The raging controversy over the passage of the Freedom of Information remains unabated. The recurring decimal is : If it is free, why do we have to pay so dearly for it 'Samples are as follows:(i)'Daily Trust' newspaper (November 2, 2011)Headline' 'NNPC MIRRED IN CORRUPTION' ' RMAFC Boss'The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is mirred in corrupt activities in the management of the nation's oil revenues, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Engineer Elias N. Mbam has said.Mbam was speaking before the Joint House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Petroleum Up and Down stream and Gas investigating the non-remittance of N450 billion naira to the Federation Account by the NNPC.He said the oil giant has constituted itself into a cesspool of corruption.'The proceeds from the domestic crude oil and gas lifted by NNPC are not paid into the Federation Account but paid into NNPC account in contravention of Section 162 subsection 1 of the 1999 constitution. The situation makes the operation of the account shrouded in secrecy. The NNPC first line deductions above budgetary provisions for subsidy are illegal,' Mbam said.The RMAFC boss further accused the NNPC of applying foreign exchange regime that is different from the CBN approval rate in crediting the Federation Account thereby short changing the government to the tune of N12 billion.On the N450 billion, the RMAFC, said in November 2004 the NNPC began withholding some portions of receipts due to the Federation Account from the sale of domestic crude oil.Similarly, he said the NNPC does not remit money accrued from signature bonus which is a premium from concession granted on oil blocks but uses same for manpower development in the oil and gas sector through the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).In the same vein, dividends accruing from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited have not been remitted since 2004, according to Mbam.The RMAFC boss recommended that the office of the Accountant General of the Federation should be separated from the office of the Accountant General of the Federal Government.'RMAFC should be given powers to manage the Federation Account and compel agencies to comply with the provisions of the law as it's a toothless bulldog now,' Mbam said.For her part, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) said NNPC does not pay tax to the government on all its transactions saying 'My understanding in terms of history is that NNPC was preparing tax returns but there was a ministerial order and it stopped.'However, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC Austen Oniwon said they were forced to pay the N450 billion and 'we are doing that under great duress but we are not taking Nigerians money to pay, it is from our operational money.'(ii)'Vanguard' newspaper (November 2, 2011)Headline: 'AUDITOR-GENERAL REJECTS EFCC AUDITED ACCOUNTS''The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF) rejected EFCC's 2007 audited accounts submitted by the agency in 2009 because it lacked the mandatory domestic report.This was made known at a news conference in Abuja by Mr. Hyacinth Obilor, Director, Extra-Ministerial Affairs at the AGF's office. 'In 2009, EFCC submitted their 2007 audited accounts but they submitted it without the domestic report and it was rejected. That was the only attempt they've made to submit to the Office of the Auditor-General since inception.'Obilor also told newsmen that newspaper reports stating that the NNPC did not submit up-to-date audited accounts to the AGF's office were misleading. 'The Auditor-General for the Federation did not at anytime allege that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation did not submit audited accounts to his office.'This office does not know the source of information that elicited the embarrassing reactions and publication in the national newspapers by the corporation without official verification from the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. Therefore, this office demands a retrieval of the said publication to put the issue at stake in its right perspective.' He added that the office had no plan to assault the credibility of the National Assembly and appealed to stakeholders to submit their audited accounts when due.The NNPC had on Monday, Oct. 18 in Abuja, in a statement signed by Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, its Group General Manager, Public Affairs Department, said its accounts had been audited contrary to perceptions in some quarters. It said a comment credited to the Auditor-General of the Federation. Mr. Samuel Orkura that the corporation had not audited its account since inception was unfortunate.'The statement is totally different from verifiable official documents in the possession of the NNPC, the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation as well as the Public Accounts Committee of both the Senate and House of Representatives. I can confirm that the NNPC as a responsible commercial entity has not only audited its accounts, but has been sending the detailed financial reports to the Senate, House of Representatives and the Office of the AGF. As a matter of fact, the corporation's audited accounts have been submitted to the Office of Auditor-General of the Federation up to 2010.' the statement quoted Ajuonuma as saying.'(iii)'Vanguard' newspaper (November 2, 2011)Headline: 'OBASANJO ATTACKS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER N9 BILLION ARMS IMPORT.''Makurdi ' Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, lampooned the Federal Government for expending over N9 billion on the importation of arms and ammunition when far less than that could be channeled into manufacturing locally.Obasanjo, who spoke at the SAPPERS' Reunion at Nigerian School of Military Engineering, NASME, in Makurdi, argued that if well-funded, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, could manufacture arms for the country rather than the expenditure on importation.He said: 'Corruption is everywhere in this country and it is the bane of our development. When I was in government, I appropriated N2 billion to resuscitate DICON, and instead of ensuring this is executed, eventually few years later N9 billion was expended to import arms to the detriment of the resuscitation of the corporation all because people want to get commission from the money.'The erstwhile president, who was the guest speaker on the occasion, spoke on 'The Role of Nigerian Army Engineers To Meet Contemporary Challenges.'In his address, President Goodluck Jonathan acknowledged the significant roles military engineers had played in the infrastructural development of the country, adding that they have demonstrated commitment and dedication to the internal and external security of the nation.Represented by the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Bello Mohammed, the President regretted that Nigeria is facing new security challenges as a result of incessant bombings, but assured that the Federal Government is up to the task in ensuring the security and safety of Nigerians.He charged the military to live up to the expectations by upgrading its equipment even as he expressed happiness at the establishment of a dog unit in the military to complement their intelligence efforts.He said: 'I urge you to also contribute to power, transportation, ICT for sustenance and growth of the nation.'Benue State Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Steven Lawani, said the presence of military formations in the state has greatly ensured peace in the state and promised the sustenance of the cordial relationship existing between the military and his government.The Chief of Army Staff, Liuetenant-General O.A. Ihejirika, said the military must be repositioned to meet the challenges of contemporary society, maintaining that the worrisome monster of terrorist attack must also be approached pragmatically.'(iv)'Saturday Sun' newspaper (October 29, 2011)Headline: 'EFCC, ICPC INCOMPETENT, COMPROMISED'Senator Arthur Nzeribe 'The Freedom Of Information Act should be utilized in this must-win fight. After all, President Goodluck Jonathan through his spokesman, has given Nigerian the hope that one can utilize the opportunity offered by the Act to cross-check fact, as regarding his indictment by EFCC, when he reacted to allegation making the rounds then that he was actually indicted by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu-led EFCC. For avoidance of doubt, Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity said: 'Finally, let me state that, President Jonathan remains committed to press freedom and freedom of speech, which is why he signed the Freedom of Information Bill into law. With the passage of this bill into law, the expectation of the President is that such a law could be utilized by the press to thoroughly investigate allegations before they are released into the public arena as truth. The FOI law allows reporters to request for records from the EFCC which when perused would establish the truth.'(v)'Sunday Mirror' newspaper (October 30, 2011)Headline: 'HOW NIGERIAN JUDGES ARE BRIBED UWAIS PANEL'The Justice Muhammed Lawal Uwais Panel sitting in Abuja is sad upon discovering that some serving Nigerian judges have descended so low to accept underwear for their wives as bribe from either litigants or their counsel appearing before them, Sunday Mirror has authoritatively learnt.An impeccable source who is a member of the Justice Uwais panelalso told our correspondent that the painful discovery by the panel also indicated that even justices of the Supreme Count are not exempted from the malaise.'The issue of corruption in the judiciary was discussed for a long time with both lawyers and judges exposing how articles of bribery are passed on to judges.'Although the focus is on judges, senior legal practitioners including Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) were heavily indicted.'Don't forget that the Uwais Panel is peopled by practising lawyers and judges who have either experienced first-hand, or, watched this corruption in its basest form being perpetrated.'It was revealed at the sitting of the Justice Uwais Panel that many SANs today seek the favour of judges of the High Courts and justices of both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court by giving them cash, hampers and Sallah rams during festive periods.'Even senior lawyers who want to become SANs by all means also engage in all these dishonourable acts.Justice KayodeEsho who said judges were like demi-gods during his time was almost crying at the point all these were being discussed. He felt very strongly that all these maladies must stop and that the recommendations of the Uwais panel must capture them,' the source disclosed.Although the source would not want his name in print, President of the Nigerian Bar Association and member of the panel, Mr. J.B. Daudu (SAN), however, confirmed it in Lagos while brainstorming with members of legal service organizations including Legal Resource Consortium (LRC) on what should be the position of the bar and the civil society to Justice Uwais Panel.According to Daudu (SAN), the development in the legal profession is sad in that brilliance no longer matters to win a case but the ability of a lawyer to parley with a judge.'(vi)'Sunday Vanguard' newspaper (October 30, 2011)Headline: 'SANUSI: WHY NIGERIA MAY REMAIN UNDERDEVELOPED''If the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has his way, the nation would jettison the states, local governments and ministries which, according to him, are not viable.To him, it has come to a time in the life of Nigeria that it must overhaul the structures that make the states spend about 96 per cent of their resources paying salaries and allowances as against making capital investments.He also did not see the wisdom in the establishment of nine new federal universities when existing ones are crying for funds.The CBN governor spoke yesterday during a book presentation in Kaduna, saying to retain the status quo is for Nigeria to remain underdeveloped.'Ultimately, we will have to be confronted with the task of taking the difficult step of overhauling the political structures that we have', Sanusi said while delivering a paper entitled, 'Reinvigorating education in Nigeria: An essay in honour of Professor Adamu Baike.'He added: 'Do we need 36 states' Do we need the number of ministries that we have' Is an economy where states spend 96 per cent of their revenue paying civil servant an economy that is likely to grow in the long run' These are difficult questions that we need to ask.'We have created states and local governments and ministries as structures that are economically unviable and the result is that we do not have funding for infrastructure, we do not have funding for education, we do not have funding for health'.Speaking on the government's expenditure portfolio, Sanusi said: 'I don't know how many people know that 70 per cent of the revenue of the federal government is spent paying salaries and over-head; leaving the rest 30 per cent for 150 million Nigerians'What this means, according to him, is that there no money for the provision of infrastructural facilities by the various tiers of government, pointing out that in an emerging economy like Nigeria, a well designed educational policy should be an integral part of its development strategy. According to him, the present development strategies should include measures to invest in human capital that facilitates the upgrading of industries and engender the economy to attain optimal resource utilization.Noting the growth in the number of federal, state and private universities in the country in recent times, Sanusi said that 'the recent decision of the federal government to establish nine additional universities will further increase the number of federal universities by 2011.'It is not the place of the Central Bank governor to comment on education policy. But one wonders the wisdom behind creating new universities when the ones we have built are still suffering from underfunding.'(vii)'Nigerian Pilot' newspaper (October 30, 2011)Headline: 'DEADMAN RESURRECTS IN ONITSHA CAUSES PANDEMONIUM 'Residents of Onitsha, a legendary commercial town in Anambra State, were jostled at the weekend by what some people described as 'miracle', or 'apparition,' while some others called it 'abomination,' or mere coincidence, when a man pronounced dead suddenly resurrected back to life under a strange circumstance.The 'Nigerian Pilot' learnt that the man, whose identity could not be ascertained immediately, was one of the street hawkers who display wares along Sokoto Road area of Onitsha Main Market.Earlier, he had a rough encounter with members of the dreaded Mpiawazu Task Force, who were out to enforce an order restraining traders and hawkers who loiter and litter the streets, roads, parks and market places, thereby causing vehicular traffic jam. As traders were gathering their wares so as to run away from the task force, the man was caught and thoroughly beaten and his wares seized by one of the members of the task force.But while he was being beaten, some of his colleagues mobilized themselves and determined to rescue him from the hands of his captor, who would not let him go. Hence, they attacked the task force man to save their fellow hawker, which they did. They were also able to retrieve some of his wares.Our correspondent learnt that, in a twinkle of an eye, the Mpiawazu group numbering up to 20 stormed the area in an apparent move to retaliate the humiliation their colleague suffered in the hands of the traders.Consequently, they swooped on the trader and gave him severe beating until he passed out. He was quickly rushed to the New Hope Hospital, Modebe Avenue, Onitsha. The medical personnel who examined him for a brief period of time, actually certified the 28-year-old man dead.At the pronouncement that he was dead, his colleagues, family friends and sympathizers broke down in tears and endless wails. Some of his colleagues almost went berserk threatening to avenge the death on the task force.His dead body was being prepared for autopsy and then to be deposited in the mortuary, that was when the pandemonium began.Suddenly, the 'dead' man let out an explosive sneeze and jerked back to life, thereby scattering the crowd that had surrounded him, as people scampered in confusion. News started flying about that the 'dead' man had come back to life.But most shocking was that people could no longer find the man as he was said to have disappeared from sight.According to the chairman, Anambra State Task Force on Parks and Markets, Mr. Onyemenu Onuorah, who was contacted after the incident, the victim was a law breaker.'He only pretended to have died, and when we decided to take the body to the mortuary at the hospital, the man tactically took to his heels. Up till this moment, we're still looking for him for attacking our member. We are familiar with this type of thing. It will never deter us from carrying out our lawful duty,' he said.However, the people around refused to believe what the task force said, alleging that task force was crude in their method as they were fond of meting out inhuman treatment to people.'Their victims are often beaten to stupor in the most inhumane and wicked way, instead of taking them to the police. The man is lying. He is only using that to cover up the fact that the touts they employed to work for them had beaten someone to death,' one of the people that gathered at the scene said.'(viii)'Daily Sun' newspaper (November 2, 2011)Headline: 'MAD PEOPLE; CRAZY COUNTRY' Professor Jibril Aminu has been a two-term Senator; a two-time Petroleum Minister and Education Minister; a former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and a former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America. He is also a Professor of Medicine.Here is his medical report on Nigeria:'Love for this country is just not there. People love their religion more than their country. I am from the North. People from the North are mad about the North but our leaders did not advise us to be as mad about our country. It is the same thing with the West and the East.'(ix)'Leadership Weekend' newspaper (October 22, 2011)Headline: 'UNVEILED: UYO SPECIAL DOG MEAT VARSITY''There are three universities in Akwa Ibom State. While two of them ' University of Uyo and Akwa Ibom University of Technology ' are conventional and impart knowledge on applied and social sciences, the third, 'University of Thought' is a roadside joint that spcialises in the preparation and serving of dog meat to its rising clientele. Deputy Editor, Soni Daniel and Bernard Dada Tolani's recent visit to the 'university' is revealing. Relish its flavour.'The only thing that gives you an idea that something is happening there is the sustained dog bark. The bark hardly stops. And if the area located on Akpan Essien Street, off the OluObasanjo Highway in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, becomes very quiet, it would be clear that all the dogs in the cage might have been slaughtered for the day's business. The 'university of thought' does not teach its 'students' more than preparing dog meat and the delicacy is gaining more prominence and patronage as the authorities of the school of dog meat take special interest in catering for their daily needs in ways different from other meat joints in the state and its environs.A first-time visitor to the state may not easily understand what the ensign '404 or 5 is Available' signifies. In Uyo, the state capital, the signposts are ubiquitous and they convey the same meaning to the consumers of dog meat. But the stranger may mistake it for a car workshop or something of the sort. But the 404 or J5 is associated with dog meat because of the exceptional ability of dogs to run tirelessly like the rugged 404 car or its now rested J5 bus.Dog eating in Akwa Ibom is a thing of pride. Those who do not eat it are regarded as people who are missing out on the good things of life.This accounts for the ever-swelling number of dog-eating joints which bear surrealistic names and it is expensive too.As one approaches the popular University of 'Thought' in Uyo, the picture of a teaching and learning environment props up but it does not teach any of the courses that a normal university teaches. Its lesson starts and end with dog meat, which is its only menu on demand at the university.But as you move closer, you do not see any high-rise building. You do not also see students going for lectures yet curiosity pushes you further until you are confronted with the naked truth that the University of Thought is indeed not an academic institution but one of the popular drinking joints that dots Uyo.In this uncommon university, the major pre-occupation here is the bizarre consumption of dog meat which is often washed down with either fresh palm wine or chilled beer. People of various social and academic status, age and sex are regular patrons of this unique school.Behaving as though the world is in their pockets, they recline and discuss on various topics as though they are in a formal academic setting as they savour their delicacy.But why is a dog-eating joint called a University of Thought'Princess Unytime Ebuk, a University of Calabar graduate of Environment Studies who manages the joint explains that she inherited the business from her late father, Mr. Archibong Ebuk who passed on some years ago.According to her, the name of the joint was derived from the personalities who patronized the business. She disclosed that most of the customers were lecturers and students from the defunct University of Cross River State which later became the University of Uyo.'These high-profile customers usually discussed and analysed topical issues bordering on every facet of human endeavour. That is what gave rise to the name University of Thought,' she said.A few yards away, Uyinwe, owner and chief chef of the dog joint who says she had been selling dog meat for ten years now, scoops some chunks of meat from a steaming pot from the kitchen and drops them in front of one of the regulars. 'I am proud of this job which I started with my late father when I was five years old and I am not about to quit given the popularity and the revenue it brings to the family,' Unyime confessed.Okon Emem a regular patron of the joint says he eats dog meat because it protects him from various ailments.Another customer of 'university', Mr. Akaniyene Udo maintains that eating dog meat gives special protection against the most potent juju (charm). 'Dog meat also improves human sex life and if you eat dog meat, you cannot be poisoned. Dog meat is good,' he said.But not everyone is convinced by the many benefits of dog meat as espoused by Udo. For instance, John Usoro a member of Christ Believers Church in Itam along Ikot Ekpene road argues that the very idea of eating dog meat is absolutely disgusting. How on earth can someone relish dog meat, a friendly anim0al that is loved with affection by everybody'' he queried.Usoro said that dogs should not be eaten because of their security services to man.To be continued next week
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