws of Nigeria and financial operations of the country. Vertical accountability in democratic governance is not only crucial for democratic sustainability but also for fiscal responsibilities. The public should be able to hold to account Government agencies on how public funds are spent. To do this, people need information about what decisions the government is taking and their rationale. It is therefore unethical for the government not to reveal the beneficiaries of this fund, as they have moral, legal and constitutional obligation to do so.

On this ground and by virtue of sec 2, 3, and 4 of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act we hereby request for a list of the beneficiaries of the N22billion grant within Seven days of the receipt of this request, in line with the FoI provisions.

We would appreciate if this information is made available to us as requested to avoid legal and political actions against the disbursement of the funds.

Thank you for your understanding and anticipated prompt response.

Yours sincerely

OLANREWAJU SURAJU
Chairman

The actor, producer and director, will wed the love of his life, Funke Sowofora, on July 7th.
According to reports, Funke, unlike Fathia is not an actress, she however works in the Lagos State Auditor General’s office.

She’s Oba Saheed Elegushi’s sister. Congrats to them!
Oh by the way, in an interview with Tribune a few months back, Saheed when asked on his plans for marriage said “I am not thinking about that for now, I want to concentrate more on my profession and other things will follow. As a matter of fact, I am enjoying bachelorhood now, because it gives enough time to think deep about how I can better the lot of those who are looking up to me and produce movies that will improve the standard of movie production in the country.”…Apparently he has

Source: Pakurumo.com

Speaking after her burial on Sunday, in Ikoyi, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, Tinubu said: “I will miss her afternoon foods and prayers. Even though I had eaten my lunch, she would still want me to eat her food despite the fact that I am a married man. She taught us contentment. She was so generous to the extent that she could give out her last kobo to the needy.”

Tinubu disclosed that she died peacefully as she never gave anybody heartache before she died, saying that she was resting when death took her away.

The former governor stated that immediately his mother died, he felt a vacuum in his heart as he would miss her greatly.

“She was so kind and God was kind to her. She ate her lunch and took her vitamins that afternoon. She was resting when death snatched her from us. I felt the void immediately she died.

“There are so many lessons to learn from her, most especially the women folk. They must continue to be resilient, committed and industrious in order to help us banish poverty. She was a committed democrat. Mama would vote and mobilise voters anytime, any day. She believed in one man one vote.

“As women leaders of the society, they have to continue to plan together, share issues, share discussions and look at the right direction. Commitment to the education of their children is the best weapon against poverty and ignorance. Once you get out of that, definitely the nation will benefit and progress,” he stated.

Tinubu added that Mogaji influenced the decision of his administration to pay the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, fees of secondary school students in Lagos State.

“I was so touched when she brought some women to me and said that I should pay their children’s WAEC fees. Then I was the governor and I decided afterwards that henceforth, I will be paying the examination fees of school children whether rich or poor,” he said.

Tinubu described Mogaji as “a successful woman, a good leader, mother in Nigeria, good thinker, compassionate and a committed democrat.”

The remains of Mogaji was on Sunday buried at the Vault and Garden Cemetery, Ikoyi, Lagos

Mogaji, who was the President General, Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men died in her home on Saturday at Sunday Adigun Street, Alausa in Ikeja.

Prayers were offered for Mogaji, at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos, by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Alhaji Garuba Akinola, who was represented by Alhaji Mujitabah Giwa.

In his sermon, the cleric said there were many things to emulate in the life of Mogaji as she lived an exemplary life.

“God owns our beginning and the end. She had impacted much in the lives of the people positively and her life is worthy of emulation,” he said.

The service at the mosque ended around 11:30 am while the body of Mogaji was taken to the cemetery in a white casket. She was removed from the casket before she was lowered into the grave in accordance with Islamic injunction. At the graveside where she was buried, the cleric offered prayers for the repose of the soul of the deceased before she was lowered into the grave, saying that everyone would die at a particular point in time.

After the burial, attention shifted to the Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Ikeja, where special prayers were offered for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Senator Babafemi Ojudu and Senator Gbenga Ashafa have paid glowing tribute to the late Mogaji.

In his tribute Ojudu said her death has created a void no one can fill.

According to the lawmaker, Alhaja Abibat cared so much about people that she was able to secure for herself a special place in their hearts.

“A politically conscious woman, apart from being kind to all, she dedicated herself to enlightening women and lifting them from economic and political doldrums,” Ojudu said.

In a statement in Lagos on Saturday, Ojudu said he believes Asiwaju Bola Tinubu drew his strength and uncompromising kindness from his mother.

He prayed God to give the ACN National Leader and other members of the extended family the strength to wade through times like this, adding that rather than being sad, they, however, should be happy to have had an amazon like Alhaja Abibat as their matriarch.

In his tribute, the lawmaker representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Ashafa, joined millions of Nigerians to sympathize with the family of Alhaja Abibatu Asabi Mogaji who passed on on Saturday evening.

Ashafa described Alhaja Mongaji as a courageous and selfless woman who lived her life caring for others around her, adding that her struggle for independence women movement would remain indelible.

In a statement made available by his Head of Media and Strategy, Mr Babatunde Adegunju, the lawmaker described the Iya Oloja General as a loving and caring mother that accommodated everyone around her as if they were her own children regardless of tribe and background.

He said: “Mama Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the Iya Oloja General for the whole federation will be remembered for touching the lives many across the country.

“She influenced many lives and was a rare gem, she was loving, caring, accommodating and as well as industrious throughout her life time. Mama passed on at this moment that we needed her most.

“With deep sense of sympathy and concern, I sympathize with the entire family of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, all market men and women in Nigeria and Lagos in particular and the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and other Obas in Lagos State and that Almighty God will give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. May Allah (SWT) grant Mama Alijannah Firidauz.”

Ashafa described the demise of the pioneer Iyaloja /President General of the Market men and Women as a great national and personal loss. As a mark of honour for the late Mogaji, market men and women in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, were on Monday ordered to close their markets.

As a result of this, activities in major markets in the state were virtually paralyzed.

Most of the markets visited by our correspondent such as Ipaja-Ayobo, Command, Dopemu and Agege markets were not fully opened for transactions.

Traders in these market were seen discussing the life and death of the Iyaloja general, describing her as “leader of leaders.”

According to a market leader in Ipaja-Ayobo who identified himself as Alhaji Saka Aberuagba,”we are celebrating Mama Mogaji because she was an icon that performed wonderfully well.

“She demonstrated audacity as the Iyolaja general during her life time and her legacy shall be maintained and consolidated,” he said.

A trader at Temidire market Dopemu, Mrs Justina Olowookere, described her as a consummate, faithful and compassionate mother to all and sundry.

“Mama was a wonderful mother. It is not out of any political intent that we are celebrating her. She was a lover of so many people. We are honouring a mother who over the years touched many lives.”

Source: PM News

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Goke Butika, Speaker Salaam described the death of the mother of the former governor of Lagos state as big void in the space of motherhood, commerce, and humanity; asserting that she demonstrated sufficient capacity as matriarch of her family before her departure.

He reiterated that: “Mama Abibat Mogaji was a rare matriarch who had demonstrated sufficient courage, capacity, and humanistic tendency in the administration of not only her family, but also her constituency dominated by market men and women across the country, her death has created a big vacuum in her family and calling.”

Speaker Salaam then expressed his condolence on behalf of Osun parliament to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, praying that God will give him fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss, contending that the indelible mark of his mother as an outstanding mother, a quintessential leader, a leading light of commerce in Yoruba land, is enough consolation.

Signed:

Goke Butikakuro
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker
State House of Assembly of Osun