People, Places and Events
GHANA
Rawlings returns from Upper Volta
The Chairman of the PNDC (Provisional National Defence Council), Flt-Lt J. J. Rawlings, has returned home after a three-day friendly visit to Upper Volta. A communique signed by the Chairman and the head of Upper Volta's National Revolutionary Council, Capt Thomas Sankara, reaffirms the conviction of the two leaders that true African unity can only proceed from the fundamental interests of the people of Africa committed to a revolutionary struggle against the forces of imperialism and reaction.The communique said: Any compromise on the part of our leaders to the detriment of the just struggle of the liberation of the people will undermine the continued existence of the OAU. On Western Sahara and Chad, the two leaders condemned all external interventions and imperialist manoeuvres in Africa. They called for a strict implementation of OAU resolutions on these two conflicts as the only path for solving them.
Capt Sankara asked the people not to listen to various rumours meant to demoralize them. He asked the French Ambassador to Upper Volta to tell the French Government to stop helping the enemies of the Upper Volta revolution. He also asked France to withdraw its troops from Chad. Capt Sankara called on the US administration to listen to the voice of the people and work only in their interest.
Commenting later on the visit, Capt Sankara said it has helped to destroy the image created about Chairman. Rawlings as an idealist, a dreamer, who cannot cope with the problems of practical leadership. Our contact with you shows us that you are a man who is determined to make sacrifices for the good of your people, he told the Chairman.
On his part, the Chairman of the PNDC said he was impressed by the enthusiasm of the Voltaic people for their revolution, adding: Some of our revolutionary cadres will have to come here to learn something about the organization that helps to make this enthusiasm possible. He thanked the people of Upper Volta and invited Capt Sankara to pay a visit to Ghana.
Stamps to be printed locally
A national security printing press is to be established in the country to print postage stamps, travelling documents, air tickets and cheque books locally. This will save the country the huge foreign exchange used every year on the importation of such items. This was announced by the Secretary for Transport and Communications, Alhaji Mahama Idrissu, at the opening of a community post office at Dansoman in Accra.Cuban Doctors OK
The Secretary for Health, Dr Charles Buadu, has expressed satisfaction at the performance of Cuban doctors currently working in some selected hospitals in the country.However, Dr Buadu observed that it is only the language barrier between them and the patients that is creating problems.
At the Tema Polyclinic, there are four of the Cuban doctors, a gynaecologist, a dentist, a paediatrician and a general practitioner.
TUC on prices
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for the setting up of a National Consultative Committee on development to direct national efforts.The committee should include representatives of the PNDC, TUC, Employees Association, Farmers Council, co-operative movement, NDC and other organisations deemed appropriate.
According to the Daily Graphic the labour movement also called for the setting up of a Prices and Incomes Stabilization Commission to formulate appropriate policies on prices, incomes, interests, dividends and rents for general stabilization and development of the country and to conduct periodic reviews of trends of prices, incomes, dividends and rents and evaluate their consistency in relation to the development needs of the country. The labour movement made the call at a consultative meeting between it, the government, employers association, farmers association and market women at the Teachers Hall in Accra.
Dr Abbey made Ambassador
The Provisional National Defence Council has announced the following appointments: Mr John Ndebugre, Secretary for the Upper-east Region, becomes the Secretary for Agriculture; Colonel F.A. Agyenkorah is general operations assistant to the Secretary for Agriculture; Dr J.L.S. Abbey has been made Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Canada. An official announcement says in addition to his responsibilities as an ambassador, Dr Abbey will be required to undertake special assignments related to economic matters on behalf of the PNDC.Defence committees review activities
A two day joint meeting of PNDC (Provisional National Defence Council) secretaries, regional secretaries and the NDC (National Defence Council) has ended in Accra. The focus of the meeting was to evaluate the performance of the various organs of the revolution and review the roles and functions of the defence committees.The meeting reaffirmed the important role of the defence committee as an effective and practical means of grass root participation in the revolutionary process. It noted and assessed the mistakes committed by some defence committees in their practices and urged greater self-criticism and accountability as a means of improving their worth and generating confidence in the communities and workplaces.
Assessing the present state of affairs in the defence committees, the meeting agreed on the need for all the principal organs of the revolution to take practical steps to promote and improve the positive development of the defence committees for the enhancement of the revolution. The meeting also recognized the urgent need for all patriotic and democratic mass organisations to be guided and strengthened to play a greater role in the national democratic revolution. Some of these organizations identified were the associations of farmers, fishermen, workers groups, students, women's movements and ex-servicemen's organizations.
Black-outs are imminent
Newsmen who have toured the Akosombo dam discovered that the crisis facing the dam is more serious than the Electricity Corporation has made it to appear. Only two of the dam's six turbines are working and the two are able to operate because they were built at a lower level than the other four.Mr J.S. Okpoti, the director of power operations of the Volta River Authority, told the newsmen that there is a national crisis and that if more serious efforts are not made to conserve power, those parts of the country which are supplied electricity from Akosombo may face a total blackout soon.
Mr Okpoti disclosed that the present power curtailment exercise is only enabling the dam to operate just above the critical level and that there is the need for more power to be saved to ensure smooth operation till after the rainy season.
The water situation is so bad that the generating station at Kpong, which was commissioned only two years ago, shuts down completely for eight hours each day to allow the water level behind its dam to rise before it can operate. The Akosombo plant is producing only one quarter of its normal output while the Kpong station is generating only 40 percent of what it used to.
LIBERIA
Liberia buys Israeli planes
The Liberian Finance Minister has visited Israel during which he conferred with the Finance Minister, Yigal Kohen-Orgad, and concluded special financing terms that Israel is to grant Liberia to purchase four Arava planes manufactured by the Israeli Aircraft Industries. Israel and Liberia have agreed to train 14 Liberian pilots to fly the Aravas.A political source in Jerusalem has meanwhile revealed that budgetary constraints had recently hindered what the source called the momentum of Israeli penetration of the African continent. The source said that a few weeks ago an African country was about to resume relations with Israel but because of 6.000.000 dollars that give that sum to that African country and the latter appealed to the Saudi royal bank and received the money.
Don't involve soldiers in politics
Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Henry Dugbah has appealed to politicians in their various campaign activities not to involve soldiers in their political manoeuvres.He also warned that any soldier caught in political manipulations will be severely dealt with while any civilian caught trying to influence or use soldiers as scapegoats will be dealt with.
A further warning went to students to refrain from unbecoming attitude especially to the point of lawlessness and challenging constituted authorities.
The General who was delivering his Armed Forces Day message to members of the Liberian armed forces said that in keeping with the Peoples Redemption Council's timetable, the country will be returned to civilian rule next year, and noted that 1984 must be regarded as a preparatory year.
General Dugbah reminded the army personnel of the order of their Commander-in-Chief not to continue to occupy private properties and said that those who defy it will be dishon- ourably discharged from the army and made to forfeit all benefits.
He paid tribute to the men and women of the armed forces members of the joint security and all other branches of the national security for the excellent performance in executing their duties.
He said it was the tireless efforts, alertness and sleepless nights and vigilance of the security forces that has kept the nation on an even keel and responsible for its stability.
The Chief of Staff noted that he was proud of the efforts of the security forces in tracking down traitors and subversive elements.
SENEGAL
Canadian food aid
Canada is to give Senegal 5,000 1 of corn. The donation is in response to an appeal for emergency aid to meet Senegal's food deficit of 300,000 t. Canada has already provided Senegal with 10,000 t of wheat and 500 t of powdered milk.Iranian Embassy closed down
The Iranian Embassy in Dakar has been closed down after it had been linked to undiplomatic activities. But the Iranian Foreign Ministry has re sponded to the allegations of the Senegalese Government stating that the Islamic Republic adhered to the policy of expanding its relations with Third World countries, especially in African and Muslim countries and that the in- creased level of cultural, political and economic relations with these countries attested to the fact. A spokesman strongly denied allegations linking Iranian Embassy to undiplomatic activities and said the Islamic Republic had always followed the policy of respecting the right of sovereignty of other countries, not to interfere in their internal affairs and observing the rules existing in political relations between countries.NIGERIA
Latest figure of detainees At least 280 persons from 13 of the 19 states are being detained in various parts of the country, the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon has announced in Lagos. Briefing media executives, Brig- adier Idiagbon said that 81 persons were being held at the Kirikiri maximum security prison, Lagos, and that 21 detainees were being held in Anambra, five in Bendel, nine in Benue, 32 in Borno and 16 in Cross River. Others are: Gongola 21, Imo three, Kaduna 25, Plateau 19 and Lagos one. Kano, Kwara and Sokoto have 16 detainees each. Brigadier Idiagbon said that the figures for Niger, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers and Bauchi were still being compiled.Ojukwu's detention
The Federal Military Government has no intention of rescinding the pardon granted the Ikemba of Nnewi, Chief Emeka Ojukwu, by the last civilian administration. Disclosing this at a meeting he held for media executives in Lagos, the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, said that Chief Ojukwu was being detained pending the completion of investigations into the activities of the Ikemba front.Brigadier Idiagbon said that besides allegations made against members of the front for their activities during the last elections, some of them were found carrying arms during a search on Chief Ojukwu's residence after the military takeover. The Chief of Staff said that the Ikemba would also have to account for Party funds he handled during the last elections.
Criticism of the press
The Chief of Staff has recalled his earlier appeal to journalists to be more objective. He noted that contrary to expectation, some of the papers had continued to publish information capable of creating confusion in the minds of the people. He declared: At this point and time, I would only repeat that we expect this change - respect for facts and appreciation of our stated objectives. Brigadier Idiagbon criticized the reproduction of statements of some wanted politicians in national newspapers.He told the media executives that various consignments of essential commodities were being expected at the various ports in the country. These include baby milk worth over 30,000,000 maira, sugar, 34,000,000 naira, and rice estimated at 69,000,000 naira.
Restoration of execution
Public execution of convicted armed robbers is to be restored. Answering questions at the briefing of media executives in Lagos, the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, said that a decree to the effect was underway.No visits to detainees
Military authorities have placed a ban on all visits to political detainees throughout the Federation. The ban affects both friends and relations of such detainees. In a statement issued in Lagos the army public relations department warned intending visitors to the detainees to stop making further applications to this effect.Official cars are for these
The government has directed that only the following categories of government functionaries are entitled to chauffeur driven official cars.These are the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Justice of the Supreme Court, President and Justice of the Federal High Court, Chief Judges of the states and Grand Khadis, high court judges and judges of Sharia Courts of Appeal. Other categories of government functionaries are full-time chairmen and members of commissions and boards such as the Federal Civil Service Commission. The statement said that part-time members of boards shall only be provided with official transportation while on board business in Lagos or the appropriate location of such board.
Salaries are downgraded
Permanent secretaries serving in the states throughout the federation have been down-graded from salary grade level 17 to 16.This is in compliance with a recent decision of the National Council of State to the effect that all permanent secretaries in the states should not go beyond salary grade level 16.
The Bendel State Military Governor, Brigadier Jeremiah Useni disclosed these in Benin City while swearing-in the new 16 permanent secretaries in the state.
Shagari's only fault
Head of State General Buhari has expressed the hope that he would go out of office 'in one piece'. According to a report in the Sunday Concord, General Buhari in reply to a question whether he ever thought of the day he would be the Head of State said, 'I am here by accident'.General Buhari is again quoted to have cited former Vice President Alex Ekwueme's consistent corruption in contract deals on Abuja as the reason for his detention in Kiri-kiri maximum Prison.
Defending the disparity in the treatment given by the military government, General Buhari said Alhaji Shehu Shagari could only be blamed for not taking action when he was advised by security agencies about the misbehaviour of some of the ministers. Materially however, Gen Buhari said he hadn't seen anything against the former President.
Governor orders journalists caned
The military governor of Ondo state is reported to have ordered 35 employees of the Nigeria Television Authority and the state corporation to be caned for coming late to work.A newsroom messenger who also failed to recognize the presence of the Governor, Commodore Banidele Otiko, who was on a surprise visit to the establishments was dismissed.
Committee to sponsor demonstrations
A Nigerian solidarity committee has been formed to sponsor demonstrations in London, Bonn, Paris and New York in support of the military takeover and an appeal by Chief Francis Arthur Nzeribe to the country's military rulers. Chief Nzeribe's appeal calls on the military to use persuasion through conventional and unconventional means to get back monies that have been looted by the deposed politicians. The solidarity committee is chaired by Chief Luke Obiora with Anthony Opene as secretary, and has offices at 65 Grosvenor Street, London, where Chief Nzeribe's offices are. The simultaneous solidarity demonstra- tions are planned for 4th March 1984.Abolition of private universities
All private universities in the country are to be abolished and a decree to that effect is being promulgated by the Federal Military Government, the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon has said in Lagos.Brigadier Idiagbon said that the Federal Government had also banned the establishment of private universities in the "Foreseeable future". He said that with regard to the minimum cost requirement of establishing and running a university, the Government was satisfied that it was "clearly not in the public interest to allow these mushroom universities to continue to exist". Brigadier Idiagbon said that from the projected cost of education in the next five years, "no private person can honestly claim that he has funds to establish and run a university". "Private entrepreneurs, if allowed, are likely to turn higher education into commercial ventures to the detriment of unsuspecting students and the image of Nigeria in the international labour market", he said.
The Chief of Staff said that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board would assist in the transfer of students who might be affected by the decision to accredited universities and other institutions of higher learning within the country. He warned that anyone who established a university after the promulgation of the decree "would be exposing himself to appropriate penalties".
Ban on movements
The Federal Military Government has banned all state creation movements in the country with effect from 31st December last year. In a statement the Government reminded members of the public that the state movements were proscribed along with the political parties. As a result, activities of any group purporting to be agitating the state creation are illegal. The statement added that the accounts of all the state creation movements were frozen and property belonging to them forfeited to the Federal Military Government.The Nigerian police force has been directed to seize any of the vehicles belonging to state movements found plying the roads and take other appropriate action against the movements. Functionaries of the movements were also warned that they would be held responsible for any discrepancy discovered between the recorded property of the movements as at 31st December last year and what the police could find at the local level.
Retirement of Foreign Ministry officials
The Minister of External Affairs, Dr Ibrahim Gambari, has confirmed the compulsory retirement of 116 senior officials of the Ministry. Speaking to newsmen in his office, Dr Gambari said that the officers were retired on the orders of the Supreme Military Council, using the criteria of "effectiveness, previous disciplinary record and public interest".Dr Gambari said that the Ministry would establish a separate directorate for international economic cooperation and related matters. "The entire foreign missions will be rationalized so that where the benefits derived do not justify the cost of maintenance, they will have to be closed down", he said.
In an interview with a Radio Nigeria correspondent Dr Gambari said that it was the policy of the present military administration to strengthen the economic and commercial sections of the Nigerian missions. The Minister told the correspondent that various task forces had been set up to examine Nigeria's relationship with her neigh- Nours and her continued participation in international organizations such as the United Nations and the OAU.
Economy can't finance pilgrims
Nigerians may not perform this year's holy pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem. The Head of State, Maj Gen Muhammadu Buhari said this is because the country could not afford to increase the 100 naira pilgrims travel allowance announced recently.In an interview with Radio Nigeria, General Buhari reminded Nigerians that Allah himself says one should perform his religious obligations when one is in a position to do so. He said one of such conditions was finance, which Nigeria does not have now. He added that the country needs money to meet its obligations, particularly food bills. On traditional rulers, the Head of State denied that the military administration was responsible for their seem- ingly eroded powers. He said the powers of traditional rulers started diminishing as times changed, particularly during the 1979 local government review which abolished the traditional courts, the local government police, the prisons, and recently, the abolition of poll and cattle taxes.
He said the local government reforms were aimed at giving Nigerians the opportunity to decide on the re- sources available at their localities. He contended that the reforms took good care of traditional institutions by establishing emirate councils at State levels and the traditional councils at local levels. The Head of State explained that his administration recognized traditional rulers as effective vehicles for communication with their subjects, especially now that politics had been proscribed.
No decision on Abuja
General Buhari said donor countries had the wrong notion that Nigeria was a rich nation and as such would not need international aid. He said this had made them hesitant to donate. However, he said, the Federal Military Government would use its meagre resources to help the drought-hit states. In addition, he said, more food items and raw materials would be imported.On the matter of the transfer of the state capital to Abuja, the Head of State said the Federal Government was awaiting a report from the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory on infrastructures so far provided and how much money had been spent. He said until this is received, the Government could not announce any tentative programme.
On the current purge in the civil service, the Head of State assured efficient and diligent civil servants not to fear. He said only those with skeletons in their cupboards need to fear. General Buhari said necessary steps have been taken to avoid the repeat of the 1975 exercise which, he said, was seemingly rushed.
Contractors' fees stopped
The Federal Military Government has stopped payment of mobilisation fees to all contractors, a government statement said in Lagos.The statement pointed out that government contracts would only be awarded to contractors who possessed the capital and the means to complete projects on schedule.
It added that the Ministry of National Planning had been directed to monitor the cost of capital projects in other parts of the world, on a continuing basis, for comparison with similar ones being undertaken in Nigeria.
This is aimed at helping the government to nip in the bud the usually known channels of corruption, extortion and drainage of the country's scarce resources.
It is also to ensure the exercise of the highest financial prudence in contractual agreements and execution.
Missions to furnish names
All diplomatic missions in Nigeria are now to submit the names and addresses of their nationals in any part of the country on a monthly basis to the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs. Internal Affairs Minister, Brigadier Mohammed Magoro, announced this at a meeting he had with senior officials of his Ministry in Lagos.He pointed out that the missions were to do so through the Ministry of External affairs.
The Minister appealed to members of the public to give out information either directly to him or to the Director of Immigration on the entry, movement and operation of any alien that was inimical to the country's national interest in any part of the federation. Brigadier Magoro had earlier pointed to Nigeria's open and porous borders with four countries adding that this led to the existence of so many illegal routes through which many foreigners infiltrated into Nigeria without being detected.
Imprisonment for hoarders
Hoarding of essential commodities is to attract an imprisonment term of six months, a government statement has said in Lagos.The statement added that a decree to this effect would soon be promulgated by the Federal Military Government and warned distributors and retailers of essential commodities as well as businessmen in general, in their own interest, to desist from engaging in hoarding.
Information centres to reduce
The country's existing 32 information centres abroad are to be reduced to 26. Their staff strength will similarly be cut from 42 to 29. The Minister of Information and Social Development, Youth, Sports and Culture, Group Capt Emeka Omerua, announced this at a meeting he had with zonal directors of the centres in Lagos. He, however, emphasized that the Ministry would ensure that key centres were manned by highly proficient and result-oriented officers.Group Capt Omerua directed the zonal directors to prepare a comprehensive and effective communications programme on their return to their centres. This, he added, should be transmitted to Lagos for urgent study and action. The Minister had earlier told the officers that the current economic situation in the country called for critical re-examination of the centres' operational mechanics.
Air force to train locally
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Ibrahim Alfa has said in Lagos that members of the Nigerian Air Force were now to be trained locally to conserve the country's foreign exchange. Speaking to newsmen at the beginning of a one-week tour of air force formations in parts of the country, Air Vice-Marshall Alfa pointed out that this was in consonance with the Federal Government's policy of financial prudence. He said that his tour would enable him to have first hand insight into facilities available for local training.O.A.U.
Arrears to OAU cleared
Nigeria has paid more than 270,776 US dollars to the OAU Liberation Committee to wipe off her arrears of payment to that body.The cheque for the amount was presented to the secretary by the leader of the country's delegation to the 41st ordinary session of the committee currently holding in Arusha, Tanzania. The payment is seen as a further proof of the commitment of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria towards the total liberation of Africa. At the opening of the session, the OAU Interim Secretary-General, Dr Peter Onu of Nigeria, urged the committee to shake off inaction and evolve plans and strategies to effectively combat the challenges posed by the South African fascist.
Nigerian re-elected
Nigeria's Edward Aina has been re-elected assistant executive secretary of the OAU Liberation Committee for another four-year term by African Foreign Ministers currently meeting in Arusha, Tanzania. Mr Aina defeated his Ghanaian opponent, S.G. Amu, by 15 votes to seven.The Ugandan incumbent assistant executive secretary, Ambassador Leban Oyaka, retained the position for another four-year term by defeating his Congolese challenger, P.H. Ulasa, with 11 votes to nine.
Resolutions of Liberation Committee
The co-ordination committee for the liberation of Africa has ended its 41st ordinary session in Arusha with an appeal to all governments and the international community to give more assistance to the Namibian liberation movement, SWAPO, to enable it to intensify the armed struggle. The three day session expressed strong support for the decision of the council of ministers of the non-aligned conference to hold this year an extraordinary meeting at the ministerial level on the issues.The meeting also urged the international community to increase its material and financial assistance to the frontline states, to enable them to defend their territorial integrity and sovereignty against South African aggression.
It also called for a halt to the con tinuing execution, imprisonment, detention and torture of South African patriots which have so far resulted in the death of more than 60 detainees for the last 20 years.
In another resolution, the delegates from 22 countries have asked the UN to intensify action to secure the immediate and unconditional release of Nelson Mandela and all other African prisoners. They also discussed reports approved by the standing committees of the African Liberation Committee which met in Arusha.
...HAPPENINGS...HAPPENINGS..
African concert at Camden
It is always refreshing when African music and dance come to town, so to speak. The greatest pleasure is in knowing that there are literally scores of African groups here in the UK of quite high standards to entertain lovers of home music.The Sugumugu 80's presentation at the Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, should be an interesting en- counter if the groups appearing in the show are any indication.
The ten years anniversary concert scheduled for Thursday March 22nd, 1984 featuring Lord Eric Agor Mmba, Zila Uthingo, Mangrove Steel Band, should provide a fair representation of African music including Highlife music, Kwela music, Jazz, Zulu and traditional dancing. It would be worthwhile not to miss this.
Man Friday
Robin Crusoe is master of all he surveys on his Island kingdom-musket, sunshade, Bible and, of course, MAN FRIDAY. He has a head full of power, guilt and fear gagging the slave he is trying to teach in the name of God. But Friday plays him at his own game, turning the tables on his oppressor.Adrian Mitchell's lively comedy which is directed by Phil Young twists the Robin Crusoe story around to see. and tell it, through the eyes of Man Friday. Crusoe is the inhibited Puritan. Friday his down-trodden black slave. But suppose the slave has something to teach the master... Playing the role of Man Friday is Christopher Asante and Jonathan Hacket as Robin Crusoe at the HALF MOON THEATRE, at the Mile End Road in London E1. The play opened on February 10th.
