Ekweremadu: Before that sentencing on May 5, temper justice with mercy for Sonia’s sake, an appeal to British Justice System

By Cyriacus Nnaji:

From the point of view of a Literary Humanist, I have not come here to apportion blames on the travail of the serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, daughter, a doctor, and Mr Ukpo, but to appeal to the British Justice System to temper justice with mercy as it set to sentence the Ekweremadus’ having found them guilty of organ harvesting. This, I am doing on the basis of consideration of the life of the young lady who, obviously, everyone admitted is down with kidney disease.

I also have not come here to ask questions as to why Ekweremadu and family were abandoned to their fate by both tribe and nation in this trying time, even though a lot of cracks abound in how the Ekweremadus handle the case especially when the case was reported to the police and the entire court process. However, it is obvious the the Ekweremadus were relying on agreement struck between them and Mr Ekpo, the owner of the targeted organ which is the centre of this dispute.

As I stated earlier, the objective of this composition, essay, epistle, letter or correspondence, depending on nomenclature or terminology, is, of course, not to apportion blames to either the British justice system, David Ukpo Nwanmini, whose organ is in the eye of the storm, or the Ekweremadus; my exposition is designed as a representation of humanity angle in what transpired between the young man and the Ekweremadus and perhaps discover if we can still find humanity at the centre of our heart so as to deliver a dying woman, Sonia at no negative cost to anyone involved.

As parents, those of us who have families, in our individual homes, I believe, without being misunderstood, there is hardly anything we cannot do for our children, especially once those children are not found to be criminals, one can even die for sake of children just as Jesus Christ died for humanity, that is the love that runs in the parents for their children. Looking at the Ekweremadu and his wife, when they began this journey of organ transplant for their daughter, I am sure it was to do all that is humanly possible to save their child, Sonia. I am also convinced Ike Ekweremadu did not contract Mr Ekpo to take his organ to do ritual or for meal. We all must establish that fact. Having established that fact, we must not just feign ignorance of our milieu, Nigeria where every good thing is appreciated with gifts, cash, et al, even when the law says otherwise, due to so many considerations, including poverty, those who do good still ask for money before they do good, which from unfolding events is quite different from how things are done in Britain and their kingdom, going by their extant laws on organ harvesting. That does not change the fact that in Nigeria, many willingly offer such organ for money since removing them would not pose any threat to their lives. The above argument must be posed before the judge in sentencing the Ekweremadus. Or better still forgive him because of the circumstances in which he got enmeshed to save his daughter from dying.

In delivering judgement on the case, the Honourable Judge found the Ekweremadus guilty after going through the law, and listening to the prosecutor who availed the court the Whatsapp messages between the doctor and Ekweremadu which incriminated them with intention to buy such organ which is against the British law on organ donation or harvesting. However, I want the same court to come to Nigeria or even mandate the Nigeria police and the Nigerian Communications Commission to avail the court of the interactions between Mr Ekpo and the Ekweremadus in Nigeria culminating to the contract to travel to UK for organ harvesting for the transplant for the Ekweremadu’s daughter. Again this disagreement between Ekpo and the Ekweremadus, at what point did the relationship go sour? Because they were jolly good fellow till it was discovered that Ekpo’s kidney did not match that of Sonia, hence arrangements were being made for the young man’s return to Nigeria, when he decided to nail the Ekweremadu’s, this is the crux of the matter

Ekpo cannot sincerely tell the world that he was unaware of the reason he went to the united kingdom, and on that basis I still insist that NCC oblige court of the voice and mail or even Whatsapp communications, and transactions directly or indirectly related to the conversations between the Ekweremadu’s, Ekpo, the Doctor and even the go between who connected the Ekweremadus and Ekpo, because the senator and Ekpo are in no way related, so how did they come together. Why I took this route is to show that David Ekpo Nwamini is simply a goal digger and the British Justice System must recognize that. He was taken to Britain to donate one of his kidney for onward transplant on Sonia, Ekweremadu’s daughter who is down with kidney disease.

Recall that Sonia dropped out of Newcastle University obviously because of this disease, why haven’t the British sent a kidney donor to this young woman who has been undergoing medical treatment since then. I don’t believe that Britain with their laws would act advertently and in such a manner to feign ignorance of the urgent need to save the life of Sonia.

When the Ekweremadus argued that the said Ekpo is related to them by blood, I assume, and rightly so, that they did so recognizing what the British law said on organ harvesting and the agreement they had with the inglorious young gold digger before he started the journey to Britain.

In Nigeria people go to hospitals to donate blood of even some vital organs they know would save life and still sustain their own life, many do it free but majority do it for money, and I believe, and sincerely too that Mr Ekpo who reported himself to the police as a 16 years old boy, but later he was discovered to be 21 now 22, fell among the latter group, which to many in Nigeria is even commendable since it was aimed at saving life. The turn of events is now where the problem lies. His organ did not match that of Sonia, but rather to come back to Nigeria, he wanted to stay back in Britain. This is the bane of the Ekweremadus.

How did the Ekweremadus come in contact with the young Ekpo, what did the documentation say, Visa, air ticket, telephone conversations among the Ekweremadus, the Ekpo and the go-between because I am convinced that Senator Ekweremadu did not by himself go to the computer village, where the boy was working and took him to Britain.

What went wrong, how come the journey that commenced on a smooth note went awry midway, who reneged on their agreement, who nailed the Ekweremadus, and what is the place of Ekweremadu’s daughter in all this macabre dance?

It started like a huge joke on that fateful day in June, 2022, when the news filtered in that the duo of Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu and wife were arrested in Britain for organ harvesting, not a few people were jolted, the question was then what, when, where and how? A senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a former Deputy Senate President for that matter.

As the story have it, the Ekwerenmadus were looking for kidney for their ailing daughter who has kidney challenge, and Ekpo was contacted to donate his kidney for the young lady. This is what brought the young Ekpo and the Ekwerenmadus together, what went wrong is the million dollar question. From side talk it was gathered that Ekpo's kidney organ did not match that of Ekwerenmadu's daughter, hence the contract was aborted, and as is traditional with the Nigerian elites, the young Ekpo became irritating, and hence must go back to Nigeria.

Ekpo who has tasted the good life in the land of the white man as against the hell he was used to, felt it was a golden opportunity to stay back even though it is through crooked means, even though the revered senator goes down with all his honours, he did not give a damn. What did he do? He reported to the police and claimed ignorance of why he was brought to Britain. This is where he showed himself a gold digger. He also lied about his age when he said he was 16 but it was later discovered he was actually 21 years old, hence he is capable of taking decisions and indeed he knew why he was in Britain.

Bear in mind that organ transplant all across the world is not done with that of goat cow of ram, it is human to human. Many Nigerians donate kidney to close relations and, or those who can pay them, they also donate blood to save lives.

There is a huge line between organ harvesting to save life and organ sale or harvesting for rituals which the British law should be concerned about. Now the question is did the Ekwerenmadus need the kidney to save life? The question is absolutely yes, so why the hullaballoo over Ekpo consenting or not consenting, when indeed he travelled to Britain for a well negotiated deal? I feel for the Ekweremadus seriously.

The embattled former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice and a doctor have now been convicted. They called Mr Ekpo the victim and, a street trader from Lagos, who was brought to the UK last year to provide a kidney in an £80,000 private transplant at the Royal Free Hospital in London. When the trio were convicted, Sonia tearfully hugged her father who was remanded in custody with the others ahead of the May 5 sentencing. I appeal to the Britons to make sure they watch over the young lady so that nothing happens to her advertently or inadvertently.

Organ harvesting law in UK. The United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 frowns at human trafficking under which organ harvesting falls and is punishable with maximum sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction.

The Act partly reads: “Under S. 2, an individual commits an offence if they arrange or facilitate the travel of another with a view to that person being exploited. It is irrelevant whether that person consents to the travel, or whether they are a child or an adult.

“Under S. 3 of MSA 2015, exploitation includes: slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour; sexual exploitation (which involves the commission of an offence under s 1(1)(a) of the Protection of Children’s Act 1978 (indecent photographs of children), or Pt 1 of SOA 2003 (eg, rape or sexual assault); removal of organs where a person is encouraged required or expected to do anything which involves the commission of an offence under ss 32 or 33 of the Human Tissue Act 2004 (prohibition of commercial dealings in organs and restrictions on use of live donors); securing services etc by force, threats or deception; securing services etc from children and vulnerable persons (eg, physically or mentally ill or disabled).”

It further stated that anyone found guilty of “human trafficking is liable on summary conviction to 12 months’ imprisonment and/or unlimited fine,” adding that “on conviction on indictment, the maximum sentence is life.

Ekweremadu has been in detention since June last year.

Let’s also see what the British law says on Human Organ Transplants Act 1989 looking at CHAPTER 31

1. Prohibition of commercial dealings in human organs

(1)A person is guilty of an offence if in Great Britain he—

(a)makes or receives any payment for the supply of, or for an offer to supply, an organ which has been or is to be removed from a dead or living person and is intended to be transplanted into another person whether in Great Britain or elsewhere;

(b) seeks to find a person willing to supply for payment such an organ as is mentioned in paragraph (a) above or offers to supply such an organ for payment;

(c) initiates or negotiates any arrangement involving the making of any payment for the supply of, or for an offer to supply, such an organ; or

(d) takes part in the management or control of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate whose activities consist of or include the initiation or negotiation of such arrangements.

I think the above laws are on the basis of which the Ekweremadus are being convicted and awaiting sentencing.

But as I said before let us save the life of Sonia since Mr Ekpo has found new life at the detriment of a fellow Nigerian in faraway Britain. Inside me, I said how does he feel, laughing, jubilating or how? How altruistic, how truly joyful can he be with another languishing in jail, while he pops Champaign? But I bring you message and appeal from Sonia for assistance, for while Mr Ekpo and his cohorts gladiate and fight over the position of law on Ekpo’s organ, Sonia is still reeling in pain over kidney disease.

Sonia Ekweremadu, daughter of the embattled former Nigerian Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has appealed to members of the public to donate kidney to her.

Sonia, who took to her verified Instagram page on recently, said her present predicament was responsible for her father’s legal travails in the United Kingdom, a development that has complicated matters for her and the family.

In a post titled, ‘Appeal for Kidney Donation by Sonia Ekweremadu’, the 25-year-old UK based Sonia, said upon her recovery, she will dedicate her life helping people with similar kidney challenges.

Sonia wrote: “I, Sonia Ekweremadu, hereby appeal to the general public to come to my aid and save my life.

“I am 25 years old and a graduate of Media and Communications, University of Coventry. I dropped out of my post-graduate studies at the University of Newcastle in 2019 when I was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, FSGS Nephrotic Syndrome. My family has battled to save my life and has taken me to various hospitals, but the illness persisted and kept degenerating. I am alive today by the special grace of God. I am presently in London, UK, receiving 5 Hours of dialysis 3-4 times a week.

 “This is at the expense of my family as I am not qualified for NHS due to my immigration status.

 “The last 3 years have been extremely challenging. The charges being faced by my parents in London presently, are directly connected to my illness and have complicated matter for me and my family.

 “I do not intend to delve into details of this unfortunate development as the matter is still in Court. I am however optimistic that the truth will prevail and it will end in praise to God.

 “In the circumstance above, I am appealing to anybody whom it may please to assist me willingly with a kidney donation in the name of God.

 “This appeal would have been utterly unnecessary as every member of my family is eager to donate their kidney to me, knowing that I would do the same for any of them. Regrettably, comprehensive medical examination showed that my case of nephrotic syndrome is a genetic illness and the doctors advised against donation from any of my family members, as it would likely reoccur.

 “Anybody that is moved by this appeal and wishes to donate his or her kidney to me may send an email to helpsonialive@gmail.com and include his or her name, phone number, email address and place of residence.

“Please, note that under the laws of England and Wales, organ donation must be purely driven by compassion and therefore no reward is involved.

“Finally, I have decided to commit and dedicate myself to helping people with the challenges of kidney disease, upon my full recovery.”

Nnaji, a media practitioner can be reached via newworld.news2017@gmail.com

 

 

 

CIPR holds in-house training session for her members

In a bid to serve the University Community better, increase job satisfaction and improve productivity, the Centre for Information and Public Relations (CIPR) on Friday, 24th March 2023, held an in-house training session for her members at the Centre’s Office on the 3rd Floor, Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building, Main Campus, Ojo, Lagos.

The topic of the training session;“Work Ethics” was discussed by the Acting Coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations (CIPR), Mr. Olaniyi S. Jeariogbe.

Mr. Jeariogbe enlightened members on the work ethics that are very essential for the success of any organization and equally urged them to be friendly with the University's Condition of Service. Some of the work ethics mentioned include but not limited to; appearance, attendance, attitude, character, communication, responsibility, Loyalty teamwork, honesty, fairness, teamwork, integrity, respect and loyalty.

Recalling the Core Values of the Centre which include; professionalism, excellence and passion, the trainer added that employees with strong work ethics are highly motivated and produce high quality results consistently.

Speaking further, the Acting Coordinator said “….let us be reminded that these aforementioned work ethics and values mould us as a people into more responsible and more determined group of individuals, as well as, impacts all the activities of our day to day life”.

Mr. Jeariogbe noted signs of good work ethics to be reliability and dependability; dedication to the job; productivity that doesn’t quit; self discipline; cooperation and teamwork. 

He averred that there is a difference between ethics and professionalism with ethics being the guidelines that states the dos and don’ts in a specific context and professionalism being specific traits that are expected of a professional.

The training session was well attended by members of staff at the Centre who also made meaningful contributions.

At the end of the training session at the Centre, questions were asked and answers were given.

The Chairman, Training Committee, Mr. Dahood Gbadegesin gave the vote of thanks.

 

Fashola has shown he is a nation builder these eight years--Umenzekwe

Hon (Chief) Modestus Umenzekwe (Onwa Achina), a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and member, Federal Housing Authority (FHA); in this interview looks at the Works and Housing Ministry and concludes that the minister who has piloted the affairs of the Ministry these eight years is a performer and nation builder.

Your office falls under Works and Housing, do you think these ministries have performed well under Fashola?

To say that Fashola has performed well is an understatement, Fashola came to the ministry with a great panache, innovation and with a master-plan. He didn’t assume the work on the mantra of trial and error, no, His Excellency Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) came to the ministry well prepared and packaged for the job and he has delivered.    

Eight years on the saddle as a Federal Minister, how would you describe Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola?

It has been eight years of unblemished service to the nation, it has been eight years of service to humanity. It has also been eight years of nation building. So Fashola is such a man that if you decide to talk about him, a big note book is not enough to encapsulate what you want to say about him. He came into limelight when he was appointed the Chief of Staff to Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos. To tell you how tall the man is, at the inception of this administration in 2015, Fashola was given three key ministries, Power, Works and Housing and he excelled. In 2019, the three portfolios were unbundled and pruned down to two, Works and Housing, to avoid weighing him down, after all he is a human being. Of course, you are not a stranger in this country, you see by yourself all his achievements all across the country, the six geopolitical zones bear imprints of his great work. You won't see him talk anyhow, but any time he talks, people take him serious.

Do you think the Ministry of Works and Housing under has done enough? 

I have always said it, whether people like it or not, Fashola’s ministries represent the positive face of Buhari’s administration. In one of my publications I called him Hero of Buhari’s administration. Say whatever you want to say about this administration, criticize it, talk about security, economy, but once you get to Works and Housing, you must crosscheck the records. When you talk of the great achievements of this government, you are indirectly talking about Works and Housing under Fashola, as you can see in various road and bridge constructions and housing facilities sprouting all across the nation. He is a man with a Midas touch, you cannot take it away from him.

The ministry of Works and Housing has done a lot, we all agree, but can you identify some of these achievements for those that do not know?

Let us begin with Housing. The FHA, of course you know, is under the ministry, undertook five key projects, among others within the last five years and delivered within the same period 778 housing units in Oshogbo, Owerri, Gombe, Kaduna, Lagos and Port Harcourt. Also, over 2,200 housing units are currently being completed in Apo, Abuja, Odukpani in Calabar and Yenagoa in Bayelsa State and Awka, Anambra State, many are completed while others are at their completion stage. Also, a total of 764 housing units are been constructed in the Zuba Mass Housing Project site, which is at is completion stage.

The authority is also currently carrying out direct development of 330 units of various house types with complementary infrastructure in six states across the country namely: Awka – Anambra State, Gombe – Gombe State, Makurdi – Benue State and Osogbo – Osun State, among others.

There is also the construction of the 17-storey headquarters of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Abuja which has reached its peak. The N39.2bn project is certainly going to be one of the landmark buildings that will shape and define the skylines of the city of Abuja after its completion. Currently, no less than 4,652 housing units had been completed or ongoing across the six geopolitical zones.

Since this indefatigable master strategist took over the Housing ministry, the federal government policy for mass housing has been strategically reshaped and refocused, from the Mass Housing estate in Zuba, Bwari, Apo/Guzape, Kabusu, it speaks volume.

The FHA proposed head office site at the Central Business District and the Lugbe extension is now a reality.

The Zuba Estate sits on 18 hectares of land and consists of 75 blocks of various house types, with a total of 748 units. It includes 16 units of 1-bedroom blocks of flat, 33 blocks of 2-bedroom flats, 16-blocks of 3-bedroom flats and 5 blocks of 3-bedroom Terrace duplexes. The Kabusu, Shisipe II in Abuja metropolis; the site for the proposed FHA Smart City project sits on 700 hectares of land. The FHA Lugbe extension project is on 190 hectares of land, the FHA Ajoda GRA scheme is a partnership project started in 2020, expected to deliver a total of 896 units of various house types.

Our Progressive government under the auspices of President Muhammadu Buhari, through Fashola has handled about 1,019 roads and bridge projects nationwide and even within 18 days towards the end of 2021, it commissioned 941 kilometers of roads connecting 10 states across five geo-political zones which are impacting positively on the lives of the people in many more ways.

I want you to further break it down, so that we can really see in clear terms what the ministry has done or still doing in terms of your claims

Okay, let’s start with the Southeast. I always tell people, when you put a detribalized person in office he would carry out his job without fear or favour, President Muhammadu Buhari and Babatunde Raji Fashola have been most exemplary in this regard, despite what happened in 2015 and 2019, the southeast still got a fair share from the infrastructure distribution by the Federal Government of Buhari. The ministry in the past seven years executed Sections 1 to 4 of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway,  Construction of Ihiala-Orlu Road in Isseke Town-Amafuo-Ulli with Spur (Ihiala-Orlu-Umuduru Section) in Anambra State;  Rehabilitation of Oba-Nnewi-Okigwe Road Route Section II:  Anambra/Imo States Border-Ibinta-Okigwe Road; Construction of Oseakwa Bridge in Anambra State; Rehabilitation of Old Enugu – Port-Harcourt Road (Agbogugu-Abia Border Spur to Mmaku); Rehabilitation of Nsukka-Obollo-Ikem-Ehamufu-Nkalagu Road in Enugu State; and many others.

Remember the master class project, the Second River Niger Bridge which consists of two secondary bridges at Amakom Village Road and Atani Road, as well as approach roads from Asaba and Onitsha, a new cloverleaf interchange at Onitsha-Owerri Road, and a toll station. There is the completion and commissioning in 2018 of the Zik Mausoleum in Awka, Anambra State, 22 years after construction started.

Now in the Southwest, there are series of maintenance work on the Third Mainland Bridge, Falomo Bridge, Ojuelegba Bridge because Lagos has the most bridges in the country. We have more than 67 road projects in Southwest. The roads include 19 in Lagos State, 14 in Oyo State, 12 in Osun State, nine in Ogun and Ondo states. Of the 67 projects, 19 are roads maintenance, excluding the regular repairs carried out by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA). Apart from the massive construction on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Benin-Ore-Ajebamidele-Shagamu road and Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta expressway, abandoned for years, there is the critical 35km Tin Can Island-Mile two-Oshodi road awarded to Dangote Construction Company; this is a 10-lane highway constructed with concrete, are you with me? Should I go on?

Go Head…

Let’s go to the South-south. The joint border bridge in Ekok/Mfum, Cross River State which is a major international link to Cameroon; Ikom Bridge which is a gateway to the northern part of the country through Katsina-Ala in Benue State had all been completed, Obudu Road in Benue and Cross River States. The Bonny-Bodo project construction which has four major bridges and eight minor ones are done and dusted. We also have the Isaac Boro Bridge in Rivers State. The East-West road project was added to the ministry’s already studded road project portfolio. The road is a 328 kilometre road that starts from Effurun in Delta State and transverses the Niger Delta, Rivers State and ends up in Oron in Akwa-Ibom State, while Section 5 of the road is from Oron to Calabar in Cross River State.

In North Central, the APC Government is on Loko-Oweto Bridge in Benue; Langtang-Wase Bridge in Plateau; We repaired Tantawu Bridge, we finished that in Niger State; Iddi Bridge connecting Benue and Taraba States together; we are also in Ilorin-Jebba Road, among others. There is also the rehabilitation of Vandeikya-Obudu-Obudu Cattle Ranch Road (Vandeikya-Obudu Section) in Benue.

In Northeast, we have the Azare – Potiskum Road in Bauchi and Yobe States; we are on Chanchangi Bridge, we’re on Konto-kafi Bridge, we are on Langtang-Wase Bridge. The rehabilitation of Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari Road, Section II, are credits to APC.

Northwest is not left out, there is the rehabilitation of Sokoto-TambuwaI-Jega-Kontagora-Makera Section in Sokoto and Kebbi States, length put at 155km, we have the Kebbi-Sokoto-Kontagora-Jega – Yawuri Road in Sokoto and Kebbi States; Shuarin-Azare Road in Jigawa; the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria-Kano Road; dualisation of the Kano-Katsina road phases I and II in Kano and Kaduna States. There is also the Kano-Maiduguri Road linking Kano-Jigawa-Bauchi-Yobe and Borno States Section II, 177.77 km, and also the Tamburawa Bridge in Kano.

How was the ministry able to fund some of these projects considering the economic downturn?

It is a sign of a leader who is driven and propelled by ideas. Let me shock you, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in February, 2022 received a cheque of N210billion of SUKUK funding for the execution of critical road projects across the country, two other Ministries benefited from a total of N250 billion 2021 SUKUK. The SUKUK, which is a form of Public Private Partnership (PPP), was among the funding options adopted by the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari to fund the construction of critical roads in Nigeria.

It will also interest you that at the presentation ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, gave an account on how his ministry spent the previous SUKUK funds given to the ministry. According to him the first SUKUK funds of N100 billion, released in 2017, 25 roads, covering 482 kilometres length were delivered; the second SUKUK of 2018 had 28 roads covering 643 kilometres length delivered, while the third SUKUK funds of N162 billion covered 44 highway and bridge projects with the total length of 757 kilometres covered across the nation.

In all, the FG has raised N742.56 billion Sukuk Fund for construction and rehabilitation of roads across the country since Fashola came to the saddle. This is between 2017 and 2022, while the latest Sukuk fund released in February, 2023, saw the Ministry of Works and Housing receiving a whopping N110billion out of total of N130billion.

So these are just part of our landmark projects and when you look at the man behind the mask, Fashola, he appears so quiet and gentle, you will not hear noise; he goes about doing his job in such a detribalized manner.

Fashola did not disappoint when he was in Lagos as Governor?

He is full of innovation. Recall, when a skyscraper caved in on Marina, Lagos, there was hysteria everywhere as people were worried on how to bring down the building without hurting the people and environment, but Fashola deployed an implosive device that brought down the building without hurting anybody. Up till date Lagosians still testify that Fashola is a good man with good ideas.

Apart from education being free, he bought textbooks for students, paid WAEC and NECO fees for students. So good work is in his DNA.

 

 

Samson Congratulate Tayo Ayinde Chief of staff to Governor on poll Victory

Dr Frederick Fasehun's Man, A former National UPN Secretary  and the Former Governorship Candidate in 2019 General Election  in Lagos State, Now the Current Director Inter-Party Affairs Directorate ICC. Prince Adewale Samson, has felicitated with the Governor – Elect, HE, Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu and the DG ICC Hon Tayo Ayinde who also is the Chief of staff to the Governor, over their victory in the Presidential and Gubernatorial elections respectively.

Samson Adewale, who made these remarks in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary , Mr. Smart Ofonyiri , described Asiwaju Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu’s Election as resounding and well – deserved, adding that the outcome of both presidential and Lagos State Gubernatorial elections reflected the wishes of the majority of the people.

He noted that the electoral victory recorded by the APC at both the Federal and Lagos State levels was in tandem with the trust reposed in the Party, assuring that the people’s wish for greatness would be actualized by the APC and the Country would be restored to its esteemable glory.

While wishing Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu a successful tenure in the Presidency and Lagos State respectively, the Inter-Party Affairs Directorate Director, thanked all the members of his Directorate Inter-Party Affairs and all Opposition Political Parties, Chairmen and their Guber Candidates for voting the APC and  their support for the much desired renewed hope, stating that the APC administration at both the Federal and State levels was set to ensure that the needed infrastructure for the over – all development of the country are put in place.

The Director equally appreciated the onerous contributions of the entire members of the FPP, RAIN, CPLG, CODE - PP, COPPILS, CRPP and many other bodies engaged by Inter-Party Affairs Directorate ICC, for ensuring the actualization of the victory of the President-Elect and the Lagos State Governor – Elect.

He stated that Nigerians in general were appreciative of the human and material resources deployed by the IPA ICC (Inter-Party Affairs - Independent Campaign Council) in promoting the aspirations of both Asiwaju Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu and other APC Candidates in the various elections via media promotions, text messages and inter – personal campaigns.

Samson Adewale further stressed that his Directorate strongly promoted the aspirations of the party’s candidates across Lagos State based on the Directorate’s independent assessment, which adjudged both Asiwaju Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu the best Candidates for the Presidential and Lagos State Governorship race respectively, noting that the APC government would do the Country proud by bringing about the much expected accelerated development in the performance of agriculture, education, healthcare delivery system, road infrastructure, improvement in electricity supply, virile economy and other social services.

” I have implicit confidence in the ability of both the President – Elect and the lagos State Governor- Elect to ensure the proper harnessing of both the human and material resources in their respective areas of jurisdiction in order to turn them into fortunes”, prince Adewale Samson said. 

We also rise in Accord with others to specially congratulate the pragmatic Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Hon. Tayo Ayinde on this momentous victory. Our exegetic review of the just concluded Elections shows that his distinction between Politics and Governance is legendary. The land-mark achievement he brought to bear  immensely gave APC the desired victory and we are appreciative of that. His sleepless nights, several strategic meetings and consultations before, during and after the electioneering processes has written his name on the list of the hall of fame anent his professional expertise during the election. Posterity will treat him well.

We are set to unite, restore respect to military, Commander Kenneth Garuba assures Nigerians, urges citizens to shun crimes, injustice

Assistant Commandant General, Leader of Nigerian Anti-Conflict Peace--Keeping Service, Kenneth Garuba, has urged Nigerians to shun crime and injustice as the two would never let the Nigerian state to develop.

Garuba was speaking to Journalists during the training of the Anti-Crime body at Agor Palaceway in Lagos on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

In his message to Nigerians, Commander Garuba said while advising Nigerians to shun crime and injustice stated that Anti-Conflict body was ordained by God to sensitise Nigerians to avoid crime, “Nigerians should be avoiding crime, because crime can never grow this country, crime can never make good thing to grow in this country, so my message to all Nigerians, they should let their children know, the fathers and mothers, should try to make sure they avoid crime, that is my message to Nigerians. Crime cannot help us at all, injustice cannot help us at all, covering what is bad, cannot help us at all. And now God is not happy, that is why God raise this body to put those things in order.”

Garuba who is Squad Commander in Nigerian Navy also spoke on the on the objectives of establishing the Anti-Conflict body, “Our mandate is to bring unity, from every arm of government, from Nigerian Army, Navy, Air-force, Police, and all that, we want to unite them, so that that space we created that make a lot of problems to enter, we want to cover it. And with togetherness we can cover that space. So one of our mandates is to unite all the armed men to see their love and return that respect of 70s, 80s, 90s, that respect we all know that the military carry at that time. We want to return it because for now, we in Anti-Conflict found out that that respect is gone, from every arm of government, all the armed forces including paramilitaries, that respect is gone. Now they are fighting and dragging themselves publicly, it was not like that before, so we want to make sure we cover that space.

“Secondly we are also security personnel; that is why you see uniform on us signed by the Federal Minister of Interior, so we are also training to be part of the people that do security job in Nigeria. We were also given a mandate of early warning, we pass warning by getting information from the community, getting information from the state, getting information from everywhere. So our duty is to pass early warning to every arm of government so that they will know how to ensure that conflict does not come. These are the things we stand for. Security, protection of lives and property, all these ones have been signed for us to take care of,” Garuba disclosed.

While stating that his organization is raising commanders in the 36 states of the federation, Garuba added that the group is recognized by the military hierarchy. “The process of Anti-Conflict started from, first registering it with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), we have approval from the CAC before we started and we furthered, because of the uniform and the security part of it, we further registered it with the Federal Ministry of Interior, and every arm of the federal ministry of interior acknowledge it under which you find all the paramilitaries. So all these things, we have the document even up to date. In Lagos here being the headquarters, anything we do we relate to all the army chiefs in Lagos, every barracks, police station, and CP of Lagos State, we also alert them. So they are aware of this body.”

Speaking on the qualification for admission into the body he said, “At Anti-Conflict we found out that age matters a lot, but your age doesn’t matter for now, from 50 years down, we can push you in, all we need from you is what God planted inside your brain that can benefit Nigeria; that is what we need from you. But this year we are trying to see how we can review that age requirement, we are trying to make it to 17 to 30 years.

“Other qualifications like BSc, BA we needed all these qualifications because most of the assignments or mandate of Anti-Conflict needs writing, so we need them, and we also need people that are trained in handiwork, because they have what Nigeria can benefit from, those that learn mechanic, carpentry, electricians, all those things, we can equally take them in,” Garuba said.  

He stated that Anti-Conflict started in 2018 in Lagos as Anti-Conflict Initiative, “From Initiative they push it to Anti- Conflict Awareness, now we are in Ant-Conflict Peace Keeping Service, we are now into service, all these started from 2018. And we are doing it voluntarily, just like that within that period of 2018/2019 to 2020 until when we started the process, then we are now seeing the value, the Ministry of Interior now give us service and gave us the assignment, division of labour, so we see now that they needed the army, police, everybody to be together so that we can carry out the job together.”

On membership of the body, he said “For now we are still running in thousands, this is the headquarters, and other states are still given us some numbers, and currently, this 2023, we are still having in mind that definitely, God will touch the youths, because we really want to use this body to subdue crime, so we are hoping by June, 2023, a large number will come from the youth, because the body was set up because of the youths.”

He added that the organization remained voluntary and “We are also pressing hard so that our bill gets to the National Assembly. We are just waiting for the election, let them finish and those elected to be sworn in, then we push our bill, and for now we pay ourselves.”

Speaking on where he intends to see the group in the next 5 years, he said “When you talk about next two, three years, in my own desire, I want this organization to be carried along with all Nigerian people within six months, one year, so by next five years the whole Nigerian youths have already have a hope of getting job, getting hope of what to do, and I think that is my expectation.”

On what disqualifies a person from being a member of the Anti-Conflict body, “For anyone that wants to join, first of all, let’s start from education, you must have your school certificate, graduates are allowed, if you have your master it is also allowed, but the main thing we can never take at all is stealing, it is against this body. If we find out that you are a thief, we cannot recruit you, even if you deceive us to enter, by the time we find out, we remove you. When we find out that you fight unnecessarily, you use the uniform to oppress people, instead of using the uniform to bring justice to every Nigerian people both men and women. So we are just trying to make sure that all those symptoms that bring the integrity of Nigeria down, we don’t have it, stealing, lying, fighting unnecessarily, injustice, if we find out that you have it, we can never allow you to be inside this body.”

                

2023 General Election: LASU Centre for Yoruba Studies holds Round-table discussion on Language, identity, and Governance

Centre for Yoruba Studies, Lagos State University (LASU) has held a Roundtable Discussion on Language, identity and governance.

The event which was held on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Central Language Laboratory, Faculty of Arts, Main Campus, Ojo, Lagos has the topic: Language, identity, and governance: A critical Discourse on Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s Statement ‘I Don’t Think in Yoruba’.

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour was the Labour Party candidate in the just concluded Governorship election in Lagos State, he was caught on a television interview during his campaigns saying ‘I don’t think in Yoruba and that statement has generated discussions across the state.

Addressing the media, one of the conveners, Dr Ahmed Adesanya, Acting Director, Centre for Yoruba Studies said the essence of the Roundtable was to discuss a major issue arising from the political situation in Nigeria, especially during the Governorship Election in Lagos State whereby one of the candidates, in answering questions in a broadcast media said ‘I don’t think in Yoruba.’ “We are here to discuss a major issue arising from the political situation in Nigeria, especially during the Governorship Election in Lagos State. One of the candidates, in answering questions in a broadcast media said ‘I don’t think in Yoruba’. So we have brought that in the public space, so that the people can talk about it, they will give us their various views, so that it can help us and it can help the masses, it is just a matter of connection between the town and gown, whatever happens here will be brought to the public domain.”

He said the Roundtable was to raise consciousness in the people to understand their culture, language, and understand their identity. He said, “Language as a medium of identity has been pushed to the background, but with this roundtable, we want to raise consciousness in our people to understand their culture, language, understand their identity, and of course, all these things should be interconnected.”

Speaking on the mother tongue policy of Lagos State which stressed the need to teach the child with Yoruba from Primary to Junior Secondary School Level, he disclosed that the language policy is clear, adding that what the policy targeted was the local language of the child, “The policy is not saying Yoruba or Hausa, the policy says the child’s local language should be used to teach that child especially at the primary school education. So it is clear.”

A linguistic expert, Prof. Harrison Adeniyi, Department of Linguistics, LASU, (Immediate National President, Linguistics Association of Nigeria) spoke on what he titled ‘Language, Thought and Identity: A Reflection on Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s Statement; “I don’t think in Yoruba.”

Analysing Gbádébò͕ Rhodes-Vivours's Statement; 'I don't think in Yorùbá’ Adeniyi said such response showed that Vivour sees Lagos as a cosmopolitan State and possibly that there is no need for him or the people to speak Yoruba in Lagos State. “From the above statement, we can deduce the following: The language is primordial, hence archaic; Lagos is a cosmopolitan state with no need to speak Yoruba; attending schools at MIT, Nottingham and the University in France should exclude him from speaking Yoruba; He will not give the Yoruba language any attention if and when elected̀; it is apparent that he is enmeshed mentally in the English language and possibly other European languages too; Yoruba is not part of his identity, and finally, he doesn’t know whom he is.

“Given the avalanche of resources that have been committed to the development of Yoruba language by the State Government and by extension the culture, which also include John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, among many others,  everything would likely go down the drain if  Mr. Gbádébò͕ Rhodes-Vivors gets to the position of authority.

While speaking on the linguistic profile of Lagos State, he emphasized that Yorùbá is a major language of Lagos State, adding that apart from being Yorùbá settlements and though, cosmopolitan in nature, there are more speakers of Yorùbá in Lagos and every day, even as non-speakers aspire to learn the language. He also stated that Lagos has three major dialects, Àwórì, Íjébú and Èkó.

He called for a Law to provide for the preservation and promotion of the use of Yorùbá language and for connected purposes including teaching of Yorùbá Language as a core subject at all levels of primary and secondary schools in the state; ensuring that all the laws in the state would be translated into Yorùbá Language; that all state-owned tertiary institutions should incorporate the use of Yorùbá language in the General Studies (GNS) courses, the use of Yorùbá Language should be an acceptable means of communication between individuals, establishment, corporate entities and government in the state if so desired by the concerned, and it should not be an offence for a person to speak Yorùbá language by the state government.

Another Discussant, Henry J. Hunjo, PhD, Department of English, Faculty of Arts, delivered a paper he titled ‘Rhodes-Vivour’s Members’ Resources and the Dilemma of Acceptability’.

Hunjo stated that the confession by Vivour has generated a lot of reactions: some negative, others positive, and concluded that his paper would dwell on implication of Vivour’s statement.  

He replayed what transpired between Gbadebo-Rhodes Vivour, and the Channels Television’s interviewer wherein Vivour was asked “But if you plan to unify, you know, Lagos, do you feel conflicted or do you feel that you'll be unable to since you don't speak the language?” and Vivour responded “Not at all. Lagos is a cosmopolitan state and the fact of the matter is not as though I don't understand Yoruba or I cannot speak it. My intonations are funny, people laugh at me and I don't think in Yoruba. Right? I went to school at MIT, I went to school in Nottingham, I went to school in France, I went to school…“

Analysing the interaction between Vivour and Channels, the linguistic expert deduced that the implication of Vivour’s explanation was that Lagos is a cosmopolitan state, he is a product of the cosmopolitan culture; he knows there is a language called Yoruba; he is unable to speak because he feels excluded for the fact that people mock him, adding that when he said ‘I don't think in Yoruba’ it means his sociocultural development does not include social practice of the Yoruba and that he views the world with other languages.

According to Hunjo the Political implications include Challenges of Acceptability by the people of Lagos, Difficulty in being included in the sociocultural practices of the indigenous people of Lagos e.g. traditional religion, Exclusion from activities that require integration, Combating feelings of exclusion dealing with peers that are proficient in the use of Yoruba.

Hunjo in the end called for Adherence to the recommendation of the NPE that children should be taught in their mother tongue from primary one to three; Ensuring that children acquire their mother tongue before they are sent to formal school at the age of six; The use of indigenous languages at home should be encouraged, adding that to school in overseas countries could rob one of knowledge of indigenous cultures.

Speaking on the objectives of the Roundtable, he said “We have learnt that language aids self-disclosure; we now know that meaning of utterances are derived from speaker’s Members’ Resources. Using Rhodes-Vivour’s Members’ Resources we discovered the silences in his utterance, the need to develop mother tongues from indigenous languages in places of one’s dwelling has been emphasized.

 

 

LASU members of staff, students resume full academic activities on Tuesday, 21st March 2023

In compliance with the executive approval granted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji – Bello, on behalf of the University Senate, for the new resumption date, members of staff and students of the Lagos State University resumed academic and administrative activities on Tuesday, 21st March 2023.

Recall that the University Senate, following the Ministerial directive on the closure of all Universities and Inter University Centres during the 2023 general elections, had earlier instructed members of staff and students to vacate the campus on Thursday, 23rd February 2023 and to resume on Tuesday, 14th March 2023. 

However, the resumption date was later extended to Tuesday, 21st March 2023, due to the postponement of the Gubernatorial and States House of Assembly general elections.

In view of the above, all members of staff are expected to resume work at 8:00a.m and close at 4:00p.m daily as stated in the conditions of service, while students are to resume to continue their examinations and academic activities as scheduled.

Idimogu congratulates Hon Ladi Ajomale over his well-deserved victory at the Poll

Hon Sir (Dr) Jude Chukwuemeka Idimogu, Member Lagos State House of Assembly has Congratulated Ladi Ajomale over his overwhelming electoral victory.

Idimogu said in a statement from his SA on Media Mr Henry Uzodinma, shortly after Hon Ladi was declared winner in the House of Assembly election in Lagos State on Saturday, that all lovers of democracy must salute the resilience of the people of the state who stood in defence of their votes.

The Lawmaker added that the electorate would not rallied behind Hon Ajomale if he had not made appreciable impact in their lives in one way or the other in the Constituency.

He further advised him to remain focused on good representation to the good people of Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 2 and not to get distracted, and also pray God to furnish him with more wisdom and understanding to pilot the affairs in his new office.

 

Nurses Across the Borders congratulate Oborevwori, hopes to sustain relationship with Delta State on Climate Change

Nurses Across the Borders, a humanitarian initiative both in Nigeria and the United States of America has congratulated the Governor-elect of Delta State, Rt. Honourable Sheriff Francis Oborevwori.

In a press statement released to the media on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, the Initiative under the leadership of Pastor Peters Omoragbon, called the victory of Oborevwori a hard earned and merited victory.

Omoragbon who is also a Permanent Representative to the United Nations, averred that the contributions and experience of the governor-elect as a two-term Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly stood him out as a tested and proven administrator and leader. He said “Your antecedents as a two-time Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly under the leadership of another erudite and progressive Governor of Delta State-Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa stood you out as a tested and proven administrator and leader to be guaranteed the victory you got on March 18, 2023 after a keenly contested election.”

Omoragbon who is the President, Diaspora Nurses Association of Nigeria & Director International Liaison, Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association, UK, said the association is happy to relate with Delta State on Climate Change and hoped to sustain it. “We are happy to be associated with the government of Delta State, especially in the areas of sustainable development as it relate to the climate change campaign demonstrated with our joint activities at the UNFCCC COP 27, at El Sheikh, Egypt  November, 2022 and hoped it will be sustained and maintained.”

He added that the Delta State by virtue of its costal positioning will benefit from a robust Partnership with Nurses Across the Borders on climate change and public health in the UNFCCC negotiating processes and activities and can independently initiate and execute programs and projects that will advance the capacity of its workforce and improve upon the efficient delivery of healthcare services to the state in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

“The opportunities for these are so vast and NAB is strategically positioned to provide the needed leverage with its technical expertise, networking and collaborations globally,” Omoragbon stated.