Boy who blew Nigeria’s image

- Boy who blew Nigeria’s image
- Nigerian travellers in trouble 
These are not the best of times for Nigerians traveling to any part of the world, especially to United States and Europe. This is because they are now subjected to embarrassing searches and scrutiny, to the extent that some of them are missing their connecting flights and experiencing cases of missing or withheld luggage.

Ever since 23-year-old Umar Farouk AbdulMutallah, a Nigerian resident in Yemen, attempted to detonate an explosive aboard a Delta Airline plane heading to Detroit, in United States, travelers have been experiencing hell. It was gathered that travelers leaving and entering the United States are now thoroughly searched before being allowed to board aircraft. Also, luggage are screened thorough before being loaded unto aircraft.

Saturday Sun gathered that some luggage are actually intercepted and given special attention. In effect, many passengers now arrive their destinations only to discover that their bags and suitcases are not in the same aircraft.
Cases of missing suitcases
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, many passengers, mainly from the United States, now besiege foreign airlines looking for their luggage. Saturday Sun gathered that the luggage of these passengers are duly checked in, at their departure points, only for the passengers to discover, on arrival in Nigeria, that they were not loaded into the aircraft.

Between Sunday and Thursday, when Saturday Sun visited the airport on a daily basis, many of these passengers were seen looking for their luggage. The case of Mallam Ibrahim Abubakar is most pathetic. He had departed Los Angeles, California, in the United States, on December 26, 20009 for Nigeria, through London. His luggage were checked in. However, when he arrived Lagos, he discovered that three of his suitcases were missing. He was told by the airline to come back the next day, with a promise that his missing luggage will come with the next flight.

Abubakar had come back to the airport the next day, but his missing luggage did not arrive with the aircraft. He was asked to, again, come back to the airport the next day. By Wednesday, he was yet to get his luggage.
Speaking with Saturday Sun, Abubakar said he was in trouble, as he had returned to the country for the burial of his father, which is taking place today. He revealed that most of the materials needed for the burial were in his missing luggage.

“I have been coming to the airport since Saturday when I arrived Lagos. I am heading for Kano for the burial of my father. I came back to the country because of the burial. Now I cannot find my bags. Everything needed for the burial is in the bags. I am confused,” Abubakar said
Another passenger, who arrived Lagos on Wednesday, from London, was seen shedding tears, as she made her way to the office of a foreign airline in whose aircraft she arrived Lagos that morning. According to Funke, she arrived that morning to discover that her luggage were not complete. She revealed that out of the four bags she checked in, only two arrived with her.

“I don’t know how this could have happened. My bags were duly checked in and the tags given to me. Now they are not complete. What explanation can they give for this?”, she lamented.
Mrs. Mabel Ifeoma Ukeh also had a bitter experience. She had left United States on December 27, 2009 for Lagos, through London. She had checked in three suitcases at the Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport, in Maryland. On getting to Lagos, she discovered that one of her luggage did not arrive with her. The airline had told her to come back the next day, promising that the luggage would arrive with another flight. By Wednesday, her luggage was yet to arrive.

Mabel had lamented: “I have only 14 days to stay in Nigeria. First, I was to arrive on December 28, but because of flight delay I arrived on December 28 only to discover that my luggage was not complete. I was supposed to proceed to Port Harcourt on December 29 but I have been stuck in Lagos as I wait for my luggage. The airline keeps telling me to come the next day and there is no clue as to the whereabouts of my luggage. Everything I bought for people, as Christmas gift, is in the luggage.”
Security check cause of delayed luggage
Saturday Sun gathered that security has been beefed up at United States airports and, therefore, checks have taken new dimension. Owing to this, most flights from the United States are now delayed. It was gathered that outgoing flights from the US are delayed between one hour and two hours, as security agents frisk passengers and their luggage. As a result, passengers are now missing their connecting flights.

It was learnt that almost all passengers who left United States, through London, to Nigeria, since the Muttalab saga, have missed their connecting flights. The affected airlines have always made emergency plans for such passengers to get another connecting flights. However, in most cases, the affected passengers spend up to 12 hours in London airport waiting for the connecting flights.

Saturday Sun gathered that security agents in the US and other European countries, as part of the screening measures, now put aside luggage, whose contents are not clear. Such luggage are said to, sometimes, given physical searches before they are sent to their final destinations and in most cases when their owners would have long arrived. This, a source in one of the foreign airlines revealed, explains why some luggage do not arrive with their owners.
The boy Farouk Mutallab
Before his dastardly move to bomb an airline, Farouk’s family has always been in the news, albeit, for something positive. His father, a seasoned banker was the immediate past chairman of Nigeria foremost bank, First Bank Nigeria Plc. He also has controlling shares in some leading firms in the country.
All these were obliterated on Christmas Day by the macabre attempt of his son, Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, who wanted to blow up a Delta airline Flight 253 with 278 passengers on board. Farouk on board the same airline had tried to detonate an explosive device as the plane was planning to land in Detroit. The flight took off in Amsterdam.

After his high school at the British International School, Lome, Togo, the young Mutallab had proceeded to the University College, London, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. While studying in Britain, he was the president of his school Islamic society between 2006 and 2007. He had proceeded to Dubai for his master’s programme in Business Administration, but abandoned the course to study Arabic in Yemen. While in Yemen, the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigations revealed that Mutallab was tutored in terrorism, while living with a senior Al Queda commander.

Yemen foreign officials said Mutallab visited Yemen between the beginning of December, after having received a visa to study Arabic at an institute in Sanaa, where he had previously studied. According to Agence France Presse, students at the Institute of Languages in Sanaa old city told the agency that Abdul Mutallab studied at the school and lived in students hostel.

Just as his parents were disappointed and are managing to live with the odium that his action had generated, authorities at the University College, London had expressed consternation, Malcolm Grant, University College, London provost frowned at the action. He said: “The account I have had from his tutors is that he was a well mannered student, quietly spoken, polite, able and gave no indication at all of what his inclinations might be.
“We are shocked by what has happened and will be reflecting on it very carefully as further details emerge … there was nothing about his conduct which gave his tutors any cause for concern.”
Farouk’s trip to US
Saturday Sun gathered that Farouk has been living outside Nigeria for the greater part of his life. He had gone to Lome, as a young man, from where he proceeded to England, and then to London. On the day he took a trip to US, through Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, Farouk had arrived Lagos, from Accra, Ghana and spent less than 30 minutes at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, within which he joined the plane to Amsterdam.

He arrived Nigeria on December 24, 2009 via Virgin Nigeria flight. His passport was scanned on entry into Nigeria at 20.08 and was scanned at check-in for departure to Amsterdam at 20.35. It was gathered that 3D body scanners, the latest technology in screening of passengers, are in place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. All passengers within the arrival and departure halls of the airport are captured, with any hidden object seen.

However, an official of the airline in which Farouk arrived Lagos said that passengers who arrived from Accra soon after proceeded to board the flight to Amsterdam. He said that when the flight arrived, passengers going to Amsterdam had started boarding.
Farouk’s father’s failed attempt to Yemen
It was gathered that Farouk’s father did not only stop at reporting his son to the United States authorities but also made effort to stop him from living in Yemen.

Sources said that when Farouk abandoned his master’s degree programme in Dubai and relocated to Yemen, his father applied for visa to Yemen to visit him and take him back to Dubai. It was gathered that the Yemeni embassy in Nigeria had denied the man visa and therefore, stalled the planned trip.

I‘ve no hand in Monalisa’s failed marriage–Emem Isong

Emem Isong is one producer whose name precedes her. Ever since she came into Nollywood, she has remained behind the cameras leaving her works to speak for her. Shy and somehow a loner, Emem as she is better known to friends has carved a niche for herself in making good movies. In this interview she speaks on how she left banking for acting, being a mother, among other things. Excerpts…

How has the year 2009 been for you?

I will say it has been a good year and I really thank God for that. My business has grown tremendously in this year 2009.

You just premiered Nollywood Hustlers and Guilty Pleasures, why did you get involved in the two films?

For Nollywood Hustler I decided to do something different from what I have been used to and this one is comedy, though I had done comedy in my local dialect titled Uyai, this one was something I needed to explore using Nollywood itself as a theme to tell the story.
Guilty Pleasures is my usual love story, I had inspiration for it and I decided to do it. It is meant to show that one should pay attention to their relationships because anything can happen.

What interests you in Nollywood?

I have always wanted to be in the entertainment industry. I knew right from when I was a kid because I was hooked on T.V and that made me want to read Theatre Arts at the university, which was closest to what entertainment was at that time. At the time I went into the university there was nothing like Nollywood anyway but that was my passion.

And when I came out of the university I worked in a bank briefly and when I saw the first movie, Living in Bondage, that gave me courage so I quit my job and decided to join the industry but not as an actress.

I have never really been interested in acting, I only acted in school to fulfill some of my course work, I like being behind the scenes, I like creating things.

Did you have this fear of the unknown when you quit banking?

I was scared, who wouldn’t be? But for me, everything is about passion. If I am passionate about something, I really don’t care about anything else. If I do that thing I am passionate about, I will be satisfied.

It was about happiness and job satisfaction. I don’t want to wake up in the morning and not feel like going to work. That is why I decided to do what I enjoy doing so that whether the money comes or not, I am happy.

How comfortable are you being a producer?

I actually wanted my work to speak for me. I am not one of those that will come out and start talking about myself when I have not really achieved anything. I wanted people like you to seek me out after watching what I have been able to do. I wanted to be judged by the merits of my work.

Secondly, I am really shy, I don’t like publicity much but at this point in time, because I am into a lot of things I have to come out.
I am into marketing, I have a licensed distribution company so I market my films myself and I do premiers of my movies once in a while so it’s inevitable that I have to do publicity.

How easy was it when you started as a woman?

I have always said there is no male and no female, a producer is a producer. I never looked at the gender aspect of it and it has never occurred to me for one day. Whatever I do, I put my whole life into it. The beginning of anything is not always easy.

It was extremely difficult for me at the beginning and I was young. For a 23 year old, that was how old I was to raise money or have the confidence of somebody to get N2million to do a project was not easy. But I was determined and with whatever little money I could gather, I was able to make my first film.

You are doing movies in Ibibio language, is there a particular reason?

First and foremost, I want to promote my culture and preserve my language because with all the civilization, a lot of kids do not speak their languages and if we continue in this manner, everything will be extinct. I believe that with language movies, we will be able to show our history to the young people. That is why I am into language movies.

I love my culture, I love my language and I have promised myself that I must do one language movie a year.

The reception has been good. The support is not much from people from my place but they buy the films and that is good for me. I wish we had more investors from that area but sad to say there is none.

Setting up an academy to train people from Akwa Ibom

I have an academy that is based in Lagos at the moment and it is open to people from all walks of life, all tribes. If my people come they are very welcome. I would love to have my people come because when I went to Akwa Ibom and did the audition for a movie, I was impressed and amazed at the talent I saw there because we have great talent there and I wish I could help in developing that but it is not easy doing
this all alone.

Having to do it all by myself financially, it will be a nice thing to have a branch of the academy down there now but that will happen eventually.

What happened to the lead actress in Ekaette?

I haven’t seen her and it’s all about who is available. If you are available and you happen to be near me when I am casting, definitely I will give you a chance. Its not as if I go out of my way to pin point anybody, if I see talent and you are around when I am working, I give you a chance.

But then you’ve got to persevere. She is good but I don’t know where she is right now. She has worked with me twice after that in Asaba and if I see her now and she is interested in working, I will work with her.

How easy is it combining your career and being a single mother?

I don’t usually like the term single mother, I just leave it at being a mother and it is not easy. You just have to learn to prioritize and for me, family comes first in whatever I do and I try my best to arrange my work schedule in such a way that family does not suffer.

Thank God for the flexibility of our work, I can write at anytime I want or anywhere and it does not affect my duty towards my child and any of my family members.

The only snag there is when I have to travel for festivals, awards and other things but then again, sometimes if I have to, I take my child along, if I don’t, I make adequate arrangements.

React on allegation that you were part of those that made Monalisa Chinda leave her husband

When people say that I wonder if it is not sheer stupidity, isn’t that sheer stupidity because how is it possible for one human being to make another do what he or she doesn’t want to do, its crazy.

Sorry to say it but those who thought that I had anything to do with Monalisa leaving her husband are very myopic and stupid.

When something happens why point fingers at others? You look within yourself and find out what and where the problem is, instead of putting the blame on people. We all have our issues and we don’t look for other people to blame.

It was laughable to me. I wasn’t the only one accused, other actresses were being accused and I think it was very stupid and any responsible person reading that should dismiss it because it is stupid.

Staying above scandals

I am not doing anything to stay above scandals. I am more of a loner, I don’t go out much, and I am ian ntrovert. Perhaps, because they have not seen me, that is why they have nothing to say about me. But really, in the business that we are in, you can’t avoid that but one really has to live above that.

It doesn’t really bother me as long as I am truthful to God, myself and my family that is all that matters.

Are you looking at getting married soon?

When God says yes, I will, it’s God that determines everything. But then, I really don’t like to talk about my personal life on the pages of newspaper.

Nollywood

I have often said that Nollywood is a phenomenon we should thank God for. We are not claiming to be perfect but we are doing something worthy of note. We have some crappy movies and some good movies here and there, we are still growing but I believe that we will get there.

It’s a bit chaotic at the moment because distribution is not right, we didn’t start it the right way, if I must say that. And that is the peculiar nature of Nigeria, funny things happen here so why will one expect less from Nollywood? It’s unfortunate that it is happening that way.
I am not bothered though, I love Nollywood, I am very pro-Nollywood and I will continue to make my films and we will continue to try to improve as we go on.

As for awards, I don’t make movies because of awards, it will be nice to be applauded but I think we should learn to celebrate ourselves and I commend any award that comes out and celebrates Nollywood. I am not saying we should celebrate mediocrity but we should celebrate ourselves so that we can strive to do better.

What are you doing so your films don’t get pirated?

It’s a major problem that all of us practitioners face, piracy will always be there, we are just praying and hoping the government will do something about it because if they are not serious about it there is nothing we the practitioners can do.

People continue to pirate your movies and there is nothing that is being done to them so it’s time the government does something about it rather than channel money to going for festivals and other things. They should look inwards and try to make Nollywood conducive and interesting for practitioners to make movies and make money. It’s very difficult and frustrating now, you make a movie and the next week you see it everywhere.

Lack of professionalism in Nollywood

I agree there is certain lack of professionalism in Nollywood but then, Nollywood was like an accident, everybody stumbled into it. The film industry was practically dead before now so we should give kudos to those who came out and tried to revive it professionals or no professionals.

The so called professionals that are talking should have brought their professionalism to bear and created something out of nothing like the unprofessional have done.

In the process of my work, I have attended courses here and there and that is what a lot of my colleagues are doing, that is the only way to grow. It is high time the professionals come out and do something and let us see how professional they really are.
Prospects for 2010

I will stick to producing, I can’t act but I am going to concentrate more on my academy, which is to train. I will like to not just train people but myself also because we are going to bring in professionals from outside the country and within the country. We need this training for us to grow.

After the training we will make one or two movies but I may not make as much as I have made this year because I want to concentrate on training.

Nigerians on Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab

An attempt by Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, a Nigerian, to detonate an explosive aboard an American airliner, has sent shockwaves round the globe. The failed attempt which has led to further tightening of security in all airports is having a far reaching rippling effect, with diplomatic row between the two countries feared to be in the offing.
Based on this, Daily Sun went to town to sample the opinion of Nigerians on the development and the possible danger it portends for Nigeria’s image.

Excerpts:
It’s detrimental to the welfare of Nigerians abroad: Pastor Pius Osombor
When I heard about it, I felt sad. The situation is detrimental to the welfare of Nigerians. I am concerned about Nigerians living abroad, especially in the United States of America. They would definitely be treated badly, as citizens from a terrorist country. This development is not about Muslim fanaticism. It is about an individual deciding to use himself as a tool for destruction. The boy was used to disgrace Nigeria.
I really feel bad about this. My prayer is that God should the heart of the Americans so that they won’t use this as a yardstick against our brothers abroad.

Nigeria is not a terrorist country: Vincent Uche
The way and manner it happened, it would definitely have a negative effect on Nigeria’s image. Though Nigeria as a country has always been viewed negatively, we are not a terrorist country. We are just unfortunate at this stage.
American would no longer respect Nigeria: Biodun Adedokun

This can destroy Nigeria’s image completely. Americans would not respect Nigeria again. Somebody like that boy should not be among living people. It is a big problem for us. The young man should be thoroughly dealt with.

It is a big stain: Humphrey Haruna
It would further destroy Nigeria’s image. It is a big stain that would take time to clear. For such a boy from a rich family to embark on that type of mission, he must be possessed. He needs help.

No right thinking individual would support a terrorist act: Orji Ikechukwu
When you hear about Al-Qaeda, the first thing that would come to your mind is Muslim. But we should not forget that Nigeria is a secular state, not a Muslim state. What I am trying to say is that Nigeria does not engage in this type of act carried out by this boy. If he had succeeded, innocent lives would have been lost. No right thinking individual would support a terrorist act. It is not good for us. We are talking about re-branding Nigeria’s image. Now, look at what has happened.

Nigeria would be seen as a terrorist country: Oluwadare Happiness
The boy is talented and has ability but was channelled into a wrong course. We have such people in Nigeria but because of the nonchalant attitude of our leaders, they waste away, while those that want to be very useful get involved in things that can destroy their lives. Presently, what that boy did is like a black stain. The world would now see us as a terrorist country. Our youths have potentials that should be well harnessed. If not, the result would be this type of shame.

Why go to America?: Alhaji Yakubu Usman
Nigeria is definitely finished internationally. Terrorists don’t rely on religion to work. They can use either a Christian or Muslim that has a willing heart. My question is, why go to the America when we have corrupt leaders that should fall victims. It is unfortunate that this is happening at a time our image is battered. Once he is okay, the American government should deal with him according to their law. Can you imagine the number of passengers on that flight and what could have happened to their family if the boy had succeeded? Why didn’t he blow up his family?

The boy is frustrated: Friday Ehis
I don’t think the boy’s attempt to blow up an American plane has anything to do with Al-Qaeda. Maybe, the boy is frustrated. I don’t think the action would have a negative effect on Nigeria’s image because the whole world knows that we don’t support terrorism. He carried out the attack on his own. According to his confession, he was taught to operate the device but really couldn’t do it. We are a peaceful country. We want peace and not destruction.

It would add to our battered image: David Ahamefula
It would add to our already battered image. Al-Qaeda infiltrating Nigeria is out of it. They must not be in Nigeria to use Nigerians for their operation. All these fanatics can use anybody that is willing to carry out their devilish acts.

A Nigerian doesn’t have any business with terrorists: Sanni Yakubu
We are not happy that everything in this country is going bad. The government is very sick. There is no food and petrol. Crime is increasing daily and now this. We need Allah’s help now. A Nigerian doesn’t have any business with terrorists. Our faith does not support shedding of innocent blood for no just cause. We should thank Allah that the young man did not succeed. If he had succeeded, all of us would have been in serious trouble.

Nigerians should pray: Blessing Nwanchukwu
It is a pity that while we are trying to cover our bad image, others are busy exposing it. I was extremely shocked when I heard the news. The boy is too small to think of such devilish act. He is not alone in the act. Nigerians should pray because these are the signs of the end.

Hijacking hasn’t been part of Nigeria: Marcel Onwuka
There must be reason behind his action. He must have carried out the operation with serious grudge. Hijacking has not been part of Nigeria. He must be collaborating with some people because I can’t imagine how he managed to escape from all the airport’s screening devices.

The boy needs deliverance: Kindness Nkiru
I don’t think such person is a Nigerian. For goodness sake, the boy is just 23 and is too young to carry out such critical assignment. He is not a good citizen. The boy needs deliverance

Students demand Yar’Adua’s resignation

If the Nigerian president was not capable of carrying out his responsibilities to the nation, he should demonstrate his love for the nation by resigning from his post, The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have said.

The students union, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Eniola Opeyemi Victor expressed worry about the Mr Yar’Adua’s health and his attitude of “claiming that he is going for a medical care without an official statement to the federation.

“If the president has the love of this nation at heart, we demand the resignation of the president in order to ensure continuity in government,” the statement said. “Let the vice-president take over. The president has really tried, but for his own sake and the nation at large, we NANS demand for his resignation.” The NANS also called on the National Assembly to ‘do what is right’ by getting the Nigerian president, Umaru Yar’Adua, to inform Nigerians about the true state of his health.

“If the president cannot show a better respect to our constitution, which is above all, including the president himself, who will?” the students said.

“The House of Representatives noticed the shortcomings, but why haven’t they interpreted this to the president? It is so apparent that this nation has been in a state of confusion, with the absence of the president, because the vice-president does not have the power to take over all proceedings. We see no reason why these people keep politicking with the future of this nation.”

Bad governance Criticising government for the oil deregulation calls and the effect it has had on an average Nigerian, the group said, “we still have to blame the president for all these and the minister in charge for selfish interest.” Saying that the increasing bad governance has not only affected the oil sector alone, the statement also faulted recent increases in school fees in some of the Nigeria’s university.

Lawyers Give Yar’Adua January 31 Ultimatum to Resign

One hundred legal practitioners under the auspices of Lawyers of Consciences have given President Umaru Yar’Adua till January 31, 2010 to resign or be removed by the National Assembly, failing which the group will be left with no alternative than to mobilize their learned colleagues and the Nigerian electorate to “take their destiny into their hands by any legitimate means possible.”

The president has been away in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for forty days and forty nights owing to ill health brought on by an inflammation of the membrane surrounding his heart. The president also has a history of kidney disease.

Arising from its Annual General Meeting held on December 30, 2009, the organisation in a communiqué stated that it had arrived at the decision after undertaking “a surgical appraisal of the comatose state of the nation and the abysmal performance of the present government in Nigeria in 2009, due to the ill health and the resultant incapacity of the president.”

The group stated that if by the expiration of its ultimatum of January 31, President Yar’Adua has not come back to actively assume and perform his functions as the president, and he neither resigns nor is removed by the National Assembly in the application of sections 144 and 146 of the 1999 Constitution to enable the vice president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan be sworn-in, it should not be held responsible for whatever may result from such legitimate action(s).

In an open reference to the civil protests carried out by Pakistani lawyers in 2007, which contributed to the ouster of the country’s military leader, General Pervez Musharraf, the group prayed that the brave and revolutionary action(s) of lawyers and their learned brothers in Pakistan is not replicated in Nigeria, “with its may-not-be-too-good consequences for our fledging democracy.”

In the communiqué signed by the body’s National Coordinator, Benedict Ezeagwu; National Secretary General, Princewill U. Akpakpan; South-south Coordinator, Matthew Edeghese; South-west Coordinator, Samuel Adefila; North-east Coordinator, Musa Abubakar; and North-west Coordinator, Abdullahi Mohammed, among other members, the group took the following resolutions:

“That it is on record that President Yar’Adua and his PDP bakers were fully aware of his serious health condition before he was picked as the presidential flag-bearer of the PDP and subsequently foisted on the nation through a totally flawed and the worst general election in the history of Nigeria.

“That in view of the above, it is a great act of wickedness for the innocent Nigerian masses to be made to suffer the negative consequences of this premeditated leadership failure as a result of the greed of a political cabal in the country.

“That the already impoverished Nigerian populace should not be made to bear any further, the brunt of the President Yar’Adua self-inflicted burden of rulership which has worsened his health condition.

“That in as much as we pray for President Yar’Adua’s quick recovery from his current ailment, we boldly state here that it is not at the discretion of the Federal Executive Council or the Attorney-General of the Federation to decide on what interpretation should be given to any of the sections of the Constitution/our laws or when to apply sections 144, 145, and 146 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, but a duty they owe the country and which they must carry out.”

The group went further to condemn in its entirety the jaundiced interpretation of the essence and applicability of Sections 144, 145, and 146 of the constitution by the FEC, AG of the Federation, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremmadu and his co-travellers at the so-called National Asse-mbly, as these sections were not inserted in the constitution for fancy/decoration but to be applied/put into effect in a situation like the one Nigeria currently finds herself.

The Lawyers of Cons-cience added that the absence of President Yar’Adua from the country for more than a month, without any honest information on his current condition, on account of his ill-health; the current biting fuel scarcity; the confusion being brewed by the swearing in of Justice Katsina-Alu as the new CJN by the former CJN, Justice Kutigi; and alleged signing of the 2010 Appropriation Act by the President are a clear manifestation of the incapacity of Yar’Adua to perform the functions of the president.
It also identified lack of seriousness on the part of National Assembly particularly with respect to issues of Constitutional Amendment/Electoral Reform; the lachrymal hardship/growing poverty in the country; the near collapse of governance; and increasing constitutional crises in Nigeria among others, as part of the problems bedeviling the country as a result of the president’s continuing absence.

It added: “That consequent upon the above reality and in the spirit of rule of law (one of the so-called 7-point agendas of Yar’Adua’s government), we hereby join the group of eminent Nigerians and the Nigerian Bar Asso-ciation to call on the FEC and National Assembly to immediately begin to take steps to give effect to sections 144, 145 and 146 of the constitution now that the ill-health and incapacity of President Yar’Adua has almost paralyzed governance in/and the nation.

The group vowed that no amount of intimidation, blackmail or persecution will stop it and the Nigerian masses from demanding and claiming our constitutional rights of good governance, rule of law and democracy.

The communiqué was copied to the Federal Executive Council, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the National Assembly, the Inspector General of Police, the State Security Service, the Nigerian Bar Association and the Nigerian Union of Journalists.
Other signatories to the Communique are:
Rosemary Enaboifo, National Treasurer; Princewill Agasa, North-central Coordinator; Gabriel Nwokeiwu, South-east Coordinator; Sadiq Mohammed, PRO; Ehi Judith Esq.;  Afolabi Apo Esq.; Taiye Emiye Esq.;   Okolo Rosemary Esq.; Adebayo Shade Esq.;    Irabor Sam Esq.
Chukwu Uzoamaka Esq.                Lilian Okoh Esq.; Oluwa Olajumoke Esq.;  Iko Mariam Esq.
Anthony Okoye Esq.;                    Osita Onwukwe Esq.; Henry Osigbeme    Esq.;                    Ejiro Akpoghene Esq.; Zainab Bola Esq.; Moses Akanno Esq.; Iyidobi Callistus Esq.                    Dadison Ikpuka Esq.; Innocent Ekpen Esq.                    Ben Chris Esq.; Okhilwa Osadebe    Esq.                    Uduma Sarah Esq.; Alonu Ifeanyi Esq.                    Idahosa Nosa Esq.; Iyamu Ehis    Esq.                        Abiri Constance Esq.; Omakor Daniel Esq.;                    Nwaeke Ephraim Esq.; Aholo Patience Esq.                    Ude Ifeanyi Esq.;  Precious Mbreh Esq.;                    Clifford Ebueni Esq.; Jaclyn Odion Esq.;  Kwesi Gina Esq.
Ojeh Onome Esq.                        Isege Ihomehe Esq.; Omokide Florence Esq.                    Ife Cindy Esq.
Others are Okonji Ynonne Esq.;   Ifoh Brenda Esq.; Aliogo Victor Esq.;                    Hycernt Ubah Esq.; Odia Stacey Esq.;                       Afokwalam Chima Esq.;  Nosa Andrew Esq.                    Habu Audu    Esq. ;  Bashirat Abdul Esq.;                    Oba-mero Majek Esq.; Agheyere Joshua    Esq.;                    Agbon Clement Esq.; Basira Buhari Esq.;  Onoja Esther Esq.
Onunemuhie Collins Esq.                Ganiyu Yusuf Esq.; Aibangbe Nosayaba Esq.; Michael Okafor Esq.; Tony Mordi Esq.; Akhigbe Joseph Esq.; Boye Ganiyat Esq.;                    Aliyu Galadima Esq.; Idonu Emmanuel    Esq.;                    Joy Alero Esq.; Hawau Aliyu Esq.                        Bayei Nana Esq.; Garba Husseni Esq.;  Lucky Edobor Esq.; Ibrahim Ahmed Esq.                    Dirisu Ewijiele Esq.; Sule Momodu Esq.;                    Ejim-adu Emmanuel Esq.; Olodia Nathan Esq. and Girei Fatai Esq.

Nigerians Expectations In 2010

A LIST of expectations for the year 2010 which includes stable power, security and electoral reforms was presented to the Federal Government yesterday.

Nigerians spoke in response to the call by the government on Thursday that they should keep hope alive. But the citizens said yesterday hope could only be kept alive if the necessary conditions exist.

They urged that in the New Year, there should be a full disclosure of the state of health of President Umaru Yar'Adua, focus on infrastructural development, corruption and the rule of law.

Speaking on the state of the nation, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu said the nation was rudderless. He said that he expected nothing from the government because he did not know who was leading.

"Well, I expect nothing from a government I don't know who is leading. I don't know who is leading the government now. Until we know who is in charge, we cannot know what to expect from them.

"But if it is what we have now, if it would be the same old faces, this country will continue to grope in the dark; we do not have a good leader, from what we have seen and what has been happening. That is why the NBA is challenging these actions. The NBA can do its best, but the point is that it is an unfortunate development," Akeredolu said.

On the swearing-in of the new Chief Justice of Nigeria by the outgoing one, Akeredolu said it was illegal because the new CJN could not be sworn-in or assume office until the out-going CJN vacates office.

"We cannot have two CJNs at a time; we can only have one. So, who was the CJN between when the new one was sworn in and when the old one vacated that office? The drafters of the constitution were very careful. When they said that either of the two could swear in, they would have anticipated that with regard to the CJN, it will be the President, because the current CJN would have vacated office before you can swear in another person to fill the position.

"So, somebody cannot be sitting and swear in another person to replace him. How do you explain that in law? How does it even sound that I am still in office and swear in another person to replace me?"

On his part, Prof. Martin N. Oluba canvassed attention on stable electricity since it is the engine of industrialization and growth. "Enhanced power supply in this country will substantially reduce production costs. To make progress going forward, the Nigerian government must genuinely and aggressively pursue the achievement of a truly constitutional government , " he said.

The Secretary General of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS) Tony Uranta warned that there was a danger facing the country.

On his expectation from government, Uranta said: "All we need to do is respect the constitution. As flawed as the 1999 Constitution is, if Nigerian leaders were to respect and abide by its tenets, we would still have very pleasant existence in this country.

"As it is now, we are not obeying the constitution. We have an Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), who is bent on carrying out war against the war on corruption, who is bent on siding with corrupt elements, who is bent on doing the will of certain leaders in the polity behind the scenes manipulating the processes of law and justice to their benefit."

To Chief Ayo Opadokun, the National Coordinator of Coalition for Democrats For Electoral Reforms (CODER), government should re-order its priorities and be honest with Nigerians and responsive to genuine aspirations of the people.

His words: "Specifically, political operators must allow the constitution to take effect on all national issues, be it as it affects the medical situation of Yar'Adua and other critical matters, particularly electoral reform.

"The overwhelming majority of Nigerians, in their submissions, demanded the full implementation of Justice Mohammed Uwais recommendation on the electoral reforms.

"Government should do that to satisfy the yearnings of Nigerians. We must use modified open-secret ballot system. An electoral offences commission should be enacted so that an independent prosecutor would do prosecution of electoral offenders.

"It is a shame in our country that government promised 6,000 megawatts of electricity, but we have little to show for it even in a new year. So government has to improve on power."

The first civilian governor of Enugu State and former National Secretary of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo said that good governance, security, constitution and electoral review, employment, power and employment should top government's priorities this year.