Nigeria ex-military ruler picked for presidency bid

(Reuters) - A Nigerian opposition party on Tuesday confirmed ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate for April elections, set to be the most fiercely contested since the return to democracy 12 years ago.
The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) ratified Buhari's nomination at a convention in the capital Abuja, almost a month after the former strongman announced his intention to seek the party's ticket.
Buhari's reputation as a disciplinarian and a popular perception that he is cleaner than many in the political elite could make him the main opposition candidate to run against the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) nominee.
President Goodluck Jonathan is broadly considered the front runner in the PDP primaries on January 13, but his candidacy is contentious because of an unwritten PDP pact that power rotates between the mostly-Muslim north and largely-Christian south every two terms.
Jonathan is a southerner who inherited the presidency after his predecessor Umaru Yar'Adua, a northerner, died last year during his first term. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a northerner, is challenging him at the PDP primaries.
Violence in recent weeks, including a New Year's eve bomb attack in Abuja and a series of blasts and clashes in the central city of Jos, has raised fears that politicians will try to exploit regional rivalries as the elections approach.
Buhari ruled Africa's most populous nation for 20 months between 1983-85. He came to power in an almost bloodless New Year's eve coup, ending Nigeria's second attempt at democracy.
His iron-fisted administration is best remembered for its austerity measures, the jailing of politicians on corruption charges and the execution of drug traffickers.
Buhari could benefit if Jonathan's candidacy continues to divide the PDP, whose candidate has won every presidential election in Nigeria since the end of military rule in 1999.
But critics say the CPC is more of a regional party and doubt its chances in a national election. Delegates sang the party anthem at Tuesday's televised convention in the northern Hausa language, which is not widely understood in the south. Read more...

SON destroys N10b

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) destroyed sub-standard goods worth N10 billion imported through the country’s borders in 2010.

John Akanya, the director general of SON, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that of the sub-standard goods, fake drugs alone accounted for N8.9 billion.

The other goods destroyed include food products, household items, computers, television sets, antennas, ball pens, cables, gas cylinder, and building materials, among others.

Mr. Akanya deplored the situation, and said that the continued destruction of sub-standard products was hampering the economic development of the country.

He called for the cooperation of other relevant agencies to tackle the menace of fake products, “which are not only dangerous to the lives of the citizens, but have succeeded in giving the country a bad image.”

He also said there was the need to monitor and track products coming into the country because more than 90 per cent of goods available in the country were imported.

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Maigari " i never ordered Owumi’s arrest "

The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, has denied reports that he had ordered the arrest of Davidson Owumi, the recently sacked boss of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

Owumi was asked to quit his position as the chairman of the NPL by the NFF who last week, at the end of its General Assembly in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, announced that the elections which brought the former player and management staff of Enugu Rangers to office had been annulled.

Along with the order ending Owumi’s eight month reign, the NFF also ordered fresh polls for the vacant chairmanship position, as well as the position of Chairman of Chairmen, to be conducted within 14 days even as it passed a vote of confidence on the remaining board members of the NPL, who were mandated to continue to run the affairs of the league body.

Owumi, who had been in a running battle with Rumson Baribote following the outcome of the disputed NPL elections, however, said he was dissatisfied with the order from the NFF annulling his election which preceded reports in the media quoting sources within the NFF as stating that he, Owumi, would be arrested by the State Security Service (SSS) if he defies the NFF’s order by continuing to parade himself as the boss of the league body.

It wasn’t me

The order was reportedly issued by Maigari but the NFF boss has come out to deny the “malicious” reports saying that neither he, Maigari, nor the NFF as a body, has the authority to issue such an order.

“There is no way I could have ordered such,” he said. “I have no right to issue such an order; nobody in the NFF can issue such an order, so I have no idea how those malicious reports came about.

“The initial order annulling the election was issued not by me, but by the General Assembly who acted based on the recommendations of an arbitration panel headed by a respected professor,” added Maigari, referring to the arbitration tribunal set up by the NFF in the early days of the leadership tussle between Owumi and Baribote.

Baribote, who was only recently reinstated as the chairman of Bayelsa United by the Bayelsa State government following his October 2010 removal, had all along argued that Owumi was not suitably qualified to contest for the position of the chairman of the NPL as he was not on the board of any Nigerian Premier League side as at the time the elections took place last year at Abuja’s Lamonde Hotel.

Owumi was endorsed by the Enugu State government ahead of the NPL polls even though he had at that point in time ceased to be a member of the board of Enugu Rangers. Read more...

Fela, Africa i come!

Producers for the Tony-winning show, which closed to an enthusiastic audience Sunday at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, are in talks for a two-year international tour that would stop in the Nigerian capital of Lagos and include the summer festival circuit in Europe. The musical, which explores the life of Afrobeat pioneer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is set in 1970s Lagos, home of Mr. Kuti, the hottest musician in Africa at the time. He became an international music star in the 1980s, releasing nearly 70 albums before his death in 1997.
Nigeria has been touted by supporters and cast members as the penultimate stop for the production, but dollars, cents and venues are still in play.
"We have an understanding but not an agreement," said co-producer Edward Tyler Nahem. Conversations were held as late as Sunday with potential backers, whom Mr. Nahem declined to name.
The story of the Afro-pop star was celebrated for its choreography, its costume designs and its energetic dancing, but talk of a broader tour comes with reservations.
It isn't uncommon for a Broadway show to hit the European festival circuit, which Bill T. Jones, the director and choreographer of "Fela!," said the musical will do. But he also noted that the show would mark an unprecedented event for Africa, which rarely sees a production of this magnitude.
Already, "Fela!" will make history this month when London's National Theater production of it will be broadcast live at theaters worldwide, including at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The show also will be carried in January and February by theaters in Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Britain and at select American sites.
"Can you imagine? Africans seeing themselves in a Broadway production? And this production has a cast that is 80% African-American and has African-Americans as its producers," said Mr. Nahem.
But a show in Africa could have broader implications. The musical's lyrics are often critical of the Nigerian government, which Mr. Kuti often came up against during his politically charged career. In the 1970s, he built a nightclub and residence, which also served as a platform for criticism of the human-rights abuses perpetrated by Nigeria's military rulers.
In turn, the government burned down the club, the Shrine. The musician lived briefly in exile in Ghana before returning to Nigeria in 1978, where he formed his own political party and ran for president in two elections. He was jailed by the military government more than 200 times. Read more...

Central Bank trys to ensure foreign exchange stability

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said the main thrust of its focus in the new year is to ensure stability in the foreign exchange market.

Lamido Sanusi, the CBN governor, said the position held in 2010 would continue.

“We remain committed to stability in the forex market. We are pleased that we had stability last year,” Mr. Sanusi said in a text message. He added that the bank has made its stance clear at the last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held on November 23, 2010.

At the end of the meeting, the MPC expressed belief that the relative stability in the foreign exchange market is likely to be sustained in the near term.

“The committee would continue to monitor developments in the market to ensure that measures are taken to eliminate speculative demand and exchange rate volatility. The committee continued to urge greater fiscal responsibility and commitment to reforms that will enhance the effectiveness of monetary policy,” it stated in a communiqué.

The Central Bank deployed massively from the country’s foreign reserves to maintain foreign exchange stability in 2010. This led to its depletion, dropping from $42.4 billion at which it opened the year, to $32.35 billion as at December 31, 2010.

Dutch auction continues

The Central Bank also stated that it will continue to adopt the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) in 2011.

In a circular to all authorised foreign exchange dealers last December, it informed that minimum bid amount by an authorised dealer at the bi-weekly auction shall be $500,000.

Meanwhile, the naira is expected to be under a short term pressure until the WDAS auction resumes next week. Some experts, however, say they expect the naira to correct itself once auction resumes. Central Bank carried out its last auction on December 15.

“The Central Bank carried out its last auction on December 15 and it would not be returning to the market till January 8 so what we expect is see short term pressure on the naira,” stated Renaissance Capital, an investment banking firm.

“But we would expect the currency to correct in the new year and possible inflow of dollars by the oil majors. This is a cyclical process rather than structural,” it added.

Bismarck Rewane, managing director, Financial Derivates Company, a financial advisory firm, however, said exchange rate stability would remain as the Central Bank continues to intervene the naira using interest rates as anchor.

“The naira maintained exchange rate stability throughout 2010, though it moved with the acceptable limit of three percent (plus and minus),” Mr. Rewane said.

He added that this stability was achieved at the expense of foreign reserves.

“Slight pressure on the naira would continue, though our projection is for a rate on N153-N154 per dollar by June 2011,” he said.

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Azubuike Ihejirika says "Mammy Market to re-open soon "

The Chief of Army Staff, Azubuike Ihejirika, on Tuesday in Abuja said the Mogadishu Mammy Market is to be re-opened soon for business.

An explosion rocked the market located at the Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja on Dec. 31, 2010.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja yesterday, Mr Ihejirika said the market would be opened once the place was cleaned up and data needed for the investigation compiled and that “the closing time has been nine o clock and this will be maintained but security will be beefed up.

“Life will continue but security will be beefed up that is all,” he said.

The Army Chief said the army was prepared to tackle any security challenge, adding that training was also on-going as there was no amount of preparation that was enough.

Mr Ihejirika explained that training directives have been issued for the 2011 training programme.

“It also embodies the forecast of events for the year and is a detailed programme giving directives to commanders in the field on where to focus their training,” he stated. Read more...

‘Corruption impedes delivery of broadband Internet’

President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, has said access to broadband Internet is a right that should not be denied Nigerians.

Speaking at the 11

th Distinguished Electrical and Electronics Engineers Annual Lecture, Omo-Ettu said the ‘last man’ must have access not only to telephone, but to broadband Internet as a right.

Commending the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on its Wire Nigeria Project and State Accelerated Broadband Initiative aimed at expanding the frontiers of broadband Internet, the ATCON boss said the projects need further reinvigoration as well as new radical initiatives.

He said there was the need to equip every school with functional broadband Internet libraries within the next five years.

He said: "The provision and access to healthcare, education communication, commerce, research and entertainment now and in the future, will be very much dependent on universal broadband penetration.

"In this era, health care will mean people can invite health personnel and be treated in their homes; educational institutions will require high quality network and broadband services for e-learning and Abuja will be as close to Zaria as it is to Abeokuta.

"To genuinely be able to include Nigeria in the global village, the last man¯wherever he resides must have Internet access which is only socio-economically viable via broadband.

"To achieve our aspirations for the last man, broadband penetration, not just availability, is imperative at the places where the last man is and where Internet must be assessed and therefore, where broadband must exist.

"We are, therefore, talking of penetration and not just availability. We should distinguish between access indices and actual access. NCC launched the State Accelerated Broadband Initiative, (SABI) whose understanding to date remains sketchy to me and, dare I say it, perhaps even to the executors.

"While we cannot say those programmes have failed outright, they are, at best, work in progress and therefore, we need to proceed on the basis that they need further refurbishment as well as new radical initiatives."

He noted that corruption in public offices impede the delivery of basic services, broadband Internet inclusive, to the citizenry.

"Corruption and the lack of integrity in public service cripple the delivery of basic government services and aid to citizens who not only need them, but should have them as of right.

"For too long, the justice and effectiveness of public service institutions has been deformed by naked abuse of power, financial debauchery, perversion of justice, election-tampering, and nepotism.

"Beyond the last man having a phone and broadband access, we need ethically aware and competent officials at all levels as they form an integral part of the integrity of the government, business and ultimately, its citizens," Omo-Ettu said.

He called on the government to tap into the potential of the Glo 1 and Main One submarine cables in delivering broadband Internet by appreciating their place in Nigeria’s life and according them recognition and support; including the provision of a broadband stimulus funding.

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Teslim Folarin on arrival at Oyo State

Five days after the murder of Lateef Salako (aka Eleweomo), the factional leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Teslim Folarin, the Senate majority leader, and three others were yesterday arraigned for the murder.

The other accused persons are: Ramoni Jayeoba, Bankole Olaide Raji, and Raimi Ismaila. They were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy to murder and murder of the slain transport union leader.

Eleweomo was killed on Thursday last week during the People’s Democratic Party Congress at Akaran in Ona Ara local government area in Ibadan. He was killed during a fracas at the congress.

Behind bars

Beaming with smile, the Senator was brought to the court premises at 11.24 am amidst tight security. Before his arraignment, he had spent more than 24 hours with the police since he honoured their invitation on Monday.

Mr. Folarin, on Monday, was quizzed for more than three hours by the commissioner of police, Oyo State Command, Baba Adisa Bolanta. He was later driven to the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Iyaganku, and was detained at the station till he was brought to court yesterday.

He, however, was not alone as he was joined by the leader of the opposition against the second term bid of Oyo State governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala; fourth Republic Senator, Lekan Balogun; governorship aspirants of the party, Wole Oyelese and Yekini Adeojo, as well as a former Secretary to the Government in the Rashidi Ladoja administration, Sarafadeen Alli; former vice chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Board, Abass Oloko, and Alli Oyedeji (a.k.a. Alli Dodo), among many others.

The court premises was populated by a crowd of supporters who came to show their support for Mr. Folarin. Armed security men drafted to curtail possible breakdown of law and order had a hectic time controlling the crowd of supporters.

Immediately the accused persons were brought to the court, the Magistrate, Fatima Badrudeen, whose court was still in session, rose and briefly retired to her chambers to allow them settle before going on.

The court resumed some few minutes later to take Mr. Folarin and others’ case. But, unlike the usual practice, the court only read the allegations against the accused persons to their hearings without taking their plea.

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led other 14 lawyers to defend the accused persons.

Mr. Akeredolu wondered why the police had to take the accused to a Magistrate’s Court when they knew quite well that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear criminal matters.

“I am obliged of the charge sheet of this case and I have read through. The offences there are not ones within the jurisdiction of your court. I am sure you are also aware of this. The best your court can do is to take them on holden charge. But we are here before you. You do not need to take their pleas,” he told the magistrate.

Concurring with his argument, Mrs. Badrudeen said she had only asked the court clerk to read their alleged offences to them, and not to take the pleas.

Public humiliation

After reading the offences, Mr. Akeredolu prayed the court to remand the accused persons in Agodi Prison pending the time proper charge will be prepared and brought before a High Court.

The police prosecutor, A. Ojeh, did not object to the prayer, and after consultation between the two parties, they agreed to come back on January 14.

In line with their agreement, the Magistrate ordered that they be remanded in the prison and adjourned the matter till January 14 for mention.

Many supporters of Mr. Folarin, including Mr. Oloko, could not control their emotions. They broke into tears as he was driven out of the court’s premises in a pick-up van belonging to the Nigeria Prisons around 12.23p.m.

Shortly before he was taken away to the prison, Mr. Balogun told the press that Mr. Bolanta had only tricked Mr. Folarin into a public humiliation. He hinted that he had advised Mr. Folarin against showing up in his office on a public holiday, but rather take legal action to enforce his right.

“I warned him. But I think this will toughen him as a politician. Rather than humiliate him, they have made him more popular. You can see how the crowd cheered him,” he said.

Mr. Balogun added that the people will stage a protest against Mr. Bolanta on January 15 to call for his redeployment from Oyo State “before he spoils our state for us.”

He also vowed to fight against the re-election of Mr. Alao-Akala as governor in the next election.

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Delta rerun::building completely burnt down

Commission’s (INEC’s) building in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State was Tuesday razed by unidentified persons.

The building on No 1 Michael Okotie Street, Ughelli, was completely burnt down.

It was alleged that the incident may be connected with the rejection of tomorrow’s election by some groups over INEC’s insistence to use the old voters register

A resident, Austin Omogu, who was at the scene, said lives were no longer secured.

He called on INEC to provide a secure distribution of election materials and collation centres for the rerun.

Another resident, Peter Ogba, who also visited the scene, said some political agents were out to frustrate INEC.

 “I feel so bad that I cannot vote for the candidate of my choice if INEC refuses to conduct the election in the area due to this development,” he said.

The Ughelli Divisional Police Officer, Chris Sogbara, declined comments. 

A group, Delta Democratic Militia Tuesday claimed responsibility for the incident.

In a text message sent to The Nation and signed by Lt Tamuno Labutua, the group said its freedom fighting strike squad carried out the attack.

Labutua said the attack is the first in a series of strikes that would take place across the state.

According to Labutua, “this strike is a very serious warning to INEC, security agencies and all parties that election rigging of any kind shall no longer be tolerated in Delta State. The soul that riggeth shall die.

 “We wish to make it clear that only a free, fair and credible election will be acceptable by Deltans. Only a governor who emerges by popular votes will govern Delta”.

The group threatened to kill the family of INEC officials and security agents.

 He said: “Any attempt by INEC and security agents to rig Delta elections shall mean steady killings of their wives and children, no matter where they are until justice is achieved for the common people of Delta.”

It urged Deltans to defend their votes and make Delta great.

INEC‘s spokesman Levi Uniugwe said the rerun will hold tomorrow despite the threats.

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