News
Jega: The Challenge Ahead
The Senate, penultimate Thursday, after two days of water-tight screening ratified the nomination of chairman-designate, Professor Attahiru Jega as the new helsman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Similarly, the upper chamber also confirmed the appointment of six national commissioners of the commission.
The six commissioners okayed by the Senate along with Prof Jega include: Nunu Yakubu, Col M. K. Hammanga (rtd), Dame Gladys Nne Nwafor, Dr Ismail Igbani (re-appointed), Mrs Telma Iremiren and Prof. Olayinola Olurode.
President Jonathan who had earlier dropped Gen. Abdullahi Bagudu Mamman and Amb. Mohammed Anka from the nominees list for the fact that they were found to be partisan promised to replace them in due course.
Reports indicate that Prof. Jega and his commissioners are already warming up to resume duties at INEC headquarters in Abuja, a development which shows their readiness to answer the national call and face the assignment with seriousness and commitment.
Senate President, David Mark shortly after the screening exercise told the INEC boss and the commissioners that Nigerians, and indeed, the world expect so much from them, especially at this critical moment of our political history.
Jega, in his response, however pledged to conduct the most credible, free, fair and widely acceptable elections in post-independent Nigeria at the end of his stewardship. He affirmed that he will never compromise his integrity which he worked hard to build over a long period.
For many Nigerians, Jega’s promise is like any other from public officeholders in our clime. His predecessors made similar promises but all ended u p compromising themselves.
Jega, while serving as the national president of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) maintained good track record and antecedent which made most Nigerians to easily accept his nomination for the INEC job.
The task before Jega is obviously enormous but definitely not insurmountable if the federal government and other stakeholders give him the necessary support and enabling environment.
Jega’s INEC must therefore endeavour to address fundamental problems plaguing our polity, some of which include credible voters register, voting pattern, sanitizing the INEC (from local to federal levels) re-orientation for all electoral officers, among others, which in the long run will lead to a successful 2011 polls, a major task of the Jega’s dispensation.
It is believed that the sacking of Iwu is just part of federal government’s desire to ensure that next year’s general elections will witness a radical departure from our ugly past.
Already, pressures are mounting on the presidency to take a step further by retiring all serving electoral commissioners, especially those involved in the electoral bazaar in 1999, 2003 and 2007 general elections.
As much as one will not want to doubt the president’s determination to, for once, prove our critics wrong that Nigeria can hold elections that would be acclaimed worldwide as “fair and credible”, we expect that Jonathan,s choice of Jega is right and just.
Besides, the political will on the part of the presidency, and the National Assembly must as a matter of necessity facilitate the process of reforming our electoral system and law in tandem with realities on ground.
The voters register must be reviewed as the existing one no longer conforms with current realities. Rules, regulations and guidelines on elections must be rigidly adhered to and not bent to suit sectional or partisan interests.
Besides, electoral officers should be given a re-orientation. Electoral offices need a complete departure from the impression which makes most of them erroneously believe that power of incumbency and the ruling party interest must be protected always.
We must realize at all times that Nigeria is far greater than those temporarily in power and therefore must exhibit neutrality and fairness to all during and after elections.
Similarly, voters have a major role to play in our crave to achieve credible polls. They need not mortgage their conscience but insist on credible candidates with good antecedents.
As the 2011 general elections draw closer, the presidency and other stakeholders must ensure that this time around, Nigeria gets it right. One way we can achieve this is to ensure that Jega and his team discharge their duties with utmost sense of responsibility, commitment and diligence.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.
-
City Crime3 days ago
Europa League Will Not Save Our Season – Man Utd
-
News3 days agoWalson-Jack Salutes Civil Servants’ Dedication On Workers’ Day
-
Business3 days ago
TTP Trains Customs Agents, Freight Forwarders On Eto App
-
News2 days agoMay Day: Labour Seeks Inclusiveness In Policy-making
-
Rivers3 days ago
LG Boss Targets Education Reforms, Others
-
Politics3 days agoKano Gov Approves N15.6bn To Settle Ex-APC Councillors’ Entitlements
-
Sports3 days ago
UCL: Henry Calls For Return Of Away Goals Rule
-
News3 days ago
UK-Nigeria Partnership Strengthened To Combat Fraud