Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Rotary, Gates Give Funds to Fight Polio

November 26, 2007

Rotary, Gates Give Funds to Fight Polio

By MARIA CHENG
AP Medical Writer

LONDON (AP) - The global campaign to wipe out polio is getting a $200 million donation from Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, at a time when some worry the effort will fail in the final stages.

Monday's announcement by both organizations came after nearly two decades of work against polio, an infectious disease that can paralyze and sometimes kill.

"This investment is precisely the catalyst we need as we intensify the push to finish polio," Dr. Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization, said in a statement.

Though polio incidence has been slashed by more than 99 percent worldwide since the eradication effort began in 1988, the virus remains entrenched in Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.

Two deadlines to eliminate polio have been missed: 2000 and 2005. More than $5 billion has been poured into the effort, and some experts worry that unless the job is finished soon, the world community's money and patience may run out.

"They're on a heroic task, but money is not the only problem," said Dr. Donald A. Henderson, who headed WHO's smallpox successful eradication campaign. "We've got to soldier on. We need more money. Look at all we've accomplished. But how do we get to the endpoint?"

Henderson and other experts worry that major obstacles to vaccinating children will be harder to overcome than filling a funding gap.

In countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Congo, where there are armed conflicts and weak health services, it has been extremely difficult to reach the high vaccination levels needed to wipe out polio. And in India, the vaccine is less effective, due to poor sanitation and the fact that children are often infected with intestinal viruses.

Experts are also concerned about the use of the oral vaccine, which contains live polio virus. In rare instances, the virus can mutate into a dangerous form capable of causing the disease.

The donation from Rotary International and the Gates Foundation, to be paid over three years, will largely go to immunization campaigns, surveillance and public education.

"This amount of money can make quite a big difference," said Nicholas Grassly, of Imperial College, London, who advises WHO on polio issues. "We can build on the gains that have been made this year."

WHO reports significant progress against polio in India and Nigeria, where 85 percent of the world's polio cases occur. Last year at this time, Nigeria had 958 polio cases. This year, only 226 were reported.

Still, the $200 million falls short of the $650 million that WHO says will be needed by 2009. Eradicating polio will ultimately cost $1 billion more, said Dr. David Heymann, WHO's top polio official.

Pandemonium in Yola as Police shoot undergraduate

Pandemonium in Yola as Police shoot undergraduate
Thursday, November 22, 2007 - Written by Umar Yusuf


YOLA—Pandemonium broke out in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Tuesday, as Police shot dead an undergraduate of the Federal University of Technology Yola.

Youths in their thousands apparently protesting the killing mobilized themselves when the death of the undergraduate identified as Aminu Buba Tete filtered around and headed to the Jimeta divisional police station, in apparent move to set it ablaze.

Hoodlums quickly took over the advantage of the ensuing confusion, looting shops and other business places.

Shop owners and other business outfits hurriedly closed up their business and economic activities came to a stand still in most parts of the state capital.

No fewer than ten shops were looted and vandalized along the Mohammed Mustapha Way commercial area, while unspecified number of cars and motorcycles believed to be owned by police personnel were burnt to ashes.

Anti-riot policemen in armoured cars were later deployed to the major streets to maintain law and order.

Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aloy Okorie gave a vivid account of what led to near break down of law and order.

He told newsmen in his office that an informant had earlier alerted the police that suspected armed robbers were mobilizing themselves in Guri to raid some targets in the state capital,

He added that the police quickly cordoned off the road leading Guri-Fufore to Yola in an apparent move to track down the suspected robbers.

The Commissioner of Police added that it was at this point that the deceased in company of another person were driving along the cordoned office the Guri- Yola road.

“The duo were traveling in a tinted glass car and when police waved them to stop, they refused and the police chased them from Mbamba along the road into the state and one of the policemen shot at the car,” he stated.

Lagos Assembly May Adopt Yoruba as Official Language

Lagos Assembly May Adopt Yoruba as Official Language

By Deji Elumoye, 11.28.2007


Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday said it is considering the use of Yoruba language as its working language on the floor of the Assembly.
This is in response to a letter to this effect, written by one Mrs Ohiri Anuche, who described herself as a concerned citizen.
In the letter read on the floor of the Assembly, the woman said it was not in the interest of the grassroots for proceedings in the Assembly to be held in English Language, considering the fact that many of them do not understand the language. She cited the examples of Anambra, Ogun and Ekiti states, where local languages are used.
Debating the matter, Honourable Sanai Agunbiade, Ikorodu 1, said writer of the letter was simply drawing attention “to a constitutional provision, which says "state Assemblies could transact their businesses in English Language or other languages spoken by the people."
In his contribution, Mr Oshun Olanrewaju, Lagos Mainland II, argued that it was necessary to conduct the business in Yoruba Language at least once a week, to carry the people at the grassroots along.
“My mother for example, may want to hear her son or follow proceedings of those who represent her, but since she does not understand English, she would be robbed of this privilege,” he said.
Mr Oshinowo Adebayo, Kosofe 1, said this will force children to understand their mother tongue, because many of them do not speak or understand Yoruba.

However, the Majority Leader, Kolawole Taiwo, Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1, differ because, according to him, he represents a section of the state where majority do not speak Yoruba.“I represent Ajegunle, which is dotted with people of various ethnic groups, and I am obliged to use the English Language, so that I can communicate with them and vice-versa,” he said.The Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, suggested that the matter be put in proper motion for consideration, but added that anybody who had lived in a place for up to 10 years should be able to speak and understand the language of that place.

This article was taken from http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=96451


Falling Dollar Good for Naira, Says IMF Chief

Falling Dollar Good for Naira, Says IMF Chief


Fund asks Nigeria to define spending priorities
By Ayodele Aminu in Lagos and Constance Ikokwu in Washington D.C., 11.27.2007

As the dollar continues to take a plunge, the naira will strengthen, keep inflation within single digit and stave off any major impact on economic growth, says Director of the Africa Department, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr. Abdoulaye Bio-Tchane.
The good news for the naira is coming at a time the IMF is urging the Federal Government to define clearly its spending priorities and strengthen the management of public finances at the three tiers of government to yield better value for money from public spending
Bio-Tchane however warned that higher oil prices, however, means that Nigeria and other oil-producing countries would have to deal with decline in real income, posing a challenge to developmental projects.
The weakening dollar has been a source of concern to many countries, particularly the oil-producing states whose revenue is in that currency.
The depreciating dollar has contributed to rising oil prices and an erosion of the value of dollar reserves, prompting Iran and Venezuela to suggest oil trade in another currency during the Oil Producing and Exporting Countries (OPEC) summit last week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As at November 23, 2007, Nigeria foreign reserves stood at N50.09 billion.
In an interview with THISDAY in Washington, D.C., Bio-Tchane observed that the fall of the dollar would see a stronger naira, whereby people would spend less and the impact on inflation would be less.
“The stronger naira will help keep inflation well within single digit levels this year and into next year. Developments in domestic food prices, which depend on agricultural conditions including weather, are, however, a more important factor in determining inflation. As for economic growth, we do not expect a major impact from the stronger naira in the short term,” he stated.
He noted that the stronger naira would not impact the implementation of the budget, with the oil price based fiscal rule in place. He however reckoned that it did reduce the naira value of oil revenues and hence the naira value of excess crude account.
He advised the government to continue to apply "the oil price based on fiscal rule as proposed in its budget and its medium term fiscal strategy." "This will help secure the strong non-oil growth of recent years, low inflation, as well as support the increase in spending on infrastructure and on the MDGs that has taken place over the last few years," he said.
The Presidents of Iran and Venezuela, Mahmood Ahmadinejad and Hugo Chavez had during the OPEC Summit last week said they wished to convert their cash reserves into another currency. They both proposed oil trade in another currency, an idea that Saudi-Arabia was uncomfortable with, being a US ally.
Analysts say changing the oil trade currency will not only be an economic decision but a political statement.
The summit ended with a directive given to OPEC finance ministers to study the issue. No timetable was given for the study. A committee is expected to recommend a body of currencies that OPEC members will deal with.
Meanwhile, the IMF has stressed the need for the Federal Government to define clearly its spending priorities and strengthen the management of public finances at the three tiers of government.
The Fund, which implored Nigeria to define its priorities in a statement yesterday in Abuja after the conclusion of its staff mission to Nigeria for the 2007 Article IV Consultation, also urged the Nigerian authorities to continue to develop new approaches to monetary policy.
This, it said, will be important to monitor developments carefully, in case inflationary pressures emerge.
Mr. David Nellor, Senior Advisor in the African Department, who led the IMF mission’s visit to Abuja during November 7-20, 2007 to conduct the 2007 Article IV Consultation, however, predicted a robust growth for Nigeria in the medium term.
“In the near term, the mission expects that growth will remain robust, with demand from both public and private sectors contributing to growth. Implementation of the 2008 budget in line with the proposed medium-term fiscal strategy would help to ensure strong growth and single-digit inflation. As the authorities continue to develop new approaches to monetary policy, it will be important to monitor developments carefully, in case inflationary pressures emerge.
"The financial sector is evolving rapidly and the authorities need to enhance their capacity to meet the challenges that this poses. With both domestic and foreign investors increasing their appetite for Nigerian assets, it is essential that market participants and regulators alike have a good grasp of the new instruments and developments in the market. Finalising and implementing a robust framework for debt management will also help safeguard the strong external position and the domestic financial system,” the Fund said.
The IMF noted that the immediate challenge is to manage Nigeria's oil revenues and saving to preserve macroeconomic stability.
“The mission welcomes the road map to stability offered by the government's medium-term fiscal strategy, which covers all levels of government. Among the essential features of the strategy are that it proposes spending levels that can be absorbed by the economy while allowing room for infrastructure investment.
“It is most important that the recent agreement among the three levels of government on the use of the oil saving should be implemented in a way that preserves macroeconomic stability. This would mean that additional allocation from the excess crude account should be saved. If it is decided to increase spending, then the macroeconomic risks could be reduced by undertaking infrastructure spending with high import content. Large increases in domestic spending would risk sharply higher inflation, much slower growth over the medium term, or both,” the IMF emphasised.
Commenting on Nigeria’s infrastructure development, IMF said that there is scope to pursue Nigeria’s ambitious goals for growth, infrastructure development, and the Millennium Development Goals within current spending plans.
“The government could identify areas where it can reduce or share its role, including through privatisation and public-private partnerships. Government spending priorities need to be clearly defined. And the management of public finances at all three tiers of government should be strengthened to yield better value for money from public spending.
"The private sector has a pivotal role in securing sustainable growth. Important progress has been made in creating an enabling environment for private sector activity, but more needs to be done. Elements of a strategy might include: supporting wider financial sector activity throughout the economy; promoting the rule of law and corporate governance; and facilitating trade, for instance by building further on the changes brought about by concessioning the ports,” the Fund advised.
The IMF said that the successful completion of Nigeria's two-year Policy Support Instrument (PSI) with the IMF in mid-October 2007 was an important milestone. It however, noted that the economic progress and reform gains had transformed the policy environment, and had created new challenges.
The IMF's framework for PSIs is designed for low-income countries that may not need IMF financial assistance, but still seek close cooperation with the IMF in preparation and endorsement of their policy frameworks. PSI-supported programmes are based on country-owned poverty reduction strategies adopted in a participatory process involving civil society and development partners. This is intended to ensure that PSI-supported programmes are consistent with a comprehensive framework for macroeconomic, structural and social policies to foster growth and reduce poverty. Members' performance under a PSI is reviewed semi-annually, irrespective of the status of the programme.
The 2007 Article IV Consultation is the process that involves economic analysis and discussion of policies that the IMF regularly conducts with each member country.
The mission met with Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, Minister of Finance; Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); other members of the Economic Management Team; and senior officials and representatives of the private sector. Discussions focused on recent developments in the Nigerian economy and the outlook for 2008 and the medium term.

This article was taken from http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=96353

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Optimism on Nigeria's war on poverty

Optimism on Nigeria's war on poverty
Nigeria has been the source of more bad news than good recently. But our correspondent Mark Doyle says meeting two very impressive Nigerians in the last week has put him in a much better mood.
Saturday, 21 July 2007,

Oil pipelines in Nigeria
Nigeria is one of the world's largest oil producers
Let's be honest, Nigeria has a poor image. Most outsiders think of it as an oil-rich, corrupt place where there are regular kidnappings and outbreaks of religious violence.

All of that's true, up to a point. But Nigeria is also a place that can surprise and delight.

I was asked recently to find out what progress Nigeria was making in meeting United Nations anti-poverty targets - targets like reducing the proportion of people living on less than $1 a day, and improving education for poor children.

I was ready, frankly, to be disappointed by what I was going to learn.

And I was all geared up to be sceptical when I made an appointment to talk on the subject with an official from the Nigerian Presidency, Mrs Amina Ibrahim. She recently stepped down from her job as poverty advisor to the president but, I was told, retains great influence behind the scenes.

Disarmingly honest

My first shock, when Mrs Ibrahim stepped out of her car and walked into the hotel lobby where we met, was her demeanour.

There was no protocol and none of the usual demands for questions in advance so she could prepare for the tricky ones. It was just a brisk "Good afternoon" from a poised woman in a smart African dress; "Nice to meet you, where do we do this?"

She then went on to be disarmingly honest, including about Nigeria's education system, which was, she said, in an "abysmal state" when she first started evaluating it.

She should know. Amina Ibrahim has spent the past three years spending the lion's share of $1bn worth of foreign debt relief that Nigeria negotiated with countries like Britain in exchange for promising to spend the proceeds on the poor.

So what had she been doing with the money?

I expected vague answers, but there was precision. "Spend, spend, spend," she answered with a smile.

Posters during the 2007 Nigerian election campaign
Nigeria's recent elections were flawed according to the opposition
"We've given in-service teacher training to 145,000 teachers, for example, and we've upgraded six major teacher training centres with new infrastructure and IT systems."

The big question I had was, does Mrs Ibrahim think Nigeria will meet the United Nations poverty-busting targets?

The answer? Another surprise that made me sit up: "Yes, she replied, if we keep at it and scale up the projects to a much higher level, yes, I do think we'll meet those targets".

It is difficult to emphasise how refreshing for me this conversation was.

Man-made poverty

I have got so used to speaking to Nigerian - and other government officials around the world - who are vague, clearly lying or just plain incompetent, that this frank and intelligent woman was like a breath of fresh air.

I do not know if everything she said was true, of course, but I am prepared to bet that most of it was.

So I was in a good mood when I went to meet my next interviewee, another expert on poverty in Nigeria, the country boss of the international charity, Action Aid.

I was not sure of the man's name when I went to meet him - just that he was the boss in Nigeria of the charity.

So when a tall Nigerian chap in traditional dress walked confidently into the waiting room where I was sitting, I greeted him politely but assumed he was another visitor.

Then he looked at me and I looked at him. And then I realised this Nigerian WAS the boss.

Of course, I'd been expecting a white man.

All international aid agency bosses - or 95% of them anyway - are white Westerners.

Otive Igbuzor is the exception, a Nigerian now working day after day at the tough coal face of poverty reduction.

When I asked him why, in an oil-rich country, over half of all Nigerians, or more than 60 million people, lived in abject poverty, he replied in a clear, powerful voice.

Poverty in Nigeria is man-made, he said, it was not due to any lack of resources.

Clear, confident analysis

The causes, not necessarily in order, were, one, colonialism, two, exploitative capitalism and, three, the failure of Nigerian politicians who were often the local collaborators of multinational corporations.

It sounded like textbook left-wing theory, and I said so, but he shot back that it was not about labels, left or right. It was about the reality of life for most poor Nigerians.

Government policies, Otive Igbuzor said firmly, would have to change.

Privatisation, for example, which only benefits the rich and the middle classes, had to end.

Otive Igbuzor
The pace of change might not be what we wish, but we are definitely moving forward.
Otive Igbuzor
He had all my attention by now - not because I agreed or disagreed with him, but because aid agency bosses just do not speak like this normally - not even comfortably-off white Western ones, who know they can probably get another nicely paid job if they upset the politicians above them.

This man's analysis was crystal clear, his confidence in it infectious.

But back to my central question. Did Otive Igbuzor think the fight against poverty in Nigeria could work?

And remember, this is NOT a politician answering, but a practical aid agency boss who sees poverty all the time.

"We are moving forward", he said. "There are some decent people working on it in government and some decent people in the private sector. The pace of change might not be what we wish, but we are definitely moving forward, I can assure you of that."

So there you have it. Two hugely impressive Nigerians.

You do not have to agree with them, of course. But I would defy you not to respect them.

Perhaps you'll remember them the next time you hear nothing but bad news coming from Nigeria.

Nigeria's police chief Mike Okiro has admitted that 785 suspected armed robbers have died in encounters with police in the last three months.

Nigeria's police chief Mike Okiro has admitted that 785 suspected armed robbers have died in encounters with police in the last three months.
Thursday, 15 November 2007

The Nigerian police force has been criticised by human rights groups for killing suspects instead of arresting them and giving them a fair trial.

But Mr Okiro said almost 1,600 suspected armed robbers had also been arrested and charged in that time.

He took over as acting police inspector general just over 100 days ago.

Funding call

To mark the anniversary, Mr Okiro paraded a crack squad of about 50 police officers in front of reporters on Thursday at police headquarters in the capital, Abuja.

Mike Okiro (Picture from: www.nigeriapolice.org)
Mr Okiro has been in office for just over 100 days

He said they were responsible for the crackdown on crime mainly witnessed in north-eastern Nigeria.

A police spokesman told the BBC that 62 officers had also lost their lives when taking on suspected armed robbers.

As part of his anti-corruption crusade, Mr Okiro said 28 police officers caught collecting bribes on the roads had been dismissed during his time in office.

Speaking to a parliamentary committee on Wednesday, he called for $26m of outstanding state funding to be paid to the police.

He said the force was in dire need of accommodation for its more than 360,000 personnel, Nigeria's Daily Trust newspaper reports.

Nigeria: Bakassi Killings - Govt, Cameroon Commence Probe

Nigeria: Bakassi Killings - Govt, Cameroon Commence Probe


This Day (Lagos)

Paul Ohia With Agency Report
Lagos

Barely 24 hours after some 22 Cameroonian soldiers were felled by gunmen in the Bakassi Peninsula, Nigeria and Cameroon have pledged to work together to find out the killers of the 21 soldiers.

But sources have claimed that the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta is behind the attack.

As at press time, MEND has laid no claim to the killings but a Delta activist, Miabiye Kuromiema said the militant group was responsible for both an earlier attack at the Qua Iboe oil terminal and the soldiers' death.

"It appears likely it was the Henry Okah group led by Farah," said Kuromiema to Reuters news agency yesterday.

"They made a statement of relevance, that they are a faction to be reckoned with," he added.

MEND has staged a string of attacks and kidnappings on oil facilities since late 2005, forcing thousands of foreign workers to leave.

In Monday's first attack on the oil terminal, militants stormed a heavily guarded jetty, seized two machine guns, stole a navy boat and blew up a police boat, industry sources said. A pregnant woman was killed in the crossfire.

The fierce gun battle prompted US company ExxonMobil to evacuate families of staff from the 400,000 barrel per day facility, but production was not affected, the company said.

An associate of Okah, asking not to be named for security reasons, said: "It was a MEND operation. They wanted those machine guns because they are preparing for war."

The raid in Bakassi, some 50 miles (80 km) away, raised tensions in the long-disputed peninsula, which has offshore oil deposits and was handed back to Cameroon by Nigeria last year.

MEND had observed a ceasefire for four months to allow for peace talks with the government until September when Okah was arrested in Angola. Since then, it has staged two kidnappings on foreign operated offshore oilfields and threatened more attacks.

Relevant Links

The government's attempts to lure militants to the negotiating table has split them into factions, and activists say rival militant groups could be rearming for a major battle, either between factions or against the federal government.

MEND's Okah has been in a war of words with rival militia leader, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who has joined the peace talks and spoken out against kidnapping.

Activists say Farah's real name is Farouk, a Muslim converted by Asari who has since allied with Okah. His militia is believed to have staged several MEND operations over the past two years under Okah's direction.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Nigeria: Govt Set to Tackle Climate Change Seriously

Abuja

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has pledged that his Administration will take effective action to confront the challenges of global climate change on the Nigerian environment.

The President who made the pledge on November 13 in Abuja at an audience with members of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), said that some measures to deal with threats to the country's environment have already been factored into his Administration's plans to revitalize and accelerate the pace of national economic development.

While noting that all Nigerians need to take the threats posed by climate change more seriously, the President expressed the Federal Government's willingness to work in close collaboration with the NCF "to ensure that we bequeath to future generations a country that can sustain life".

He said, "Nigerians who cast their minds back to about 50 years ago can see the devastation of our environment and from that begin to picture how our activities today can impact on the future. It is the duty of every Nigerian to take the issue of conservation and protecting our environment more seriously as we begin to plan for the future."

President Yar'Adua commended the NCF headed by Chief Philip Asiodu for its efforts to combat ecological degradation in Nigeria and welcomed its offer of further cooperation with all tiers of government in the country to address Nigeria's environmental challenges.


This article was taken from allAfrica.com

Fund paucity threatens Lagos-Kano rail project

Fund paucity threatens Lagos-Kano rail project
By Moses Ebosele, Senior Transport Reporter

ONE year after it was launched with fanfare by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Lagos-Kano rail modernisation project may have screeched to a halt.

The first phase of the project, awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), involves a 1,315-kilometre double track standard gauge rail lines. It is divided into five segments and costs $8.3 billion, excluding other administrative and consultancy costs.

Kicking off the project at Kajola, Ifo Local Council of Ogun State in November 2006, Obasanjo announced its completion period as "the next 48 months."

The Guardian learnt that the project is being reviewed by the Umaru Musa Yar'Adua administration, particularly in view of its costs.

The Minister of Transportation, Diezani Alison-Madueke, however, buttressed this at the weekend when she said that the Federal Government had raised an inter-ministerial committee, among others, to determine how to fund the project.

The minister, who took a 10-kilometre train ride from Ebute-Metta to Ikeja Rail Station, as part of activities lined up for her maiden visit, explained that the Federal Government is determined to embark on an aggressive marketing aimed at restoring the lost glory of the parastatal.

She reiterated the commitment of some private organisations to partner with the government in its effort to revive the sector.

Though Mrs. Alison-Madueke declined to entertain questions after reading from a prepared speech, The Guardian learnt that Yar'Adua, recently, expressed his concern over the $8.3 billion project. The source added that the Chinese firm had prepared the survey while the design and construction have not been completed.

"The President is still consulting with experts on how to handle this project", the source said, adding that there is need for extreme caution.

Recently, Finance Minister, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, said that the government may review the terms of the Chinese loan for Railway projects.

The minister, who spoke in Washington DC, United States (U.S.), explained some of the terms of the loan were of concern to the Yar'Adua administration

The government in June 2006 secured a $2.5 billion Chinese loan for the reconstruction of the country's railway line that would pass through seven major towns of Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano.

The Obasanjo administration had in 2002 unveiled a 25-year plan to restructure the moribund Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

The scheme embraces what it termed "a restoration, renewal, modernisation and expansion of over 7,800 km railway lines traversing through the entire country."

Under the project, railway modernisation and expansion is estimated to cost over $40 billion.

Alison-Madueke, during the visit, inspected facilities at the locomotive workshop, running shed, mechanical/electrical training school and foundry department, among others.

In his presentation during the minister's visit, NRC Managing Director, Jetson Nwankwo, said the Corporation was assisting the CCECC in the movement of its equipment to site.

"It is pertinent to mention here, however, that the government is aware of the aforementioned constraints and challenges that have occasioned the attendant and phenomenal downturn in the fortunes of the corporation.

"This is why the Federal Government is armed with greater quest and preparedness to bring Nigeria Railway to the front burner where it will, most efficiently, perform its social and economic roles for a better society," he said.

Alison-Madueke believes that drastic reform in the NRC will make it more energised, invigorated, enterprising, innovative, result-oriented and a creative organisation to drive the nation's economy.

At the boardroom of the NRC headquarters in Lagos, the minister stated that "we really and truly need to resuscitate our railways' system and we need to do it in the shortest possible time to allow the railway mode of transportation exert the desired impact in the on-going economic transformation of Nigeria."

She added that "it is not enough for us to have just the roads as our major arteries of transportation. That will not do any longer. It is clear to everybody that the dilapidated and degraded state of our roads is as a result of the heavy volume of traffic and the increasing tonnage that these roads take, which they were never designed for in the first place. It is almost impossible to find an engineering solution for our roads. And, believe me, I am desperately looking for one right now that will continue to take these unexpected and unplanned-for volume and weight of traffic."

The minister recalled the contributions of the Nigerian railways to national development in its glorious heydays, and regretted that within the last 20 years, the NRC had declined drastically, partly because of increased competition from road transport and the integral problems of management inertia, poor funding, aged and ageing assets which have not been renewed.

She admitted that the 25-year rail development plan started in 2006 with the award of the first phase of standard gauge rail line spanning over 1,315 kilometres from Lagos to Kano, and awarded to Messrs CCECC at a cost of $8.3 billion and the planned second phase extending from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri at a cost of over $9 billion were facing serious challenges.

On the pension crisis in NRC, Alison-Madueke pledged: "Very importantly, I will explore all practical and creative avenues to ensure that we find solution to the lingering NRC pension related matters. It goes against grain to have people who have worked diligently for their country for so many years particularly in this area where we have some of the finest craftsmen and women in this country out there, to find them suffering because they have not been paid their pensions. We will go out of our way, and I mean it to liquidate all NRC pension arrears within the shortest possible time."


This article was taken from the online Nigerian Guardian newspaper.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

D’banj is MTV Best African Act 2007

D’banj is MTV Best African Act 2007

Beats with Ayeni Adekunle 11.03.2007

He lost the best African act prize to 2face Idibia at the 12 th edition of MOBO awards last September. But on Thursday November 1, master entertainer and bona-fide ladies’ man, D’banj got a worthy compensation when he was announced the Best African act at the MTV Europe Music awards which held at the OlympiaHalle hall in Munich , Germany .
The 27 year-old performer is the second Nigerian to win the prize in two years. Compatriot 2face Idibia was the first ever artiste to win the award when it was started in 2005.
Last year, Nigeria ’s rave pop twins Psquare were nominated for the cherished prize, but they lost to South Africa ’s Freshlyground
Dbanj beat South Africa ’s HHP ,Kenya ’s Jua Kali ,Ghana ’s Samini and Uganda ’s Chameleone to come top. Earlier in the week, there had been speculations D’banj might lose the prize to HHP, as he was lagging behind by over 2000 votes. But pundits insisted the exuberant Nigerian singer was the most qualified for the prize; and definitely the favourite of fans and VJs across the African continent where voting is decided.
D’banj flew to Munich on Tuesday November 30 to attend the award which is beamed to millions of audiences across the world.
Born Oladapo Oyebanjo, D’banj’s career has grown in leaps and bounds since he returned to Nigeria in 2005. from a wannabe R&B singer, who fled to London at an early age and pitched his tent with the popular Backbone crew; D’banj has grown to become one of the most accomplished Nigerian entertainers in recent times. With dozens of awards to show for his success, and millions of album units sold, the dashing singer is living his dreams, and glad he settled for music even when it appeared a stupid decision.
He started his recording career in Lagos , working with producer OJB before he relocated to England . It was while in England he met JJC (aka Mr Skillz) and his crew, and became part of the family. Along with Kween, MP, Don Jazzy and others, they rolled together and former a coalition of sorts. He would later leave JJC, under controversial circumdtances, to form Mo Hits Records with don Jazzy, a gifted producer who many give the credit for the D’Banj brand. He relocated to Nigeria with Jazzy in 2005, after his debut single ‘Tongolo’ became fairly popular and it seemed Nigerian were ready for what he had to offer.
Only last month, he dumped his Michael Otedola estate (in Magodo, a Lagos suburb) for a posh Maryland (also in Lagos ) residence. The singer’s new home is an 8-bedroom apartment, with all the trappings of a star – and he’s already contemplating naming it ‘Koko Villa’.
The MTV prize, is expected to immediately reflect on his career, although many have criticized organisers of the award for not presenting regional awards during the main ceremony, and for only showing images to audiences in Africa . D’banj’s award was reportedly presented hours before the main event started. It was the same, when 2face won the award in 2005.
Originally groomed to be a soldier, D’Banj was born as Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo in the Northern city of Zaria , Kaduna State , Nigeria to an artillery officer and a church dignitary whom hailed from Shagamu in Ogun State .
Due to his father’s job, D’Banj moved several times within Nigeria as well as abroad to India . At 11, he was enrolled in the military school, and it appeared certain he was going to be a combatant like his father. But few years, later, after losing his immediate elder brother (Femi Oyebanjo) to a plane crash, D’Banj picked up a different, harmless weapon entirely- the harmonica, which, incidentally, was the only item recovered from his late brother’s remains. Together with an hitherto ignored musical talent, the harmonica nudged him towards the path of music, and he succumbed to the lure, despite initial attempts by his parents to discourage him.

This article was taken from the Glitteratti section of This Day Newspaper.

UK Admits Pressure from Nigeria to Try Corrupt Officials

UK Admits Pressure from Nigeria to Try Corrupt Officials

From Constance Ikokwu in Washington, D.C., 11.06.2007

The United Kingdom has admitted that its decision to go after corrupt Nigerian public officers who use its country as a safe haven to launder stolen wealth was at the prompting of the Nigerian government.
Talking with THISDAY in Washington, D.C., former leader of the House of Lords in the UK, Baroness Valerie Amos, said the British government had to make legislations following pressure mounted by Nigeria and concerns expressed about money laundering through financial institutions in the UK.
Amos did not mention any particular administration but Nigeria’s high profile fight against corruption and money laundering came to world attention under President Olusegun Obasanjo, with the creation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to Amos, “on the issue of stolen assets, we have legislation now. You will know that we’ve been pushed very hard by the Nigerian government in the past where there was concern that there were assets which had been stolen from the people of Nigeria which were then laundered through financial institutions in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
“I am very proud that my government passed the legislation with respect to the issue of stolen assets wherever they come from and it’s now possible for governments outside the UK to use that legislation to recover assets where they could prove that those assets were stolen from the people of that country. So that’s why I think it has become a much more high profile issue in the last few years,” she said.
Former Governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye, was the first state executive to fall in the anti-corruption crusade but jumped bail and returned to Nigeria. Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Dieprieye Alamieyeseigha, was also arrested at Heathrow Airport for money laundering. He however escaped the UK in mysterious circumstances and later claimed his escape was facilitated by Britain, a charge the country has denied.
Asked if the British government is appalled at the state of affairs in Nigeria, Amos said no government has the right to make comments of that nature. She said any government, including that of Britain, needs to soften their criticisms of Nigeria considering that it is not even 50 years old as an independent country.
“Nigeria hasn’t been an independent country for 50 years yet. So I think we should focus on reporting the positive and talking in robust terms in private about the things we think need to be improved. I think it’s inappropriate for me to come out with a long list of things and say that we are disappointed with the government of Nigeria. I know we will be disappointed if they came out and said the British government hasn’t done that,” she said.
She stated that the UK would continue to work in partnership with Nigeria, recognising the country’s importance to the development of the continent.
Amos, who has been nominated by Prime Minister Gordon Brown as the European Union (EU) Special Representative to the Africa Union (AU), was in Washington, D.C. for a conference. If her nomination is approved, her office will focus on the wider issues of governance, transparency and accountability, she said.
Amos was the first black woman to sit in the Cabinet of the UK. She was the Leader of the House of Lords from 2003 to June 2007.



This article was taken from thisdayonline.com, the online version of the Nigerian This Day newspaper.