Monday, 11 March 2013
How biotechnology can boost livestock production
Livestock account for one-third of Nigeria’s Agricultural GDP, providing income, employment, food, farm energy, manure and transport. Livestock production if properly handled can boost our economy, there is the need to use biotechnology to improve the quality and quantity of meat, milk and eggs consume to feed Nigerians and even export surplus overseas.
Developing countries like Nigeria is faced with the challenge of feeding its growing population, there is urgent need to balance it rapidly with increase in agricultural productivity. The country has to look toward to enhancing its livestock productivity.
Nigeria’s indigenous animal’s especially local chickens, goats, sheep, rabbits, guinea fowls etc can yield and produce more if biotechnology is adapted in to the process. In the Northern part of the country there are local chickens in almost every household in the rural areas. The local chicken productivity has been neglected due to introduction of foreign chicken popularly known as “Agric chickens”. With the application of Biotechnology the way they lay their eggs can be improved and also to enhance their quantities in much larger numbers.
If biotechnology can be allowed to play its role in the country, health challenges that are normally encountered by our local chickens during harmattan in some cases almost all the chicken in an area is wiped away because of the harsh wealth can be addressed.
Negligence has led to low production of Goat, sheep, cattle in the country and leading to shortage of beef for local consumption as large numbers are imported into the country from our neighbours.
Livestock like rabbits, turkeys, and ducks can be produced in large quantities to compliment the normal means of providing meat and eggs, but so far no efforts are put in place by both private and public sector to increase their productivity.
If Biotechnology is commercialised in Nigeria, it will provide new tools for improving human health, welfare and increase in livestock production. And it also enhances the ability to detect, treat and prevent diseases.
by Shehu Mustapha Chaji
08038222575
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Shugaba Jonathan : Kyan Alkawari .......
Da Shugaba Goodluck Ebele Jonathan ya zabi yabi shawarwarin da mafi yawan yan Nijeriya suka bashi na kin shiga zaben shekara ta 2011 a matsayin dan takara da kasar bata shiga halin rudani da tsaka mai wuya da ta sami kanta a ciki a yanzu ba. Tun kafin ma ya fito karara ya nuna aniyarsa ta tsayawa takara kawunan yan kasa ya rabu tsakanin yan – arewaci da yan kudanci.
A shekarar 1999 da sojoji zasu mika ragamar mulki ga yan siyasa bisa tsarin mulkin farin hula yan siyasa a lokacin suka amince su baiwa yan kudancin Nijeriya dama su fidda shugaban kasa daga sashin su saboda su huce kan matsalar da tsohon Shugaban Kasa Janar Ibrahim Babangida ya jefa kasar kan rushe zaben 12 ga watan June na 1993 inda ake kyautata zaton Marigayi Cif M.K.O Abiola ne ya lashe zaben. A zaben na 1999 Cif Olusegun Obasanjo na jam’iyyar PDP da Cif Olu Falae na APP/AD kadai suka tsaya takaran neman shugabancin kasa. Daga baya bayanai sun fito kan yadda jam’iyyar PDP ta tsara karba karba tsakanin kudanci da arewacin Nijeriya. Jam’iyyar ta shirya jarjejeniya a ind sashin kudu zasu yi shekaru takwas sannan arewacin kasa suma su dana har na tsawon shekaru takwas.
Bayan rasuwar tsohon Shugaban Kasa marigayi Umaru Musa Yar’adua, aka rantsar da Mataimakin sa Dakta Goodluck Jonatan a matsayin Shugaban Kasa. Sabanin tunanin mafi yawan yan Najeriya inda suka zaci Jonathan zai maida hankali gun cika alkawarukkan da gwamnatin su ta dauka kamar kudurori bakwai da samar da wutar lantarki da sa ido bisa ahuwan da aka yiwa tsagerun Neja Delta da sauran su. Sai kawai suka wayi gari Shugaba Jonathan yasa kafa take yarjejeniyar dake tsakanin kudu da arewa a jam’iyyar sa ta PDP . Ya fito karara ya nuna cewa kundin tsarin mulkin Nijeriya ya bashi damar tsayawa takara. Duk da masu kira a gare shi kar ya tsaya takara sun fito sunyi nuni da cewa a gaban sa aka tsara yarjejeniyar a likacin yana Mataimakin Gwamnan Jihar Bayelsa.
In zamu koma baya a shekarar 1976 da aka kashe marigayi Janar Murtala Mohammed inda Janar Olusegun Obasanjo ya gaje shi duk da cewa tsarin mulkin kasa ta bashi dama na iya kwabe kakin sa ya shiga takara baiyi haka ba saboda mutumtaka . Haka ma a shekarar 1999 da Janar Abdulsalam Abubakar zai mika mulki ga farin hula shima bai nuna zalama da karanta ya fake da zancen tsarin mulkin kasa ta bashi dama ya tsaya takara ba. Shi yasa masu nazari kan siyasar Najeriya ke ganin cewa shima Shugaba Jonathan duk da dokar kasa ta bashi damar tsayawa takara amma tunda akwai yarjejeniya shima ya kamata ya hakura da takara ya maida hankali wajen gudanar da ingantattcen zabe.
Wasu yan Najeriya na ganin baima kamata Shugaba Jonathan ya nemi takara ba tunda su a ganin su babu wasu ayyuka na cigaba da inganta rayuwar talaka da za’a ce kai tsaye talakawa sun amfana dashi ba .Suna kawo tabarbarewan tsaro da karuwan cin hanci da rashawa da almubazaranci da dukiyar kasa da rashin hanyoyi masu kyau dake sanadiyar rasa rayuka da rashin ingantattacen asibitoci da magunguna da makarantu da sauran su. Koda yake magoya bayan Jonathan na ganin cewa in aka bashi lokaci ya kafa tsare-tsaren da nan gaba in yan Nijeriya suka bashi dama zasu darge musamman kan ayyukan cigaban kasa.
Yan Arewacin Najeriya na korafin cewa Shugaba Jonathan na dakile ayyukan da zasu kai yankin su ga cigaba kamar yin kafar angulu ga yashe kogin kwara da dakatar da aiki jirjin kasa da cire yan yakin daga muhimman mukamai yana maye su da wasu daga yankin da ya fito ko zuwa wani bangaren. Sannan uwa uba rawar da suke zargin sa da takawa wajen kare kungiyar MEND da ta dauki alhakin kai tagwayen hare hare a birnin Abujaduk da sun fito sunyi ikirarin haka. Sannan tsohon madugun kungiyar MEND a hirar da tashar talabijin ta aljazira tayi dashi yace wani na hannun daman Shugaba Jonathan ya nemi yayi wa kuniyar MEND bayanin cewa suce babu hannun su a harin sannan yace wasu yan Arewa ne ke bayan harin.A takaice wasu yan Arewa na gain mulkin Shugaba Jonathan yafi karkata ga dadadawa wani bangare na kasar sannan bai dauki dukkan al’ummar Nijeriya a matsayin jama’ar sa ba.
Lokaci har yanzu bai kurewa Shugaba Jonathan ba na ko ya girmama yarjejeniyar da jam’iyyar sa ta PDP ta gindaya ba na mulki ya koma Arewa a zaben 2011 ta tsayar da dan takara daga Arewa. Najeriya kasa ce mai tarin kabilu da addinai da ra’ayoyi mabanbanta saboda haka tsarin karba karba tsari ne dake taimakawa wajen dunkulewan kasar mu a matsayin al’umma daya. In kuma har ya dage sai ya tsaya takara a karkashin jam’iyyar PDP to sai ayyukan sa a fannin cigaban kasa su fidda shi in jama’a na bukatar ya cigaba da mulki ko a’a.
Amma wasu yan Nijeriya na ganin abinda yafi dacewa shine Shugaba Jonathan ya hakura da takara zuwa nan gaba domin ya sami damar gudanar da zaben da mafi yawan yan Nijeriya zasu amince dashi . Koba komai dattijantaka da mutumtaka na cika ne in babba ya kasance mai cika alkawari. Yan jam’iyyar sa ta PDP nada dama ko su amince masa ya tsaya takara ko kuma su nemi ya girmama tsarin karba karba da suke kanta tun shekarar 1999.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
A shekarar 1999 da sojoji zasu mika ragamar mulki ga yan siyasa bisa tsarin mulkin farin hula yan siyasa a lokacin suka amince su baiwa yan kudancin Nijeriya dama su fidda shugaban kasa daga sashin su saboda su huce kan matsalar da tsohon Shugaban Kasa Janar Ibrahim Babangida ya jefa kasar kan rushe zaben 12 ga watan June na 1993 inda ake kyautata zaton Marigayi Cif M.K.O Abiola ne ya lashe zaben. A zaben na 1999 Cif Olusegun Obasanjo na jam’iyyar PDP da Cif Olu Falae na APP/AD kadai suka tsaya takaran neman shugabancin kasa. Daga baya bayanai sun fito kan yadda jam’iyyar PDP ta tsara karba karba tsakanin kudanci da arewacin Nijeriya. Jam’iyyar ta shirya jarjejeniya a ind sashin kudu zasu yi shekaru takwas sannan arewacin kasa suma su dana har na tsawon shekaru takwas.
Bayan rasuwar tsohon Shugaban Kasa marigayi Umaru Musa Yar’adua, aka rantsar da Mataimakin sa Dakta Goodluck Jonatan a matsayin Shugaban Kasa. Sabanin tunanin mafi yawan yan Najeriya inda suka zaci Jonathan zai maida hankali gun cika alkawarukkan da gwamnatin su ta dauka kamar kudurori bakwai da samar da wutar lantarki da sa ido bisa ahuwan da aka yiwa tsagerun Neja Delta da sauran su. Sai kawai suka wayi gari Shugaba Jonathan yasa kafa take yarjejeniyar dake tsakanin kudu da arewa a jam’iyyar sa ta PDP . Ya fito karara ya nuna cewa kundin tsarin mulkin Nijeriya ya bashi damar tsayawa takara. Duk da masu kira a gare shi kar ya tsaya takara sun fito sunyi nuni da cewa a gaban sa aka tsara yarjejeniyar a likacin yana Mataimakin Gwamnan Jihar Bayelsa.
In zamu koma baya a shekarar 1976 da aka kashe marigayi Janar Murtala Mohammed inda Janar Olusegun Obasanjo ya gaje shi duk da cewa tsarin mulkin kasa ta bashi dama na iya kwabe kakin sa ya shiga takara baiyi haka ba saboda mutumtaka . Haka ma a shekarar 1999 da Janar Abdulsalam Abubakar zai mika mulki ga farin hula shima bai nuna zalama da karanta ya fake da zancen tsarin mulkin kasa ta bashi dama ya tsaya takara ba. Shi yasa masu nazari kan siyasar Najeriya ke ganin cewa shima Shugaba Jonathan duk da dokar kasa ta bashi damar tsayawa takara amma tunda akwai yarjejeniya shima ya kamata ya hakura da takara ya maida hankali wajen gudanar da ingantattcen zabe.
Wasu yan Najeriya na ganin baima kamata Shugaba Jonathan ya nemi takara ba tunda su a ganin su babu wasu ayyuka na cigaba da inganta rayuwar talaka da za’a ce kai tsaye talakawa sun amfana dashi ba .Suna kawo tabarbarewan tsaro da karuwan cin hanci da rashawa da almubazaranci da dukiyar kasa da rashin hanyoyi masu kyau dake sanadiyar rasa rayuka da rashin ingantattacen asibitoci da magunguna da makarantu da sauran su. Koda yake magoya bayan Jonathan na ganin cewa in aka bashi lokaci ya kafa tsare-tsaren da nan gaba in yan Nijeriya suka bashi dama zasu darge musamman kan ayyukan cigaban kasa.
Yan Arewacin Najeriya na korafin cewa Shugaba Jonathan na dakile ayyukan da zasu kai yankin su ga cigaba kamar yin kafar angulu ga yashe kogin kwara da dakatar da aiki jirjin kasa da cire yan yakin daga muhimman mukamai yana maye su da wasu daga yankin da ya fito ko zuwa wani bangaren. Sannan uwa uba rawar da suke zargin sa da takawa wajen kare kungiyar MEND da ta dauki alhakin kai tagwayen hare hare a birnin Abujaduk da sun fito sunyi ikirarin haka. Sannan tsohon madugun kungiyar MEND a hirar da tashar talabijin ta aljazira tayi dashi yace wani na hannun daman Shugaba Jonathan ya nemi yayi wa kuniyar MEND bayanin cewa suce babu hannun su a harin sannan yace wasu yan Arewa ne ke bayan harin.A takaice wasu yan Arewa na gain mulkin Shugaba Jonathan yafi karkata ga dadadawa wani bangare na kasar sannan bai dauki dukkan al’ummar Nijeriya a matsayin jama’ar sa ba.
Lokaci har yanzu bai kurewa Shugaba Jonathan ba na ko ya girmama yarjejeniyar da jam’iyyar sa ta PDP ta gindaya ba na mulki ya koma Arewa a zaben 2011 ta tsayar da dan takara daga Arewa. Najeriya kasa ce mai tarin kabilu da addinai da ra’ayoyi mabanbanta saboda haka tsarin karba karba tsari ne dake taimakawa wajen dunkulewan kasar mu a matsayin al’umma daya. In kuma har ya dage sai ya tsaya takara a karkashin jam’iyyar PDP to sai ayyukan sa a fannin cigaban kasa su fidda shi in jama’a na bukatar ya cigaba da mulki ko a’a.
Amma wasu yan Nijeriya na ganin abinda yafi dacewa shine Shugaba Jonathan ya hakura da takara zuwa nan gaba domin ya sami damar gudanar da zaben da mafi yawan yan Nijeriya zasu amince dashi . Koba komai dattijantaka da mutumtaka na cika ne in babba ya kasance mai cika alkawari. Yan jam’iyyar sa ta PDP nada dama ko su amince masa ya tsaya takara ko kuma su nemi ya girmama tsarin karba karba da suke kanta tun shekarar 1999.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Monday, 23 August 2010
PDP, NORTH AND 2011 ELECTIONS
The clamour for PDP to respect its zoning agreement has turn to a national issue that even non- party members are involved. The leadership of PDP has not done enough or even worked toward protecting the rights and interest of North and Northerners that are its card carrying members. Why can’t they tell President Goodluck Jonathan that he cannot contest on its platform if he still insists on contesting the 2011 elections?
When in the late 1990’s the people of Southern part of Nigeria continuously agitate for return of power to the South especially after the annulment of June 12, and with the death of General Sani Abacha, the then Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar in collaboration with some Northern elites zoned power not only to the South, but to the South-west in particular.
The three political parties then, PDP, APP (now ANPP) and AD all accepted zoning. The PDP’s presidential candidate was Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the APP/AD alliance produce Chief Olu Falae as its presidential candidate. The 1999 election was between Southerners in the presidential election, which was a sacrifice by all Nigerians for unity, peace and brotherhood for the sake of the country to remain as one indivisible entity.
As for the PDP it is now an open secret that the party had zoned power between North and South for the period of eight years each. As for the Southern part of Nigeria they had enjoyed fully their period of eight years. The North with the death of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua could not even complete the first four years intact. As the Northerners and other Nigerians in PDP expects that by 2011 elections, another Northerner will emerge as the party’s flag bearer in presidential election. But unfortunately, personal ambition, selfishness and greediness is been pursued at the expense of national unity and cohesion.
Either Nigerians like it or not zoning is now part of our national life. Who have ever contested Nigeria’s presidency and pick his Vice from his hometown because of competency? Why are political parties, student’s bodies, labour unions, professional bodies etc leadership are been rotated among members that are from the North and South? The PDP consolidated zoning in our political life. When former Speaker of Federal House of Representatives Alhaji Salisu Buhari was removed, his deputy did not replace him, but another Northerner in person of Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba replaced him as Speaker. Subsequently as Senate Presidents Chief Evans Ewerem, Dr. Chuba Okadibgo, Chief Anyim Pius Ayim, Chief Adolphus Wabara, Chief Ken Nnamani were impeached or fell out politically their deputies never replaced them, but their kinsmen from the South-east. Even when the first female Speaker in House of Representatives Madam Patricia Etteh was removed, she was replaced by a kinsman from South-west Alhaji Dimeji Bankole.
During the Obasanjo’s administration that PDP’s Chairmanship was zoned to North-central, and as Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Dr. Ahmadu Ali completes their tenures or removed their deputies had never replaced them. When late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua came on board and the PDP’s chairmanship was zoned to South-east , Prince Vincent Ogulafor emerged and as he was booted out , he was replaced by another kinsman from South –east in person of present Chairman of PDP chief Okwesilizie Nwodo, Ogulafors deputy did not replaced him.
Though the PDP’s leadership and President Jonathan insist that the zoning debate is its internal issue, but why shouldn’t other Nigerians express their opinion as the party is about to oppress its own members from the Northern part of the country? Are the Northerners in PDP not Nigerians enough to also enjoy what their Southern counterparts enjoyed for eight years plus Jonathan’s presidency? And are they not humans that an agreement entered with them should be respected?
The Northerners in PDP should not relent in their effort to claim what is their right. The Northern Governors, party big wigs and presidential aspirants of Northern extraction i.e General Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar must collectively ensure that their party respects its zoning agreement.
And the zoning issue is an opportunity for Babangida and Atiku to set the record straight as they collectively work toward power shift to the South in 1999 and 2003. It is now the turn of the North, will they be intimidated and allow the agreement to be abandon half way? What will history say about them if they fail to protect the interest of the North at this crucial moment?
Will President Goodluck Jonathan respect and abide by his party’s zoning arrangement? And will the PDP leadership find their voice and be able to stand by its rotational arrangement? What will be the reaction of PDP’s members from the North? Only time will tell as events unfold.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
When in the late 1990’s the people of Southern part of Nigeria continuously agitate for return of power to the South especially after the annulment of June 12, and with the death of General Sani Abacha, the then Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar in collaboration with some Northern elites zoned power not only to the South, but to the South-west in particular.
The three political parties then, PDP, APP (now ANPP) and AD all accepted zoning. The PDP’s presidential candidate was Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the APP/AD alliance produce Chief Olu Falae as its presidential candidate. The 1999 election was between Southerners in the presidential election, which was a sacrifice by all Nigerians for unity, peace and brotherhood for the sake of the country to remain as one indivisible entity.
As for the PDP it is now an open secret that the party had zoned power between North and South for the period of eight years each. As for the Southern part of Nigeria they had enjoyed fully their period of eight years. The North with the death of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua could not even complete the first four years intact. As the Northerners and other Nigerians in PDP expects that by 2011 elections, another Northerner will emerge as the party’s flag bearer in presidential election. But unfortunately, personal ambition, selfishness and greediness is been pursued at the expense of national unity and cohesion.
Either Nigerians like it or not zoning is now part of our national life. Who have ever contested Nigeria’s presidency and pick his Vice from his hometown because of competency? Why are political parties, student’s bodies, labour unions, professional bodies etc leadership are been rotated among members that are from the North and South? The PDP consolidated zoning in our political life. When former Speaker of Federal House of Representatives Alhaji Salisu Buhari was removed, his deputy did not replace him, but another Northerner in person of Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba replaced him as Speaker. Subsequently as Senate Presidents Chief Evans Ewerem, Dr. Chuba Okadibgo, Chief Anyim Pius Ayim, Chief Adolphus Wabara, Chief Ken Nnamani were impeached or fell out politically their deputies never replaced them, but their kinsmen from the South-east. Even when the first female Speaker in House of Representatives Madam Patricia Etteh was removed, she was replaced by a kinsman from South-west Alhaji Dimeji Bankole.
During the Obasanjo’s administration that PDP’s Chairmanship was zoned to North-central, and as Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Dr. Ahmadu Ali completes their tenures or removed their deputies had never replaced them. When late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua came on board and the PDP’s chairmanship was zoned to South-east , Prince Vincent Ogulafor emerged and as he was booted out , he was replaced by another kinsman from South –east in person of present Chairman of PDP chief Okwesilizie Nwodo, Ogulafors deputy did not replaced him.
Though the PDP’s leadership and President Jonathan insist that the zoning debate is its internal issue, but why shouldn’t other Nigerians express their opinion as the party is about to oppress its own members from the Northern part of the country? Are the Northerners in PDP not Nigerians enough to also enjoy what their Southern counterparts enjoyed for eight years plus Jonathan’s presidency? And are they not humans that an agreement entered with them should be respected?
The Northerners in PDP should not relent in their effort to claim what is their right. The Northern Governors, party big wigs and presidential aspirants of Northern extraction i.e General Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar must collectively ensure that their party respects its zoning agreement.
And the zoning issue is an opportunity for Babangida and Atiku to set the record straight as they collectively work toward power shift to the South in 1999 and 2003. It is now the turn of the North, will they be intimidated and allow the agreement to be abandon half way? What will history say about them if they fail to protect the interest of the North at this crucial moment?
Will President Goodluck Jonathan respect and abide by his party’s zoning arrangement? And will the PDP leadership find their voice and be able to stand by its rotational arrangement? What will be the reaction of PDP’s members from the North? Only time will tell as events unfold.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
PDP, NORTH AND 2011 ELECTIONS
The clamour for PDP to respect its zoning agreement has turn to a national issue that even non- party members are involved. The leadership of PDP has not done enough or even worked toward protecting the rights and interest of North and Northerners that are its card carrying members. Why can’t they tell President Goodluck Jonathan that he cannot contest on its platform if he still insists on contesting the 2011 elections?
When in the late 1990’s the people of Southern part of Nigeria continuously agitate for return of power to the South especially after the annulment of June 12, and with the death of General Sani Abacha, the then Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar in collaboration with some Northern elites zoned power not only to the South, but to the South-west in particular.
The three political parties then, PDP, APP (now ANPP) and AD all accepted zoning. The PDP’s presidential candidate was Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the APP/AD alliance produce Chief Olu Falae as its presidential candidate. The 1999 election was between Southerners in the presidential election, which was a sacrifice by all Nigerians for unity, peace and brotherhood for the sake of the country to remain as one indivisible entity.
As for the PDP it is now an open secret that the party had zoned power between North and South for the period of eight years each. As for the Southern part of Nigeria they had enjoyed fully their period of eight years. The North with the death of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua could not even complete the first four years intact. As the Northerners and other Nigerians in PDP expects that by 2011 elections, another Northerner will emerge as the party’s flag bearer in presidential election. But unfortunately, personal ambition, selfishness and greediness is been pursued at the expense of national unity and cohesion.
Either Nigerians like it or not zoning is now part of our national life. Who have ever contested Nigeria’s presidency and pick his Vice from his hometown because of competency? Why are political parties, student’s bodies, labour unions, professional bodies etc leadership are been rotated among members that are from the North and South? The PDP consolidated zoning in our political life. When former Speaker of Federal House of Representatives Alhaji Salisu Buhari was removed, his deputy did not replace him, but another Northerner in person of Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba replaced him as Speaker. Subsequently as Senate Presidents Chief Evans Ewerem, Dr. Chuba Okadibgo, Chief Anyim Pius Ayim, Chief Adolphus Wabara, Chief Ken Nnamani were impeached or fell out politically their deputies never replaced them, but their kinsmen from the South-east. Even when the first female Speaker in House of Representatives Madam Patricia Etteh was removed, she was replaced by a kinsman from South-west Alhaji Dimeji Bankole.
During the Obasanjo’s administration that PDP’s Chairmanship was zoned to North-central, and as Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Dr. Ahmadu Ali completes their tenures or removed their deputies had never replaced them. When late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua came on board and the PDP’s chairmanship was zoned to South-east , Prince Vincent Ogulafor emerged and as he was booted out , he was replaced by another kinsman from South –east in person of present Chairman of PDP chief Okwesilizie Nwodo, Ogulafors deputy did not replaced him.
Though the PDP’s leadership and President Jonathan insist that the zoning debate is its internal issue, but why shouldn’t other Nigerians express their opinion as the party is about to oppress its own members from the Northern part of the country? Are the Northerners in PDP not Nigerians enough to also enjoy what their Southern counterparts enjoyed for eight years plus Jonathan’s presidency? And are they not humans that an agreement entered with them should be respected?
The Northerners in PDP should not relent in their effort to claim what is their right. The Northern Governors, party big wigs and presidential aspirants of Northern extraction i.e General Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar must collectively ensure that their party respects its zoning agreement.
And the zoning issue is an opportunity for Babangida and Atiku to set the record straight as they collectively work toward power shift to the South in 1999 and 2003. It is now the turn of the North, will they be intimidated and allow the agreement to be abandon half way? What will history say about them if they fail to protect the interest of the North at this crucial moment?
Will President Goodluck Jonathan respect and abide by his party’s zoning arrangement? And will the PDP leadership find their voice and be able to stand by its rotational arrangement? What will be the reaction of PDP’s members from the North? Only time will tell as events unfold.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
When in the late 1990’s the people of Southern part of Nigeria continuously agitate for return of power to the South especially after the annulment of June 12, and with the death of General Sani Abacha, the then Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar in collaboration with some Northern elites zoned power not only to the South, but to the South-west in particular.
The three political parties then, PDP, APP (now ANPP) and AD all accepted zoning. The PDP’s presidential candidate was Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the APP/AD alliance produce Chief Olu Falae as its presidential candidate. The 1999 election was between Southerners in the presidential election, which was a sacrifice by all Nigerians for unity, peace and brotherhood for the sake of the country to remain as one indivisible entity.
As for the PDP it is now an open secret that the party had zoned power between North and South for the period of eight years each. As for the Southern part of Nigeria they had enjoyed fully their period of eight years. The North with the death of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua could not even complete the first four years intact. As the Northerners and other Nigerians in PDP expects that by 2011 elections, another Northerner will emerge as the party’s flag bearer in presidential election. But unfortunately, personal ambition, selfishness and greediness is been pursued at the expense of national unity and cohesion.
Either Nigerians like it or not zoning is now part of our national life. Who have ever contested Nigeria’s presidency and pick his Vice from his hometown because of competency? Why are political parties, student’s bodies, labour unions, professional bodies etc leadership are been rotated among members that are from the North and South? The PDP consolidated zoning in our political life. When former Speaker of Federal House of Representatives Alhaji Salisu Buhari was removed, his deputy did not replace him, but another Northerner in person of Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba replaced him as Speaker. Subsequently as Senate Presidents Chief Evans Ewerem, Dr. Chuba Okadibgo, Chief Anyim Pius Ayim, Chief Adolphus Wabara, Chief Ken Nnamani were impeached or fell out politically their deputies never replaced them, but their kinsmen from the South-east. Even when the first female Speaker in House of Representatives Madam Patricia Etteh was removed, she was replaced by a kinsman from South-west Alhaji Dimeji Bankole.
During the Obasanjo’s administration that PDP’s Chairmanship was zoned to North-central, and as Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Barnabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Dr. Ahmadu Ali completes their tenures or removed their deputies had never replaced them. When late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua came on board and the PDP’s chairmanship was zoned to South-east , Prince Vincent Ogulafor emerged and as he was booted out , he was replaced by another kinsman from South –east in person of present Chairman of PDP chief Okwesilizie Nwodo, Ogulafors deputy did not replaced him.
Though the PDP’s leadership and President Jonathan insist that the zoning debate is its internal issue, but why shouldn’t other Nigerians express their opinion as the party is about to oppress its own members from the Northern part of the country? Are the Northerners in PDP not Nigerians enough to also enjoy what their Southern counterparts enjoyed for eight years plus Jonathan’s presidency? And are they not humans that an agreement entered with them should be respected?
The Northerners in PDP should not relent in their effort to claim what is their right. The Northern Governors, party big wigs and presidential aspirants of Northern extraction i.e General Ibrahim Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar must collectively ensure that their party respects its zoning agreement.
And the zoning issue is an opportunity for Babangida and Atiku to set the record straight as they collectively work toward power shift to the South in 1999 and 2003. It is now the turn of the North, will they be intimidated and allow the agreement to be abandon half way? What will history say about them if they fail to protect the interest of the North at this crucial moment?
Will President Goodluck Jonathan respect and abide by his party’s zoning arrangement? And will the PDP leadership find their voice and be able to stand by its rotational arrangement? What will be the reaction of PDP’s members from the North? Only time will tell as events unfold.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Jonathan And His Enemies
It all started like a dream , late President Umaru Musa Yar'adua was hospitalized, Jonathan became Acting President and when he died (Yar'adua)even before his corpse left Aso Rock for burial Jonathan was sworn – in as President. As he settle to work so as to try his best in solving Nigeria's numerous problems, godfathers , praise singers and opportunist distracted him by encouraging him to discard the PDP's gentleman agreement on power zoning and rotation which he himself was a witness to the agreement as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan seem to be attempting to miss the great and golden opportunity to be among the greatest men in the world courtesy of conducting a free and fair election that he is not a participant. The cabal that surrounded him held him hostage, and retinues of money seekers in the names of Goodluck Jonathan for President 2011 are all over his pockets to try to get what they can.
Jonathan is surrounded by men and women that envy him and may be scheming to destroy his name, reputation, prestige and dignity. If not, why can't they sincerely advise him to shelve his presidential ambition to some distant future? Already there is an agreement which every noble and respected person usually fulfills his part. And those campaigning for him have already sold him wrongly using tribe, region and religion which led to overheating the polity. Even the sellers of Jonathan project for 2011 are people of questionable character, jesters and have failed in all previous projects they champion for late General Sani Abacha's live presidency and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo's third term, and does President Jonathan have the kind of money that can satisfy their thirst for naira in championing his cause?
We already have a tradition in this country that it is not honorable for any one occupying presidential office when his principal is dead to contest for elections. General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1979 can contest as the Nigerian constitution did not stop him but he decided to fulfill the promise of his principal late General Murtala Muhammed. General Abdulsalam Abubakar also did not contest in 1999 after General Sani Abacha died, his principal even as he can transform himself, but instead he followed the path of honour and handed over power to Obasanjo. Is there any constitutional provision that stops Obasanjo in 1979 and Abubakar in 1999 from contesting? Like Obasanjo 1979, Abubakar 1999, will Jonathan 2011 who his principal also died with his party zoning the presidency to North for 8 years honour the agreement and refuse the temptation to hold on to power ?
2011 scheming have occupied President Jonathan that if he leaves office next year he can hardly pin –point any achievements of his administration. Unemployment, Insecurity, roads that are death traps, corruption, ill-equip hospitals and poorly motivated doctors etc are increasing by the day. Workers are not paid their salaries and in some cases more than two years and yet he can spend billions on festivities and presidential jets ! Like previous governments, Jonathan's administration did not make any difference. And to be candid and frank, Nigerians are tired of Jonathan led administration. Nigerians are praying and hoping that it will come to an end by May next year.
President Goodluck Jonathan has already exposed himself and all political calculations predict his defeat woefully at the poll come 2011 if he decides to contest. From his state of origin Bayelsa to other parts of the country there's no state he can confidently boast that he can win in a free and fair election.
Will President Jonathan listen to wise counsels of Nigerians that he should respect his party zoning agreement? And he should stop over heating the polity by his presidential ambition. Already due to Jonathan's ambition, Nigerians are now dividing along religious, tribal and regional lines.
And if President Jonathan has confidence of what he is doing is right about contesting for presidency come 2011, why is he handling it like the way late Abacha did on Tazarce (Tenure elongation) and Obasanjo on third term? It is not late for President Jonathan to disassociate himself from all campaigns for his continuity in office and to declare those that refuse to stop as enemies. Nigeria is above our personal interest and its peaceful co-existence is the most important. A word is enough for the wise.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan seem to be attempting to miss the great and golden opportunity to be among the greatest men in the world courtesy of conducting a free and fair election that he is not a participant. The cabal that surrounded him held him hostage, and retinues of money seekers in the names of Goodluck Jonathan for President 2011 are all over his pockets to try to get what they can.
Jonathan is surrounded by men and women that envy him and may be scheming to destroy his name, reputation, prestige and dignity. If not, why can't they sincerely advise him to shelve his presidential ambition to some distant future? Already there is an agreement which every noble and respected person usually fulfills his part. And those campaigning for him have already sold him wrongly using tribe, region and religion which led to overheating the polity. Even the sellers of Jonathan project for 2011 are people of questionable character, jesters and have failed in all previous projects they champion for late General Sani Abacha's live presidency and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo's third term, and does President Jonathan have the kind of money that can satisfy their thirst for naira in championing his cause?
We already have a tradition in this country that it is not honorable for any one occupying presidential office when his principal is dead to contest for elections. General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1979 can contest as the Nigerian constitution did not stop him but he decided to fulfill the promise of his principal late General Murtala Muhammed. General Abdulsalam Abubakar also did not contest in 1999 after General Sani Abacha died, his principal even as he can transform himself, but instead he followed the path of honour and handed over power to Obasanjo. Is there any constitutional provision that stops Obasanjo in 1979 and Abubakar in 1999 from contesting? Like Obasanjo 1979, Abubakar 1999, will Jonathan 2011 who his principal also died with his party zoning the presidency to North for 8 years honour the agreement and refuse the temptation to hold on to power ?
2011 scheming have occupied President Jonathan that if he leaves office next year he can hardly pin –point any achievements of his administration. Unemployment, Insecurity, roads that are death traps, corruption, ill-equip hospitals and poorly motivated doctors etc are increasing by the day. Workers are not paid their salaries and in some cases more than two years and yet he can spend billions on festivities and presidential jets ! Like previous governments, Jonathan's administration did not make any difference. And to be candid and frank, Nigerians are tired of Jonathan led administration. Nigerians are praying and hoping that it will come to an end by May next year.
President Goodluck Jonathan has already exposed himself and all political calculations predict his defeat woefully at the poll come 2011 if he decides to contest. From his state of origin Bayelsa to other parts of the country there's no state he can confidently boast that he can win in a free and fair election.
Will President Jonathan listen to wise counsels of Nigerians that he should respect his party zoning agreement? And he should stop over heating the polity by his presidential ambition. Already due to Jonathan's ambition, Nigerians are now dividing along religious, tribal and regional lines.
And if President Jonathan has confidence of what he is doing is right about contesting for presidency come 2011, why is he handling it like the way late Abacha did on Tazarce (Tenure elongation) and Obasanjo on third term? It is not late for President Jonathan to disassociate himself from all campaigns for his continuity in office and to declare those that refuse to stop as enemies. Nigeria is above our personal interest and its peaceful co-existence is the most important. A word is enough for the wise.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
Friday, 21 May 2010
Janar Babangida na cikin tsaka- mai -wuya
Masu goyon bayan Janar Babangida suna ganin cewa a lokacinsa ya samar da ci gaba ta fannoni da dama kamar su hukumar samar da aikin yi (N.D.E),Bankin talakawa (People’s Bank),hukumar kare haddura(FRSC),hukumar raya karkara (DEFRI),hukumar wayar da kan matasa (MAMSA) gina tagwayen hanyoyi kamar na Kaduna zuwa Kano,kafa jam’iyyu da ba su kudaden tafiyar da su,hukumar wayar da kan mata (Better Life) da sauran su .
Suna ganin cewa in har Babangida ya sake dawowa bisa kujerar mulki to zaa sami ci gaba fiye da wanda aka samu a lokacin da yake mulki irin na kama karya ta soja.Kuma suna ganin cewa in shi ya bata to a ba shi dama ya zo ya gyara.
Akwai masu ganin cewa kafin ma Babangida ya fito takara ana da bukatar ya yi wa `yan Najeriya cikakken bayani game da irin rawar da gwamnatinsa ta taka wajen soke zaben June 12 , yadda aka yi da sama da Dala biliyan goma sha-biyu na rarar man fetur, gaskiyar zancen yunkurin juyin mulkin marigayi Mamman batsa da kashe shi , shigar Najeriya kungiyar O.I.C da maida huldar jakadanci da kasar Isra’ila, da kuma uwa uba karbo bashi daga bankin duniya wato I.M.F, dora Najeriya bisa tafarkin S.A.P da ake ganin shi ya karya darajar Naira da kuma jefa Najeriya a halin da take ciki a yanzu.
Amma babban abin tambaya ga shi Babangida da magoya bayansa shi ne a yaushe shi janar din ya amince da kuma yarda da tsarin dimokuradiyya? Domin a lokacin sa ya kawo tsare-tsaren da ya yi wa dimokaradiyya targade ko kuma a ce ya karyata. A lokacinsa ne jam’iyyun N.R.C da S.D.P suka gudanar da zaben fidda gwani wanda Malam Adamu Ciroma a jam’iyyar N.R.C da marigayi Janar Shehu Musa Yar’aduwa ya lashe a jam’iyyar S.D.P sai kawai ba tare da wani muhimmin bayani ba ya rushe zaben nasu.
Haka ma Babangida ya sa `yansiyasa da al’ummar kasa sake shiryawa da fitowa sabon zaben da aka tsara na shugaban kasa a inda Alhaji Bashir Tofa na jam’iyyar N.R.C da marigayi Cif M.K.O Abiola na jam’iyyar S.D.P suka tsaya takara . Ana cikin ba da rahotannin sakamakon zaben, kwatsam sai Babangida ya soke zaben ba tare da wani kwakkwaran dalili ba. Rigingimun da suka biyo baya shi ya tilasta masa sauka daga kan mulki ba da shiri ba, bayan shekara takwas.
Soke zaben June 12 ya jefa Najeriya cikin wani yanayin rikici da tashin hankalin siyasar da tun yakin basasar Najeriya ba a taba fuskantar irin wannan yanayi ba. Tirjewar da kabilar Yarbawa suka yi na an soke zaben da dan uwansu ya dauki hanyar lashewa yasa a zaben 1999 aka barwa Yarbawa su kadai suka tsaya takara wato Cif Olu Falae da Cif Olusegun Obasanjo. Sanin kowa ne yadda Janar Babangida ya taka rawa wajen ganin cewa Cif Obasanjo shi ya lashe zaben.
A shekara bakwai da Shugaba Obasanjo ya yi yana mulki, sau nawa Janar Babangida ya fito domin kare talakawa daga manufofin gwamnatin da suke takura talaka da jefa talakawa cikin halin ni-` yasu? Shin da `yan Arewa suke ta koken cewa wannan gwamnatin na danne su, Babangida ya fito ya samar masu sauki?
Janar Babangida ya shaidawa `yan Najeriya cewa babu gudu , babu ja da baya, zai fito takarar neman Shugabacin kasa a zaben 2011 . Masu nazari kan harkokin siyasa na ta tsokaci kan rawar da Janar din zai taka wanda zai iya kai shi ga samun nasara ko faduwarsa a zabe. Tun zangon farko na wa’adin Shugaba Obasanjo masoya da magoya bayan Babangida suke ta kira gare shi ya fito amma Janar din ya yi bayanin cewa shi ba zaiyi takara da Shugaba Obasanjo ba.
Wani abin murna da farin ciki shi ne cewa fitowar ire-iren su Janar Babangida na tabbatar da dorewar tsarin dimokuradiyya a wannan kasa wanda mulkin soja ya ja mata tsaiko ga ci gaba ta fanin siyasa , zamantakewa da bunkasar tattalin arzikin kasa .
Zaben 2011 ya zama kalubale ga Janar Babangida domin ya riga ya furta cewa lallai zai fito . Dole cikin abubuwa uku a sami daya , ko dai ya ki fitowa takara wanda zai tabbatar da zancen manazartan harkokin siyasa cewa Janar Babangida matsoraci ne a fagen siyasa na gwagwarmayan neman al’umma ta mara masa baya ya kaiga darewa kan kujerar mulkin Najeriya a tsarin dimokuradiyya. Kai, in har ya fito takara aka kada shi a zaben to alkadarinsa ta karye a yadda al’umma suke ganin sa a wani dodon bango mai bada tsoro. Ko in ya fito takara har ya kai ga lashe zaben to ya tabbatar wa al’ummar Najeriya da duniya baki daya cewa shi ne mutumin da ya fi tasiri a siyasar wannan karni, ba a Najeriya kadai ba, har ga Afirka gabaki daya . Kuma wannan shi zai ba shi babbar dama na gyara sunansa a tarihin siyasar Najeriya domin mutanen Najeriya da dama suna ganin shi ne ya jefa Najeriya a halin da ta tsinci kanta a ciki har yanzu.
Dabara ta rage ga mai shiga rijiya , mu talakawa fatanmu shi ne Allah Ya ba mu shugaba nagari wanda zai fidda talaka daga halin kuncin da ya sami kansa a ciki .
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
08038222575
Suna ganin cewa in har Babangida ya sake dawowa bisa kujerar mulki to zaa sami ci gaba fiye da wanda aka samu a lokacin da yake mulki irin na kama karya ta soja.Kuma suna ganin cewa in shi ya bata to a ba shi dama ya zo ya gyara.
Akwai masu ganin cewa kafin ma Babangida ya fito takara ana da bukatar ya yi wa `yan Najeriya cikakken bayani game da irin rawar da gwamnatinsa ta taka wajen soke zaben June 12 , yadda aka yi da sama da Dala biliyan goma sha-biyu na rarar man fetur, gaskiyar zancen yunkurin juyin mulkin marigayi Mamman batsa da kashe shi , shigar Najeriya kungiyar O.I.C da maida huldar jakadanci da kasar Isra’ila, da kuma uwa uba karbo bashi daga bankin duniya wato I.M.F, dora Najeriya bisa tafarkin S.A.P da ake ganin shi ya karya darajar Naira da kuma jefa Najeriya a halin da take ciki a yanzu.
Amma babban abin tambaya ga shi Babangida da magoya bayansa shi ne a yaushe shi janar din ya amince da kuma yarda da tsarin dimokuradiyya? Domin a lokacin sa ya kawo tsare-tsaren da ya yi wa dimokaradiyya targade ko kuma a ce ya karyata. A lokacinsa ne jam’iyyun N.R.C da S.D.P suka gudanar da zaben fidda gwani wanda Malam Adamu Ciroma a jam’iyyar N.R.C da marigayi Janar Shehu Musa Yar’aduwa ya lashe a jam’iyyar S.D.P sai kawai ba tare da wani muhimmin bayani ba ya rushe zaben nasu.
Haka ma Babangida ya sa `yansiyasa da al’ummar kasa sake shiryawa da fitowa sabon zaben da aka tsara na shugaban kasa a inda Alhaji Bashir Tofa na jam’iyyar N.R.C da marigayi Cif M.K.O Abiola na jam’iyyar S.D.P suka tsaya takara . Ana cikin ba da rahotannin sakamakon zaben, kwatsam sai Babangida ya soke zaben ba tare da wani kwakkwaran dalili ba. Rigingimun da suka biyo baya shi ya tilasta masa sauka daga kan mulki ba da shiri ba, bayan shekara takwas.
Soke zaben June 12 ya jefa Najeriya cikin wani yanayin rikici da tashin hankalin siyasar da tun yakin basasar Najeriya ba a taba fuskantar irin wannan yanayi ba. Tirjewar da kabilar Yarbawa suka yi na an soke zaben da dan uwansu ya dauki hanyar lashewa yasa a zaben 1999 aka barwa Yarbawa su kadai suka tsaya takara wato Cif Olu Falae da Cif Olusegun Obasanjo. Sanin kowa ne yadda Janar Babangida ya taka rawa wajen ganin cewa Cif Obasanjo shi ya lashe zaben.
A shekara bakwai da Shugaba Obasanjo ya yi yana mulki, sau nawa Janar Babangida ya fito domin kare talakawa daga manufofin gwamnatin da suke takura talaka da jefa talakawa cikin halin ni-` yasu? Shin da `yan Arewa suke ta koken cewa wannan gwamnatin na danne su, Babangida ya fito ya samar masu sauki?
Janar Babangida ya shaidawa `yan Najeriya cewa babu gudu , babu ja da baya, zai fito takarar neman Shugabacin kasa a zaben 2011 . Masu nazari kan harkokin siyasa na ta tsokaci kan rawar da Janar din zai taka wanda zai iya kai shi ga samun nasara ko faduwarsa a zabe. Tun zangon farko na wa’adin Shugaba Obasanjo masoya da magoya bayan Babangida suke ta kira gare shi ya fito amma Janar din ya yi bayanin cewa shi ba zaiyi takara da Shugaba Obasanjo ba.
Wani abin murna da farin ciki shi ne cewa fitowar ire-iren su Janar Babangida na tabbatar da dorewar tsarin dimokuradiyya a wannan kasa wanda mulkin soja ya ja mata tsaiko ga ci gaba ta fanin siyasa , zamantakewa da bunkasar tattalin arzikin kasa .
Zaben 2011 ya zama kalubale ga Janar Babangida domin ya riga ya furta cewa lallai zai fito . Dole cikin abubuwa uku a sami daya , ko dai ya ki fitowa takara wanda zai tabbatar da zancen manazartan harkokin siyasa cewa Janar Babangida matsoraci ne a fagen siyasa na gwagwarmayan neman al’umma ta mara masa baya ya kaiga darewa kan kujerar mulkin Najeriya a tsarin dimokuradiyya. Kai, in har ya fito takara aka kada shi a zaben to alkadarinsa ta karye a yadda al’umma suke ganin sa a wani dodon bango mai bada tsoro. Ko in ya fito takara har ya kai ga lashe zaben to ya tabbatar wa al’ummar Najeriya da duniya baki daya cewa shi ne mutumin da ya fi tasiri a siyasar wannan karni, ba a Najeriya kadai ba, har ga Afirka gabaki daya . Kuma wannan shi zai ba shi babbar dama na gyara sunansa a tarihin siyasar Najeriya domin mutanen Najeriya da dama suna ganin shi ne ya jefa Najeriya a halin da ta tsinci kanta a ciki har yanzu.
Dabara ta rage ga mai shiga rijiya , mu talakawa fatanmu shi ne Allah Ya ba mu shugaba nagari wanda zai fidda talaka daga halin kuncin da ya sami kansa a ciki .
Shehu Mustapha Chaji
shehuchaji@yahoo.com
08038222575
Barkindo's NNPC
By Shehu Chaji
IT is indeed an interesting season when all manner of faceless groups front for different interests, stoking the fire of ethnicity and hate. And in their desperation to desecrate the temple of harmony, no institution is sacred and no individual - however highly placed - is spared. The February 9 Movement is one of such faceless groups.
With no fixed address, the group has in recent weeks issued a distorted organogram of the NNPC, titled 'Barkindo's NNPC at a Glance' with the sole purpose of projecting the corporation as a national institution in which Northerners monopolise all top positions. It is also obvious that the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC, Mr. Abubakar Barkindo, is the target of this new campaign of calumny.
The sponsored adverts usually signed by one Fred Seadog (obviously a fictitious name), has been repeatedly published in several national newspapers. It seeks to create the wrong impression that appointments into top management positions in NNPC are lopsided in favour of indigenes of Nigeria's Northern states, to the disadvantage and detriment of the three other geopolitics zones in the South. For clearly selfish and self-serving reasons, this faceless group is desperate to manufacture and manipulate information so that Barkindo will be seen as a parochial person who cannot see beyond his section of the country. The NNPC management, apparently in reaction to this misinformation, recently issued an extensive staff profile of the organisation. Hopefully, the true picture of Barkindo's NNPC revealed by the released staff profile will put paid to the lies and disinformation being spread by the February 9 Movement.
That the NNPC as a public institution has, over the years, failed to live up to the high expectations of the teeming population of Nigerians is an undisputable fact. But to allege that the firm has, under the current leadership, been used to feather the interests of a section of the country, sacrificing merit for other sectional interests is to be uncharitable to Barkindo who has brought an uncommon sense of purpose into the management of the organisation.
From his first day in office, Barkindo has left no one in doubt that his goal is to transform NNPC from its current status as an inefficient cost-centre to a fully capitalised and commercially run enterprise governed by global best practices. While he has received applause from several quarters over this, it is easy to understand that many others, especially those who feed fat on the loopholes that existed in NNPC, would not take kindly to his reforms. Let's now look at the true statistics of NNPC staff distribution.
The facts and figures on the ground are indeed an eye-opener. It reveals that the South-South geopolitical zone enjoys the lion share of staff allocation at both management and overall staff population levels. The zone occupies 277 of the 941 management slots in the NNPC. Barkindo's North East zone comes least in the management staff distribution with 86 slots, over three times less than that of the South-South. Quite naturally, the office of the Group Managing Director can only be occupied by one person and that person happens to be Barkindo who is on level M1. But the NNPC has six Group Executive Directors, One Coordinator and a Company Secretary/Legal Adviser all on the same level of M2. There is also a Chief Transformation Officer on the same level.
By the NNPC official oganogram, after Brakindo, you have Prof. O.O Omorogbe from Edo State as Company Secretary/Legal Adviser and Dr. Tim Okon from Akwa Ibom State as Chief Transformation Officer. Of the six Group Executive Directors, Mr. Phil Chukwu from Imo is in charge of Exploration and Production; M. A. Arokodare (Ekiti) is in charge of Account and Finance; Faithful Abbiyesuku (Rivers) is in charge of Engineering and Technology while Mukoro (Delta) is the coordinator for Gas and Power. The other Directors are S. O. Oniwon (Kogi) who is in charge of Refinery and Petrochemicals; Yusuf Attahiru (Adamawa) responsible for Corporate Services and Aminu Baba-Kusa (Kano) in charge of Commercial and Investment. So of the nine officials on M2, six are from the South and three from the North. That is the fact. But that does not even give a full picture of staff in NNPC. Overall, the South-South, South-East and South-West geopolitical zones which make up the South of Nigeria, enjoy a total of 647 management slots, leaving the North with 294 slots.
How does the faceless group rationalise an NNPC management in which only four Southern states of Delta (77), Rivers (67), Anambra (75) and Ogun (62) have more than the combined total slots of the entire 19 Northern states? Or a situation where only eight of the Southern states of Anambra (297), Ogun (325) Delta (1,001) Rivers (1,110), Imo (475), Akwa Ibom (490), (Abia (321) and Edo (523) contribute nearly half of the entire staff of the oil company. The three geopolitical zones of South East (1042), South -South (2,564) and South West (967) presently have a combined total of 4,573 senior staff, leaving the North with just 2,857. In recent times, faceless groups like the February 9 Movement, have sadly tried to create the impression that any high position going to a Northerner is based on anything but merit. It is definitely a perception they try to create, out of their ignorance or mischief. To continue to project anybody from the North as unfit for high public office, or a people always being smuggled to leadership positions through other means but merit, is to be uncharitable, to say the least.
Indeed from these NNPC figures and statistics, one can easily observe that the South-South zone alone with 2,564 has more than one-third of the entire senior staffers in NNPC which presently stands at 7,430. Any of the two major states in the South, Delta and Rivers states for instance with 785 and 749 respectively, boasts more senior staffers in NNPC than all the states in Barkindo's North-East zone combined. The staffing imbalance in favour of the south is even more glaring at the junior level, where the South-South zone alone (with 671 junior staff) has more than the total for the entire North (543).
In reading the NNPC's facts and figures, however, one must note that as oil-producing states, the South-South remains the major catchments zone for the NNPC, just like most other oil companies. That the zone, alongside the two other geopolitical zones of the South, continues to dominate the nation's oil conglomerate is a fact that must be acknowledged. One, therefore, wonders why anyone would like to distort these bare facts. And if one may ask what or whose interest do the distortions seek to serve?
Barkindo is doing his utmost best to successfully manage the NNPC at a most challenging period of global economic recession and against the background of daunting challenges at home, including government's planned deregulation of the oil industry. The NNPC has done relatively well under him. Rather than attempting to unjustifiably drag Barkindo's name to the mud, the cowards behind the February 9 Movement adverts should allow him to get on with the task of reforming and repositioning the NNPC to serve the best interests of the nation.
Chaji lives in Kano
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/editorial_opinion/article04//indexn2_html?pdate=180310&ptitle=Barkindo's NNPC
IT is indeed an interesting season when all manner of faceless groups front for different interests, stoking the fire of ethnicity and hate. And in their desperation to desecrate the temple of harmony, no institution is sacred and no individual - however highly placed - is spared. The February 9 Movement is one of such faceless groups.
With no fixed address, the group has in recent weeks issued a distorted organogram of the NNPC, titled 'Barkindo's NNPC at a Glance' with the sole purpose of projecting the corporation as a national institution in which Northerners monopolise all top positions. It is also obvious that the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC, Mr. Abubakar Barkindo, is the target of this new campaign of calumny.
The sponsored adverts usually signed by one Fred Seadog (obviously a fictitious name), has been repeatedly published in several national newspapers. It seeks to create the wrong impression that appointments into top management positions in NNPC are lopsided in favour of indigenes of Nigeria's Northern states, to the disadvantage and detriment of the three other geopolitics zones in the South. For clearly selfish and self-serving reasons, this faceless group is desperate to manufacture and manipulate information so that Barkindo will be seen as a parochial person who cannot see beyond his section of the country. The NNPC management, apparently in reaction to this misinformation, recently issued an extensive staff profile of the organisation. Hopefully, the true picture of Barkindo's NNPC revealed by the released staff profile will put paid to the lies and disinformation being spread by the February 9 Movement.
That the NNPC as a public institution has, over the years, failed to live up to the high expectations of the teeming population of Nigerians is an undisputable fact. But to allege that the firm has, under the current leadership, been used to feather the interests of a section of the country, sacrificing merit for other sectional interests is to be uncharitable to Barkindo who has brought an uncommon sense of purpose into the management of the organisation.
From his first day in office, Barkindo has left no one in doubt that his goal is to transform NNPC from its current status as an inefficient cost-centre to a fully capitalised and commercially run enterprise governed by global best practices. While he has received applause from several quarters over this, it is easy to understand that many others, especially those who feed fat on the loopholes that existed in NNPC, would not take kindly to his reforms. Let's now look at the true statistics of NNPC staff distribution.
The facts and figures on the ground are indeed an eye-opener. It reveals that the South-South geopolitical zone enjoys the lion share of staff allocation at both management and overall staff population levels. The zone occupies 277 of the 941 management slots in the NNPC. Barkindo's North East zone comes least in the management staff distribution with 86 slots, over three times less than that of the South-South. Quite naturally, the office of the Group Managing Director can only be occupied by one person and that person happens to be Barkindo who is on level M1. But the NNPC has six Group Executive Directors, One Coordinator and a Company Secretary/Legal Adviser all on the same level of M2. There is also a Chief Transformation Officer on the same level.
By the NNPC official oganogram, after Brakindo, you have Prof. O.O Omorogbe from Edo State as Company Secretary/Legal Adviser and Dr. Tim Okon from Akwa Ibom State as Chief Transformation Officer. Of the six Group Executive Directors, Mr. Phil Chukwu from Imo is in charge of Exploration and Production; M. A. Arokodare (Ekiti) is in charge of Account and Finance; Faithful Abbiyesuku (Rivers) is in charge of Engineering and Technology while Mukoro (Delta) is the coordinator for Gas and Power. The other Directors are S. O. Oniwon (Kogi) who is in charge of Refinery and Petrochemicals; Yusuf Attahiru (Adamawa) responsible for Corporate Services and Aminu Baba-Kusa (Kano) in charge of Commercial and Investment. So of the nine officials on M2, six are from the South and three from the North. That is the fact. But that does not even give a full picture of staff in NNPC. Overall, the South-South, South-East and South-West geopolitical zones which make up the South of Nigeria, enjoy a total of 647 management slots, leaving the North with 294 slots.
How does the faceless group rationalise an NNPC management in which only four Southern states of Delta (77), Rivers (67), Anambra (75) and Ogun (62) have more than the combined total slots of the entire 19 Northern states? Or a situation where only eight of the Southern states of Anambra (297), Ogun (325) Delta (1,001) Rivers (1,110), Imo (475), Akwa Ibom (490), (Abia (321) and Edo (523) contribute nearly half of the entire staff of the oil company. The three geopolitical zones of South East (1042), South -South (2,564) and South West (967) presently have a combined total of 4,573 senior staff, leaving the North with just 2,857. In recent times, faceless groups like the February 9 Movement, have sadly tried to create the impression that any high position going to a Northerner is based on anything but merit. It is definitely a perception they try to create, out of their ignorance or mischief. To continue to project anybody from the North as unfit for high public office, or a people always being smuggled to leadership positions through other means but merit, is to be uncharitable, to say the least.
Indeed from these NNPC figures and statistics, one can easily observe that the South-South zone alone with 2,564 has more than one-third of the entire senior staffers in NNPC which presently stands at 7,430. Any of the two major states in the South, Delta and Rivers states for instance with 785 and 749 respectively, boasts more senior staffers in NNPC than all the states in Barkindo's North-East zone combined. The staffing imbalance in favour of the south is even more glaring at the junior level, where the South-South zone alone (with 671 junior staff) has more than the total for the entire North (543).
In reading the NNPC's facts and figures, however, one must note that as oil-producing states, the South-South remains the major catchments zone for the NNPC, just like most other oil companies. That the zone, alongside the two other geopolitical zones of the South, continues to dominate the nation's oil conglomerate is a fact that must be acknowledged. One, therefore, wonders why anyone would like to distort these bare facts. And if one may ask what or whose interest do the distortions seek to serve?
Barkindo is doing his utmost best to successfully manage the NNPC at a most challenging period of global economic recession and against the background of daunting challenges at home, including government's planned deregulation of the oil industry. The NNPC has done relatively well under him. Rather than attempting to unjustifiably drag Barkindo's name to the mud, the cowards behind the February 9 Movement adverts should allow him to get on with the task of reforming and repositioning the NNPC to serve the best interests of the nation.
Chaji lives in Kano
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/editorial_opinion/article04//indexn2_html?pdate=180310&ptitle=Barkindo's NNPC
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