Buhari's 61st Independence Day Anniversary Address On October 1, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari Presents 101-paragraph Speech,Promises Better Days Ahead ...Says Nigeria Commences Journey To Pharmaceutical Independence, Others

Citizens of Nigeria, It is with full gratitude to God that today, we celebrate Nigeria’s sixty first Independence Anniversary. 2.​For 1st of October 1960 to happen, all hands were on deck. East, West, North all came together to celebrate freedom. Today should not only serve as a reminder of the day the British handed over the reins of power to Nigerians, but also unified Nigerians from all ethnic groups, religions and regions. 3.​Today, despite the challenges we face, most Nigerians still maintain the spirit of 1st October. That positive outlook and determination to make Nigeria a peaceful and prosperous nation. It is due to this collective attitude that Nigeria doggedly continues to remain a united and indivisible nation. 4.​Fellow Nigerians, the past eighteen months have been some of the most difficult periods in the history of Nigeria. Since the civil war, I doubt whether we have seen a period of more heightened challenges than what we have witnessed in this period. 5.​Our original priorities for 2020 were to continue stabilising our economy following the deep recession while restoring peace in areas confronted with security challenges. But the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on all nations meant we needed to shift gears and re-strategise.

6.​Nigerians came together as one to fight against COVID-19. It is this attitude and by the special grace of God, we continue to survive the pandemic as a nation and indeed, provide leadership and example at regional and international levels. 7.​The doomsday scenario predicted for our country never came. Even as the Delta variant continues to spread, we have built the capacity we need to respond now and into the future. 8.​I will therefore appeal to Nigerians not to take COVID lightly, adhere to public health and social measures, put your mask on and get vaccinated. We can control this pandemic, but it requires effort on everybody’s part. The investments we made in response to COVID-19 will also serve our country to tackle any future disease outbreaks or pandemics. 9.​Despite the global inequity in access to vaccines, the Government of Nigeria has continued to explore all available options to ensure Nigerians have free access to safe and effective vaccines. 10.​Some five million vaccine doses have been administered to Nigerians through efforts led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and we will continue to explore options for purchase or acquisition of vaccines such as through COVAX and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust. 11.​I will take this opportunity to remind the global community that the current state of access to COVID-19 vaccines is unacceptable. We cannot afford a situation where a handful of countries keep the global vaccine supply to themselves at the expense of other nations. 12.​We must act now to accelerate equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. This is the message I conveyed to the international community in New York last week. 13.​As we push to source vaccines for our immediate needs, we shall invest more to support our pharmaceutical and research agencies to come up with ideas for locally developed vaccines. Should another pandemic arise in the future, Our question is simple; will Nigeria be ready? 14.​Accordingly, I have directed the Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Health, Education and Science and Technology to work with Nigerian and International pharmaceutical companies and research organisations to enhance Nigeria’s domestic pharmaceutical capacity. 15.​Already, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority is raising a $200 million fund for this initiative that will complement the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing N85 billion Healthcare Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme to support local researchers in the development of vaccines and drugs to combat communicable and non-communicable diseases, including COVID-19. Fellow Nigerians, this is just the beginning. 16.​Similarly, on our approach to food security, I am proud to announce Nigeria has commenced its journey to pharmaceutical independence. 17.​This journey, which will take years to achieve but will ultimately result in Nigerian based companies developing the Active Pharmaceutical substances and competence needed for us to make our own drugs and vaccines. Fellow Nigerians, 18.​As our economy continues to open after the COVID-19 related lockdowns, we have also seen the resurgence of insecurity in certain parts of the country. 19.​In the last four months, the gallant men and women of the Military and Security Agencies have made tremendous progress in addressing these new security challenges. We are taking the fight to our enemies from all angles and we are winning. 20.​Earlier this year, I launched the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, the Deep Blue Project, which is designed to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea. I am happy to inform Nigerians that we have taken delivery of key assets for this project and very soon, its impact will be felt. 21.​In the North East region alone, over eight thousand Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered. 22.​To support our surge approach to fighting banditry, the Nigerian Armed Forces have recruited over 17,000 personnel across all ranks. Furthermore, I have also approved for the Nigerian Police Force to recruit 10,000 police officers annually over the next six years.

23.​I am also pleased to note that most of the Air Force platforms we acquired over the past three years have started to arrive in Nigeria. These will positively impact our security operations in all parts of the country. 24.​In line with section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the security and welfare of Nigerians continue to be the prime focus on which programmes and projects of our government revolves. 25.​Therefore, as a Government, we are ready to arrest and prosecute all persons inciting violence through words or action. Our resolve for a peaceful, united and one Nigeria remains resolute and unwavering. 26.​That said, our hope is not to fight for peace. We can always settle our grievances peacefully without spilling any blood. 27.​I will therefore take this opportunity, on this special day that symbolises the unity and oneness of our great nation, to ask all Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue, whatever your grievances. 28.​The seeds of violence are planted in people’s heads through words. Reckless utterances of a few have led to losses of many innocent lives and destruction of properties. 29.​Such unfiltered and unsubstantiated lies and hate speeches by a few evil persons must be stopped. Our media houses and commentators must move away from just reporting irresponsible remarks to investigating the truth behind all statements and presenting the facts to readers. 30.​We must all come out and speak against the lies being peddled. At this point, I would want to sincerely appreciate the large number of our Traditional, Religious and Community leaders as well as other well-meaning Nigerians who, in their various fora are openly spreading the message of peaceful co-existence and conflict settlement through dialogue in their respective communities. 31.​Nigeria is for all of us. Its unity is not negotiable. And its ultimate success can only be achieved if we all come together with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for our nation. 32.​We shall continue to work on dialogue based solutions to address legitimate grievances. But we remain ready to take decisive actions against secessionist agitators and their sponsors who threaten our national security. 33.​The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals. We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the national assembly. Fellow Nigerians, 34.​This is a clear example of how people abandon their national leadership positions for their selfish gains. Instead of preaching unity, they are funding and misleading our youth to conduct criminal acts that sometimes lead to unfortunate and unnecessary loss of lives and property. 35.​As the so-called leaders run abroad to hide, our innocent youths are misled and left in the streets to fight for their senseless and destructive causes. 36.​Government will continue, with greater level of peoples’ participation and in collaboration with our international partners, to improve the security architecture, reduce enabling environment for criminality to thrive and eliminate opportunities for terrorism financing. 37.​Fellow Nigerians, our unrelenting effort at resolving an almost two-decade stalling on the management of our Petroleum resources and ensuring equitable consideration to our host communities has resulted in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. 38.​This Act not only overhauls the Institutional, regulatory and fiscal framework of the Petroleum Industry but also reduces the previous opacity associated with this sector. 39.​This is the first step to the reforms as the process is a continuous one. Already, to further improve the governance framework, I have sought for an amendment of sections 11(2)(b) and 34(2)(b). We will also continue to review and amend as appropriate. 40.​At this juncture, it is very appropriate that I salute the leadership and members of the Ninth Assembly for their patriotism, dedication to duty, candour and most importantly the dispatch with which they have enacted legacy legislations for this nation. I do not take such level of cooperation for granted and hope it continues for the overall efficiency of the Federal machinery. 41.​Nigeria’s Roadmap on Local Refining is on track with the Commissioning of a Modular refinery in Imo State. 42.​A second is scheduled for commissioning by the end of this year in Edo State and the third one in Bayelsa State by 2022. 43.​In addition to the modular projects, we also have the two mega refinery projects coming up in Lagos and Akwa Ibom States. 44.​As these refineries are commissioned, more employment opportunities are created and there would be increased petroleum products available for local consumption which will significantly reduce our reliance on importation. 45.​In further demonstrating our plan to reduce our dependence on oil and tapping from our enormous gas resources, this administration remains committed to the “Decade of Gas” Initiative, which is aimed at bringing to focus the utilization of our huge gas resources. 46.​Already, we are supporting and promoting various gas-based projects including NLNG Train 7 and the mega urea and ammonia projects in the South-South region.

47.​As we continue to optimise and enhance our oil and gas sector, I am also proud and delighted to state that our economic diversification strategy remains on course with the persistent increase in Non-Oil Sector contribution to GDP. 48.​We recovered from economic recession in quarter four of 2020 with a GDP growth rate of 0.11%, and grew by 0.51% and 5.01% in real terms in the first and second quarters of 2021. 49.​The Agricultural sector remains key to our economic diversification efforts as the sector has been a consistent driver of the non-oil sector contributing 22.35% and 23.78% to the overall GDP in the first and second quarter of 2021. 50.​We have seen significant private sector investments in almost all areas of the agricultural value chain. And these have continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic. 51.​Unfortunately, as our food production capacity has increased, food prices have been going up due to artificial shortages created by middlemen who have been buying and hoarding these essential commodities for profiteering. 52.​To address this, I am hereby directing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to rehabilitate the National Food Reserve Agency and also work with security agencies, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, and the National Assembly to find a lasting solution to these disruptive and unpatriotic hoarding activities. 53.​To further enhance food production, we have completed several new dams and are in the process of rehabilitating several River Basin Development Authorities to enhance ground water supply for rainfed agriculture as well as surface water for irrigation agriculture. 54.​The water projects we completed between 2015 to 2020 have improved Nigerian’s access to potable water to 71% between 2015 and 2020. This means 12.5 million additional Nigerians now have direct access to potable water. Fellow Nigerians, 55.​This Government remains concerned by the significant transportation infrastructure deficit we have. Addressing the challenges our commuters and lorry drivers face on the motorways is still a high priority to us. 56.​To complement our budgetary allocations, the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund and the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, we recently established a N15trillion Infrastructural Corporation of Nigeria Limited (INFRACO), which is expected to begin operation by the fourth quarter of this year. 57.​INFRACO will also focus on leveraging resources on a public-private sector basis for infrastructural development in Nigeria. 58.​We hope through these innovative programs, the additional cost burden on individuals and businesses because of inefficient logistics operations will be reduced and ultimately, eliminated. 59.​We currently have over 13,000 kilometres of roads and bridges under construction all over the country of which a fair percentage have been completed. 60.​As we fix our roads, we also continue to extend and upgrade Nigeria’s railway network with the notable opening of the Warri- Itakpe standard gauge rail line. 61.​To increase capacity, we have introduced more locomotives, coaches and wagons including the establishment of a Wagon Assembly in Kajola, Ogun State. 62.​The sea ports however still remain problematic. The effect of our various interventions to reduce the gridlocks and inefficiencies have been slower than expected. 63.​However, the implementation of the Electronic Call-Up System as well as the conversion of the Lillypond Container Terminal to a Vehicle Transit Area will further enhance the ease of cargo evacuation. 64.​Our prioritisation of developing Nigeria’s Digital Economy has positively impacted the contribution of the ICT sector to our GDP. 65.​We hope our present efforts to ensure all Nigerians use a National Identification Number as well as our planned roll-out of the fifth generation (5G) network technology will ensure we stay in line with the global innovation curve as a Nation. 66.​As we embrace the digital economy in Nigeria, we are fully aware of the prospects and the perils. Our policies have been developed to enable Nigerians to take advantage of the prospects and avoid the perils of digital technologies. 67.​Social media is a very useful platform that has enabled millions of Nigerians to connect with loved ones, promote their businesses, socialise, and access news and other information.

68.​However, recent events have shown that the platform is not just an innocuous platform for information dissemination. 69.​Rather some users have misused the platform to organise, coordinate, and execute criminal activities, propagate fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments. 70.​To address these negative trends, the Federal Government of Nigeria suspended the operations of Twitter in Nigeria on June 5, 2021 to allow the Government put measures in place to address these challenges. 71.​Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria to resolve the impasse. Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue. 72.​The Committee, along with its Technical Team, has engaged with Twitter and have addressed a number of key issues. These are: National Security and Cohesion; Registration, Physical presence and Representation; Fair Taxation; Dispute Resolution; and Local Content. 73.​Following the extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be lifted but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements. 74.​As a country, we are committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platform to enhance the lives of our citizens, respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, cultural values and promote online safety. 75.​Nigeria’s progressive diplomacy continues to manifest through growing numbers of highly placed Nigerians in positions of regional and global influences. Very recently, Nigeria won election for the position of Commissioner for the expanded Political, Peace and Security Affairs of the African Union. 76.​Our persistent calls for a reorganized and reformed ECOWAS, to make the organization citizens-sensitive, paid off with the acceptance by the Authority of Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS to commence the agreed reforms in the organization ahead of the next elections of the organization’s principal officers in December this year. 77.​At the African Development Bank, World Trade Organization and indeed, the United Nations, footprints of Nigeria’s Diplomacy are clearly evident. 78.​We remain confident that our goal of lifting 100million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is achievable. 79.​Considering the positive impact of our Social Investment Programs, I recently approved an increase in the number of N-Power program beneficiaries from 500,000 to 1,000,000. 80.​Out of this, 510,000 have started the programme while the competitive selection process for onboarding the outstanding 490,000 beneficiaries is in progress.

81.​The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme is currently being implemented in 35 States of the Federation and the FCT. Over 103,000 women have been engaged and empowered as cooks under the programme, while about 10 million pupils are being fed across public primary schools in the country. 82.​To grant increased access to credit to the most poor and vulnerable, I have directed an increase in the disbursement of Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme loans to an additional one million beneficiaries laying more emphasis on the smallholding farmers through the farmers Moni program. Fellow Nigerians, 83.​For far too long we have neglected the centrality of the civil service as the engine of governance and this has manifested in ineffective service delivery. 84.​There is widespread discontent and disillusion about the efficiency and probity of our civil service. 85.​It is for this reason that we are refocusing the Nigerian Civil Service to provide World class service to run our country. 86.​The youths of this great country remain propellants for our today and provide guarantees that we would have a secure tomorrow. 87.​It is for this reason that I remain focused on expanding opportunities for their participation in politics and governance. 88.​Recent appointments of young people into positions of authority and their track record so far, gives me confidence that we need to bring more of them into governance and this I promise to do. 89.​More specifically, to encourage Girl-Child Education, female scholarship schemes, life skills and digital literacy skills to boost girl’s enrolment, retention and completion of schooling, are all initiatives put in place to ensure gender balance in appropriately positioning our youths for positions of leadership. 90.​The commitment of this Administration to the well-being of people living with disabilities remains unwavering. 91.​Government recognises their contributions to development and I have, in this regard, directed that all relevant Government Agencies pay special attention to the peculiarities of different abilities in the implementation of policies and programmes. 92.​Rape and Gender Based Violence remains a sore point in our Nation as in many countries worldwide and this was worsened during and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 93.​We are currently engaging Heads of Courts to establish Specialised Courts for the speedy and seamless trial of Rape/Gender-Based offences especially to ensure that justice is done for child victims of sexual violence. 94.​On the other hand, work has advanced in the reformation, reintegration and reunification of Minors involved in one crime or the other. 95.​The reformation in our Correctional Services has manifested in an increase in modernised custodial centres and a transformation from strictly punitive to attitudinal changes so that criminals do not relapse into their previous lifestyle. 96.​As we begin to celebrate our sixty one years as a Nation, we need to be conscious that Nigeria does not start and end with the Federal Government. This country is a great collective where Government at all arms and levels as well as the private sector, and more importantly individuals, have a role to play. 97.​In particular, security is a bottom to top undertaking. Joining hands and hearts together would enable us to secure ourselves and our country. 98.​I fully understand the anxiety of many Nigerians on the inability of this country to go beyond a never-ending potential for becoming a great nation to an actually great one. 99.​A lot has been achieved in the last six years on many fronts: in infrastructure, social care, governance, Nigeria’s image and influence in Africa and the international community. 100.​But critics misdiagnose incremental progress as stagnation. Since coming to power, this Administration has tackled our problems head-on in spite of the meagre resources. No government since 1999 has done what we have done in six years to put Nigeria back on track. 101.​We shall continue to serve the country: listen to all and protect our democracy and country. Thank you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

AS NIGERIA UNDERGOES ANOTHER MBER MONTHS

by Fred Nwaozor

The last time I checked, the most famous and controversial mber months is in our midst once again. The months that mark the end of the Gregorian calendar, that invariably start from September and end with December, are generally referred to as mber months. The term ‘mber’ might not be unconnected with the suffix that accompanies the entire months in question. The three basic needs of man remain food, clothing and textile. It’s equally worth noting that the three major desires of any sane being are wealth, fame and power. It’s pathetic that currently mankind has derailed profoundly as regards the avenue being embraced towards obtaining any of these three desires. Unequivocally, the manner in which most Nigerians parade themselves during the mber months has become so worrisome to all concerned, that, if proper and drastic measure isn’t taken by the apt authorities, it might degenerate into an unimaginable state of doom in the nearest future. The uncalled and irrational quest for materialism among mankind, particularly the youth, especially during the mber months, remains one of the rudimentary causes of the various lingering social-vices taking place in all nooks and crannies. Arguably, the current astonishing increase of death rate is attributable to some of these vices, to include cultism, armed robbery, cyber fraud, thuggery, prostitution, kidnapping, drug trafficking, assassination, and what have you. The astronomical prevalence of the aforementioned vices during mber months has made the former to seem synonymous with the latter, thereby making people to perceive the season as forbidden.

Aside the aforementioned vices, there are other countless anomalies associated with the period, such as over-speeding between commercial drivers, and cheating among sellers in various markets. This is the reason road carnage is invariably on the rampage at such a time. The truth is that, no one seems to be safe during the mber months, not just in Nigeria but across the globe. It is a period when an apprentice appears smarter than his master; a period when various law enforcement agents, whom are meant to control the menace, indulge themselves in all kinds of sabotage or unpatriotic acts; a period when an average seller sales food stuffs with a cup’s bottom. The mber months is a time when a commercial driver wants to cover a 7-hour journey within three hours; and of course, a season when a secondary school student feels like dropping from school towards participating in any available ‘moneymaking’ activity. Survey indicates that the ongoing alarming quest for materialism or youth restiveness is mainly occasioned by inconsequential rivalry, greed and/or lack of contentment among the populace. This implies that the anomaly is a product of man’s inability to face reality at a given circumstance, even when the answer to the situation is very glaring. Inconsequential rivalries are those competitions that are not called for, or that seem unreasonable and barbaric. On the average, politicians or established business men often indulge in this practice. It’s usually observed among this set of people during electioneering era or when battling over supremacy, as the case may be.

Some of our youths also indulge in this act toward showcasing they belong to the ruling or most powerful class, with a view to proving that they are ahead of their contemporaries. Some individuals often do all sorts of things to find themselves in such class. Greed or lack of contentment has also contributed immensely to man’s intolerable quest for materialism, thereby setting the period that leads to any festive season, such as the ember months, ablaze. Greed has arguably brought humanity to a state of mockery, and has succeeded in tearing several unions or societies apart. Against this backdrop, it’s needless to state that lack of contentment has remained a colossal nightmare to mankind. As Nigeria undergoes another era of mber months, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the commemoration of the forthcoming festive seasons, Christmas and New Year precisely, takes place in a peaceful atmosphere. Hence, governments at all levels, schools, families, the civil society, religious institutions, the mass media, as well as all well-meaning individuals, are urged to do everything humanly possible towards ensuring that the ongoing mber months would bring nothing but a blessing to the Nigerian society in its totality. This can be actualized by embarking on massive sensitization programme across the country via town-hall meetings, street awareness, and issuance of bulk SMSs, among others. More so, the various relevant law enforcement agencies shouldn’t hesitate to arrest any individual or group caught in any of the above listed acts, and must ensure that the suspect is brought to book at all cost. In view of this, the judicial custodians ought to endeavour to maintain speedy hearing of any case relating to youth restiveness among others; such step would definitely serve as a deterrent to all prospective criminals. Similarly, the concerned security agents assigned to the roads ought to be very watchful and mindful at their respective duty posts towards fishing out bad eggs among commuters. The parents and guardians, on their part, should at all times equally be mindful of what their wards do, where they go to, as well as who they mingle with. Those who are already party to any of these uncivilized and blasphemous acts, or intend joining the chorus, ought to acknowledge that it is only by the grace of God one can acquire laudable and everlasting wealth, power, or fame come rain come shine. Imo needs all of us safe and hearty at all times, hence it’s our individual responsibilities to do the needful to make her proud. Think about it!

Fred Nwaozor, a tech expert, author, policy analyst, blogger, public speaker and rights activist, has been a columnist with different national dailies in Nigeria for almost two decades now. He equally writes for the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). He's well known for his multi-tasking prowess. He’s an ace media strategist and voracious writer, and has thus far authored and published numerous articles, essays, papers and books. He’s a regular contributor and peer reviewer to various internationally-noted academic journals. He writes for Tekedia on issues bordering on Tech, Industry and Economy. He’s popularly known as TheMediaAmbassador, and has hitherto been a celebrity consultant in the media industry, image making and Information & Communications Technology (ICT) for several years. He’s currently a researcher & analyst with the revered Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria. He lectures in other citadels of higher learning within the shores of the country. He has degrees and certifications in various fields, including Industrial Physics, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, as well as Communication Engineering, and is an ardent researcher in Electronics & Telecommunications in many years standing. The enigma is presently resident in Nigeria, Owerri precisely, and hails from Awo-Omamma in Imo State, Nigeria. He passionately relaxes with reading, travelling, playing Table Tennis, Scrabble, Snooker, as well as listening to good music.

Opinion I How Safe Are The Card Readers?

By Fred Nwaozor


Nigerians woke up in the early hours of Saturday, 16th February 2019 to shockingly learn that conducting the Presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections billed for that very day was no longer feasible, hence was outrightly postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to a fresh day, precisely on 23rd February 2019.
We are not unaware that prior to the unannounced decision taken by the INEC led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, virtually every sensitive material cum gadget had already been distributed to the various localities across the federation where they are meant to be used for the scheduled polls.
At the moment, concerned, discerning and patriotic Nigerians are baffled over the safety of these sensitive materials to be used for the national ritual, knowing full well that they deserve tremendous technical and physical security watch at this trial period.
The INEC can currently boast of the use of Electronic Card Reader otherwise known as ‘Smart card reader’ during elections in Nigeria. Since the inception of the INEC in the Nigeria’s political terrain, the leadership of the institution had been working assiduously toward ensuring that the country could boast of free, fair and credible elections. This may be the reason the former Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega thought it wise to initiate the said device prior to the last general elections, which has been in use till date.
Though Prof. Jega may have succeeded in coming up with a novel idea by introducing the aforementioned gadget, it’s worth noting that the current boss of the body, Prof. Yakubu has an enormous task ahead of him towards ensuring that the laudable invention wouldn’t end up being a curse in disguise.
It’s not anymore news that the ongoing use of the device in question has been bedeviled by several shortcomings to include malfunctioning, inadequate power supply and what have you. The INEC, inaugurated in 1998, has since inception encountered too many controversies and predicaments in the run up to elections in the country, most notably the April 2007 and 2015 general elections respectively. The ongoing challenges faced by the use of card readers seem to have added to the numerous plights of the commission.
A Smart card reader is an electronic device that reads smart cards such as the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card and Voter’s card, as the case may be. There are so many forms of smart card readers used for different purposes. In the banking industry, we have smart card readers that read the ATM cards. But here, we’re concerned about the electoral smart card reader. The electoral smart card reader is a portable electronic voter authentication gadget, configured to read only the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) issued by the INEC.
The device, which displays the authentic information of the prospective voter via the use of fingerprint, was designed specifically for the accreditation process or authentication of eligible voters before voting. The machine is usually configured or programmed to only read the PVCs of a particular polling unit as well as work only on election day(s). The card reader has obviously helped in confirming the eligibility of the prospective voters. It has equally assisted in checking excesses as regards double/multiple registration.
Among all, it enables the electoral exercise to be carried out faster since it can accredit as many intending voters as possible within a shortest interval; suffice it to say that it saves time. In addition, it enables the officials of the INEC to conduct the election easily or at ease unlike the manual system whereby the personnel would be required to put in or exhaust all their energies, thereby creating room for effectiveness and efficiency.
This implies that, if properly utilized, it warrants the electoral umpire to engage fewer individuals or ad-hoc staff for any impending election thereby saving reasonable funds. Hence, the card reader isn’t just labour effective, but equally cost effective.
Although the benefits inherent in the use of the smart card reader cannot be overemphasized, it’s worthy to acknowledge that the challenges that accompany it cannot be overlooked if truly we are concerned about embracing a society that can wholly boast of credible polls.
It’s not anymore news that, while in use, the card reader has reportedly malfunctioned in various quarters across the Nigerian State ever since it came into existence in the country, thereby making the INEC officials in charge of the concerned polling units to resort to manual voting.
To this end, there’s need for creation of a special technically-inclined unit within the INEC quarters. Such unit/department to be manned by an expert must contain all it takes as regards servicing or sustenance of the said gadget. The unit would go a long way to eradicate ‘fire brigade’ approach, which isn’t unusual in the Nigerian society.
It would as well help to create a mobile technical committee that would monitor the functionality of the card readers throughout any election as well as ensure that the various polling units involved are well equipped with the needed materials including electricity supply gadgets prior to the election.
There would also be need for the unit to be more concerned about providing special electronic chargers or charging devices at the various voting centres so that the card readers wouldn’t need to depend on power supply as long as the voting lasts.
Above all, there is need for the device to be manufactured in the country henceforth. There are capable hands that can actualize it; all the government needs to do is to empower them via the proposed technical unit.
We can’t continue to import what we can produce, especially at this moment we are concerned about diversification. I therefore call on INEC to embrace the fullness of technology so that the awaited society would be embraced soonest.
Most importantly, as these card readers are already sent to various locations across Nigeria, there’s compelling need for the management of the electoral umpire to ensure their adequate safety before they would eventually be used on the rescheduled date being February 23, 2019.
It’s on this premise I urge the INEC to ensure that each of the sensitive materials such the ballot papers and card readers are sent to the branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the respective states where they are currently domiciled.
Similarly, since the gadgets have equally been configured against the original date for the Presidential cum NASS election, apt and well experienced hands ought to be involved in re-configuring them towards ensuring that lapses aren’t created in the process. Nigerians need nothing less than safe card readers for credible and peaceful polls as expected come February 23 and March 9, 2019, respectively.
So, as we ‘scold’ the INEC for coming up with this untimely but apt postponement, it shouldn’t be reminded that it’s expected to do everything humanly possible to guarantee this required safety. Think about it!

Feature I Allegations On Gratification For Issuance Of PVC

By Comrade Fred Nwaozor




The last time I checked, some uncalled intrigues were allegedly transpiring under the nose of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), still the leadership of the said authority was seemingly yet to take note of the ugly trending.
It is only a dead person that could claim ignorance of the conspicuous fact that the long awaited general elections are already here with us, hence the compelling need to strengthen any weak wall required to be deployed at the polls.
In view of the above assertion, any loophole as regards the impending elections that’s discovered by any individual or entity shouldn’t be swept under the carpet by anybody that truly means well for Nigeria, Imo in particular. Thus, everyone is expected to be deeply concerned over the fast approaching political outings.
It has come to my notice that in the INEC offices situated in various Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the State, the officials of the commission have resorted to taking gratifications from people who came to collect their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). Such complaints have been trooping into the headquarters of the Right Thinkers Movement, a pro-democracy and good governance initiative whose head office is domiciled in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
In my capacity as the National Coordinator of the aforementioned NGO, I was shocked to my bone marrow the first time the information filtered into my senses. I couldn’t believe it at the time. But subsequently, the report kept coming intensely from different affected individuals and groups, thereby making me lose my sense of scepticism.
In one of the LGAs, it was reported that the persons in charge asked the complainant to give them what they would use to purchase sachet water, “pure water” as it’s popularly called, stating it was the only thing that could grant him access to his PVC. Initially, as a true patriotic Nigerian, he refused to comply not until he observed the seriousness boldly written on the faces of the so-called personnel.
Other complainants explained that they were kept in the queue without anybody responding to them when they told the INEC officials that they had no money on them. They thought they would be pitied but ironically, no one gave them a listening ear. They were marvelled when they noticed that those who came after their arrival received their PVCs having openly “bribed” the desk officers. It was at this point they understood they were in “big shit”, or apparently standing alone.
We were informed that these officials usually mention the particular or exact amount to be given to them by the visitor(s). In some LGAs, it was learnt they were boldly collecting N400 whilst some were busy asking for N500. It’s noteworthy that these monies were demanded from the visitors as if they were statutory fees or levies to be paid before anyone could be entitled to receive his/her PVC.
I’m of the notion that such an absurd practice would equally be occurring in other states across the federation, but the INEC leadership in these climes are yet to acknowledge the situation. Or perhaps in some cases, the authority may have heard about the nauseous act but refused to take decisive actions in respect of it. If the latter is the case, then I’m afraid, this smacks of danger.
I’m baffled why the supposed respected INEC staff would be acting as mere beggars or tax collectors, as the case might be, while carrying out their statutory obligations. Does it imply that they are hungry or were lawfully mandated to receive the gratification? This is a question that needs to urgently be attended to by any well meaning individual or entity.
As one who does not throw facts to the waste bin, coupled with the title of this column, I want to believe that these reports are still allegations, hence the compelling need for the INEC to painstakingly swing into action with a view to unravelling the real truth behind the accusations.
As it is widely stated and believed that “there is no smoke without fire”, the authority must not take this as a mere joke if they are genuinely determined to conduct all-inclusive and credible elections come February 16 and March 2, 2019, respectively.
I, therefore, challenge the INEC in Imo to henceforth endeavour to do the needful by sending out spies or monitoring team on its staff serving in various quarters in the state. Such an alarm ought to also be sent to its counterparts in other states across the country. The bad eggs must be duly fished out without much ado.
If an INEC personnel could have the zeal to forcefully collect gratification over issuance of PVC, I wonder what such persons would do during the elections proper. Without mincing words, such staff are the ones that would easily be bought over by the desperate political parties or aspirants.
It’s so appalling, and a paradox too, that while the INEC is deeply involved in the ongoing crusade targeted to conscientize the electorate to go and collect their PVCs, some bad eggs in their midst on other side are reportedly asking for gratifications before giving out the said device. This indeed unequivocally smacks of sabotage, thus such saboteurs need to be shown the way out or outrightly suspended indefinitely.
Similarly, in the spirit of collection of PVCs, the INEC in the respective states should ensure that the devices in question are made available to people in their various polling units or political wards to enable them assess the items with ease. This measure is unavoidably needed, particularly for the sake of the less-privileged such as the sick, physically challenged and the downtrodden.
As Nigerians, Imolites in particular, earnestly await the general elections, we are appealing to the INEC to do everything humanly possible to ensure that the polls eventually become thoroughly successful and credible as anticipated.

Against this backdrop, the INEC should see itself as the Moses expected to lead us to the Promised Land. Think about it!

Feature I As Uzodinma Romances nPDP, Others

By Fred Nwaozor



Who is yet to hear or come across the name ‘Senator Hope Uzodinma’ in the Nigeria’s political terrain? If I’m to answer the question, I would boldly say; nobody or only a dummy. The name could be said to be synonymous with Prince Eze Madumere.

The said names have in recent times abruptly become household names across the Nigerian State, particularly Imo – the Eastern Heartland – where the bearers hail from. And till date, a discerning political analyst in the aforementioned clime cannot do without the names or forget them in haste.

Though he’s currently serving his second term in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) as he represents the Imo-West Senatorial District, Sen. Uzodinma apparently became more relevant to the people of Imo the very moment he succeeded in acquiring the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to vie for the governorship position in the state amidst all odds.

It’s noteworthy that after all intrigues and intricacies that consequently surrounded the outcome of the Imo guber primaries of the APC, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole eventually confirmed Sen. Uzodinma as the authentic and suitable candidate for the gubernatorial race come March 2, 2019.

It’s not anymore news that the lawmaker’s emergence as the Imo guber flag-bearer of the APC was against the wish of the sitting governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha who made frantic effort to ensure that his ‘anointed’ son-in-law Mr. Uche Nwosu clinched the gubernatorial ticket.

Owing to the grievances that ensued afterwards, Mr. Nwosu was reportedly instructed by his godfather, Chief Okorocha to defect to another political party for continuity’s sake, not minding the fact that he (Okorocha) is a senatorial candidate of the APC. This implies that the latter is hell bent to make the former his successor come May 29, 2019.

The amazing part of the overall melodrama thus far is that Sen. Uzodinma, who is conspicuously working hand-in-hand with the famous Imo Deputy Governor Prince Madumere, has never been deterred by the distractions emanating from the sitting governor’s camp. Rather, he has gone extra mile to showcase to his teeming allies that he possesses all it takes to be the next Executive Governor of the revered Imo.

By so doing, the federal legislator has ostensibly succeeded in gaining more momentum or popularity in the state compared to his rivals, particularly those holding the tickets of the major political parties for the awaited race.

This could be attested to penultimate week, precisely on Sunday, 27th January 2019, when the leadership of the new People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) in the state proudly collapsed its structure into the camp of the Chief Marcellinus Nlemigbo – led APC in their bid to throw unalloyed support for the Imo-West Senator.

The nPDP led by Dr. Fabian Ihekweme publicly disclosed that their decision was rightly informed by the conviction that Sen. Uzodinma was the right man for the governorship seat, as he further strongly asserted that the lawmaker who he described as ‘pleasant’ would emerge convincingly victorious at the polls because “he has the majority behind him”.

It would be recalled that the nPDP’s emergence sometimes in November last year being 2018 was as a result of the differences that ensued between the two main guber aspirants Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha in the Imo PDP after the party held her governorship primary in Owerri, the state’s capital in which the latter secured the party’s ticket.

Sen. Anyanwu who is presently representing the Imo-East Senatorial District in the Senate alleged that the primary, which produced the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Chief Ihedioha as the Imo PDP’s flag-bearer, was marred by irregularities, hence headed for the court to seek for justice. It was amid this trending that the nPDP, which was in support of the aggrieved candidate, emerged.

Aside the nPDP’s unannounced support for Sen. Uzodinma’s guber aspiration, penultimate Tuesday being 29th January 2019 when the APC held her Presidential rally in the state – precisely Owerri – which saw the presence of the presidential candidate of the party, Muhammadu Buhari, a bigwig of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and a national leader of the party, Chief Martin Agbaso alongside his teeming followers was in attendance to equally throw his support behind the senator’s aspiration.

It’s worthy of note that the APGA is currently having Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume, who had twice represented the Imo-North Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber of the NASS and has hitherto relentlessly been in the race, as its guber flag-bearer in the Eastern Heartland.

This intriguing gesture of Chief Agbaso who had once been the guber flag-bearer of the APGA, might perhaps not be unconnected with the controversial way the Imo-North senator clinched the ticket of the party. The rest is history.

As Sen. Uzodinma publicly romances with the nPDP and other political gladiators, many onlookers in various quarters have opined that the Oru-East born dogged politician, who refused to throw in the towel even when all hopes seemed to have been lost, is far closer to the state’s Douglas House than his fellow contenders.

So, as Imolites watch the drama and impatiently wait to see the D-day, could it be that the APC’s guber flag-bearer – who obviously acquired the party’s ticket with the keen support of Prince Madumere – is already calling himself Chief Okorocha’s successor? Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, the National Coordinator of
Right Thinkers Movement writes via
frednwaozor@gmail.com

FEATURE: Insight on the Owu Dance Festival in ancient Oru Kingdom of Imo State

compiled by Fred Doc Nwaozor

 seated owu masquerades

        

Oru is a community situated at the West Pole of Imo State otherwise known as the Eastern Heartland in Federal Republic of Nigeria. It’s surrounded by many neighbouring communities which include Orsu to the North, Njaba to the North-East, Mbaitolu to the East and South-East, Oguta to the South, Amorka in Anambra State to the Weat and so on. Politically, it was formerly recognized as Oru Local Government Area (L.G.A) till late nineties, 1998 precisely, when it was divided into Oru East and Oru West.

         

Among other cultural heritage, Owu, a cultural dance is the most renowned and constant tradition observed by ‘Oru’ indigenes. Its unique status and features has attracted the keen interest of series of people from different social classes. It’s indeed a ‘common language’ spoken amongst the entire people, both indigenes and residents, in the ancient land of Oru kingdom. History has it that the festival originated from Oguta, one of the neighbouring communities to Oru.

         

The Owu cultural dance is often accompanied by ‘Okorosha’ masquerade. Customarily, a certain masquerade known as ‘Ofu-Uzo’ is expected to parade itself at night prior to the day the cultural dance is meant to take place; in a situation whereby it fails to do so, the Owu dance would never take place. 

         

The Owu festival is an annual event. It commences in Oru by the month of June every year. It’s being celebrated separately by each of the sub-communities/towns that make up Oru ancient Kingdom at different time intervals or dates to be fixed by the towns in question.

        

One of the most impressive features of Owu festival is that, only male indigenes are allowed to participate in the dancing competition. Needless to say; participation of the female folk is customarily forbidden. Another remarkable feature of the festival is that, it can never be carried out on ‘Nkwo’ market day.

         

Apart from the hosting of Owu in the land of Oru, it’s also hosted in other states in Nigeria such as Lagos, and in the diaspora. This is the most exemplary aspect of Owu festival. Each year, after it has been observed by the entire people of Oru, other Oru indigenes that reside in Lagos State and other States as well, would follow suit. In Lagos State, it usually takes place at Bariga, a town dominated by the Oru indigenes in the month of august unless it’s uttered by any circumstance. This very phenomenon originated several years ago. Having  been celebrated in Lagos State, and other states in Nigeria that have a high concentration of Oru indigenes, it would be subsequently observed by the Oru indigenes in the diaspora; mostly in other continents such as Europe and America, U.S.A precisely.

         

The above practice observed by eminent sons and daughters of Oru is strictly ceremonial. Suffice to say that, most traditional rituals or prerequisites usually observed prior to the festival are invariably skipped or ignored.