Jonathan Meets Rawlings: Sues for Grassroots Administration
Posted 6,Mar. 2010
Jeremiah John Rawlings
Jeremiah John Rawlings
Former Ghanaian Presisdent

Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Saturday, March 6, held a meeting with the former Ghanaian leader, Mr. Jeremiah John Rawlings in his Aguda residence in the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock in Abuja, the nation's capital city.

The meeting which lasted for about one hour was a courtesy call designed according to the former Ghanaian President; to commend the Acting President for the able manner he has been piloting the affairs of Nigeria in the absence of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

Briefing journalist after the meeting, Mr. Rawlings said that he hopes the peace and stability Nigeria is enjoying will continue.

He said that Nigeria has gone past the kind of revolution Ghana had in his time and that what Nigeria needs now is to tap into its structures and democratic institutions to solve its problems.

Born on Wednesday, June 22, 1947 in Accra, Ghana formerly called Gold Coast, Mr. Rawlings was a former military ruler who ruled Ghana for a total of nearly 19 years. In the 1990s he began a process of political liberalization. He was twice the head of state of Ghana and was the 1st President of the Fourth Republic.

Mr. Rawlings retired from the Armed Forces, set up the National Democratic Congress [NDC] the party which Mr. Rawlings as its candidate, won 58.3 % votes in the 1992 elections which the opposition New Patriotic Party [NPP] claimed was a stolen verdict although international observers judged the elections "largely free and fair".

Mr. Rawlings won the 1996 election as well. After two terms in office, barred by the constitution from standing in any election, he endorsed his then Vice-President John Atta Mills as Presidential Candidate in 2000.

The NDC with Mr. Mills as candidate however lost the elections to the NPP Presidential Candidate in 2000, Mr. John Kufour.
Goodluck Jonathan
Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
Acting President of Nigeria

Mr. Rawlings, who is married to Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and has four children; three girls and a boy was in the country as a special guest to the meeting of the Pan-African Assembly of the United Cities and Local Governments, a global organisation holding in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

Acting President, Dr. Jonathan has stressed the need for local government administration to be strengthened, noting that strong structures at the grassroots impact significantly at the national level.

Dr. Jonathan stated this today when he received in audience a delegation of executives of the Commonwealth Local Governments' Forum led by the former Ghanaian President.

The Acting President and the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] Chairman said: "The growth of a nation stems from growth at the grassroots. If we have good leaders at the local councils, then it is brought to bear on the national and continental levels."

Dr. Jonathan used the occasion to congratulate Ghana on its 52nd Independence Anniversary went on to say: "The fact that several African countries including Nigeria are celebrating the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of their independence this year is a call for African renaissance."

"As Africans, we have to leave our past behind us and move the continent forward," Dr. Jonathan stated.

Dr. Jonathan praised Mr. Rawlings for his leadership roles in Ghana and on the African continent, while urging him not to relent.

The joint recipient of the 1993 World Hunger Award, Mr. Rawlings , who is in Nigeria for the Pan-African Assembly of the United Cities and Local Governments, a global organization, congratulated Acting President, Dr. Jonathan on his assumption of office, saying he wish him the best and God's strength, and same for the people of Nigeria .

Jos crisis: When a mining city becomes an eternal killing field

The Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Gyang Buba addressing the people at the Dogon Na Hauwa village yesterday.

By Charles Kumolu
IF many can turn back the hands of time, the political equation in Jos would have remained in its pre-1991 status. For it is largely believed that efforts at taking governance to the door steps of the people literally sowed the seeds of discord that have turned Jos into a land of violence and destruction.

So, an action that was originally intended to usher in the gains or dividends of democracy turned out to be a curse on the land and the people have since then not known peace just as it appears that sleep has been murdered. It all began with the creation of Jos North Local Government Area through States Creation and Transition Provision Decree No 2 of 1991.

Unknown to those who conceived the idea and gave concrete expression to it, it has now become synonymous with the recurring decimal now known as the Jos crisis with high toll in human lives and property. In the process, the bond of brotherhood that used to exist appears to be permanently broken.

The result? The once peaceful plateau has transformed into a battle zone, where human lives are slaughtered at irregular intervals. Time was when Jos was famous for its tin mines. But today it is notorious as killing field. This is where Charles Darwin’s theory on survival of the fittest is always defeated, as both the unfit and fittest are usually eliminated.

Ethno-religious crisis

Therefore, it is now safe to conclude that life has become short, nasty and brutish in that North Central State.
Even while the nation has not come to terms with the last mayhem, another ethno-religious crisis hit the city on Sunday. But reporting the nightmarish incident invokes a feeling of it no longer being regarded as news.

This is because, considering the frequency at which this has continued to happen, the latest incident, even if it has recorded a higher casualty figure, stand the risk of being dismissed in some media quarters as not sufficiently newsworthy. Rather the news can only be found in a lasting solution to this perennial problem.

With that, questions surrounding the frequency or even the existence of the crisis might be laid to rest.
Anything below that, would keep tongues wagging. Instructively, these crises have always had religious colouration.

The last crisis that engulfed the city started when Christian youth tried to stop a Muslim man from renovating his house that was destroyed in the November 2008 riot.

Whatever colouration that might be given to the current one, many feel that implementation of the Ajibola panel recommendations, would make a difference in the search for a peaceful Jos.

The incumbent administration of Governor David Jang had set up the Bola Ajibola Commission of Inquiry into the recurring crisis in the state.

Accordingly the 339-page report faulted the creation of the local government area by former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

The Ajibola commission also said it was not satisfied by the explanations of former President Ibrahim Babangida that he did not create Jos North local government to favour a particular group. The commission said it found out that the former military president created Jos North local government in 1991 to favour the Hausa Fulani of Jos North as it was the Hausa Fulani community that demanded for the local government in the form in which it was created.

It also recommended that the present Jos North Local Government be re-delineated into three sustainable local governments with an equitable representative number of wards within each local government, while “the state government should give due consideration to all ethnic groupings in appointments, nominations and promotions within the state.”

In addition, it recommended that the state government should promote inclusion and participation through a ‘State Character’ principle similar to the Federal Character policy of the Federal Government, “as this would take into consideration citizens’ right in any part of Nigeria that they may find themselves.

“This means that all persons who are bona fide citizens should have equal rights, opportunities and access and not to deny those designated as non-indigenes of an area the access to some of the most important avenues of socio economic mobility be it government jobs, academic scholarships, university admission or fees,” it noted.

While observers ponder over why these recommendations have not been acted upon, the fact remains that the succession of violence in Jos has forced peace to go on exile. And the question remains: When will it return?

Let’s wait for Ajiboye panel

As Ajibola Commission was wrapping up its duties, General Emmanuel Abisoye (rtd) Presidential Panel of Inquiry was set up by the Federal Government.

Accordingly, it commenced sitting at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Plateau State. It is believed that the Hausa/Fulani who allegedly refused to make appearance before Ajibola Commission stormed the venue of the sitting with their memoranda along with others.

Among the burning issues raised by the Hausa/Fulani under the auspices of Jama’tu Nasril Islam before the Abisoye Commission are that the crisis was political in nature having arisen as a result of the Local Government election in Jos North Local Government Area.

Also the allegation that Governor Jonah Jang used his military connection, especially the Air force to exterminate the Hausa/Fulani in favour of his kinsmen, and that the governor gave the police and the Army shoot on sight order but government has consisted refuted this allegation.

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Nigeria country profile

Nigeria country profile Map of Nigeria After lurching from one military coup to another, Nigeria now has an elected leadership. But it faces the growing challenge of preventing Africa's most populous country from breaking apart along ethnic and religious lines. Political liberalisation ushered in by the return to civilian rule in 1999 has allowed militants from religious and ethnic groups to express their frustrations more freely, and with increasing violence. Overview * Overview * Facts * Leaders * Media Thousands of people have died over the past few years in communal rivalry. Separatist aspirations have been growing, prompting reminders of the bitter civil war over the breakaway Biafran republic in the late 1960s. AT A GLANCE "Jankara" market, Lagos Island Politics: People's Democratic Party (PDP) has dominated since the return to civilian rule in 1999. President Yar'Adua's prolonged absence from the country from late 2009 triggered a constitutional crisis. Economy: Nigeria is Africa's leading oil producer; more than half of its people live in poverty International: Nigeria plays a prominent role in African affairs; has withdrawn troops from oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to settle border dispute with Cameroon Timeline The imposition of Islamic law in several states has embedded divisions and caused thousands of Christians to flee. Inter-faith violence is said to be rooted in poverty, unemployment and the competition for land. The government is striving to boost the economy, which experienced an oil boom in the 1970s and is once again benefiting from high prices on the world market. But progress has been undermined by corruption and mismanagement. The former British colony is one of the world's largest oil producers, but the industry has produced unwanted side effects. The trade in stolen oil has fuelled violence and corruption in the Niger delta - the home of the industry. Few Nigerians, including those in oil-producing areas, have benefited from the oil wealth. In 2004, Niger Delta activists demanding a greater share of oil income for locals began a campaign of violence against the oil infrastructure, threatening Nigeria's most important economic lifeline. Nigeria is keen to attract foreign investment but is hindered in this quest by security concerns as well as by a shaky infrastructure troubled by power cuts. Facts * Overview * Facts * Leaders * Media * Full name: The Federal Republic of Nigeria * Population: 154.7 million (UN, 2009) * Capital: Abuja * Largest city: Lagos * Area: 923,768 sq km (356,669 sq miles) * Major languages: English (official), Yoruba, Ibo, Hausa * Major religions: Islam, Christianity, indigenous beliefs * Life expectancy: 47 years (men), 48 years (women) (UN) * Monetary unit: 1 Nigerian naira = 100 kobo * Main exports: Petroleum, petroleum products, cocoa, rubber * GNI per capita: US $1,160 (World Bank, 2008) * Internet domain: .ng * International dialling code: +234 Leaders * Overview * Facts * Leaders * Media Acting president: Goodluck Jonathan Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan became acting president in February 2010, after President Yar'Adua had been absent from the country for more than two months. Both houses of the Nigerian parliament voted to transfer power temporarily to Mr Jonathan to resolve what had become a constitutional crisis after the ailing Mr Yar'Adua travelled to Saudi Arabia for treatment for a heart condition. President: Umaru Yar'Adua Umaru Yar'Adua of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) won the presidency following the April 2007 elections which were condemned by local and foreign observers, who alleged widespread vote-rigging. Umaru Yar'Adua President Yar'Adua's lengthy absence brought government business to a halt He had served as governor of the remote northern Katsina state since May 1999. A little-known figure in national politics, he was chosen by outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo as his successor. He comes from a prominent political family. His father was a minister in the first government after independence and his late elder brother was an army general who served as deputy to President Olusegun Obasanjo when he was Nigeria's military ruler during the 1970s. When he was elected governor of Katsina in 1999, he immediately declared his assets. In his bid for the presidency he promised to fight corruption. In November 2009, Mr Yar'Adua's travelled to Saudi Arabia to be treated for a heart condition. His absence continued for several months, and sparked legal challenges, cabinet splits and mass street protests. It also led to a freeze in government business and threatened the progress already made in combating unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta. Mr Yar'Adua was born in 1951 and was a chemistry teacher until he went into business, then politics, in the 1980s. He took over from Olusegun Obasanjo, whose election in 1999 came at the end of a period of military rule. Mr Obasanjo won a second term in 2003. A bid to keep him in office for a third term was blocked by parliament. Mr Obasanjo began his first leadership stint in 1976 after the assassination of Brigadier Murtala Mohamed in a failed coup. In 1979 he earned the distinction of becoming Africa's first modern military leader to hand over power to civilian rule. Media * Overview * Facts * Leaders * Media Nigeria's media scene is one of the most vibrant in Africa. State-run radio and TV services reach virtually all parts of the country and operate at a federal and regional level. All 36 states run their own radio stations, and most of them operate TV services. Newspaper stand, Lagos A lively press includes influential dailies and popular tabloids Radio is the key source of information for many Nigerians. International broadcasters, including the BBC, are widely listened to. Rebroadcasts of foreign radio stations were banned in 2004. Private radio and TV stations have been licensed, and there is substantial take-up of pay TV. Private TV stations in particular are dogged by high costs and scarce advertising revenues. Moreover, legislation requires that locally-made material must comprise 60% of output. Viewing is concentrated in urban areas. There are more than 100 national and local newspapers and publications, some of them state-owned. They include well-respected dailies, tabloids and publications which champion the interests of ethnic groups. The lively private press is often critical of the government. Press freedom improved under former President Obasanjo, but restrictive decrees remain. Media rights body Reporters Without Borders says Nigeria is often a violent place for the press, with journalists suffering beatings, unfair arrests and police raids. By March 2008, 10 million Nigerians were online (ITU figure). The press * The Guardian - influential, privately-owned national daily * The Champion - Lagos-based daily * The Daily Times - Lagos-based government daily * The Punch - privately-owned daily * New Nigerian - government daily, separate editions in Lagos and Kaduna * The Daily Independent - Lagos State-based daily * Daily Trust - Abuja-based daily * Leadership - Abuja-based daily * The Comet - private, daily * Vanguard - Lagos-based, widely-read daily * This Day - widely-read Lagos-based daily * The Daily Sun - Lagos-based * Newswatch - weekly news magazine * Tell - weekly news magazine Television * Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) - state-run, operates scores of national and regional stations; national services broadcast in English * Degue Broadcasting Network (DBN) - private * AIT - private, owned by DAAR Communications, broadcasting in Lagos and Abuja and via pan-African satellite service * Minaj TV - private, serves eastern Nigeria and operates cable and satellite service * Silverbird TV - private, serves Lagos, Port Harcourt * Galaxy TV - private, serves western Nigeria * Channels TV - private

Jos boils again

* About Us * Advertise with us * Privacy Policy * RSS * Subscribe to News Feed by Email * Monday 8th March 2010 Jos boils again Headlines Mar 7, 2010 A woman wailing over the killings in Dogon Na Hauwa village in Jos. By Taye Obateru, Sam Eyoboka & Tordue Salem JOS—OVER 200 people, mostly women and children, were, yesterday, killed in three villages near Shen in Du District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, on reprisal attacks. At least 45 children, including toddlers, were among those hacked to death, gunned down or roasted in their abodes by the marauders at about 2.30 a.m. Most hit was Dogon Na Hauwa village where most of the killings occurred and more than 75 houses were razed, but nearby Ratsat and Jeji villages were not spared. A victim, Musa Gyang who spoke to journalists where he is receiving treatment at Plateau Specialist Hospital said they were woken up by gun shots in the middle of the night and before they knew what was happening they saw their houses torched, and as they ran out they were attacked with gun shots or machetes. Journalists broke down in tears as they saw corpses, some with heads severed from their bodies.. Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gregory Yenlong who briefed journalists later said the corpses would be given a mass burial, adding that security has been beefed up to contain the situation . Yenlong described the attack on the Berom villages as ethnic cleansing, saying some families were completely wiped out. He said the attackers were suspected to be Fulanis who came on foot from elsewhere to beat security but called for calm, stressing that government was intensifying efforts to track down the attackers. The Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Gyang Buba who visited the area also lamented the gruesome murder of innocent people describing it as man’s inhumanity to man. One of the burnt houses. He said he received information of planned attacks on villages and informed the security agencies appropriately wondering why the attacks still happened. Addressing the survivors, he said: “I am deeply sad. We can’t continue like this; we are not animals. We’ll go back and discuss with government even up to Abuja and make our case. Let’s have patience. There is no alternative to patience and don’t let us take laws into our hands. Do not do anything that would aggravate the situation.” PFN condemns killings Meantime, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene and arrest the perennial wanton killing of innocent Nigerians in any part of the country or risk a total breakdown of law and order. National president of PFN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, who spoke after news that some religious fundamentalists were imported from neighbouring states to unleash mayhem on Plateau State noted that the nation belonged to all of us. The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Sunday Ola Makinde in his reaction said: “it is a most unfortunate episode coming at the most un-Godly period of the year. How can people be so insensitive to the feelings of fellow human beings?” Describing the incident as one religious riot too many, Pastor Oritsejafor said the incident coming early on Sunday morning while people were yet to wake up was too barbaric. He urged Acting President Jonathan to prove to the 140 million Nigerians especially the Christian community that they have a stake in the nation just as their counterparts who have perfected the art of provoking them at will. Oritsejafor said: “I have just returned from a trip abroad. While I was away I was inundated with reports of another catastrophe in the Jigawa State capital where several churches were burnt and just as I was trying to settle down and collate reports from the field I am hearing of another on a Sunday morning.” In his reaction, the National Secretary of PFN, Pastor Wale Adefarasin said the cowardly killing of innocent Christians and the wanton destruction of their property and livelihood was further evidence that terrorist attacks similar to September 11 and the failed Christmas Day bombing in the United States now thrived in Nigeria. Adefarasin said: “Nigerians demand that for the first time all the perpetrators of these shameless acts including those that have aided and abetted them must feel the full weight of the law.” Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Rev. Monsignor Gabriel Osu said he saw the Sunday morning violence as a shame to a country that has been fighting seriously to gain the confidence of the international community. He said: “Do you know that because of things like these, anywhere Nigerians travel to they are subjected to dehumanizing scrutiny. Any act of violence at this time is totally condemned and the government should make haste to fish out all identified perpetrators of such heinous crime against God so that we can move forward as a people united under one umbrella.” Christians doubt army’s neutrality The Christian Elders Consultative Forum, yesterday, accused the Nigerian Army of failing to respond to the alleged fresh attack on Plateau State Christians by the Hausa-Fulani Muslim militants in Dogo Nahawa community in Jos. In a statement made available to Vanguard and signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Bishop Anderson Bok, and the Secretary General, Dr. Musa Pam, they said the fresh attack was a deliberate act of jihadists against Christians in the state. The statement said: “The attack, yet another jihad and provocation of the Christians, started at about 1.30 a.m last night. We are in touch with the survivors though many of them are still in trauma. “Dogo Nahawa is a Christian community. Eye-witnesses say the Hausa-Fulani Muslim militants came chanting ‘allahu akbar’ and broke into homes, cutting human beings including children and women with their knives and cutlasses. “These militants, we understand, came into Plateau State from neighbouring Bauchi State. We are indeed worried as we have severally made it clear about the role of the Nigerian Army. “Since the last religious crisis when the Federal Government mandated the Nigerian Army to take over the security of the state, we have never failed to show our fears and worries because of the role the military has played in previous crisis. “Shortly after the militants besieged Dogo Nahawa this morning, we contacted the soldiers at exactly1.30am since they are in charge of security of the state. But we were shocked to find out that the soldiers did not react until about 3.30am after the Muslim attackers had finished their job and left. “We want the soldiers to again explain reason for this deliberate delay which we consider part of the ploy. We want to state here that we no longer have any confidence in the Nigerian Army in the security of Plateau State because of their bias against Christians.”

Nigeria country profile

Nigeria country profile

Map of Nigeria

After lurching from one military coup to another, Nigeria now has an elected leadership. But it faces the growing challenge of preventing Africa's most populous country from breaking apart along ethnic and religious lines.

Political liberalisation ushered in by the return to civilian rule in 1999 has allowed militants from religious and ethnic groups to express their frustrations more freely, and with increasing violence.
Overview

* Overview
* Facts
* Leaders
* Media

Thousands of people have died over the past few years in communal rivalry. Separatist aspirations have been growing, prompting reminders of the bitter civil war over the breakaway Biafran republic in the late 1960s.

AT A GLANCE
"Jankara" market, Lagos Island
Politics: People's Democratic Party (PDP) has dominated since the return to civilian rule in 1999. President Yar'Adua's prolonged absence from the country from late 2009 triggered a constitutional crisis.
Economy: Nigeria is Africa's leading oil producer; more than half of its people live in poverty
International: Nigeria plays a prominent role in African affairs; has withdrawn troops from oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to settle border dispute with Cameroon

Timeline

The imposition of Islamic law in several states has embedded divisions and caused thousands of Christians to flee. Inter-faith violence is said to be rooted in poverty, unemployment and the competition for land.

The government is striving to boost the economy, which experienced an oil boom in the 1970s and is once again benefiting from high prices on the world market. But progress has been undermined by corruption and mismanagement.

The former British colony is one of the world's largest oil producers, but the industry has produced unwanted side effects.

The trade in stolen oil has fuelled violence and corruption in the Niger delta - the home of the industry. Few Nigerians, including those in oil-producing areas, have benefited from the oil wealth.

In 2004, Niger Delta activists demanding a greater share of oil income for locals began a campaign of violence against the oil infrastructure, threatening Nigeria's most important economic lifeline.

Nigeria is keen to attract foreign investment but is hindered in this quest by security concerns as well as by a shaky infrastructure troubled by power cuts.
Facts

* Overview
* Facts
* Leaders
* Media

* Full name: The Federal Republic of Nigeria
* Population: 154.7 million (UN, 2009)
* Capital: Abuja
* Largest city: Lagos
* Area: 923,768 sq km (356,669 sq miles)
* Major languages: English (official), Yoruba, Ibo, Hausa
* Major religions: Islam, Christianity, indigenous beliefs
* Life expectancy: 47 years (men), 48 years (women) (UN)
* Monetary unit: 1 Nigerian naira = 100 kobo
* Main exports: Petroleum, petroleum products, cocoa, rubber
* GNI per capita: US $1,160 (World Bank, 2008)
* Internet domain: .ng
* International dialling code: +234

Leaders

* Overview
* Facts
* Leaders
* Media

Acting president: Goodluck Jonathan

Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan became acting president in February 2010, after President Yar'Adua had been absent from the country for more than two months.

Both houses of the Nigerian parliament voted to transfer power temporarily to Mr Jonathan to resolve what had become a constitutional crisis after the ailing Mr Yar'Adua travelled to Saudi Arabia for treatment for a heart condition.

President: Umaru Yar'Adua

Umaru Yar'Adua of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) won the presidency following the April 2007 elections which were condemned by local and foreign observers, who alleged widespread vote-rigging.
Umaru Yar'Adua
President Yar'Adua's lengthy absence brought government business to a halt

He had served as governor of the remote northern Katsina state since May 1999. A little-known figure in national politics, he was chosen by outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo as his successor.

He comes from a prominent political family. His father was a minister in the first government after independence and his late elder brother was an army general who served as deputy to President Olusegun Obasanjo when he was Nigeria's military ruler during the 1970s.

When he was elected governor of Katsina in 1999, he immediately declared his assets. In his bid for the presidency he promised to fight corruption.

In November 2009, Mr Yar'Adua's travelled to Saudi Arabia to be treated for a heart condition. His absence continued for several months, and sparked legal challenges, cabinet splits and mass street protests.

It also led to a freeze in government business and threatened the progress already made in combating unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Mr Yar'Adua was born in 1951 and was a chemistry teacher until he went into business, then politics, in the 1980s.

He took over from Olusegun Obasanjo, whose election in 1999 came at the end of a period of military rule. Mr Obasanjo won a second term in 2003. A bid to keep him in office for a third term was blocked by parliament.

Mr Obasanjo began his first leadership stint in 1976 after the assassination of Brigadier Murtala Mohamed in a failed coup. In 1979 he earned the distinction of becoming Africa's first modern military leader to hand over power to civilian rule.

Media

* Overview
* Facts
* Leaders
* Media

Nigeria's media scene is one of the most vibrant in Africa. State-run radio and TV services reach virtually all parts of the country and operate at a federal and regional level. All 36 states run their own radio stations, and most of them operate TV services.
Newspaper stand, Lagos
A lively press includes influential dailies and popular tabloids

Radio is the key source of information for many Nigerians. International broadcasters, including the BBC, are widely listened to. Rebroadcasts of foreign radio stations were banned in 2004.

Private radio and TV stations have been licensed, and there is substantial take-up of pay TV.

Private TV stations in particular are dogged by high costs and scarce advertising revenues. Moreover, legislation requires that locally-made material must comprise 60% of output. Viewing is concentrated in urban areas.

There are more than 100 national and local newspapers and publications, some of them state-owned. They include well-respected dailies, tabloids and publications which champion the interests of ethnic groups. The lively private press is often critical of the government.

Press freedom improved under former President Obasanjo, but restrictive decrees remain.

Media rights body Reporters Without Borders says Nigeria is often a violent place for the press, with journalists suffering beatings, unfair arrests and police raids.

By March 2008, 10 million Nigerians were online (ITU figure).

The press

* The Guardian - influential, privately-owned national daily
* The Champion - Lagos-based daily
* The Daily Times - Lagos-based government daily
* The Punch - privately-owned daily
* New Nigerian - government daily, separate editions in Lagos and Kaduna
* The Daily Independent - Lagos State-based daily
* Daily Trust - Abuja-based daily
* Leadership - Abuja-based daily
* The Comet - private, daily
* Vanguard - Lagos-based, widely-read daily
* This Day - widely-read Lagos-based daily
* The Daily Sun - Lagos-based
* Newswatch - weekly news magazine
* Tell - weekly news magazine

Television

* Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) - state-run, operates scores of national and regional stations; national services broadcast in English
* Degue Broadcasting Network (DBN) - private
* AIT - private, owned by DAAR Communications, broadcasting in Lagos and Abuja and via pan-African satellite service
* Minaj TV - private, serves eastern Nigeria and operates cable and satellite service
* Silverbird TV - private, serves Lagos, Port Harcourt
* Galaxy TV - private, serves western Nigeria
* Channels TV - private

Keyamo asks Court to Dismiss Fashola Suit
Posted 15,Feb. 2010

Governor Babatunde FasholaCounsel to the Lagos State House of Assembly Mr. Festus Keyamo has asked a high court sitting in Lagos to strike out the suit instituted by a journalist, Mr. Richard Akinola to stop the state assembly from investigating financial impropriety leveled against the governor of Lagos state, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

Mr. Festus is praying the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the action is incompetent, frivolous, speculative and an abuse of legal process.

Citing from Section 4 [6] and [7], Mr. Keyamo says the respondent were right to set up a 6-man panel which was not to try the governor but rather to be informed as to whether there was a basis to proceed further with the allegations.

It could be recalled that a court sitting in Ikorodu had granted an order restraining the State House Of Assembly from proceeding with its probe on allegations of financial impropriety leveled against the state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola and the state lawmakers.

In his short ruling, Justice Habeeb Abiru held that an order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the defendant, that is, the Lagos state House of Assembly, whether by themselves, agents, members, officers or by whosoever from proceeding with or acting on the purported investigation of allegations of financial impropriety levelled against the executive an legislative arms of Lagos state government by a group published in a punch newspaper of January 28,2010 under the caption “The True Face of Lagos” or by any other group pending the determination of the motion on notice.

7 Ex-Bank Directors Object EFCC’s Fresh Charge

Former chairman of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Chief Raymond Obieri, and six other former directors of the bank, who are facing corrupt charges preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at the Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday raised an objection on the amended charge brought against them.
Charged along Obieri in the 12-counts charge, are Hyacinth Enuha, Christopher Adebayo Alabi, Samuel Adegbite, Alhaji Isyaku Umar, Bayo Dada and Elder Sanni Adams.
But the former bank chiefs raised an objections when the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Dan Abutu, ordered their re-arraignment following the formal substitution of the previous 12- charges with an amended charge by the prosecution led by M.S Hassan.
In his objection, Obieri’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) told the court that the fair accused tend to raise objections to the counts affecting his clients namely counts 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16.
The objection, he said was drawn from provisions of section 167 of the Criminal Procedure Acts (CPA), which stipulates that an accused can object to pleas on any count charge if he notice any defect on the charge.
According to him, his client cannot take plea on the charge since; there was defect in the counts.
He informed that court, that Obieri be given time in the interest of justice to file his objections on the charge against him.
Counsels of the other six accused which include Adebambo Adesanya (SAN), Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN) and Mrs. Abiola Afolabi aligned themselves with the submissions of the first accused person and urged the court to adjourned the matter to allow them file their objections.
An attempt by the prosecution to have the charge read to the accused was thwarted by Justice Abutu, on the ground that there was no objection before the court.
According to the judge, since there was no objection yet before the court, and the purpose of reading the charge was to allow the accused be acquainted with the charge, there was no reason to go on with the re-arraignment as the accused have claimed to have understood the charge, he then adjourned the matter till March 22, 2010, for hearing on the applications to allow parties exchange their addresses.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had January 19, 2010 filed amended corruption charges against the Chairman of the Intercontinental Bank Plc, Raymond Obieri and six non-executive directors of the bank, hinging it on new clues and fresh facts available to EFCC.
In the new amendment, Obieri and the other six are charged for granting credit facilities in the sum of N8 billion to companies, which they are either directors or had interest in, without security, contrary to Intercontinental Bank Plc's regulations and offence contrary to section 15(1) (a) and (c) of the Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Mal practices in Banks Act Cap F2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 16(1) (a) and (2) of the same Act,
They were also charged for failure to take reasonable steps to ensure that the balance sheet and the profit and loss account of Intercontinental Bank Plc are correctly reported to C.B.N and to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of Intercontinental Bank Plc with regard to a credit facilities in the sum of N8 billion, granted to SOO-KOK Holdings, which was wrongly classified as an off-balance sheet item and in respect of which no loan account was created in the name of the company.
The offense, E.F.C.C alleged, was contrary to Section 28(3) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act Cap B3 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Other charges against some of the non-executive directors of Intercontinental Bank Plc include receiving several thousands of the United States dollars from the bank as holiday allowances in contravention of the code of conduct for banks issued by the C.B.N, an offense committed contrary to section 33 (5) (b) of C.B.N (Establishment) Act 2007 and punishable under the same section of the same Act.

First Round Wins for Federer, Serena Williams and Clijsters

First Round Wins for Federer, Serena Williams and Clijsters

Posted 31,Aug. 2009

Roger Federer Roger Federer opened his bid for a sixth successive U.S. Open title by overwhelming teenage wildcard Devin Britton 6-1 6-3 7-5 in a first-round match at the Flushing Meadows today. Federer needed only 18 minutes to win the first set against Britton, an 18-year-old American who won the 2009 NCAA singles title as a freshman and is ranked number 1,370 in the world. Britton settled down in the final two sets but could not cope with the punishing ground strokes from the top-seeded Federer, who is seeking a record 16th grand slam crown. The 28-year-old Federer broke Britton's serve to close out the one hour, 28-minute match under sunny skies and unseasonably cool weather at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Serena Williams began the defence of her U.S. Open title with a straightforward first round 6-4 6-1 victory over fellow American Alexa Glatch. Serena Williams The world number two, looking for her third grand-slam title of the year and 12th in all, survived a lapse in concentration midway through the first set to advance in just over an hour. Williams began strongly but was broken when serving for the opening set at 5-2 as world number 103 Glatch settled after a nervous start. But she made no mistake second time round and then cruised through the second to set up a clash with Italian Maria Elena Camerin or Hungary's Melinda Czink. Former world number one Kim Clijsters made a winning return to grand-slam tennis on Monday with a 6-1 6-1 win over Viktoriya Kutuzova of Ukraine. The Belgian, playing in just her third tournament following a two year break during which she gave birth to her first child, overpowered the world number 79 in just 58 minutes. Clijsters, the 2005 champion but a wildcard entry this year, won the first seven points and romped through the opening set in just 27 minutes. Kutuzova could not cope with the Clijsters ground strokes and the 26-year-old will play either 14th seed Marion Bartoli of France or Paraguay's Rossana De Los Rios.

Obi Wins Anambra Governorship Election

Obi Wins Anambra Governorship Election

Posted 7,Feb. 2010

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has declared Peter Obi of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, winner of the Anambra state governorship election. The Anambra State resident electoral Commissioner, Mr. Josiah Uwazuronye made the declaration on the morning of Sunday February 7, 2010. Mr. Obi who is the incumbent Governor of Anambra state was voted winner ahead of key opponents such as Dr. Chris Ngige of the Action Congress, Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the People’s Democratic Party and Chief Andy Uba of the Labour Party. Mr. Obi scored 97,843 votes, Dr. Chris Ngige of the Action Congress polled 60,240 votes, the Peoples Democratic Party’s Professor Chukwuma Soludo scored 59,365 votes, the Labour Party’s Dr. Andy Uba polled 26,106 votes, Uche Ekwunife of the Progressive Peoples Alliance scored 9,595 votes, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of Hope Democratic Party polled 20,77 votes, and Mrs. Uche Ekwunife of the Progressive Peoples Party polled 9,595 votes Though the elections seemed relatively peaceful, there were complains of poor organisation by INEC and irrregularities at some of the pooling centres. Meanwhile, the leadership of the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA, is elated by Mr. Peter Obi’s victory. The National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, told our correspondent Deji Bademosi, that Mr. Obi’s victory is a reflection of his performance in the state.