Buhari Charge NYSC Members to Join Him Fight Corruption

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, charged National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, members to join hands with his administration in the fight against corruption in the country. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of 2015 Batch ‘A’ (Stream II) corps members deployed to Lagos State, at the NYSC Orientation Camp, in Iyana-Ipaja, Buhari who spoke through Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, who was also represented by Dr. Aderemi Desalu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, affirmed that the true desired change that Nigerians yearned for must begin with the youths. Buhari Buhari Earlier, Mr. Cyril Akhanemhe, Lagos State Coordinator of NYSC, said 2,500 corps members, comprising 825 males and 1,675 females, were participating in the programme in Lagos, even as he appealed to Governor Ambode to assist the NYSC in renovating the temporary camp in Iyana Ipaja as well as providing a state-of-the-art permanent orientation camp in Lagos. Stating, however, that the occasion was special to him, as the corps members are the first set to be sworn in for the one-year mandatory national service under his administration, Buhari said: “My dear compatriots, the time has come for us as responsible citizens to come to terms with the prevailing realities in our national life. Without doubt, the current situation in our country calls for unity, commitment and hardwork to help its development. “As we have promised Nigerians, my administration will soon unveil a comprehensive National Youths Empowerment Programme, anchored on the model provided by the NYSC scheme, Our goal is to comprehensively address youth unemployment, insecurity and other social vices prevalent among our youths.” “Let me assure you all that change for us is not just a political slogan, it is the dawn of new order, sough for by majority of our people. The true change we desire must start with everyone of us, especially you, the Nigerian youths. “On our part, we are prepared and determined to lead the nation with sincerity of purpose. We will continue to support and encourage corps members and the NYSC scheme by quick intervention and fulfilment of statutory obligations at all tiers of government. “Corps members must be ready to participate fully and join hands with all Nigerians to fight the scourge of corruption. I call on you to cultivate the spirit of hardwork and selfless service.”

The Senate: David Mark and Ike Ekweremadu; No more Convoy

The outgoing Senate President, David Mark, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, did not drive back to their homes with the usual convoy of exotic vehicles after the valedictory session on Thursday. The vehicles were parked at the parking spaces allocated to the offices of the principal officers as of 7.05pm while Mark and Ekweremadu were driven away in their personal vehicles without siren. There are five vehicles each in the convoy of the two principal officers. They included two principal vehicles, two security vehicles, two pilot pick up vans and two power motorbikes each. A clerk attached to a senate committee, told our correspondent on condition of anonymity, that the it was normal for the principal officers to drop the fleet of vehicles and power motorcycles in their possession since their tenure had ended with the valedictory session held on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT He said, “The vehicles are property of the National Assembly and the Clerk of the National Assembly, being the chief accounting officer, would account for all the vehicles, hence the man waited after the session to take possession of the vehicles.”

THE NEW GOVERNMENT AND FOI

In the coming days, Nigerians will be interested in seeing a government that works and one that has input from its citizenry and is keen on policies that affect everyone, particularly the poor demography. One quick recommendation on the table will be for the incoming government to run an open government where citizens can have access to government information easily and in good time. The Freedom of Information Act which was signed into law in May, 2011 is one of the noble legacies that President Goodluck Jonathan will be leaving behind and sustaining it will be an assurance that the new government means well for the country. The culture of needless secrecy in government business and every type of public institution must be brought to a quick end. The Freedom of Information Act (2011) is a document that can help Nigeria run an open government and end its inglorious run of poor accountability and corruption. Already it tickles our fancy that the new president will be declaring his asset and has also promised that anyone willing to become a minister in his cabinet will also do so. When the 2015 presidential elections campaign reached its peak, not a few analysts noted that if the election was conducted online, the APC was going to emerge the winner. It was in effect a form of commendation on the online mobilisation that the party had done. The party saw social media technology as an essential it needed to embrace to reach the youth population in the country. When the work of daily running of government starts, this also has to remain. When eventually the Ministries, Agencies and Departments are reformed and several mergers have taken place, government needs to think through a digital media plan that will make government responsive and people-oriented. The websites of several government institutions are a sorry sight! From broken links to absence of updated materials on the website, the challenges are numerous. It will also be saying the obvious that these activities will also be a means to create jobs for a teeming number of technology savvy young people when they are made functional The new government should push a value that gives the citizen the ability to support the legislative in providing its oversight function. This is the premise of open government and that way more citizens can get involved in the legislative process. The Freedom of Information is the perfect tool for this and an adoption of this tool across all states, especially where the ruling party leads will be a decent starting point. The Freedom of Information Act allows anyone irrespective of age to request for information from any public institution without even stating the reason why the information is being sought. In countries like the United States of America where requests are already being made by email, it comes with a caveat that ‘before submitting FOIA requests, individuals should ensure that the information they seek is not already in the public domain or located on the Department’s website’. This is where proactive disclosure also needs to be encouraged by the new government. The information that the public may require for investigative works or even academic research purpose should be regularly updated on the institution’s website. It is also a way to increase productivity as visitors who would have visited these agencies for this purpose can do so remotely. Is it also possible that we have a country where government telephone lines work? A good number of them are dead or simply non-existent and even when they are picked, there is always someone rude at the other end who acts as though he or she is being disturbed and yet collects remuneration from our commonwealth. Only Ekiti and Lagos State have adopted the FOI Act; can the new federal government push to have more states do same in the coming days? Ultimately, what is possible is a Nigeria where more citizens come alive and support government by making suggestions or even taking up private corporate responsibilities simply because they have accurate information on the depth of a problem. With emails now available on the go even through mobile phones, it will be interesting to see government institutions brag as to the number of emails they reply daily and the number of FOI requests they have responded to both online and offline. These are little indicators that can tell us in good time that indeed the change that was voted for has come to stay.

Okorocha plots his own death. Only the Grace of God

What could have been a major disaster was averted just by divine providence in Owerri, the Imo State capital yesterday when a pedestrian bridge built by Governor Rochas Okorocha at Heroes' Children's Park, opposite Concorde Hotel, collapsed under the governor. The incident, which happened when the governor stopped over on his way to the NUJ Governorship Debate to interact with some students of Development Comprehensive Secondary School, Owerri,who were around the park when he came, caused a stir among on-lookers and passers- by. Trouble started when the governor took the students up the bridge to teach and inspire them on how to become leaders. No sooner had the governor started the teachings with the students when the bridge caved in with the iron bracing of the bridge cut under the weight of the governor and the students and the students panicked and started shouting "Jesus! Jesus!!" while the governor feigned ignorance of the situation even as his security aides rounded the spot to help him down. Our correspondent who was there reports that when the incident happened, the governor's aides, especially the members of the security operatives, who were visibly shaken, started shouting to the students: "Jump out! Get down! Jump out!" and the students jumped out from the bridge and ran for their dear lives. In the midst of the melee, the governor said "we're too many here, please jump down". The UNION can report that this was the first time the bridge was being used since Governor Okorocha constructed it two years ago. It would be recalled that Akachi Road Bridge and several buildings (including the multi-million naira Imo Film Academy, a new security gate being constructed behind the main entrance gate to the Government House; office complex being constructed in the Imo State university campus, Owerri as well Princess Hotel Okigwe) constructed by the governor in the state had collapsed raising questions about the standard of such projects.

H.E Owelle Rochas Okorocha Governor of Imo State, Nigeria. I write you this letter in overriding public interest as a citizen, indigene and member of Ihiagwa Community in Owerri west LGA. It is not on any other platform, my letter is also informed by the spirit of open government which democracy seeks to promote in any society including Nigeria, where it is our choice for governance. Above all, my letter is a statement on the confidence that I and our communities have in your ability to intervene and address problems like ours in the road sector. This confidence is built on the reported track record of your achievements in construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation of roads in the state since you assumed office to rescue Imo State. The examples are many and visible for even the worst critics of the administration to see and appreciate. Your Exellency, may I painfully inform you that Nekede/Ihiagwa to Eziobodo housing two major institutions in the state, is presently almost cut off from the rest of the city. The only major road that connects These communities (Okolochi, Emeabiam, Eziobodo, Ihiagwa, Nekede) with the rest of the City is in a deplorable state. This road has been neglected for over 12 years. It has no major obstacles like bridges or difficult terrain .The only problem of the road over these years can easily be traced to promises made and promises broken! Sir, for us, it is a sad commentary that a well-known community like ours reputed in history as the cradle of Owerri civilisation has found itself in such a sorry state in terms of bad road. Under its present terrible state, a journey from Owerri to Ihiagwa that should not last more than 10 minutes, now drags for over one hour. There is no doubt that the Ihiagwa - Nekede road in its current condition is perhaps the worst road in Imo state. And this is not an exaggeration. A trip on this road is a terrible experience that no one is prepared to recommend even to one’s worst enemy. This is why for some time now, many of us from Ihiagwa neither travel home nor risk the shame of inviting friends and well-wishers to visit our community. We hibernate in major cities across the country in regrets while our kits and kin at home especially commuters who must use the road on daily basis groan in fury and penury. In the same direction, transporting of farm produce which is in abundance in commercial quantity from Emeabiam, Okolochi, Eziobodo Ihiagwa in IMO State and the neighbouring communities is jeopardised. Other implications include poor access to medical care and help on similar emergencies in Ihiagwa and the affected communities with far reaching severe consequences on women and children, the old and the young. In November 2013, our joy knew no bounds when you visited our community, you even walked bare footed on the mud and said we will celebrate last Christmas with this same road. All of us went into jubilation believing that a “Daniel had finally come to judgment”. We thought that our pains, frustration anguish on the road were over. While publicly appreciating the State Government’s gesture, Ihiagwa in particular offered to provide any required assistance and support to the contractors to avoid stories and excuses in getting the important job done. Unfortunately, Your Excellency, it is sad, a big shame and disappointment that we have been failed, Your Excellency, another Christmas is by the corner. Ihiagwa community and her people that gave it an opportunity to make an important contribution to national development in that part of the state. We are utterly disappointed on the performance of the contractors if that road was actually awarded. While we have no information on what the specific problem may be, we have also seen no signs, equipment, skilled human manpower or any form of passionate commitment on the part of any company or Government to embark and complete this project. The character and performance of this company/government has eroded our confidence on the campaign to give equal opportunities. We are deeply concerned that our road has been rendered a failed project. Indeed, no one, not even the contractor, has offered any explanation for this shoddy performance. To worsen our situation, there appear to be some conspiracy of silence around this project. The suspicion of our community is high as all those who should speak out have chosen to keep quiet while the benefitting communities die slowly in silence. In the light of this unfortunate situation, I Chinedu Opara wishes to appeal for an urgent intervention of our Amiable Governor, Owelle Rochas, to institute a full investigation into circumstances that has led to this failed project if this project was awarded. I also request the Governor to do us a rare honour of visiting Ihiagwa, inspect this road to see things for himself because seeing is believing. We believe very strongly that our road will not remain the same after the third visit of the Governor. We suspect that reports from your field officers on this particular project are a fiction, anything but reality. Dear Governor, all that Ihiagwa-Nekede road requires to relieve our people from these decades of pain and bondage is a competent contractor to take over the project supported with good budgetary provision. And this is not difficult because the project is a very small one but with huge social economic benefits. As a major support base for your administration in Owerri East, Ihiagwa/Nekede as affected communities are ready and willing to offer assistance that may be required. We trust that this passionate request for your kind urgent intervention will attract your desired attention in the service of man and country. We think this is a legacy, you must leave behind. Thank you Your Excellency. Yours Faithfully Chinedu Felix Opara +234(0)8038399483 edugreatest@yahoo.com

YFARM PRESS RELEASE

Press Release Youth Farm (Y-Farm) Festival and Campaign- August 12, 2014 Abuja, Nigeria (20/05/2014) – Fresh & Young Brains Development Initiative (FBIN) cordially invites the public to the first regional Youth Farm (Y-Farm) Festival and the kickoff of the Campaign? The festival and the kickoff campaign will be held in Abuja, Nigeria on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 10:00am, with the view to “Transforming Nigeria and indeed Africa’s Agriculture to engaging youth for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods for inclusive growth and sustainable development, the campaign aims to establishing and promoting 10,000 youth-led farms across the continent of Africa by 2020. The Y-Farm Campaign adopts a two-pronged approach of promoting youth-led farms and the benefits of farming for sustainable livelihoods. The campaign is focused on amplifying youth voice (especially young farmers’ voice) to promote Sustainable Agriculture among the younger generation. The goal is o promote a youth-led agribusiness society, reduce poverty and increase active youth participation in sustainable agriculture by 2020. The Youth Farm (Y-Farm) partners, stakeholders and allies include: ACTIVISTA, ACTIONAID, AFRICAN, YOUTH INITIATIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE (AYICC), AFYIDEF, AIDE, ALEXIJAN CONSULTS, BEN TV, CARREFOUR NIG. LTD, CEDSI NIGERIA, CEED, CENTRE LSD, CODE, COMMUNICATY LIFE PROJECT, CPALD ABUJA, DAVID MARK BONAVENTURE INITIATIVE, DIRECORATE FOR TECHNICAL CORPORATION IN AFRICA, DYNAMIC WOMEN, ECOWAS COMMISSION, NIGERIA, FARMERS CHRONICLE, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION (FAO) NIGERIA, GALAXY TV, GAVICKY FARMS, GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION, GRICK-IT, HEINRICH BOLL FOUNDATION, IMPACT AGRICULTURE PROJECT, INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, KARABOW, KITTYS CONFECTIONAIRES, LEDSI-NYERI, NIGERIAN AGRIC INSURANCE CORPORATION, NETWORK OF AFRICAN YOUTH FOR DEVELOPMENT, NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA, NEWSAN, NIGERIA AGRICULTURE SUMMIT GROUP, KADUNA, NIGERIAN PILOT NEWSPAPER, NIWAASA, OFFICE OF SPECIAL ADVISER TO NIGERIAN PRESIDENT ON YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, OFFICE OF THE SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT ON YOUTH & STUDENT MATTERS, ONE.ORG, OXFAM NIGERIA, PEACE FRONT NIGERIA, PPP DIVISION AWARD, RACHVID INVESTMENT LTD, RYAN, SAVE THE CHILDREN, UK (NIGERIAN OFFICE), SOUTH SAHARAN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, UPI NIGERIA, VEINNET, VOICES FOR FOOD SECURITY, WORLD YOUTH PEACE ORGANIZATION, YOUNG MEN EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE, YOUTH PROGRAM ON AGRICULTURE AND ENTERPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT (YPAED) and YOUTHWASH NETWORK (NIGERIA). The festival is expected to host over 500 Agriculture stakeholders, including Ministers, Ambassadors, African professionals, International and Local NGO practitioners, and young farmers, it shall also feature concert, award, exhibition and fundraising to support Youth Farmers on the continent For information on how to participate, donate or sponsor, please contact, Nkiru ********, CEO/Founder FBIN on +234(0)8053647180, 07066817374 or fbinaija1@gmail.com, fbinaija@yahoo.com, Twitter: #YFarm, @fbinaija, @fbinaija1. Please visit our website for further information on www.freshbrainsinitiativeng.org.

ACF, Northern Govs Commiserate With Sambo Over Brother’

ACF, Northern Govs Commiserate With Sambo Over Brother’ The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Monday commiserated with Vice President Namadi Sambo over the death of his younger brother, Capt. Sabo Sambo. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, the ACF described the death of Sambo’s brother, who died in a ghastly motor accident on Sunday, as shocking. “It was with grief and shock that ACF learnt of the death of Capt. Sabo Sambo, the younger brother of the Vice President, Namadi Sambo. “From God we come and to Him we shall all return”, the statement read, adding that death was the ultimate end for all mortals, and noted that life is equally transient. The statement quoted the ACF as saying that, “the good deeds and service to humanity done by each person shall continue to live after him”, “We are aware that Capt. Sambo has been flying for over 30 years; from the defunct Nigeria Airways, Presidential Fleet to Nigeria Police Aircraft, all on service to his fatherland. “Capt. Sambo would be remembered for his diligence, commitment to service and most importantly, his humility. “We commiserate with the family of the Vice President, and pray to Almighty Allah to grant the departed soul eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus. “We also commiserate with the bereaved family and pray Allah to give them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”. Also, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) consoled the Vice President over his brother’s death. In a condolence message, the NSGF Chairman, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger, on Monday said: “We feel and share in your grief. Take heart”. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Capt. Sambo, who was the immediate younger brother to the vice president, died on Sunday on the Bill Clinton drive, Airport Road, Abuja, in a car accident.