For a very long time, Nigeria has been bedeviled with series of communicable and non communicable diseases which have claimed several lives.
It is on record that on many occasions, diseases like polio, yellow fever, dengue fever, river blindness among others do erupt across the country, taking away great potential leaders.
In fact, it is hardly difficult for two months or so to pass in Nigeria without the outbreak of any disease across the length and breadth of the country.
Presently, there is outbreak of Cholera in about eleven states, which had claimed over five hundred lives. The disease is caused by a bacteria called Vibro Cholera which can be acquired by food or water contaminated by fecal material.
Today, Cholera is ravaging States like Osun, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Gombe, Taraba, Jigawa, Adamawa, Yobe and the Federal Capital Territory, making other States susceptible to the dreadful disease.
Confirming the ugly development, the Chief Epidemiologist in the Federal Ministry of Health, Doctor Henry Akpan said about six thousand suspected cases had been reported, while there were other reports in the media which said the victims are more than that.
Available records show that Bauchi State had two thousand, four hundred and seventeen cases and about one hundred deaths, while one hundred and twenty and sixty five deaths had been recorded in Borno and Katsina States respectively.
Medical Experts have however attributed the outbreak to lack of access to safe water and good sanitary environment, which, in fact, makes all States of the Federation susceptible to the outbreak of the disease.
The fact that the case has not been reported in some parts of the country doesn’t insulate such states from the disease.
Hence, government at all levels must therefore ensure proper supply of potable water and proper maintenance of public utilities, particularly toilets and boreholes with a view to guaranteeing sound environment and hygienic for all and sundries.
Attitudinal change also needs to be advocated among Nigerians on making their environment tidy at all times as well as ensuring that water, fruits and foods are safe before taking them.
Epidemiologists and sanitary inspectors must be employed and supported in all the seven hundred and seventy- four local government areas of the country, to increase surveillance, treatment and enlightenment campaign across the country.
Conclusively, it is necessary for the president to be proactive and develop long term mechanism that will put an end to this scourge of epidemic while comprehensive probe should also be made into how the money budgeted and released by governments and development partners like UNICEF,WHO,MDGS and the World bank on water supply are expended in the last ten years.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
2011 GENERAL ELECTIONS AND TASK BEFORE THE NIGERIAN POLICE
Nigeria, since her independence in 1960 has conducted several elections which were believed to be marred with irregularities. These include ballot snatching, election rigging, riots and other forms of violence.
Elections in Nigeria have become synonymous with violence due to the attendant ugly incidents that have permeated and characterized the conduct of elections in the country.
Reports from both local and international media during and after the elections better explained the pathetic state of Nigeria during elections. It is so difficult to recall any election in Nigeria without shedding blood, making the country loosing several men and women of great potentials.
Though, violence and other forms of irregularities erupt in elections across the globe, the persistent irregularities in elections in the country call for concern and drastic measures needed to be taken to safe the situation.
Therefore, the Nigerian Police, established and empowered by section two-one-five of the nineteen ninety-nine Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is to among other things protect the lives and properties of all inhabitants of this country.
Equally, the Electoral act defines in clear terms, specific functions of the Nigerian Police at ensuring free, fair and credible elections. It is against this background that the role of the Nigerian police in electioneering campaigns, votings, counting or compilation of election results and other engagements in electoral process cannot be over-emphasized.
For a very long time however, the Nigerian police have been joined in many election petitions for allegedly aiding or abetting electoral malpractices across the country.
To ensure acceptable and violent free elections therefore, the Nigerian police must start training and equipping its rank and file now.
Signing the new Electoral Act into law, President Goodluck Jonathan promised that next year’s general elections would be conducted peacefully, as it is often witnessed in other parts of the world.
President Jonathan noted that signing the bill into law would serve as a clear signal to the doubting thomases of the administration’s commitment to free, fair and beyond reproach elections, come twenty-eleven.
Even with the recently released whooping some of money, seventy billion naira to the Force, it may not conduct free and fair elections if officers and men of the Police are not adequately trained ahead of the all important national assignment.
Though, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Lagos and Ogun States, Mr. Azubuko Udah at the Lagos NUJ Press Week revealed that the Police had started training its officers and men on how to deal with the twenty-eleven elections, much emphasis must be placed on their duties on the election days, in line with international best practices.
It is also important for the policemen to desist from being used as machineries by unscrupulous politicians to achieve their selfish interests if truly, there will be credible elections in twenty eleven and beyond. Other selected security agents must also be well trained alongside the Police, on how to handle restive mobs.
The Nigerian Police must observe the rule of law in all their dealings, by giving every Nigerian equal protection in exercising their civic responsibilities, with a view to making the elections acceptable to all Nigerians and the international community.
Elections in Nigeria have become synonymous with violence due to the attendant ugly incidents that have permeated and characterized the conduct of elections in the country.
Reports from both local and international media during and after the elections better explained the pathetic state of Nigeria during elections. It is so difficult to recall any election in Nigeria without shedding blood, making the country loosing several men and women of great potentials.
Though, violence and other forms of irregularities erupt in elections across the globe, the persistent irregularities in elections in the country call for concern and drastic measures needed to be taken to safe the situation.
Therefore, the Nigerian Police, established and empowered by section two-one-five of the nineteen ninety-nine Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is to among other things protect the lives and properties of all inhabitants of this country.
Equally, the Electoral act defines in clear terms, specific functions of the Nigerian Police at ensuring free, fair and credible elections. It is against this background that the role of the Nigerian police in electioneering campaigns, votings, counting or compilation of election results and other engagements in electoral process cannot be over-emphasized.
For a very long time however, the Nigerian police have been joined in many election petitions for allegedly aiding or abetting electoral malpractices across the country.
To ensure acceptable and violent free elections therefore, the Nigerian police must start training and equipping its rank and file now.
Signing the new Electoral Act into law, President Goodluck Jonathan promised that next year’s general elections would be conducted peacefully, as it is often witnessed in other parts of the world.
President Jonathan noted that signing the bill into law would serve as a clear signal to the doubting thomases of the administration’s commitment to free, fair and beyond reproach elections, come twenty-eleven.
Even with the recently released whooping some of money, seventy billion naira to the Force, it may not conduct free and fair elections if officers and men of the Police are not adequately trained ahead of the all important national assignment.
Though, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Lagos and Ogun States, Mr. Azubuko Udah at the Lagos NUJ Press Week revealed that the Police had started training its officers and men on how to deal with the twenty-eleven elections, much emphasis must be placed on their duties on the election days, in line with international best practices.
It is also important for the policemen to desist from being used as machineries by unscrupulous politicians to achieve their selfish interests if truly, there will be credible elections in twenty eleven and beyond. Other selected security agents must also be well trained alongside the Police, on how to handle restive mobs.
The Nigerian Police must observe the rule of law in all their dealings, by giving every Nigerian equal protection in exercising their civic responsibilities, with a view to making the elections acceptable to all Nigerians and the international community.
Monday, August 2, 2010
POLITICAL CRISIS IN AFRICA
Undoubtedly, Africa has had some difficult moments through transition
from colonialism to independence. For about fifty years many countries
within the continent had witnessed various crises, which had hitherto led
to instability in political and socio-economic spheres of the affected
nations.
In the period between nineteen sixty and nineteen seventy, the entire
continent was almost turned into a battlefield as a result of coups and
counter coups.
It may not be out of place to recall the incidence that ousted Sir Tafawa
Balewa and Doctor Nnamdi Azikwe as the Prime Minister and President of
Nigeria respectively.
During the same period, General Akrah overthrew the government of
President Kwame Nkrumah in Ghana, while Colonel Boumedienne in Algeria
also overthrew President Ben Bella.
Between nineteen eighty and now, changes of government through coup
d’etats had also occurred in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Equitorial
Guinea and Niger Republic, to mention a few.
No doubt, the coup d’etats had made the military regimes to become the
most prevalent political phenomena in Africa more than civilian regimes.
In Nigeria for example, out of about fifty years of existence as a
sovereign nation, the military had ruled for twenty-nine years, leaving the
remaining twenty years for the civilian governments.
However, their incursion into existing democratic practice was always
attributed to the failure of democratically elected leaders to respect
the social contracts between them and the electorate.
Internal political problems, corruption, maladministration, favouritism
and nepotism, as well as tribal or ethnic factors were usually listed as
part of reasons for their intervention or taking over from civilian
governments.
It is therefore pertinent to note that their intervention have been
directly or indirectly linked with personal ambitions and the craving for
power by some specific key players, as it could be seen in the case of
Dahomey in nineteen sixty-five, Uganda in nineteen seventy-one and Togo
in nineteen sixty-three.
Up till today, the coups have not improved African economic conditions
rather, they have been source of political tension because the coups had
driven the continent into further suffering.
Hence, the recent bloodless coup d’etat in the West African country of
Niger Republic has also brought to fore, the phenomena of military
incursion in Africa. The coup had however generated wide criticism among
the international community.
It is a known fact that the former President of the country, Mamadou
Tandja altered the country’s constitution to remain in power beyond the
end of his second term in office. In addition, his government became
unpopular, and was criticized and condemned by the international
community to the extent that some countries and international bodies
severe their ties with the country.
To this end, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the
Africa Union (AU) and other relevant international organizations should
as a matter of urgency work towards ensuring democratic governance in the
country within the agreed six months as promised by the Junta.
The international bodies should also strive to create a practicable
institutional framework that would compel democratically elected
government in Africa to respect constitutions of their respective
countries and avoid clinching to power for selfish interest.
Electoral malpractices, bad leadership, corruption, nepotism and other
hurdles to democratization process in Africa should be checked to ensure
that the continent is safe for all to live in.
from colonialism to independence. For about fifty years many countries
within the continent had witnessed various crises, which had hitherto led
to instability in political and socio-economic spheres of the affected
nations.
In the period between nineteen sixty and nineteen seventy, the entire
continent was almost turned into a battlefield as a result of coups and
counter coups.
It may not be out of place to recall the incidence that ousted Sir Tafawa
Balewa and Doctor Nnamdi Azikwe as the Prime Minister and President of
Nigeria respectively.
During the same period, General Akrah overthrew the government of
President Kwame Nkrumah in Ghana, while Colonel Boumedienne in Algeria
also overthrew President Ben Bella.
Between nineteen eighty and now, changes of government through coup
d’etats had also occurred in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Equitorial
Guinea and Niger Republic, to mention a few.
No doubt, the coup d’etats had made the military regimes to become the
most prevalent political phenomena in Africa more than civilian regimes.
In Nigeria for example, out of about fifty years of existence as a
sovereign nation, the military had ruled for twenty-nine years, leaving the
remaining twenty years for the civilian governments.
However, their incursion into existing democratic practice was always
attributed to the failure of democratically elected leaders to respect
the social contracts between them and the electorate.
Internal political problems, corruption, maladministration, favouritism
and nepotism, as well as tribal or ethnic factors were usually listed as
part of reasons for their intervention or taking over from civilian
governments.
It is therefore pertinent to note that their intervention have been
directly or indirectly linked with personal ambitions and the craving for
power by some specific key players, as it could be seen in the case of
Dahomey in nineteen sixty-five, Uganda in nineteen seventy-one and Togo
in nineteen sixty-three.
Up till today, the coups have not improved African economic conditions
rather, they have been source of political tension because the coups had
driven the continent into further suffering.
Hence, the recent bloodless coup d’etat in the West African country of
Niger Republic has also brought to fore, the phenomena of military
incursion in Africa. The coup had however generated wide criticism among
the international community.
It is a known fact that the former President of the country, Mamadou
Tandja altered the country’s constitution to remain in power beyond the
end of his second term in office. In addition, his government became
unpopular, and was criticized and condemned by the international
community to the extent that some countries and international bodies
severe their ties with the country.
To this end, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the
Africa Union (AU) and other relevant international organizations should
as a matter of urgency work towards ensuring democratic governance in the
country within the agreed six months as promised by the Junta.
The international bodies should also strive to create a practicable
institutional framework that would compel democratically elected
government in Africa to respect constitutions of their respective
countries and avoid clinching to power for selfish interest.
Electoral malpractices, bad leadership, corruption, nepotism and other
hurdles to democratization process in Africa should be checked to ensure
that the continent is safe for all to live in.
Friday, June 11, 2010
CHECKING THE INFLUX OF ADULTERATED AND COUNTERFEIT DRUGS IN NIGERIA
If there is any area where technological breakthrough has equally recorded very dangerous negative impacts on the citizenry, it is in the area of fake and or adulterated drugs. Just as technology has considerably enhanced the invention, production and application of diverse drugs to cure certain ailments across the globe.
Fake or adulterated drugs are produced and sold by unscrupulous individuals in concert with their local collaborators to produce mass fake drugs and dispense same across the world, particularly, the developing countries.
Scores of lives have been lost as a result of consumption of fake, adulterated or counterfeit drugs while many have been paralyzed or subjected to allergic reactions due to its consumption.
Counterfeiting occurs throughout the world, although, there are claims that it is more common some developing countries without regulatory or enforcement regimes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than ten percent of drugs worldwide are counterfeit, and in some countries, more than fifty percent of the drug supply is counterfeit.
Counterfeit medications may also contain incorrect ingredients, improper dosages of the correct ingredients, or contain actual hazardous ingredients that are injurious to the health of consumers.
In two thousand and three, the WHO cited estimates that the annual earnings of counterfeit drugs were over thirty-two billion dollars.
Reports showed that many fake drugs came from the same countries that make normal drugs, in particular China and India. In the case of India, while it is against the law to sell fake drugs for domestic use, there is no prohibition on export of counterfeit drugs to any part of the world.
Also in China, the State Food and Drug Administration is not responsible for regulating pharmaceutical ingredient manufacture and exported by chemical companies.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria also disclosed that at least seventy percent of the drugs in circulation in Nigeria are fake and most imported from India, China, Pakistan, Egypt and Indonesia.
Indeed, the National Agency for Food and Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) established in two thousand and four to among other things regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture, distribution, sale and use of good drugs, bottled water and chemicals had done a lot to check the influx of counterfeit and other substandard products in the Country.
In June two thousand and nine, the Agency seized a large consignment of fake anti-malaria drugs with the label of ‘Made in China’ but found that the medicines were in fact produced in China and were imported in the African countries.
To save the country from being a dumping ground for fake drugs, a combined team of the Senate Committee and the National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently paid a visit to China as part of Nigeria’s leading role in ensuring quality drugs for consumers.
Led by Chairman of the Committee, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, the working visit which preceded a similar one planned for India was a pregnatic step jointly taken by both organizations to tackle the hydra headed problem of influx of fake drugs and unwholesome processed food in which some unscrupulous Chinese Pharmaceutical Companies have been identified.
The visit is expected to serve as a new vista of opportunity between NAFDAC and Chinese Food and Drug Administration to close ranks and work together in eradicating the reoccurring problem of exportation of counterfeit drugs from China to Nigeria.
Thus, the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC in collaboration with States, Ministries of Health must not relent in sanitizing the system by prosecuting and confiscate properties of these deliberate killers with a view to riding the nation of fake drugs and save endangering lives.
Fake or adulterated drugs are produced and sold by unscrupulous individuals in concert with their local collaborators to produce mass fake drugs and dispense same across the world, particularly, the developing countries.
Scores of lives have been lost as a result of consumption of fake, adulterated or counterfeit drugs while many have been paralyzed or subjected to allergic reactions due to its consumption.
Counterfeiting occurs throughout the world, although, there are claims that it is more common some developing countries without regulatory or enforcement regimes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than ten percent of drugs worldwide are counterfeit, and in some countries, more than fifty percent of the drug supply is counterfeit.
Counterfeit medications may also contain incorrect ingredients, improper dosages of the correct ingredients, or contain actual hazardous ingredients that are injurious to the health of consumers.
In two thousand and three, the WHO cited estimates that the annual earnings of counterfeit drugs were over thirty-two billion dollars.
Reports showed that many fake drugs came from the same countries that make normal drugs, in particular China and India. In the case of India, while it is against the law to sell fake drugs for domestic use, there is no prohibition on export of counterfeit drugs to any part of the world.
Also in China, the State Food and Drug Administration is not responsible for regulating pharmaceutical ingredient manufacture and exported by chemical companies.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria also disclosed that at least seventy percent of the drugs in circulation in Nigeria are fake and most imported from India, China, Pakistan, Egypt and Indonesia.
Indeed, the National Agency for Food and Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) established in two thousand and four to among other things regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture, distribution, sale and use of good drugs, bottled water and chemicals had done a lot to check the influx of counterfeit and other substandard products in the Country.
In June two thousand and nine, the Agency seized a large consignment of fake anti-malaria drugs with the label of ‘Made in China’ but found that the medicines were in fact produced in China and were imported in the African countries.
To save the country from being a dumping ground for fake drugs, a combined team of the Senate Committee and the National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently paid a visit to China as part of Nigeria’s leading role in ensuring quality drugs for consumers.
Led by Chairman of the Committee, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, the working visit which preceded a similar one planned for India was a pregnatic step jointly taken by both organizations to tackle the hydra headed problem of influx of fake drugs and unwholesome processed food in which some unscrupulous Chinese Pharmaceutical Companies have been identified.
The visit is expected to serve as a new vista of opportunity between NAFDAC and Chinese Food and Drug Administration to close ranks and work together in eradicating the reoccurring problem of exportation of counterfeit drugs from China to Nigeria.
Thus, the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC in collaboration with States, Ministries of Health must not relent in sanitizing the system by prosecuting and confiscate properties of these deliberate killers with a view to riding the nation of fake drugs and save endangering lives.
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP IN AFRICA SOIL
After years of skepticism over Africa’s ability to host an event of the magnitude of the World Cup, South Africa is hosting the four weeks global soccer fiesta, the first of its kind in Africa soil, since its inauguration eighty years ago.
No doubt, the entire World, particularly, soccer enthusiasts and analysts, are not unaware of politics that go alongside agitation or bidding for hosting of any football competition from local level to global level.
South Africa however began the great challenge in May two thousand and four, when FIFA President Sepp Blatter opened the envelope which revealed South Africa as the first African country to host the soccer World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland.
Prior to the announcement, South African Government had made seventeen guarantees to FIFA, in relation to the delivery of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Since FIFA’s announcement of South Africa as the host country of the World’s biggest soccer event, there have been series of criticisms, challenges and encouragements on the country’s preparedness in terms of infrastructure to host the World. Today, there is no question whether the Country is ready to host a spectacular and memorable event as all the thirty-two countries representing all the continents and sub-continents of the world arrived the rainbow nation.
Out of these thirty-two countries, six African countries, including host, South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroun, Ghana, Algeria and Cote d’lvoire are taking part in the tournament.
The rest of the qualified countries are Japan, the Netherlands, Korea Democratic People’s Republic, Australia, Korea Republic, USA, Brazil, England, Paraguay, Spain, Denmark, Chile, Germany and Italy.
Others are Mexico, Serbia, Switzerland, Argentina, Honduras, Slovakia, France, Portugal, Slovenia, Greece, Uruguay and New Zealand.
The four week event is expected to take place in eight of South Africa’s nine provinces, using ten stadia in nine host cities, while an independent consulting and accounting firm revealed that about four hundred thousand international tourists are expected to visit South Africa over the period.
Indeed, the World Cup is not only a landmark event, it is a defining event for its host nation because a lot of infrastructural projects had been put in place.
Economically, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry has disclosed that the soccer spectacle is expected to inject about fifty-five billion rand into the country’s economy as well as create over four hundred and fifteen thousand jobs.
Speaking on the preparation of the country, former South African President, Nelson Mandela noted that the 2010 World Cup is a powerful creator of opportunity for all and must be used as a springboard for future.
According to him, the World Cup will help unify people, if there is one thing in this planet that has the power to bind people, it is soccer.
It is therefore imperative for the South African authorities to intensify efforts on its transport services, health-care delivery, safety and security, immigration, tourism sector, telecommunications services and administration of justice to check all impediments to successful hosting of the World on African soil for the first time.
All African nations participating in the fiesta must show their stuff and potentials.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) should also give necessary support to South Africa with a view to giving the World the best World Cup ever while other stakeholders in the continent should use the competition to proof that South Africa and indeed the African continent in general, is capable of organizing an event of this magnitude.
No doubt, the entire World, particularly, soccer enthusiasts and analysts, are not unaware of politics that go alongside agitation or bidding for hosting of any football competition from local level to global level.
South Africa however began the great challenge in May two thousand and four, when FIFA President Sepp Blatter opened the envelope which revealed South Africa as the first African country to host the soccer World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland.
Prior to the announcement, South African Government had made seventeen guarantees to FIFA, in relation to the delivery of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Since FIFA’s announcement of South Africa as the host country of the World’s biggest soccer event, there have been series of criticisms, challenges and encouragements on the country’s preparedness in terms of infrastructure to host the World. Today, there is no question whether the Country is ready to host a spectacular and memorable event as all the thirty-two countries representing all the continents and sub-continents of the world arrived the rainbow nation.
Out of these thirty-two countries, six African countries, including host, South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroun, Ghana, Algeria and Cote d’lvoire are taking part in the tournament.
The rest of the qualified countries are Japan, the Netherlands, Korea Democratic People’s Republic, Australia, Korea Republic, USA, Brazil, England, Paraguay, Spain, Denmark, Chile, Germany and Italy.
Others are Mexico, Serbia, Switzerland, Argentina, Honduras, Slovakia, France, Portugal, Slovenia, Greece, Uruguay and New Zealand.
The four week event is expected to take place in eight of South Africa’s nine provinces, using ten stadia in nine host cities, while an independent consulting and accounting firm revealed that about four hundred thousand international tourists are expected to visit South Africa over the period.
Indeed, the World Cup is not only a landmark event, it is a defining event for its host nation because a lot of infrastructural projects had been put in place.
Economically, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry has disclosed that the soccer spectacle is expected to inject about fifty-five billion rand into the country’s economy as well as create over four hundred and fifteen thousand jobs.
Speaking on the preparation of the country, former South African President, Nelson Mandela noted that the 2010 World Cup is a powerful creator of opportunity for all and must be used as a springboard for future.
According to him, the World Cup will help unify people, if there is one thing in this planet that has the power to bind people, it is soccer.
It is therefore imperative for the South African authorities to intensify efforts on its transport services, health-care delivery, safety and security, immigration, tourism sector, telecommunications services and administration of justice to check all impediments to successful hosting of the World on African soil for the first time.
All African nations participating in the fiesta must show their stuff and potentials.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) should also give necessary support to South Africa with a view to giving the World the best World Cup ever while other stakeholders in the continent should use the competition to proof that South Africa and indeed the African continent in general, is capable of organizing an event of this magnitude.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
NIGERIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ITS NEEDED AUTONOMY
Local government is that tier of government closest to the person, which is vested with certain powers to exercise control over the affairs of people in its domain.
According to the United Nations Division of Public Administration, Local Government is a political sub-division of a nation or state in a federal system which is constituted by law and has substantial control of local affairs, including the powers to impose taxes or use of labour for prescribed purposes. The governing body of such an entity is elected otherwise locally selected.
The third tier of government therefore is expected to play the role of promoting the democratic ideals of a society and coordinating development programme at the local level.
It is also expected to serve as the basis of socio-economic development in Nigeria because local government is a platform that those who have any interest in common, which they do not share with the general body of their countrymen may manage that joint interest by themselves and subsequently ensure representative and responsible government at the grassroot level.
Before the popular nineteen seventy-six Local Government Reform, local government were merely local administration without formal recognition as a tier of government. But the reform led to the codification of local government under section seven of Nigerian nineteen ninety-seven constitution and still takes section seven of the contemporary nineteen ninety-nine constitution.
Giving justification for the nineteen seventy-six Local Government Reform under Muritala/Obasanjo regime, the then Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Major General Shehu Yar’Adua said and I quote “The Local Government suffered continuous whittling down of their powers. The state governments have continued to encroach upon what would normally have been the exclusive preserves of local government, lack of adequate funds and appropriate institution had continued to make local government ineffective and ineffectual.”
Hitherto, local government cannot be said to have justified its establishment and its inevitable importance to the people at the grassroot level as a result of inadequate finance, inadequate skilled workers, poor revenue generation, corruption and maladministration, overstaffing, political instability and interference which in turn hinder autonomy of local government in Nigerian.
Observations have also shown that local government in Nigerian has not performed up to expectation because of wide-scale embezzlement by officials at the grassroots, perceived indiscipline among workers in the third tier of government.
Intrusion in local government affairs by the higher levels of government has contributed in no small measure to ineffectiveness of local government in Nigeria. Examples are abound from across the country where state Governor unconstitutionally dissolves the entire elected council’s officers, and such action therefore hinders smooth administration at grassroots level.
The fact that local government sustain itself based on revenue from federation account and allocation from state government as well as grant and subsidies form the higher authority make local government susceptible to undue influence.
To ensure that local government complement the effort of both central and state governments in Nigeria, the third tier of government should be allowed to actually fill the envious position as recognized by the nineteen ninety-nine constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Local government council should also be alive to its responsibilities by performing its statutory duties with a view to making local government serves as bedrock for national development as well as veritable ground to training future national leaders.
According to the United Nations Division of Public Administration, Local Government is a political sub-division of a nation or state in a federal system which is constituted by law and has substantial control of local affairs, including the powers to impose taxes or use of labour for prescribed purposes. The governing body of such an entity is elected otherwise locally selected.
The third tier of government therefore is expected to play the role of promoting the democratic ideals of a society and coordinating development programme at the local level.
It is also expected to serve as the basis of socio-economic development in Nigeria because local government is a platform that those who have any interest in common, which they do not share with the general body of their countrymen may manage that joint interest by themselves and subsequently ensure representative and responsible government at the grassroot level.
Before the popular nineteen seventy-six Local Government Reform, local government were merely local administration without formal recognition as a tier of government. But the reform led to the codification of local government under section seven of Nigerian nineteen ninety-seven constitution and still takes section seven of the contemporary nineteen ninety-nine constitution.
Giving justification for the nineteen seventy-six Local Government Reform under Muritala/Obasanjo regime, the then Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Major General Shehu Yar’Adua said and I quote “The Local Government suffered continuous whittling down of their powers. The state governments have continued to encroach upon what would normally have been the exclusive preserves of local government, lack of adequate funds and appropriate institution had continued to make local government ineffective and ineffectual.”
Hitherto, local government cannot be said to have justified its establishment and its inevitable importance to the people at the grassroot level as a result of inadequate finance, inadequate skilled workers, poor revenue generation, corruption and maladministration, overstaffing, political instability and interference which in turn hinder autonomy of local government in Nigerian.
Observations have also shown that local government in Nigerian has not performed up to expectation because of wide-scale embezzlement by officials at the grassroots, perceived indiscipline among workers in the third tier of government.
Intrusion in local government affairs by the higher levels of government has contributed in no small measure to ineffectiveness of local government in Nigeria. Examples are abound from across the country where state Governor unconstitutionally dissolves the entire elected council’s officers, and such action therefore hinders smooth administration at grassroots level.
The fact that local government sustain itself based on revenue from federation account and allocation from state government as well as grant and subsidies form the higher authority make local government susceptible to undue influence.
To ensure that local government complement the effort of both central and state governments in Nigeria, the third tier of government should be allowed to actually fill the envious position as recognized by the nineteen ninety-nine constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Local government council should also be alive to its responsibilities by performing its statutory duties with a view to making local government serves as bedrock for national development as well as veritable ground to training future national leaders.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
ELECTORAL REFORM AND FUTURE OF NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY
While taking over the mantle of leadership of this great country in two thousand and seven, President Umaru Yar’adua admitted that his election was characterized with flaws. Thus, he immediately inaugurated a twenty-two man Electoral Reform Panel, headed by a former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mohammed Uwais, to carry out a comprehensive review of the country’s electoral system.
Inaugurating the Panel, President Yar’adua tasked the committee to work out a process that would enable the conduct of elections to meet acceptable international standard and make the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) truly independent in name and deed with a view to imbuing it with administrative and financial autonomy and a mechanism to reduce post-election tensions. This is by ensuring the resolution of election disputes before the inauguration of elected officials.
To meet the targets set up by the President and the entire citizenry with respect to elections in Nigeria , the Panel which had notable Nigerians toured the entire country to demand the inputs of Nigerians to electoral reform.
Undoubtedly, the Panel examined the electoral systems relevant to Nigeria ’s experience and best practices that will impact positively on the quality and credibility of the nation’s electoral process.
Hundreds of memoranda were received in which many called for a two-party system, adoption of option A4, using National Identity card for voting, suspension of the swearing-in of elected officers whose victory is being challenged in the tribunal and introduction of independent candidates to enable persons not interested in any political party seek elective positions.
As expected, the Panel submitted its report to the President and subsequently, electoral related bills are now before the two chambers of the National Assembly with a view to reviewing the two thousand and six electoral act and relevant sections of the nineteen ninety-nine constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
To this end, the Senate last week began a remarkable move with the approval of independent candidates in the next general elections. During a clause by clause consideration of the electoral bill, the Senate approved the amendment to section sixty-five of the constitution to pave the way for the emergence of independent candidates.
Series of amendments were also passed bordering on issues that will ensure the sanctity of the vote of the people, by ensuring more electoral transparency and also making sure that the Independent National Electoral Commission is truly independent. With the amendments, Persons willing to become the President or state Governor must be a graduate.
Speaking on the development, the Senate President, David Mark expressed confidence that the amendments would be replicated in the House of Representatives and in the thirty-six state Houses of Assembly.
Well, the actions of the Lawmakers are commendable, but all other impediments to credible, free and fair elections must be critically examined.
Nigeria , the giant of Africa , must do everything humanly possible to conduct free and transparent elections for others to emulate.
Inaugurating the Panel, President Yar’adua tasked the committee to work out a process that would enable the conduct of elections to meet acceptable international standard and make the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) truly independent in name and deed with a view to imbuing it with administrative and financial autonomy and a mechanism to reduce post-election tensions. This is by ensuring the resolution of election disputes before the inauguration of elected officials.
To meet the targets set up by the President and the entire citizenry with respect to elections in Nigeria , the Panel which had notable Nigerians toured the entire country to demand the inputs of Nigerians to electoral reform.
Undoubtedly, the Panel examined the electoral systems relevant to Nigeria ’s experience and best practices that will impact positively on the quality and credibility of the nation’s electoral process.
Hundreds of memoranda were received in which many called for a two-party system, adoption of option A4, using National Identity card for voting, suspension of the swearing-in of elected officers whose victory is being challenged in the tribunal and introduction of independent candidates to enable persons not interested in any political party seek elective positions.
As expected, the Panel submitted its report to the President and subsequently, electoral related bills are now before the two chambers of the National Assembly with a view to reviewing the two thousand and six electoral act and relevant sections of the nineteen ninety-nine constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
To this end, the Senate last week began a remarkable move with the approval of independent candidates in the next general elections. During a clause by clause consideration of the electoral bill, the Senate approved the amendment to section sixty-five of the constitution to pave the way for the emergence of independent candidates.
Series of amendments were also passed bordering on issues that will ensure the sanctity of the vote of the people, by ensuring more electoral transparency and also making sure that the Independent National Electoral Commission is truly independent. With the amendments, Persons willing to become the President or state Governor must be a graduate.
Speaking on the development, the Senate President, David Mark expressed confidence that the amendments would be replicated in the House of Representatives and in the thirty-six state Houses of Assembly.
Well, the actions of the Lawmakers are commendable, but all other impediments to credible, free and fair elections must be critically examined.
Nigeria , the giant of Africa , must do everything humanly possible to conduct free and transparent elections for others to emulate.
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