People, Places and Events
NIGERIA
Judiciary not free
The nation's judiciary has been described as 'not free', by a renowned legal practitioner, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, in Ibadan. As a result, he added, the judiciary could no longer be regarded as the third arm of government because it had not been performing such a role.Chief Fawehinmi, who was answering questions on an NTA Ibadan current affairs personality interview programme, X-ray, wondered how freedom could be attached to the judiciary without a separate funding. He also added that until the judiciary was untied from the apron string of the executive, it would always be influenced.
The legal practitioner said: "How do you expect lawyers to perform properly when you still have to contact minister A or B before getting an ordinary photocopying machine to perform your duties."
He advocated the changing of the Ministry of Justice to that of "law and order", to be headed by a minister with the same portfolio who would not interfere with duties of the lawyers.
Chief Fawehinmi condemned the way lawyers and judges were being taken care of in the country.
According to him, "how do you operate a constitution that bars judges from practicing after retirement and expect them to feel happy."
He also expressed unhappiness with remun- eration for legal practitioners in the country, saying he would want to see a situation whereby judges would earn from N30,000 to N40,000 per annum instead of the present N14,000 to N15,000.
Emir of Gombe installed
Alhaji Shehu Suman, Abubakar has been formally installed as the Emir of Gombe.Governor Chris Garba of Bauchi State presented the emir with the staff and instrument of office at the installation ceremony which took place at Abubakar Umar Stadium, Gombe.
Some traditional chiefs in Gombe Emirate had earlier presented the emir with various traditional regalia of office, while representatives of various communities and cultural groups also entertained the emir and his guests at the ceremony. The grand durbar, which lasted over 90 minutes and in which over 1,000 horse riders took part also added colour to the ceremony.
The emir, pledged his support to the Federal and the Bauchi State Governments and promised to live up to every word of his oath of office.
He called on the authorities to allow traditional rulers participate in the development of their respective areas saying that most traditional rulers in the country were sound administrators whose experiences would no doubt benefit the common man.
He continued: "We believe if government structure can be properly pre-planned and well articulated, the role of traditional rulership could be made to fit in and made more functional."
President Momoh ends 3 day visit
Nigeria and Sierra Leone have agreed to conclude negotiations without further delay on six areas of bilateral cooperation. These include economic, scientific and technical co-operation, air services, fishing rights, trade, cultural and educational agreements.This information was contained in a joint communique signed by the presidents of both countries at the end of a three-day official visit to Nigeria by President Joseph Momoh. President Babangida and his Sierra Leonean counterpart President Saidu Momoh, in the communique reaffirmed their commitment to the attainment of the ECOWAS objectives with a view to increasing cooperation within the sub-region.
They stressed the need for member states to honour their financial obligations to ECOWAS to enable the organisation to meet the objective of improving the economic well-being of its people. The two presidents also reaffirmed their support for all efforts aimed at countering drought, famine and external debt of African countries.
Presidents Babangida and Momoh expressed grave concern at the continued deterioration of the economy and its negative impact on the nations of the third world.
They called for an increase in development assistance especially of soft loans, from financial institutions and appealed to the developing countries to increase their determination to be self-reliant.
Ali wants powers decentralised
Plateau State Governor, Lt-Col. Mohammed Chris Alli has called for the decentralisation of powers within the nation's civil service.Governor Alli who made the call in Lagos while answering questions on a Radio Lagos current affairs programme, The Newsmaker, said that this, if done, will enhance efficiency in the nation's civil service. He attributed the present not-so-good performance of the civil service to the concentration of power within the service to a single individual.
This phenomenon, Governor Alli pointed out, had always been responsible for delays in implementing government programmes. "For example, if a permanent secretary is expected to be the authorising officer for a particular matter and is away, it is often very difficult to get someone else to give that authority," the governor further said.
However, Governor Alli reiterated the need for the civil service to have more confidence in their subordinates and use them to the maximum.
This, he said, would make for a speedy reaction and better contribution. Col. Alli also called for the introduction of the concept of management by objective. The governor explained that if all these could be done, the nation's civil service would be rid of its present evils of corruption, bribery and nepotism.
Minister assures students on fees
The Minister of Education, Professor Jibril Aminu, has said in Bauchi that the Federal Government has no plan to reintroduce tuition fees in the university, despite the present economic depression.The minister was addressing the staff and students at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa College of Ahmadu Bello University in Bauchi, in continuation of his tour of Borno and Bauchi states.
He said plans were also under way to reactivate the student loan scheme so that students could obtain loans to solve their feeding and accommodation problems.
Professor Aminu observed that the universities were not affected by this year's tight budget and therefore appealed to the institution to cooperate with the government and make sure that the funds allocated were properly used whenever they were made available.
He also appealed to the students to reciprocate the good gesture of the government by remaining law-abiding and facing their studies.
He said since the 8-year ban imposed on students unionism has been lifted, the students should use the opportunity to express their opinion on the on-going political debate.
Co-operation over extradition requests
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Bola Ajibola, has been reported by Lagos radio as saying on 15th February that Umaru Dikko would soon be extradited from Britain. Others also to be extradited were the former Senate president, Dr Joseph Wayas, a former attorney general, Richard Akinjide and a former chairman of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, Chief Adisa Akinloye.Speaking to journalists the Minister had "explained that Britain which had earlier defied Nigeria's extradition request was now co-operating."
Resumption of border talks
Nigeria and Benin Republic have called for an early reconvening of the suspended talks on the demarcation of their common border. In a com- munique issued at the end of a five-day tour of border areas, the Internal Affairs Ministers of both countries called for early action to arrest the situation.The communique directed local administrative and security officials to endeavour to work towards minimising areas of conflict and misunderstanding among the closely-linked com- munities along the border. It maintained that the residents of the border areas expressed their un- flinching adherence to the spirit of good- neighbourliness preached by the two countries.
Panel ratifies governor's release
The release of ex-civilian governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, has been ratified by the Justice Samson Uwaifo Review panel. Making the recommendation in Lagos, the chairman of the panel stated that the former governor should not have been detained.Testifying for the prosecution, in the case of corrupt enrichment preferred against Alhaji Balarabe, a chief superintendent of police attached to Force CID, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Mr Mohammed Nguru said that the former governor operated three accounts in Kaduna. Mr Nguru told the panel that from investigations conducted into these accounts there was no evidence of corrupt enrichment.
He said that Alhaji Balarabe had a foreign account with Barclays Bank in London which he opened after he was impeached on July 22, 1981.
Ajibola's patriotic gesture
Attorney-General of the federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Bola Ajibola has donated 35 percent of his salary to the National Economic Emergency Fund for the period of the economic emergency. The donation, the Cabinet Office, Lagos said was in addition to the 15 per cent general deduction from his salary as a public officer. According to the statement, Mr Ajibola wished that his humble contribution would give an immediate expression to his desire for a quick recovery from the country's present economic difficulties.The Cabinet office stated, the President, Major-General Ibrahim Babangida, had expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the minister's noble act of patriotism.
CHAD
Libya bombs Ndjamena airport
Fighting was reported early in the week between the Chad national army and opposition forces supported by Libya around Oum Chalouba, 700km north-east of N'djamena. President Mitterand's special adviser for African affairs, Guy Penne, described the fighting as "very serious and very extensive", and French Defence Minister Paul Quiles had to rush to N'djamena. Consequently, Chad officially requested the intervention of French troops to confront the offensive by GUNT forces after a meeting between Paul Quiles and Hissein Habre in Ndjamena.The bombing of Ndjamena airport on the morning of 17th February by a Tupolev aircraft has been confirmed by the French Defence Ministry. The French Defence Minister, Paul Quiles, said the raid had been carried out by a Libyan Tupolev 22. There had been no casualties in the indirect hit on the runway by a single bomb and that the runway was usable.
Asked whether France was planning to retaliate the Minister said France had no bellicose intentions; it wanted to protect Chad at the request of its leader. Defence equipment had been installed round Ndjamena airfield where French aircraft would shortly be stationed and France was setting up a "deterrent force" in Chad.
The attack on Ndjamena airport had been a Libyan raid, it was alleged.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has called for an immediate cease-fire in the renewed fighting in Chad. Lagos radio, citing a Foreign Ministry statement, said the Ministry had pledged Nigeria's preparedness to contribute to peace efforts in Chad and warned against outside interference in the conflict.
LIBERIA
Denial of offer of political asylum to Duvalier
The Ministry of Information in Monrovia has said that "neither the government of Liberia nor the Liberian foreign minister, Dr J. Bernard Blamo, ever offered political asylum" to the former Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvalier.In a strongly worded statement issued in Monrovia, the information ministry said Mr Duvalier "has not applied to Liberia for political asylum".
The statement clarified that the foreign minister was merely "pointing out to journalists in an impromptu interview that the charters of the United Nations, the OAU and the Declaration of Human Rights permit any country to exercise a right to grant political asylum on humanitarian grounds to those seeking such asylum from a particular state".
The statement said the reference of the Foreign Minister to the fact that Ethiopia, Haiti and Liberia were three black states that originally subscribed to the UN charter in that organisation's formation, was for "historical educative purposes".
It said that was "no direct or implied" invitation to the former President of Haiti to apply to Liberia for asylum. "Liberia has been very active as an asylum ever since before the formation of Declaration of Human Rights, and has also granted asylum to many former Haitian nationals most of whom are now Liberian citizens for between five to 30 years", the statement noted.
The information ministry said "while Liberia believes that it could be tragic for any former president, regardless of the alleged atrocities he was supposed to have committed, to remain a stateless person without refuge, the Liberian government does not offer asylum at random".
The Ministry concluded that it was "unfair that the statement of the foreign minister was 'over-stretched' with injected implications never intended".
Doe calls for diligence
President Samuel K. Doe has urged government officials to "keep in mind that selfishness, greed, tribalism and corruption have no place among decent men and women".He impressed upon government officials the "value of loyalty and patriotism" in service to the nation and its people. President Doe was speaking when he commissioned several top ranking government officials including the Chief Justice and associate justices of the Supreme Court as well as cabinet ministers at the executive mansion here.
The President told the commissioned officials that their selection from among many equally qualified Liberians was indicative of the confidence in their ability and integrity, and the conviction that they could help lead the nation to "greater destinies"
The Liberian leader urged the officials to "constantly remember" that they are "servants of the people", and are therefore required to offer their best while they serve, in order to enjoy government's confidence and the respect of the people.
President Doe further said government officials are expected to "be honest, diligent and willing to render sacrificial services to all those whom they come in contact with, directly or indirectly" as well as "fully realise the limits of power".
France seeks asylum for Duvalier
The French press AFP has reported that the French Prime Minister, Laurent Fabius, instructed the French External Minister, Roland Dumas, to contact the Liberian authorities through the French Ambassador in Liberia, Mr Jean Thomas, on the "possibility of granting asylum to fallen Haitian President, Jean-Claude Duvalier.The French Prime Minister said that he is anxious "to speed up the deposed President Duvalier's departure" from French soil to "take place fairly rapidly".
Doe commends armed forces
President Samuel Doe had commended the armed forces of Liberia for the "able manner' in which they stuck to their solemn oaths to protect and defend the country.Dr Doe told the army that their absolute commitment and continued willingness to give unquestionable service in defense of the state, and loyalty to their commander-in-chief must be beyond all suspicion at all times."
Dr Doe's commendation was contained in his Armed Forces Day message read on his behalf by Defence Minister Gray D. Allison, at the Barclay Training Centre in Monrovia, where the 29th anniversary of Armed Forces Day was held.
He reminded that army that "no nation can survive without a disciplined army united for the common good of those it serves," and urged them to remain vigilant in the performance of their duties as the sole custodians of lives and property. Dr Doe said history "will record the military era in our country as an era of progressive pragmatism," noting that "one of the significant legacies the military gave this country is its first home-made constitution which resulted in a smooth transition to civilian government with your commander-in-chief as First President of the Second Republic."
He therefore charged the army to allow their obligation to this nation and its people to be first and foremost as they face the challenges ahead, he said such challenges require "men and women such as you with great will power, a vision for peach in our land and a mission to serve."
Warning to students against political activities
Justice Minister Jenkins Scott has warned that political activity on the campus of the University of Liberia are not allowed and even if it was, any student taking part in such activities are treading on dangerous ground. Mr Scott's remarks came at a news conference on February 10, with a VOA correspondent at the Ministry of Justice. He said students desiring to form political parties may believe their activities are in keeping with constitutional guarantee of free association but cautioned those who take it upon themselves to interpret the Constitution may be taking serious risks.He said nowhere in the Constitution does it say students can form political parties. Those who persist in carrying on with such activities, he added, will be punished in accordance with the law.
Minister Scott's comments came after the Student's Unification Party of the University of Liberia issued an ultimatum to the president of the University, Mr Joseph Morris, demanding a lifting of the ban on campus political activities by February 24.
The Students' Unification Party resolution was issued after a mass rally on the university campus. The document claimed that students of the University have every right to exercise their constitutional rights, elect their own representatives and should be a centre for democratic practices for students and society in general. The students did not specify what action they would take if the ban was not lifted by February 24.
It is recalled that on August 22, 1984, military troops occupied the campus to end students political demonstrations. There was no official casualty figure from the two-day incident but there were reports of excessive force and mal- treatment against students and faculties. All political activities on the university campus had been banned since that time.
Closure of embassy in Sweden
Liberia is to close its embassy in Stockholm due to "economic problems", Foreign Ministry sources said. The decision "will have no binding effect directly or indirectly on the long-standing relations between the two countries, the sources added.GHANA
Why Rawlings has put on weight
The formal opening of the controversial congress of the African Trades Union Unity (OATUU) on February 6, 1986 in Accra was given a bizarre twist when Flt-Lt Jerry Rawlings, who was scheduled to deliver an opening address also used the occasion to explain to Ghanaians why he has put on weight recently.According to press reports, after the Flight Lieutenant had delivered his address and was expected to take his seat, he remained standing behind the lectern and rather signalled for silence.
Chairman Rawlings then went into a free rap session with the delegates, reported one of the local papers. At one point, as if he had heard the echo of whisperings going on in town about how much weight he had put on, he disclosed the secret of his present healthy appearance. The secret is that since returning from China six months ago he has drastically cut down the number of cigarettes which he smokes, and no longer inhales the smoke at all - which is the blood poisoning side of smoking.
And so, J.J., known for 15 years as a heavy smoker has seen the light! Medical science has, in fact, proved that smoking is the cause of several ailments. It has a way of reducing human appetite for food. No wonder J.J. had looked so lean and dried up.
During the rap session, J.J. told the story of a friend of his called Ata, a mortuary attendant at 37 Military Hospital. He narrated how Ata was a heavy smoker and that he, J.J., used to advise Ata to stop smoking and drinking. But Ata's only response was, Hm! Don't worry, when you die and they bring you to my mortuary, I will powder your face fine! The last time J.J. saw Ata, the man was transfigured. Ata, who once looked lean and dry like somebody about to die, is now a real living healthy soul, The last time Ata saw J.J. at 337, Ata asked J.J. who should now be advising who!
Chairman Rawlings also narrated how, during his last visit to China, one of their Ministers advised him to cut down on smoking or quit altogether because as it was explained to him, he was a young man saddled with immense responsibility and he owed it a duty to himself and his country to be fit and healthy. Also the struggle to reduce and then eliminate smoking is bound up with the Chairman's performance as a pilot. He has said that heavy smoking has an adverse effect on night vision and resistance to gravity, as well as performance under stress.
Ata, the mortuary attendant, gave J.J. proof of how good it is not to smoke. Rawlings himself has testified the harm smoking has done to him. If he is putting on weight, it is because he has learnt how to keep healthy. It is not the unhealthy, obesity which is the result of gluttonous eating and drinking habits."
The editors of the paper which published Flt- Lt. Rawlings' story could not conceal their surprise at the PNDC Chairman's strange choice of the OATUU forum for those remarks. They sought to find a reason. Perhaps looking at some of the overweight delegates, Chairman Rawlings had to point out that some workers might say they were fat because they were 'chopping', the paper conjectured.
It may be recalled that in January 1982 when Flt-Lt. Rawlings overthrew the Limann govern- ment, he asked, "how can Limann and his people justify the fact that whilst everybody is growing lean, they are growing fat?"
Worker's ultimatum to leaders
The Accra District Council of Labour has likened the PNDC government to the political somersault of the Acheampong era and noted that the PNDC's search for political system after four years in power clearly shows that there has been no clear-cut revolutionary direction which has resulted in the unworkable policies on education, health, housing, etc.In a resolution passed at the Hall of Trade Unions on January 24 and signed by members of the Resolution Committee, the workers gave the leadership of the TUC up to December 31, 1986 to seek from the government a true decision-making process and participation in all matters of national interest.
The ultimatum was accompanied by a criticism of the PNDC for having failed to keep faith with workers based on its own proclama- tion of 'power to the people'. We reproduce here the entire workers resolution:
1. We, the members of Accra District Council of Labour having met on 24th January, 1986 at the Hall of Trade Unions and critically examined the current economic measures, express our strong disapproval of the announcement of a minimum wage without any consultation or any reference to the Tripartite Committee.
2. In the light of the current devaluation, the minimum wage should have been automatically raised from C70.00 to C105.00, instead of C90.00 to maintain the value of the existing minimum wage of C70.00 to reflect the 50% adjustment. 3. We strongly support the position taken by the TUC leadership on the tripartite committee and view the minimum wage of C90.00 as announced by the Finance and Economic Planning Secretary as a clear case of intellectual dishonesty and hypocrisy. 4. In a so-called improved National Economy where the minimum wage cannot even buy basic needs, we urge those of you on the Tripartite Committee to come out with a realistic minimum wage based on the 1986 Budget. 5. We strongly urge the leadership to impress upon the Government the consequences in its attempt to create division among the workers of urban and rural areas since in the final analysis, it will not be in anyone's interest. To keep the wheel of progress in motion, farmers, fishermen, industrial and commercial workers and miners and civil servants have a role to play since we are all workers.
6. We stand by our conviction that PNDC Government should be likened to the political somersault of the Acheampong era. To search for a political system after four (4) years in power clearly shows that there has been no clear- cut revolutionary direction which has resulted in the unworkable policies on education, health, housing, financial and what have you.
7. We once again state our strong objection to the haphazard way the provisional estimates and their attendant price increases were announced and resolves that; a) The Tripartite Committee be called upon to determine a realistic minimum wage before increases of wage are announced and not AFTER;
b) The leadership, as a matter of urgency should come out with a nation-wide pro- gramme in our search for a suitable political system. We believe, the four (4) years of the PNDC has been a political failure. The National Commission for Democracy must get up and start serious work in bringing about meaningful political direction. c) The leadership of the TUC is given up to the 31st December, 1986 to seek from the Government, a true decision-making process and participation on all matters of national interest (issues) and wish to remind the Government of its failure to keep faith with workers based on its own policy or proclamation of 'Power to the People'.
d) We further pledge our solidarity to all workers in our dear country who seek for a better tomorrow and who would not allow themselves to be coerced.
e) We reiterate our support for the TUC Leadership and shall at the appropriate time advise ourselves NO MORE DECEIT AND LIES.
We are resolved.
Ghana-US friendship meeting
Alhaji Mahama Idrissu has restated that the creation of a just and equitable international system is the only way in which genuine world peace can be assured. He therefore called for a review of the present North-South relations to eradicate the unfavourable conditions. Alhaji Idrissu was speaking at the anniversary of the Tema branch of the Ghana-US Friendship Association.The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) member noted that the Third World nations cannot get a good deal under the present international economic order in which the rich industrialised nations determined both the prices for their industrial products and those of the raw material of the developing countries. The PNDC member urged members of the association to use their platform to enhance areas of agreement between Ghana and the United States.
The US Ambassador, Mr Robert Fritts, in his speech admitted that the world and North-South relations have been marked by varying degrees of injustice and inequality and hoped that current global trends will push North-South relations in positive directions.
Mr Fritts said, contrary to reports, the United States has not cut its aid to Ghana, adding that with further commitment on the part of the United States this year, a greater co-operation could be achieved.
Loan for port rehabilitation
Ghana has secured a loan of 24m dollars from the World Bank to finance part of the re- habilitation project of the Takoradi port. In the interim, the bank has released 4.8m dollars for some equipment and consultancy services for the project which is expected to start next October.The director of port services, Group Capt. Alex Awuvri, made this known to newsmen in Takoradi. He said that other financiers of the project are Japan, which will contribute 24m dollars, the Saudi Fund for Development, 14m dollars, and the European Economic Community, 7m dollars. Ghana is contributing 4.5m dollars.
CAMEROON
New director for UN centre
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Mr Javier Perez De Cuella, has appointed Mr Sammy Kum Buo of Cameroun as the first director of the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa.Mr Buo, 34, was until his appointment, a political officer at the UN Department for Dis- armament Affairs.
He joined the UN secretariat in 1974 and served the organisation in various capacities including membership of the UN delegation to last year's Lome OAU ministerial regional conference on security, disarmament and development in Africa.
Mr Buo holds a master's degree in security studies and international law and diplomacy. The African regional centre for peace and disarmament was established in Lome on January 1, in consonance with the resolution of the General Assembly, to provide support for the initiatives and other efforts of African countries toward the realisation of peace, arms limitation and disarmament in the region.
French loan for power project
The French Commercial Fund (CCF) in con- junction with other French banks, has signed a loan agreement with the Cameroonian National Electricity Company (Sonel). The 100m franc loan will enable Sonel to purchase a thermal power station from the Alsthom Atlantique company, the CCF added.SIERRA LEONE
Outbreak of cholera
A suspected cholera outbreak has killed 36 people around Kambia, 185 miles north of Freetown, according to medical officer Komba Kono, head of a team posted to the district with drugs. Mr Kono said confirmation would have to await the results of laboratory tests. A pre- cautionary anti-cholera campaign is being launched in southern and eastern provinces, with special attention paid to the food on offer in public places.GABON
President announces spending cuts
President Omar Bongo, responding to the recent slide in oil prices and in the dollar exchange rate, has announced a plan to cut some 270m dollars of the budget. In a televised address he said the "serious economic situation" both at home and abroad meant that 100bn CFA francs would have to be cut from the 1986 budget, which had previously been set at 720bn CFA (1.95bn dollars). Half of the cuts, or 50bn CFA would be achieved by freezing all state investment contracts currently in the 1986 draft budget, the President added.This measure would also allow Gabon to save an estimated 90bn CFA (244bn dollars) in 1987, Mr Bongo said. A further 18bn CFA would be saved this year, as well as 30bn in 1987, by cuts in current spending, he said, adding that salaries would be maintained "at their 1985 level".
Mr Bongo announced the setting up of a special commission to examine spending decisions by all state-funded bodies. "Absolute priority should be given to productive projects, particularly in the agricultural and mining sectors," he said. In particular, Mr Bongo asked his government to "rapidly acquire significant holdings" in the trading and processing companies which are the main customers for Gabon's tropical wood output.
