I visited Akure in June 2011 and was blown away by the massive on-going development of the town, the new street lights, even by the presence of the Street Cleaners in their bright orange outfits sweeping the street. I saw mainly the construction of roads, other visible new businesses and the Governor’s office, although just from the outside. To me, having been away for several years, I was happy to see the on-going development, not even being aware of the magnitude of other projects I was yet to see.
I came back to the UK and carried out research on Ondo State development and projects, without immediately thinking to find out who the ‘brains’ behind all this was. My excitement centred round the visible modernisation of Ondo State and its on-going potential, and what this could bring to the State if the development process was allowed to steadily progress.
I quickly located Ondo State websites dedicated to its growth and development, and it was via such sites that I came across his Excellency Dr Olusegun Mimiko - in my opinion a man of integrity, humility and a force to be reckoned with. I understand has been in power for just under 3 years and you will find that everything I present to you is based on my observations and experiences during a recent visit in the middle of January 2012.
Most impressively, he has built Mega Schools not just in Akure, but also in Ikare where I travelled to on Saturday 21st of January 2012. The Mega Schools possess state of the art classrooms, football pitch and an assembly point for the students which can also double up as a performance stage. The environment of the school is designed to encourage and stimulate the students’ potential and aspiration.
I also saw the new Market, and my younger sister who came along on the trip with me told me about the tragedy of the previous market when lots of people lost their lives when a lorry lost control and crashed into the crowded market at the bottom of the hill. This brought about the location of the new market in Ikare.
I also had the privilege to see the New Mechanic Village where many custom built workshops are currently being allocated to small businesses. Similarly, all car traders are now based at Automat, the massive new Car Mart. There is now a new Bus Terminal, and new Bus Stops, which should help create orderliness and safety for commuters trying to get on and off public transport - it works everywhere else so, why not in Ondo State. I also visited the new Nepa Market which was bustling and vibrant.
I must admit that I did not read the Governor’s Election Manifesto prior to him coming into power, but regardless of this fact, I would challenge anyone not to be impressed by his visible achievements across the State. There are still some challenges to be tackled with the many projects, but as the saying rightly goes, ‘ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY’.
For a social society to function, grow, and exist amongst its competitors there has to be a form of social order which should be reflected in the way we conduct ourselves both socially and privately.
Social order can also be reflected in our physical surroundings and infrastructure, how we shape and adapt to things around us, and how we live and interact within our society and environment. The projects I witnessed demonstrated our State positively utilizing the resources we possess to bring about a progressive, healthy, developing and economically viable society.
Ondo State is a unique state, as we have a high numbers of highly educated people, and one thing I can say for our State is we study hard, and we have had in the past a lot of highly placed Ondo sons and daughters holding powerful positions in the Nigerian Government & associated Organisations.
Ondo State is privileged to have Dr Olusegun Mimiko as your very own, a man of integrity and humility who has proven capable and with the winning formula for getting things done. He is well equipped to take the State into the future it well deserves through development, and promotion of its marketable resources. He is encouraging and developing the future generation, as demonstrated by the Mega School Project.
His projects will continue to bring about the creation of jobs, new career opportunities, economic growth and a visible demonstration of what a modern and efficient state government can achieve.
I am also amazed by the amount of awareness and support his Excellency has amongst many people I have spoken to on coming back to London, even with people who are not from Ondo State.
News from Diaspora
Dr Olusegun Mimiko ‘A Modernising Force’
Presentation by President Jonathan on ‘Boosting Intra-African Trade” at the 18th AU Assembly
A Presentation by President Goodluck Jonathan on ‘Boosting Intra-African Trade’ at the 18th African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa, Jan.29-30, 2012PROTOCOL
It is a great pleasure for me to attend the 18th Ordinary session of our Assembly dedicated to the theme: “Boosting Intra-African Trade”.
Let me from the outset, pay tribute to my brother, President Teodoro Nguema Mbasogo for his stewardship of our Union through what was, undoubtedly, a very difficult and challenging year. Under his leadership, we weathered the storm of the political crises in Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.
I wish to congratulate my brother, His Excellency Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin for his election as new Chairperson of the African Union. I have no doubt that under his leadership our Union will build on the progress recorded last year.
Mr. Chairman
It will be remiss of me not to express my gratitude and appreciation to my friend and brother, His Excellency Ato Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and our host, for his generous hospitality to me since my arrival in Addis Ababa.
Similarly, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China for donating and constructing in record time, a befitting edifice that is now home to the African Union. This building not only symbolizes the genuine friendship between Africa and China, but also underlines our commitment to consolidate and deepen an enduring partnership. I have no doubt that China will sustain its support for Africa’s economic development in a mutually beneficial relationship.
I would like to acknowledge and commend Dr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the AU Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank for their hard work in the preparations for this summit.
Your Excellencies,
May I also seize this opportunity to thank you and others outside this hall, for the expression of support and solidarity in the wake of the recent spate of terrorist attacks in some parts of my country. Your words of counsel, more especially, offers of support and cooperation, to deal with this menace are reassuring to me that Nigeria is not alone in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, my administration is taking every measure necessary to speedily tackle this problem.
Mr. Chairman,
One year ago, our Assembly met here in Addis Ababa on the theme: “Shared Values Towards Greater Unity and Integration”. This current Summit on “Boosting Intra-African Trade”, underscores the imperative of shared values as the bedrock for achieving integration. Our commitment as individual Member States, as Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and as a united continental body, to realize this objective for the good of all must not waver. Africa’s economic development will be more difficult to achieve without a free intra-African economic and trading system. This will, in turn, increase its underdevelopment and marginalization.
Therefore, we all appreciate the need for Africa to build a formidable mechanism for internal trade and economic resilience to protect the continent’s economies from external shocks.
The Lagos Plan of Action, the Abuja Treaty, and the NEPAD Charter, among other instruments on Africa’s economic integration and development, adequately address how to make Africa economically independent and self-sustaining.
It is against the backdrop of these frameworks, that I would like to share our experience in West Africa regarding economic integration. I should emphasize in this regard, that the key to enhancing intra-African trade is the free movement of people, goods and services. In the 37 years since the formation of ECOWAS, we have witnessed increased access of our diverse products to larger markets and greater access to larger labour work-force. Furthermore, it has encouraged our producers to produce more efficiently based on factors of comparative advantage, specialization and increased competitiveness. Indeed, it has created wider variety for consumers thus impacting on prices and ensuring economic stabilization.
Added to these specific economic gains, is the socio-political solidarity that has accrued amongst us in the sub-region which cannot be quantified. Our sustained trading contacts have, overtime, also helped to bridge our socio-cultural differences and lent our countries to harmonious co-existence. These and other advantages, I believe, justify the need for consensus here today on the priorities we must pursue, as well as the measures required, to achieve the goal of an African common market.
Chairman/Your Excellencies,
The projected modest growth of Africa’s GDP to 5% of global GDP by 2020 is anything but assured, given the frequent and sometimes persistent international economic and financial crises. Consequently, the necessity for an Action Plan to launch a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA), in line with the framework and stages outlined in the Abuja Treaty, remains unassailable.
My optimism notwithstanding, I should caution against rigidity on a Continental Free Trade Area. Our experience with setting free trade targets in West Africa, leads us to believe that the multi-faceted benefits of a Continental Free Trade Area cannot be achieved without adequate infrastructure policy, legal, socio-political and cross-border security frameworks.
Of equal importance, is the need for guaranteed and predictable sources of funding for the implementation of projects. Indeed, our best efforts can bear very little fruit unless there is partnership between the public and the private sectors at the international, continental and national levels.
I should add at this juncture, that a favorable international environment is also needed to complement our domestic efforts. In this regard, I wish to call for greater political will and commitment to conclude the Doha trade negotiations to enable Africa benefit meaningfully from trade as the engine for development. Other measures must include granting Africa greater voice, representation and participation in decision making in international financial and development institutions. Besides, there is need for consistency, coherence and transparency in dealings with Africa.
These lessons from our regional perspective are essential and germane for building a viable, fair and trouble-free Continental Free Trade Area. Above all, the total package of institutional and systemic enablers must all be in place. These include the provision of adequate infrastructure, policy and regulatory frameworks, conducive social, political and economic environment, financial services and support to businessmen and women, locally and across borders. If addressed, these measures will assist in reducing the anticipated adjustment costs, as well as put less pressure on the compensatory system and ensure a cost-effective governance architecture for the Continental Free Trade Area.
Excellencies,
It is beyond doubt that our regional economic communities provide the best platform for accelerating and achieving economic integration. Therefore, what is required of us is to do more to implement the several initiatives that we have already adopted aimed at addressing factors such as infrastructure, productive capacity and science and technology that inhibit integration efforts. In this regard, I would like to reiterate the view I expressed last October at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Perth, Australia, where I said, “There is need to have a clearer basis for trans-boundary cooperation to manage common resources like water and energy and to enable the erection of regional infrastructure that will power intra-Africa trade which is currently at only 10% of total trade in the continent”.
Your Excellencies,
In the final analysis, my assessment of the progress towards the Continental Free Trade Area does not lead me to believe that 2017 is a realistic target for its take-off. Several of the key enablers that I have already enumerated, not to mention other challenges and constraints, remain lacking. For this reason, I am not convinced that by 2017 these challenges would be overcome to enable the smooth take-off of a trade regime that caters to the needs of all our countries and RECs.
For the time being, in our words and deeds, we can and must do more, to realize the objectives of the Programme for Infrastructural Development in Africa (PIDA), the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA) Initiative, African Productive Capacity Initiative (APCI), as well as the Action Plan for Development of Science and Technology, among others. It is by implementing these plans that we can hasten the emplacement of a Continental Free Trade Area that would stand the test of time and deliver on its promise.
Mr. Chairperson,
Before I end my remarks, I would like to recommend that the proposed CFTA Action Plan and its programmed cluster of activities be regarded by the Assembly as guidelines to address the identified challenges and constraints. The launching of the Continental Free Trade Area should follow at an appropriate and more realistic time. Now is the time for the Assembly to give consideration to a multi-speed development of the CFTA to allow States to join at a pace that best suits their needs. After all, in both the common markets of the European Community (EC) and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), members were not required to all join at the same time.
The road to Continental Free Trade Area is far from easy. Member States need to work on all convergence and fiscal issues including infrastructure, trade policy, border security, Customs, travel visas/migration, investments, and judicial governance among others. We are still grappling with these issues in the entire ECOWAS sub-region.
Your Excellencies,
Taking a gradual, but incremental step toward a CFTA, would accord with the values of democracy that we espouse across the continent. It will be difficult in some of our domains, to accede to the CFTA without first involving our citizens and other stakeholders in frank and open discussions to reach consensus on strategic national public policy interests. We must be open to sharing experiences and learning useful lessons. There are no quick-fixes to integration.
I thank you for your attention.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Quads celebrate UK first as all simultaneously graduate with Masters degrees from same university
Graduating from university is normally an occasion for a family get-together.
And this was certainly a big celebration for the Ogunsanya quadruplets who were handed their well-deserved degrees from the same university on the same day.
The 23-year-old quads, identical sisters and the oldest by four minutes, Toks and Temi Ogunsanya, and identical brothers, Tobi and Tolu, graduated from Warwick University with Master Degrees.
And there was not a jot of sibling rivalry as all four have landed jobs in the City already.
Toks graduated with anMEng in manufacturing and engineering and Temi, Tobi and Tolu all gained an MSC in management from Warwick Business School.
'The fact we all chose to study at the University of Warwick was a natural decision,' says Tobi, who thinks a bit of sibling rivalry is essential for success.
'We are a close-knit family and were all attracted by the strength of the courses on offer.
'We all gravitated to similar courses because we've always been interested in business and management and our father is a successful businessman in Nigeria.'
The quads, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, have been living in the UK since the age of seven when they began boarding schools. Since leaving university they have all landed top city jobs.
Toks is due to start working for RBS in London later this year, Temi, who interned at Santander over the summer, has been offered a permanent position with the bank, and Tolu is due to start working for one of the 'Big 4' accountancy firms in the City.
'Our parents are four times as proud of us,' added Tobi, who is mulling over two offers from two major City firms.
'They've supported us financially and have encouraged us all the way - without their help we wouldn't be here today.'
Source: The DailyMail
Nigerians in Dallas Stage Peaceful Protest
Dallas, TX – As the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) took off Monday, members of the civil society organizations, politicians, political activists, actors and musicians have said that the much canvassed revolution had finally commenced. The strike is a reaction to the sudden removal of fuel subsidy which was announced by President Goodluck Jonathan on the 1st of January, 2012. According to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the nationwide strike against government’s removal of fuel subsidy is costing the economy about N100 billion ($617million) daily.
Nigerians in Diaspora under the umbrella of “Occupy Nigeria” have held peaceful protests in several cities including London, Washington DC and New York against the removal of petroleum subsidy which has seen the price of petrol (PMS) increase from N65 per liter to N141 per liter (official rates) over night.
Protests against cut in fuel subsidy and public corruption spread to Canada
Organisers say the protests marches are billed to take place in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, and Toronto, the country’s largest city and economic hub.
According to a statement made available to Premium Times, Occupy Nigeria Toronto protest comes first on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 2 pm. Venue is Dundas Square (Dunda/Younge), Downtown Toronto.
Anthony Kola-Olusanya, convener of the protest and his co-organizers, Funmi Olumade, Dotun Olanrewaju, Shola Kola-Olusanya, say they are bracing up for a well-attended march even as they continue to reach out to Nigerians and friends of Nigeria in the Toronto area to come out en-masse and express solidarity with the Nigerian people.
Occupy Nigeria Ottawa is slated for Monday, January 16, 2012 at 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The protesters will gather in front of the Nigerian High Commission at 295 Metcalfe Street.
The organizers, Mr Hammed Hassan-Olajokun and Captain Ade Gerber, who are reaching out to Nigerians and Canadians alike to come out and support the Nigerian people, say they have secured all necessary police permits for the gathering.
Among other issues, Occupy Nigeria Ottawa is demanding: (1) immediate reversal of the removal of fuel subsidy; (2) immediate action of the government to protect all citizens of Nigeria regardless of ethnicity and religion; (3) credible steps to arrest corruption.
Acclaimed columnist and Penguin Prize for African Writing winner, Pius Adesanmi, will address the Ottawa rally.
Source: Premium Time
Occupy-Nigeria Los Angeles Protest Scheduled For Jan 14
Nigerians in Southern California (NISC) have announced a solidarity meeting for Saturday,
January 14 to decry the oil subsidy removal by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan
In a statement, today, the group sent a specific message to Mr. Jonathan, reminding him that “A
leader who demands loyalty, but offers nothing in return builds tyranny; and tyranny offers
nothing but failure. Empower every citizen, and you will gain strength. Offer security and
justice in the form of liberty, allowing every citizen to be safe from conviction without cause or
prison without charge - to work, eat, and live on the sweat of his or her own brow – and you
will be great. Not only will you receive the loyalty of your people, but their love as well. GEJ,
this is your chance to be great - don't waste it. Lead from the heart.”
Describing the hardship that removal of the oil subsidy removal will bring to the average
Nigerian, NISC said the government should:
• Revamp all the refineries and build new ones;
• Provide regular power supply;
• Provide public transportation systems such as railways;
• Repair the roads;
• Eliminate the corruption associated with supply and distribution of petroleum products in
the downstream sector of the oil industry;
• Trim excess wages and entitlements allocated to high government officials;
• Adhere to the rule of law;
• Be transparent;
• Be accountable;
• Govern well; and
• Lead by example
Saturday’s rally, to which all Nigerians and their friends are invited, will hold at10 A.M at:
6430 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028-7906 (Near CNN Building).
Nigerians in New York City Speak Out In Support of Occupy Nigeria
Over 150 Nigerian activists and their supporters stormed the Nigerian Consulate in New York yesterday to protest the removal of the oil subsidy by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a rally tagged Occupy-Nigeria, New York, activists carrying placards and singing protest songs decrying government withdrawal of the fuel subsidy swamped the walkway in front of the Nigeria House. The group of old and young Nigerians condemned the insensitivity of the government to the plight of the masses.
Speakers at the event included Sun Newspaper columnist, Okey Ndibe; Guardian newspaper columnist, Sonala Olumhense; the publisher of Saharareporters, Omoyele Sowore, the Bureau Chief of the Guardian newspaper, Laolu Akande; former president of the OAU Students’ Union, Adeleke Olanrewaju, Jubilee activist, Affiong Affiong and the publisher of African Abroad newspaper, Alex Kabba. They were agreed that the situation in Nigeria is a watershed in the history of the country, and that Nigerians must seize the opportunity to ensure that the evils which characterize society and politics in Nigeria are exorcised once and for all.
The event was organized by the Nigerian Democratic Liberty Forum (NDLF), headed by Dr. Adegboyega Dada and Bokola Oreofe. The NDLF, which had called the subsidy removal “ill-advised and inhuman,” demanded that the Nigerian government revert to the old price of fuel and investigate the practices of petroleum products importers and distributors, as well as the government bureaucracy which supports their nefarious activities.
While the issue of the fuel subsidy removal was the natural starting point of the protest, other grievances concerning the socio-economic conditions in Nigeria were quickly brought forward, including the astounding N1billion allocated in the 2012 budget for the food needs of the Nigeria presidency. Protesters were united that such a provision alone was an indication of the depth of the rot in Nigerian politics and ethics.
“The U.S. government pays President Obama $400,000 a year and out of that, Obama pays for his own food,” commented columnist Okey Ndibe before the crowd.
“This is our opportunity to reclaim our country,” he said.
In his speech, Mr. Akande urged the protesters to be steadfast and not be deceived by the misinformation coming out of the government’s PR machine. “We have to make the point that Jonathan owes Nigerians, not the IMF.”
Pan-Africanist and veteran activist, Affiong Affiong , emphasized that the fuel subsidy removal could not be the only issue at hand, but Nigerians must fight to avoid ethnic sentiments.
“The blame of what is happening in Nigeria today is ours, not that of our leaders…it is you and I that accept the lies of religion and tribalism,” Affiong asserted. “Show me your people and I will show you your leaders.”
It was a chilly day as Nigerians assembled bravely to demonstrate solidarity with the Occupy Nigeria movement. Also at the rally were a few people from Occupy Wall Street (OWS), including Jose Martin, an organizer who also spoke to Nigerians and expressed the support of OWS for Occupy Nigeria.
“You have inspired us to do what we do and that is why Occupy Wall Street will be joining Occupy Nigeria,” said Jose Martin, speaking about the intentions of OWS to join the Nigerian protest this afternoon. OWS will convene in New York City’s Times Square to mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of Guatanamo Bay, and then march to Nigeria House.
The climax of yesterday’s rally came when a fictional President Goodluck Jonathan made an appearance. The fictional Jonathan, from the popular SaharaTV Dr. Damages Show, entertained the audience by offering them cassava bread. He answered questions from the crowd but was also pelted with eggs by people who disagreed with his poor answers to questions asked of him.
Many speakers urged the rally to never let up until the Nigerian people regain control of their political space.
“For those who know but do not care and those who care but do not know, Nigeria is a failed Nation that works for the very people who failed it,” said Rudolf Okonkwo.
“Our job,” he stressed, “is to stop Nigeria from working for those who failed it.’
Source: Saharareporters, New York
Bajowa’s Wife Bags LLM Abroad
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The family of General Olu Bajowa has added a new feather to their cap.The delectable wife of The Jagunmolu of Ikale Land recently in far away United Kingdom bagged an LLM degree.The venue of the award, 02 peninsular square, North Green wish, London was full to capacity with family, friends and well wishers who had come to felicitate with Barr (Mrs) Princess. Oluyemi Bajowa.
A year ago she journeyed to East London in United Kingdom in order to acquire more knowledge about her law career. She enrolled for a master programme in the University of East London.
The good news is that after a demanding and challenging academic session, she has graduated. On Thursday, 17th of November 2011, the University graduated Barrister Mrs Bajowa and others that were successful in the LLM class.
No doubt, Barrister (Mrs) Yemi Bajowa has not only made the household of the Jagunmolu of Ikale Land proud but the entire Ikales in Diaspora. Coastalnews wishes her more success in her chosen career.
UACO - ( Africans) mourns Ojukwu
He described the death of the great Biafra leader as a big loss to Nigeria, Africa and the world. His Excellency Ojukuwu was one of my hero, said Dr Ola
He noted that the vacuum which Ojukwu’s death has created, will be difficult to fill because he was a great man who had a dream for a great nation where there will be justice, equity and fairness.
He prayed God to grant the Ojukwu’s family, the Igbo people and the entire Nigerians and Africa, the fortitude to bear the loss.
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