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‘With my international contact I will bring in many companies to Ondo State’ - Bolaji Odidi

Thursday, 03 May 2012 17:09 Coastal NEWS

Mr Bolaji Odidi is a successful business man and politician. He speaks with Coastal News on his plans for the people of Ondo State and other sundry issues. Enjoy the excerpts.

Q: Can you tell us a little about your background?

First and foremost I will like to thank the Almighty God the Alpha and the Omega for making me to see today without him I wouldn’t be here. When I consider where I started from and where I am today I know there is somebody some where looking after me from above and I know I can do all things through Jesus Christ that strengthens me. I started from nobody to where I am today through hard work, diligent, honesty and through pragmatic approach to issues. My Name is Bolaji Odidi, born in 1964, I hail from Igbokoda in Ilaje Local government headquarter of Ondo State. My both parents are from Igbokoda ruling house, my mother from Lebile ruling house whilst my father is from Odidi ruling house in Igbokoda.

Q: Could you please let us have a load down of your political profile?

I started my political careers in Lagos Nigeria, I was the organising Sectary of club 80 in Lagos, in 1988 club 80 single handedly installed Malam Mohamed Imam Shuab as the councillor of ward I Ijeshatedo and Itire, in expense of the Alhaji Jakande group after the said election we were invited by Hon Longe former speaker Lagos State House of assembly to meet Alhaji Lateef Jakande, we were persuaded by Alhaji Jakande to work for his group for the interest of peace and unity of Yoruba because in the Kano State where Imam Shuab came from never would a Yoruba man become a councillor, he stated that he was aware of our plight and frustration with the people working for him in our ward, he later asked us how we did it and my Chairman Mr Tunde Shittu directed the question to me as the Organising Secretary and I gave all the details and the map of Ijesha and Itire to Baba Jakande who commended my ability to design such a winning formula and we left there with promise to work with his group. When we went for the convention few months later we have tipped Mr Tunde Shittu from our group to vie for the post of the Chairman in mainland, but surprisingly I was unanimously announced as the organising sectary of the whole Mainland due to my dexterity and the formulae for winning election in our ward. I bet you the same formula would be applied to dislodge Labour party in Ondo State.

I was also the Sectary of Ilaje Christian Association while Chief Olusola Omonira was the Chairman, Chief Omonira the Titan of the Ilaje politics, our aim was that the group would be metamorphosis to a political party, but unfortunately the then Babagida’s regime truncated all political activities and I left Nigeria for Europe. I got all the blue print here with me, if that may interest you our first aim is to compel Lagos state Government to have at least two Ilaje indigene in any formed government in Lagos State. The Ilaje people have been in Lagos before the Egba, the Ijebus and Oyos today you find all sort of tribes including the Ibos in Lagos state cabinet and Ilaje people are been left out in each government of Lagos State. Did you know that most of the so called the ruling houses in Lagos, their fore fathers are from Ilaje, for example, the Ajose family, the Ashogbons, the Kalejayes and unfortunately the Ilajes which make large proportion of the Lagos State are being ignored.

I am the Coordinator of ACN UK and Ireland Ondo State Chapter, I fought for the chapter to be recognised by the leader of our party in Ondo State and to the glory of God, the chapter is a well recognised body in Ondo State today. To confirm this, you may ask Comrade Sola Iji and Mrs Jumoke Anifowose both past Chairmen of Ondo State ACN. To the glory of God at just concluded convention of ACN UK chapter I was unanimously elected as the Ex officio (South West) of the ACN UK chapter, member of Elder forum, member of NEC and NWC of ACN UK.

Q: You have been in the United Kingdom for many years, what have you been into?

I came to UK and I equipped myself with necessary education and work in various field both lowly paid jobs to different managerial position now I am the CEO of Divine Group which is the umbrella of Divine London Limited. My rising to where I am today was a gradual process, hard work and total commitment to the will of God.

Q: You recently indicated interest in contesting the deputy Governor position?

Yes

Q: Under What political platform?

Under the platform of ACN because I have paid my due to the party, I have been member of AD to AC, I have been supporting the party both in the UK and my local government, you can ask from formal AD Chairman in my local government. I grew up to know my father to be an active member of AG and that is my family legacy to be democrat and progressive. When many people deflected to Labour and other political party, I did not; I remained in the party and championed the cause by settling all disputes that arose in the party within my capacity.

Q: How do you think you will be able to convince your people at home having been away from home for a long time?

Thank you Sir. That is the question many journalist are asking me and importantly many of my opponent, I am not away for so long I do come home here and then. I came to Nigeria to do business and went back late last year. I came to Lagos to have meeting with the elder of our party and Chairman of our party, Mrs Anifowose at Eko Hotel and the meeting was fruitful and at the meeting I promised to create a platform to support and put pressure on the tyrannical government of Labour Party in Ondo State and delivered. I created a website called Ondo State Voice of the voiceless you can log on it at: www.ondostaevoice.com . I did not take money to create this wonderful site and it was created by well recognised software developing company in UK and they do the maintenance and daily input. I live abroad like someone living in Nigeria for example my first house was built in Akure even though I lived in Lagos before I left for Europe when I came back my first thought was to do something tangible in my state capital. The property is still there today at Okuta Elerinla Estate in Akure, it was later that I acquire another property in Lekki area of Lagos State. Many of my opponents ask them what they have done in the state. Anyone of them that got something has being through politics, I have never held any political office before or appointment in Nigeria.

During Governor Agagu administration I had a meeting with the management of a company based in Netherland, we had the meeting in Budapest, Hungary I persuaded this company to set up Industrial Starch factory in Ondo State the main raw material is cassava and yearly Nigeria imports more than $800 million per year. The company would not be able to meet the local demand and this product is internationally sought for by many countries. By setting up this company in Ondo State it will generate 5,000 direct employment and more of our farmers would be fully engaged, moreover they promised to acquire thousands of hectare of lands for cassava plantation and I persuaded them to have share in the company so that it won’t be 100 % Nigerian company, they agree to have 30% stake in the venture in order to have good maintenance, to our surprise the Ondo State government did not approve the project. To verify this claim you can contact Hon Demola Babalola leader of the house of Assembly under Agagu administration and Mr Ife Iji to verify my claim and Mr Tokunbo Oladiran from Ese Odo Local government, with whom I did the negotiation who resides formerly in Hungary, but now in living England, he hosted us during the negotiations.

After the deal did not sail through the company has opened factory in Brazil and Thailand, if I become the deputy governor I will reopen the contact so that many of our unemployed graduates and school leaver could be gainfully employed. To our surprise, after a year I read in the newspaper that the governor was going to Thailand to source for Industrial starch Production Company, is it Thailand they would go to when you need a factory to be set up in you state? With my international contact I would bring in many companies to Ondo State. We will create broad street in each local government headquarters to have supermarkets, banks, eateries and so on and all would be decorated with fountains, development should go to all local government not just Akure. We will take development to the people at local government so that our youth could be gainfully employed and that would stop influx of youth to the city.

Q: Do you think you have adequate knowledge of the peculiar problems of your people with your long stay abroad?

As I have said I know more about the people of Ondo state than so many people living in the state, don’t forget I went to school in both Ilaje and Ese Odo area, my wife is from Ondo, I share in the problem being faced daily by the people of the state. When I heard there was a faction in Ilaje ACN I personally called all the breakaway faction to work together.

Q: So, if you eventually emerge as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, can you tell us what your administration will focus on?

Our administration will focus on people oriented programme by empowering the people of the State. During the administration of our Dear Papa Late Adekunle Ajasin the founding father of the state, Ondo state used to be the second poorest state while Niger used to be the poorest. During the time there was free education, free meal in the school, most of the roads in the state today were built then and most of the government houses were built during Baba Ajasin era. Even the Ilaje, Apoi, Ijaw and Ikale would not forget Baba Adefarati and Chief Agagu they open up the area now there are good road linking up the whole Ese Odo and most part of Ilaje. Since the coming of the Labour party the people are poorer even though Ondo State is ranked among the richest states in Nigeria, we cannot match up with the development need in the state during this present government, development is moving at snail pace if not stagnant.

We shall focus on youth empowerment; refocus on education as at least our old people in our state will be getting some welfare benefit being indigene of the state.

Q: What qualities and qualifications do you think make the people of Ondo State see you as the preferred candidate for the Deputy Governor?

I attended Ijaw National High school Arogbo between 1978 -1980 and I went to Community Grammar School Ori Oke Iwamimo Between 1980 – 1983. I sat for WAEC at Isolo Comprehensive High School Isolo Lagos state. I am a graduate of Business Studies from prestigious Thames Valley University London, now West London University and hold certificates in different field including oil and Gas, Energy Management and I am a qualified Energy Consultant. I belong to different professional bodies in UK and America.

I have held many managerial position both in UK and European continent, presently , I am the CEO of Divine Group of Company in United Kingdom we are into Freight forwarding, Shipping, Money transfer, Estate Management. I am a God Fearing person; all my years abroad I have been fighting for the unjust and poor people, helping many Ondo State indigenes in general and Ilaje people in particular. I have helped many that came here to get accommodation and jobs in different part of UK.

I am a born again Christian, I attend Redeemed Christian Church of God, Holy Ghost Zone, Old Kent Road, London and I am staunch member of the Church. I am aspiring for this post to represent the poor and I will do everything to support the masses and I will work with my governor to initiate people oriented programmes in Ondo State. I am bringing my international contact, experience and exposure to develop my state and to transfer technology and idea to my state.

Q: What is your advice to the people of Ondo State and member of your party, the ACN?

My advice to the people of Ondo State is to embrace the policy of ACN in order to bring development and economic empowerment to the people in order to enjoy the dividend of democracy. They should judge by looking at the development in Lagos, Edo, Osun and all other ACN controlled state the development in evident to see. Unlike labour party that go no brother nor sister no correct party formula, which is being controlled by Emperor Mimiko, who prefer to use people and dumped them at will and he knows that his days in power are numbered. I will liken him to a drowning man who is looking for who goes to the bottom of the sea with.

Four years of Labour in Ondo State has been a waste for example the bitumen deposit and silica (sand) at Igbokoda have been over looked. In the Northern Senatorial district the Ifon Clay and Bricks Company is in comatose. NIROWI in Ondo town is dead and almost four years of Mimiko did not bring them back to life. Aregbesola is giving farm input to Osun indigene to put a stop to poverty; he is establishing farm settlement now at Mokore where each farmer will get at least 12 acres of farm land. At least 1000 poultry broilers were given to each farmer, feed and vaccines were also given, at maturity the government purchases all the poultry from the farmer based on their weight and pay the differential of the input and output to the farmer. If that has not interest you, definitely these will do, Governor Rauf Aregbesola is giving free laptops to all secondary school pupils in Osun state, free meal and free school uniform and Osun state is not as rich as Ondo state.

I am very happy with the healthy development in our party today if about 23 aspirant are vying for the post of a governor then it shows that our party is the party to beat. My advice to our leader is not to get things wrong this time around so that we do not make the same mistake that was made in last governorship election, by electing someone who got the good motive at heart not just someone who came to the party just to fulfil his governorship ambition.

As we are being told, we know that Governor Mimiko is sponsoring some aspirants in ACN we would like the elders to investigate and fish out those that are being sponsored by governor Mimiko.

Q: Lastly whom would you like to Thank?

I would give my profound gratitude to Almighty God. I would also thank Late Chief Olusola Omonira for discovering me and for having hope and trust in me. He initiated me into politics, to my mother for setting that standard for me to follow whenever I am going through difficulties; I remember her world of encouragement that difficulties don’t last for ever.

I will also like to thank Comrade Sola Iji. He is my great mentor and someone I look up to in terms his educational achievement and all-round excellence in his pursue. Lastly, I would like to say thank you to someone I regard as a mother and helper that is Mrs Jumoke Anifowose who despite her tight schedule listens to me and never shy away to give her advice to me.

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Lagos To Get 60 Ferries As Fashola Inspects Protoype In Australia

Saturday, 21 April 2012 13:26 Coastal NEWS

History was made in Brisbane, Queensland in Australia on Thursday as Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) pushed ahead with another electoral promise of accelerating inter-modal transportation through the extensive use of the State's waterways when he witnessed the signing of the Ferry Manufacturing Agreement for the State between Aluminium Boats Company of Brisbane, Australia and a consortium of water transportation practitioners, Eko Water Buses Limited.

The Agreement signing event which was preceded by an inspection and a ride on one of the prototype ferries, being manufactured for the State, by Governor Fashola and his entourage is for the initial batch of 60 ferries each with a 200 passenger capacity to be deployed on various routes.

These ferries are like the water buses because of their passenger carrying capacity.

The inspection and Agreement signing followed a recent Memorandum of Understanding between the Lagos State Government represented by the Private Public Partnerships Office and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the consortium, Eko Water Buses Limited which aims to deploy one ferry for a pilot scheme by July this year. According to the Agreement and production schedule, five more of the purpose built and fully fitted high capacity ferries will be deployed by December this year making a total of six.

However in the near term and as part of the positive spin offs from the Agreement, about 50 Nigerians will benefit from a comprehensive training programme in Marine Operations, Boat Services and Repairs in the expansive boat building facility of Aluminium Boats Company in Brisbane, Queensland ,Australia as a prelude to the full commencement of the ferry services operations in December.

Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and his entourage were received in Brisbane, Queensland by a representative of the Premier of Queensland, the Treasurer and Minister for Trade, Mr Tim Nicholls, the top management of Aluminium Boats Company of Australia including its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Stuart Pascoe and General Manager, Mr Tommy Ericson as well as representatives of the consortium, Eko Water Buses Limited led by its Chief Operating Officer,Mr Muyiwa Omololu and their technical partners including Mr John Waterhouse and Captain Elgin Mckilop.

Also on hand to meet with the Governor and his entourage which included the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Private Partnerships, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi and Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority ( LASWA),Mr Yinka Marinho were representatives of international financial institutions backing the landmark project including Westpac lnstitutional Bank of Brisbane, Commercial Banking of Australia and the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation ( EFIC).

Apart from a test ride on the prototype of the ferry demonstrating its versatility, durability and safety features, the Governor and his entourage also undertook an extensive tour of the company's boat yard during which he inspected one of the boats being built for the Lagos operations.

The major private sector partners of this project which will provide a great boost to safe and secure water transportation in Lagos State as an integral part of the inter-modal transportation which also includes the Bus Rapid Transit system and the light rail project ,Eko Water Buses Limited is a consortium of world class ferry operators. It includes Western Pacific Maritime based in Vancouver, Canada, the Eliot Bay Design Group and other technical partners like Transit Systems of Australia and Whitewater Marine Corporation of Canada.

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Forty-Year-Old Nigerian Woman From Enugu Among Victims Of Mass Shooting In Oakland California

Wednesday, 04 April 2012 13:10 By SaharaReporters, New York

Forty year old Nigerian mother of three, Doris Chibuko, was among the victims of a deadly shooting at the Koreans Nursing school in Oakland, California on Monday.

Doris was among the 7 people fatally shot by a lone gunman at Oakland's Oikos University in Oakland.

Doris hails from Enugu state in South Eastern region of Nigeria. Before migrating to the US she studied and practiced law in Nigeria before marrying Efanye Chibuko in 2002.

The killing of Doris happened two months away from her planned graduation from the small private college. She and her colleagues were murdered by a fellow student One Goh who later surrendered to the police in a supermarket.

Culled from Saharareporters

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“I’ve Never Had A Wedding Day Dream In My Life.”- Funmi Iyanda

Monday, 26 March 2012 08:19 By Adeola Fayehun

During an exclusive interview on SaharaTV, Nigeria’s foremost female media personality and award-winning broadcaster, Funmi Iyanda revealed that she is quite different from women and girls around the world.

“I’ve never had a wedding day dream in my life,” Iyanda told SaharaTV’s Adeola Fayehun.

While millions of girls and women have already imagined their own elaborate wedding day ceremonies, schemed and sketched designs for a one-of-a-kind wedding gown and even compiled music playlists for the wedding reception festivities, Iyanda simply said: “I never thought to be married.”

“Part of the reason why I’m not married is because I haven’t found a person I can trust with my most vulnerable self,” she said.

The “vulnerable self” of Ms. Funmi Iyanda is open to interpretation, but the statuesque, charismatic media icon made it clear that she values the institution of marriage and welcomes companionship.

Iyanda, raised mainly by her father, --who taught her that her gender should not stop her from achieving whatever she wanted to-- says she defines herself first, as a person, not as a woman.

She understands the demands and pressures of women who work in the media sector and are constantly thrusted in the public eye. Her status as a single mother living in Nigeria may certainly compound the pressure.

“Nigeria, more than anywhere else, deeply frowns on the issue of single motherhood,” Iyanda said.

She explained that the father of her daughter plays a role in the life of her daughter.

But being a single mother has yet to slow her down.

As a well-respected figure in Nigeria’s media industry, Iyanda wears several hats as a producer, presenter, journalist, CEO of Ignite Media and activist.

Iyanda recently returned from Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania where she joined almost three dozen African women (with the likes of South African actress Rosie Motene and Congolese singer Barbara Kanam) for a 5-day hike on Africa’s tallest mountain. The symbolic trek, purposed to advocate the ceasing of violence against women, coincided with March 8 International Women’s Day,

At the end of the journey, Iyanda tweeted that she “almost died.”

“…most life altering experience of my life. still struggling 2 assimilate all. I can't walk and my fingers r still frozen so each word hurts.”

“…just came off the mountain. 5 days of hiking/climbing 10 hours a day thru rain forest, savanna, tundra den arctic regions, no bath”

But, women empowerment is not the only issue that Iyanda is ready to advocate. The self-described “product of Nigeria’s military era,” stood alongside fellow Nigerians at the anti-fuel subsidy removal protests in January.

“What was going on then was completely unacceptable…aside from the fact that Nigeria is a fragile economy there’s nowhere, nowhere in the world where you… would try to implement an economic policy that would mean a 117 percent or thereabout increment... It doesn’t work, you don’t do that…it’s a bit inhumane,” Iyanda told SaharaTV’s Adeola Fayehun.

Iyanda said that the Occupy Nigeria movement is a “pre-revolution,” an “awakening of the people.”

“Don’t go by what you see on Twitter alone,” she said. “If you get into a bus or a taxi in Nigeria now, they are discussing with you the infinite details, you know, of the budget, of political decisions, of policies that are being taken. People are taking more interest in how Nigeria is being run. I think it’s good. This is how democracy supposed to be practiced. It’s good for the leaders, too, because it makes them more conscious of the decisions that they take. I think if we had been doing this all through the time that we were experiencing the dictatorship and military government we would have gone a lot farther than where we are now,” she said.

So, where will activism and media lead Ms. Funmi Iyanda in the future? The possibilities are many, but for Iyanda, making a difference is all it takes.

Culled from Sahara Reporters

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The Eternal Rest of a Literary Colossus

Friday, 24 February 2012 15:52 Coastal NEWS

The Olafioye foundation with a sense of loss and celebration of a fulfilled life in the Lord; announces the glorious transition of:

Professor Tayo Peter Olafioye; aged 74
from his earthly realm, which occurred in Maryland, U.S.A on February 22, 2012 while seeking medical treatment after a brief illness

Professor Tayo Olafioye was a consummate academic, indefatigable patriot and courageous commentator on national issues. a distinguished writer, (published 19 books ), Prof. Olafioye won many prizes including Golden Poet”s Award, San Francisco thorpe international, American National Library Award, and Yugoslavia Manifesto For Poetry. He was a nominee for Nobel Prize Award with other notable colleagues like Chnua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and Cyprian Ekwensi.

Educated in Nigeria and the United States, Prof. Olafioye attended Christs School Ado-Ekiti, the University of Lagos, Nigeria; the University of San Diego, California, and the Uinversity of Denver. he received a PH.D from the University of Denver, USA. Professor Olafioye was a Nigerian born writer, and one time acting editor of daily times of Nigeria.

He taught at the Universities of Calabar and Ilorin, Nigeria, and at University of San Diego, San Diego state University, and lately as emeritus Professor at Adekunle Ajasin in Ondo State before his death.

He is survived by his wife, Barister Biola Olafioye, two daughters Solape, and Foyin; three grandchildren, seventeen brothers and sisters including
Pa Oluwole Olafioye, Chief (Mrs) Kemi Ewuola, Mr Segun Olafioye, Dr. Salewa Olafioye, Arch. Kasimawo Olafioye, Tunde Olafioye; CEO of Jin –Media, Dunni Oafioye, and Fusi Olafioye

Burial details will be announced by the Olafioye Foundation at later date:

For further information: please contact Solape Olafioye 202-709-0037, or
Dr. Salewa Ola 313-574-2607

Comments (1)

Dr Olusegun Mimiko ‘A Modernising Force’

Wednesday, 01 February 2012 10:24 Anne Bola Jones

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.

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Presentation by President Jonathan on ‘Boosting Intra-African Trade” at the 18th AU Assembly

Monday, 30 January 2012 19:12 Coastal NEWS

A Presentation by President Goodluck Jonathan on ‘Boosting Intra-African Trade’ at the 18th African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa, Jan.29-30, 2012

PROTOCOL

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

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Quads celebrate UK first as all simultaneously graduate with Masters degrees from same university

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 08:02 By Anna Edwards

Fabulous foursome! (Left to right) Tolu, Toks, Temi and Tobi have walked away with degrees and City jobs

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

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Nigerians in Dallas Stage Peaceful Protest

Friday, 13 January 2012 14:03 Coastal NEWS

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.

Occupy Nigeria; Dallas is set to stage a peaceful protest in support of Nigerian citizens on Saturday 1/14/2012 at the Pioneer Plaza by the Dallas Convention Center, 650 S Griffin St Dallas, Texas 75202. The group has sought the permission of the city of Dallas to stage the peaceful protest on behalf of Nigeria. Amongst the groups demands includes the immediate rescinding of the petroleum prices back to 65 naira per liter.

“We urge President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to immediately focus on more pressing issues such as the terrorists activities by Boko Haram, corruption at all levels of governance, transparency, refurbishment of our refineries, unemployment, and poor health gradient” according to a spokesperson.

It is estimated that domestic airlines that had been stopped from operating flights since Monday due to strike action embarked by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in protest of the removal of subsidy on petroleum motor spirit (PMS), commonly called petrol, by the Federal Government, may be losing about N1.2 billion daily.

One of the major operators that has significant market share in domestic operations disclosed that it was losing about N133.5 million daily as its many aircrafts were parked idling away with uncertainty hanging in the air as the strike counted its days. Airlines including Arik Air, Aero Contractors, IRS, Chanchangi, Dana Air had lost several millions of naira in revenue since Monday that the strike kicked off and as air transport business returns small margin of profit, the losses would have negative fiscal implications on the airlines.

Source: Trendy Africa

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