Nigeria worst performer among African powerhouses in Ibrahim index

Philanthropist Mo Ibrahim says economic success must not be allowed to overshadow human rights and democracy in Africa.

Mo Ibrahim on Rwanda, DRC and African governance Link to this video Human rights, political freedom, transparency and accountability have deteriorated in four African "powerhouses" over the past six years, according to the 2012 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, published on Monday.
Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt dropped in the rankings in two of the four categories used in the index to assess good governance across the continent – safety and rule of law, and participation and human rights. The other two categories are sustainable economic opportunity and human development.
Nigeria was singled out as the worst performer of the four, dropping into the bottom 10 countries in the overall rankings for the first time. The country was ranked 14th out of the 16 countries in west Africa and 43rd out of the 52 countries listed overall. Nigeria was 41st last year and 37th in 2006.
Although South Africa, Egypt and Kenya are ranked fifth, 14th and 25th respectively, people's freedom to participate in political processes has declined in each country. Kenya and South Africa have also registered a decline in economic opportunities, while Egypt has shown a significant improvement in this area.
"Given the vast natural and human resources of these four regional powers, these governance results are a concern," said Abdoulie Janneh, a board member of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which has published the index since 2007. "Each of these countries plays a key role in the economic and political landscape of the continent. To continue to optimally play this role requires a sustained commitment to balanced and equitable governance."
This year's index examines data from each of the four categories, which are broken down into 14 sub-categories, for each country between 2000 and 2011. It uses 88 indicators drawn from 23 independent data providers from Africa and internationally.
Mauritius came top in the overall index, followed by Cape Verde, Botswana and the Seychelles, continuing the same pattern as last year. Somalia was last, a position it has occupied since the index was first published. The country came last in each of the four category rankings. Somalia's overall score has declined since 2006. Tanzania moved into the top 10 for the first time this year, while Liberia, Sierra Leone and Angola registered significant improvements. Sudan and South Sudan were not included this year.
Speaking ahead of the index launch, the Sudanese-born philanthropist Mo Ibrahim told the Guardian that economic success cannot be allowed to overshadow human rights and democratic processes in Africa (video), a continent that has seen steady economic growth over the past 10 years, even during the "dark days of the financial crisis". "What we need in Africa is balanced development. Economic success cannot be a replacement for human rights or participation, or democracy … it doesn't work," he said. "It worries us a lot when we don't see the trickle-through factor, when gain goes to the top 1% or 2%, leaving the rest behind."
North Africa is an obvious example of the consequences of ignoring people's needs and rights, he added. "Literacy in Tunisia is almost 100%. It's amazing – no country in the region or even in Asia can match Tunisia in education. So we have wonderful human development achievement in education and health, etc. But hundreds of thousands of men and women who graduated from college cannot find work, and not only that but [they] look around and they see an oppressive, corrupt regime. Then you have a volatile mix."
Rwanda, which has risen two places in the overall ranking, to 23rd this year, is also an example of unbalanced development. Although the country ranks 16th and 11th for human development and sustainable economic opportunities respectively, up from 13th and 17th in 2011, it is 31st for safety and rule of law, down one place from last year and continuing a downward trend since 2006, and 29th for human rights and participation, although this is a rise of one place since last year. Last month, the EU partially froze aid to Rwanda over its alleged support of M23 rebel fighters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following the US, Germany and the Netherlands. The UK had earlier suspended budget support over concerns about the country's human rights record. Britain has since unblocked a portion of this money.
Ibrahim said the governments in Kigali and Kinshasa need to be encouraged by their donors and "friends" to sit down and talk to solve the crisis. "I really think Rwanda is not just part of the problem but part of the solution, and what we hope is for the different parties to sit together … and have constructive discussions," he said.
Overall, since 2000, governance in Africa has improved. Particular progress has been made in women's rights, said Ibrahim, although he acknowledged there was still a long way to go before gender equality is achieved. "We're very pleased. This is an area [in which] we're moving forward, but we're coming from a very low base," he said. It's easy to introduce new legislation against domestic violence or give women rights over land and in divorce cases, but it's much more difficult to change attitudes and the culture of "male supremacy", he said. "Education helps and the spread of information helps, and courageous, unflinching, uncompromising … political leadership is also required."
For the third time, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation decided not to award any one the prize for African leadership this year, as no one matched the judges' criteria.
The prize recognises and celebrates excellence in African leadership, and provides winners with the opportunity to pursue their commitment to Africa once they have stepped down from office. It is awarded to a democratically elected former African head of state or government.
The prize committee said: "[We] reviewed a number of eligible candidates but none met the criteria needed to win this award. The award is about excellence in leadership. In the first six years the prize committee has selected three very worthy laureates who continue to be an inspiration and whose examples, we hope, will be emulated."
TheGuardian UK

How robbers now disguise as beggars to rob victims in Lagos

The yuletide season is quite around the corner and desperate measures have been devised by dare-devil armed robbers to rob their victims of their valuables in some parts of Lagos State.It was learnt that the men of the under world now disguise as beggars to snatch valuables from their unsuspecting victims. Their targets are often lone occupants of posh and exotic cars, they dispose them of their most expensive items ranging from laptops, phones, money and jeweleries.The hoodlums, who usually operate between the hours of 5-9pm are always armed to teeth with dangerous weapons such as knives and shotguns (carefully stuck in their dresses).
It was also gathered that some of them had formed the habit of disguising as a handicapped and beggars to deceive their prey and rob them in the process.
Areas in Lagos state that are well known for such ugly activities are Mile Two Bridge; Coconut and Apapa, all on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
Recalling, how he escaped death by the whiskers in the hands of beggars- turned armed robbers, Mr. Lucky Uduikhue, a managing director of an information and computer technology firm said he was robbed three times within one month in the same Oshodi-Apapa area.
Disclosing their modus operandi, Uduikhue said the robbers usually threaten their victims saying , ‘I need N5, 000. If you respect yourself, bring the money. They will point gun at you.’
And failure to grant their request would incur their wrath; they would either vandalism the car of the victim or physically attack their target leaving him or her with injuries.
“For many months now, motorists who drive through Mile 2 lose valuable items to robbers. As from 5pm, they have become kings of the road. Funny, they pretend as people begging for money but they end up robbing motorists of their valuables.
If one fails to give them money, they would break one’s side screen and take whatever they lay their hands on and flee.
This is a daily occurrence starting from Auto Wharf to Mile 2 Bridge up to Mile 2/Oshodi junction. Their target is always on big money, phones and laptops and they focus on big cars and vehicles whose drivers are alone. I have been a victim several times.
I have reported several times to the policemen on duty at the Mile 2 bridge and have also called 112 police emergency number for the same complaint with both the police and the receiver of the police emergency number promising to take urgent action, yet nothing seems to have been done as the hoodlums are still operating uncaught and unhindered.”
Another motorist, Jonah Okorie, who was once a victim of robbery attack on the same route expressed his anger over the nonchalant attitude of some policemen at the checkpoint who were busy arresting okada riders while he was being robbed and they never bothered about what was happening to him.
Yet another victim of the trending robbery acts, who gave her name as Blessing narrated how she was dispossessed of her laptop, BlackBerry and telephone sets.
“I can never forget that fateful day. It was early October. I was going to Apapa. At Mile 2, there was a hold-up. One man, dressed like a beggar came and begged me for money.
I told him I did not have. I thought he understood me. Before I could move further, he brought a hammer and hit my side door. In the process, he made away with my laptops and other valuables. In fact, my entire day was disorganised because I lost a lot of data with the laptop,” she said.
However, when contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relation Officer, Ngozi Braide, claimed that the police had not received such complaints.
“We are not aware of that. Find out if the victims actually reported to the police and the station. All the same, the information is noted,” she said.
DailyPost

Govt has failed Nigerians – Ahmadu Ali

By Henry Umoru
ABUJA— FORMER National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, yesterday, took a swipe at the government led by his party, attributing the activities of members of Boko Haram and other challenges across the country to what he described as bad government.
Speaking  at the celebration of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme at 80, Ahmadu  Ali, who noted that what the nation needed at the moment was good governance, said if the government was up and doing, there would have been no cases of massacre in Mubi, Adamawa State, Aluu in Rivers State and a host of others.
He warned that the constitution was not the problem in the country, but good governance, adding: “‘We must first amend ourselves, not the constitution. If there is good governance and peace, there will be no Boko Haram, there will not be massacre in Mubi and Port Harcourt.
“This idea of six zones was an artificial creation by late Sanni Abacha to find a way of ruling the country and those crying about marginalization are just being smart. Those who are really marginalized are the West. The clamour for restructuring of the six zones is not relevant and amending the constitution is not the issue, but good governance.”
Even when the Publisher of Thisday newspapers, Mr Nduka Obiagbena wanted to give Ali a soft landing for describing the PDP-led government in such manner, the former PDP national chairman who repeated what he had said earlier, added that we must tell ourselves the truth.
Also in her contribution, former President, National Council for Women Societies, NCWS, Mrs. Bolere Ketebu, who described the creation of Bayelsa State as an aberration, stressed that the 1999 constitution was dotted before it was finally put into use, adding that the same constitution provides that a state must have at least 10 local governments, but Bayelsa has eight, ‘’it is an aberration.”

Vanguard

N52.7million donated by ex-militants to flood victims

 26,357 former Niger Delta militants have contributed N52.7million to flood victims in the Niger-Delta region.
Hon. Kingsley Kuku, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, disclosed that the ex militants under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and beneficiaries in the phases 1 and 2 of the programme agreed to contribute N2000 each of their October 2012 allowances to raise the N52.7million for the victims.
The Head of Media and Communications of the Presidential Amnesty Office,Mr. Daniel Alabrah said in a statement yesterday that members of staff of the amnesty office also donated 20-30% of their October salaries to flood victims of the region to support government’s effort on the flood situation.
Hon Kuku added that a 18-man committee led by Mr. Larry Pepple, the Technical Assistant on Reintegration has been constituted to procure relief materials and ensure the donations and other relief materials get to the victims in each state of the region.
He however commended the amnesty beneficiaries for their selfless and humanitarian gesture.
“This is very commendable as it is a practical demonstration of African spirit and tradition of being your brother’s keeper in times of distress” he concluded.
DailyPost

Female singer catches husband sleeping with her daughter

Notorious Lagos-based female singer, St. Janet (real names Omotoyosi Kayode Iyun) is not in the best of times as her marriage is on the verge of crashing due to serious troubles on the home front.
Despite her musical success, St. Janet’s happiness on the home front is fast turning into nightmares barely two months after marrying her heartthrob, Olukayode Samuel Iyun who incidentally is her band manager.
It was gathered that the stocky built singer has packed out of her matrimonial home following a shocking discovery by her about her husband sleeping with one of her daughters. The girl (name withheld) from St. Janet’s previous marriage was reported to have spent the last holiday with her mother and step-father at their Ilapo Estate, Alagbado home.
St. Janet was said to be happy at the opportunity of being reunited with her daughter who was before then staying with one of her relations. Unfortunately, her joy soon turned into despair as rumours started making the rounds about an amorous relationship between her daughter and her new husband.
All doubts about her suspicion were cleared recently when she allegedly caught her husband making love to her daughter whose age was put around 16 right inside her matrimonial home.
Sources close to the musician said the despicable act had thrown St. Janet off-balance and dejected and she has swore never to forgive her man, Kay, as her husband is fondly called.
It was learnt that the development has forced the lewd singer to move out of her matrimonial home as she could not bear the shame which the incident had brought upon her. It was also disclosed that St. Janet has temporarily moved to an hotel within the neighbourhood to fend off contact with Kay.
To say St. Janet is enraged by the ugly incident is to say the least, she is completely devastated as she reportedly cancelled all engagements for about two weeks ostensibly to recover from the rude shock, a source added.
However, a close source to the singer is trying to down play the shameful incident. He said the only problem between the St Janet and her husband is a minor misunderstanding that might be resolved soon.
 DailyPost

Aluu Killings: “I only beat them twice”, “I hit them with a small stick” – Suspects speak

The police, on Monday, had named Coxson Lucky, alias Bright, as the mastermind of the lynching. Lucky, who was said to owe one of the students an undisclosed sum of money, reportedly raised the alarm that the students were robbers when they went to his house to demand for the money. The mob, which converged on the venue of the altercation, then beat and burn the students to death.
While the IGP was speaking in Abuja, the Rivers State Police Command was parading some of the suspects. The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Ndabawa, gave the names of the suspects as Segun Lawal, Felemo Solomon, Cynthia Chinwo, Ozioma Abajuo, Ikechukwu Louis and Chigozie Samuel Evans. He accused the suspects of playing major roles in the killings.
“It is not the philosophy of the Inspector General of Police to parade suspects. Nonetheless, the gruesome manner in which the crime was committed coupled with the direct and glaring involvement of some of these suspects, and the interest generated by the heinous crime, left the police with no option than to parade them,” Ndabawa said.
He said that an investigation aimed at arresting others involved in the killing of the four students and bringing them to book was ongoing.
However, two of the suspects, who admitted taking part in the mob action, claimed that their involvement was “minimal”. While the first suspect, David Chinasa Ugbaje, said he only hit the students twice, another suspect, Ikechukwu Loius Amadi, claimed that he only beat the students once with a small stick.
Ugbaje, who said he was a cobbler, described one of the students as his customer.
He said, “Around 7am on that day, I saw a crowd beating four boys. I asked who the four men were and they (crowd) said they were armed robbers.
“So, along the line, we went there. I opened the gate and they entered. I could not control the crowd. They pointed at one of our co-tenants; the name of the person is Bright.
“Some people said they wanted to break Bright’s door. So, they started beating the boys very seriously. They took them out from my street. I now left the house. I only beat them twice.”
Ugbaje added that while one policeman at the scene of the incident pleaded with the mob to hand over the students to them, another beat the students.
“Along the line, two policemen arrived. One of the policemen was pleading (for the boys), the other one joined in beating the boys. After beating the boys, the police now said the boys should be handed over to them. The crowd shouted, ‘We no go gree, we no go gree,” he said.
The second suspect, Ikechukwu Louis Amadi, a printer whose business is located within the UNIPORT campus, said that he only hit Toku, Obuzo, Biringa and Erikena once.
He said, “I was ready to go to my work. When I came out to pick a bike, I saw a crowd. I saw four boys, they were already naked. I shifted a bit to verify. They told me that these four boys came to rob, to steal.
“I asked them where they were taking them to. They said they were taking them to Number 9, Coca Cola Street where they lived. They mentioned one of our neighbours that they came to look for him. So, I followed the crowd. At the end, they started beating the boys mercilessly. To be sincere, I hit them once.”
But Segun Lawal, the third suspect, said he did not take part in the beating. He claimed he raised his hands and appealed to the mob not to kill the students. Lawal, a taxi driver, explained that he was arrested after his return from a business trip to Obudu Cattle Ranch on Saturday.
At the parade, the police did not allow journalists to interview the village head of Omuokiri Aluu community, Alhaji Hassan Walewa.
However, Abubakar had said that “Intelligence report implicated the traditional ruler of Omukiri community, Aluu, Alhaji Hassan Walewa, as being the person who incited the mob to unleash terror on the victims.”
On Monday, members of the Aluu community had claimed they had no hand in the killing of the boys. However, Lloyd’s father, Mr. Mike Toku, had described the denial as an attempt to cover up the crime. Toku insisted that his son and the three other students of the UNIPORT were tortured and killed by members of the community.
Toku, on Sunday, told our correspondent that the incident took place in the presence of members of the public and wondered why any Aluu indigene would want to deny the obvious.
He said, “To say they are not involved in the killing of my son is a big lie. It is a white lie and a cover-up for their wicked and unacceptable act. The incident did not take place in one of the community’s bushes.
“They killed my son in a place that looked like a village square, belonging to the community. While the killers were hitting my son and three other students, others stood and watched the incident.”
Toku, who insisted that his son was innocent of any crime, urged the police to arrest the killers of his son and those who watched their torture.
The late Tekena Erikena’s sister, Ann, described her brother as a humble person who had respect for people. Ann wondered why members of the community would brand him a thief and kill him.
“I cannot dictate to government on what it should do, but what we want is justice. My brother was never a thief,” she said.
 DailyPost

Drama as Senate gets report on Boroffice’s sack

By Taiwo Adisa and Adesanmi

Prof. Ajayi Boroffice

There was drama at the Senate, on Tuesday, as the senators received the report of its Ethics  and Privileges Committee, which recommended the sack of Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice from the chamber on grounds of his defection from Labour Party (LP) to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
The Senate committee had investigated the circumstances surrounding Senator Boroffice’s defection, especially as there was no evidence of division in the LP, which sponsored him to the Senate and recommended his removal from the chamber in line with Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.
But there was a drama  on the floor when the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, called for the submission of the report, as  Senator Femi Lanlehin, a member of the ACN from Oyo State, raised Order 96(4)(a) to object to the report.
Senator Lanlehin said that he was not aware of any petition before the Senate in respect of Boroffice’s defection and that the report did not follow laid down procedure.
He also mentioned Order 21 and Orders 41, (1,2,3) to back up his claim that the petition was faulty.
But Senate President David Mark, who presided over the sitting, corrected him by saying that the petition followed the due process.
Mark said: “This was a petition that was written to me and I referred it to the Ethics Committee. If the Senate does not want to discuss it, I have no problem, but I will act based on the report submitted to me by the committee. I have no problem with that. But they wrote a petition to me and because it affects a senator, I referred it the Ethics Committee.”
Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, then moved the motion to lay the report on the table.
But more drama ensued when Mark asked Lanlehin to second the motion to lay the report on the table.
Lanlehin said that he would not second the motion, because it would mean that he was supporting the report.
Mark, however, insisted that Senator Lanlehin must support the motion.
Senator Lanlehin said: “I don’t believe the essence of that motion. I don’t intend to give credence to it. Therefore, with the greatest amount of respect, your excellency, I decline to second it.”
LibertyReport