IBB Again? Tufiakwa!

I have been following with keen interest the decision by the former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida to contest the 2011 Presidential election. Personally, I don’t think he (Babangida) will go far. A good example was when ex head of state (Gen Gowon) tried to contest the presidential election in 1992/93. He (Gowon) failed in his primary constituency. In the case of Gowon’s attempt, Option A4 Electoral System was in place. Though that we have a different electoral law in place now, he (Babangida) will be shocked the way he will loose election. I also think, he might be seeking undue attention because events have relegated him to an obscure background.

History has indeed consigned him to garbage heap of forgotten tyrants. People should not loose sleep about his plans. Its just that one still wonders how people like him think, otherwise there are other things he should have engaged himself with, other than seeking to come back to power. I had in some of my articles advised him (Babangida) to use his influences to work for the re-introduction of Option A4 Electoral System back to our legal books. He should also use his contacts to lobby the present government to posthumously announce the official winner of June 12th 1993 presidential elections and for government to pay compensation to the families of Abiola.

Quoting Thewill (an online news publication; http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/4209-Nigerian-Youths-Are-Not-Capable-Leading-Nigeria-IBB.html), Babangida said that Nigerian youths are not capable of ruling Nigeria . I strongly disagree with him. Rather his statement is an acceptance by him, that he lacked leadership skills when he ruled Nigeria as a youth.

I am also sure that some of his (Babangida) colleagues, associates and friends (birds of the same feather) might want to contest other elections (Senatorial, gubernatorial, etc). Now that he has declared his intensions to run for the highest office of the land, patriotic Nigerians should also declared their own intentions to mass mobilize Nigerians to vote the rightful candidates. Action should be equal to reaction. I had in my previous articles suggested to Nigerians on the need to start political evangelism using various kinds of media outlets. For the sake of good governance in Nigeria , let all patriots become political evangelists. In addition, this will be an ideal time for Nigerians to constitute a shadow judicial process and retry all cases like Dele Giwa’s death etc.

Amongst the most potent means of political evangelism will be to prepare messages on DVDs, CDs, Videos, etc on local languages. Nothing can compare with picture effects. Using home videos and televised religious evangelism as case studies, one will agree that many people have been changed through those means. In the same manner people can be mobilized after viewing political messages. Another reason for this method (political messages on DVDs, CDs Videos, etc) is because government and some private television stations might not like to air such programs. Therefore DVDs/Video recordings will suffice.

Times International Magazine of April 19th 2010, pages 18-19 showed where people of Southern Sudan gathered to watch an educational film on fair elections. A well prepared political/electoral documentary on DVDs can have serious impacts on voting patterns. In case of any documentary in line with the above suggestions, I will recommend the following to be included (a) clips/films of how people of Eastern Europe resisted and dismantled communism (b) clips/films of how Thai people (Red Shirts) exercises peoples power (c) clips/films of how South African resisted Apartheid (d) clips/films of motivational speeches by Martin Luther King Jnr, (e) clips of speeches by our own Tunde (Pastor) Bakare etc.

Political evangelism methods have the potentials of increasing political awareness amongst our folks. We can also choose the direct marketing strategy, whereby we meet people one on one and advise who not to vote. Firstly we can start with our immediate and extended families then proceed to the community levels. I know that many people might be vulnerable to following the money bags, that’s why patriotic Nigerians will have to increase their political evangelism so as to win more souls to see reasons to vote rightfully.

Finally, please remember to participate and join the fight against global warming. Turn off your electrical appliances/lights when not in use. Plant a tree or sponsor one to plant on your behalf. Government and companies should send less paper work and do more email, telephone, and sms. May God bless Nigeria .


Scripted by: Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/

Oruku, Umuode War: the Untold Truth

Our attention has been drawn to a write-up titled “delay in white paper implementation leads to killing, destruction of Umuode.” Being circulated by the Umuodes in recent times, and addressed to Inspector General of Police, Abuja. The said publication is nothing but a bunch of falsehood, and an attempt to deceive the whole world on the current crisis precipitated by Umuodes. In as much as we do not want to join issues with them, we wish to state as follows: -
It is observed that Umuodes are intoxicated with the governments White Paper over Agu-Efi Uzam land which Oruku people challenged in suit number E/271/09 pending at High Court Enugu. (Pictures-right is Ogbonna Onono, IGP; left Sullivan Chime, Enugu State Governor)

That in the early hours of Friday 2nd April 2010, in a desperate move by Umuodes to force Oruku people out of Agu-Efi land, they invaded, Oruku with their hired mercenaries armed with sophisticated weapons as early as 8.00 am in the morning. Oruku people, through its traditional ruler informed Police Area Command Enugu, Nkanu East State Security Services and chairman of Nkanu-East Local Government Area, Amagunze through phone calls, immediately he was informed about it, for their urgent intervention. The Igwe, on the same day also followed it up with a letter to the above-mentioned Security Officers including the DPO Amagunze. Later in the day, a detachment of mobile Policemen with an Armored personnel carrier on the orders of the Inspector General of Police Invaded Oruku and started destroying goods and wares on sale at Eke Oruku market (as that day was an Eke market); breaking into houses and homes of Oruku people and destroying their properties such as Vehicles, Television sets and other household properties. They also beat up several women and children as well as elderly ones who were unable to escape for their lives thereby causing pandemonium and panic throughout the community. They later arrested the following persons:

1. Mr. Herbert Inyiagwo, a middle aged man who had been battling with stroke for a long time now in his home.
2. Rev Ugboeze Anayochukwu, a resident Pastor of Assemblies of God Church Oruku who hails from Akama Oghe.
3. Mr. Pius Nomeh, an Ezza Itinerant farmer who was in Oruku for his farming business.
4. Master Chigozie Nnaji, a 16year old JSS student at Obosi in Anambra State who came to Spend Easter Holidays with his parent.
5. Mr Sebastine Edeh, a driver who was on duty from Emene to Oruku to drop cements who also hails from Emene Nike.
6. Mr. Bethrand Nnamani, a 68 years old deaf man who had been sick for long and who was arrested in his house.
7. Hon. Okechukwu Adenyi who was arrested on Saturday 3rd April 2010 at Agbani on his way when he visited HRH Igwe Cyril Nnaji of Obuno Akpugo and who was set-up to effect his arrest by one Mr. Paul Nnajiofor an SPA to the Governor of Enugu State on public Enlightenment who also came with the Policemen that arrested Hon Adenyi (in spite of the fact that both are cousins).
8. On Easter Sunday, Elder Glbert Nnam, a 76 year old man who was arrested inside ST Mary’s Catholic Parish Oruku while Easter mass was in progress. The Police also whisked away the Parish Priest, Rev Fr. Chimezie Ani.
9. Mr. Ephraim Odeh who also is an Ezza itinerant farmer who was in Oruku for his farming.
10. Elder John Ani, an eldest man in his family who was arrested in his house when the police broke into it.
11. Elder Chifu Agu, a septuagenarian who is senile and had been ridden with sickness who was arrested inside his hut.
12. Master Emeka Nnamani, an apprentice shoe maker who was arrested inside ST Mary’s Catholic Parish Compound.

All these innocent Oruku people were hurriedly charged to Count on 6th April 2010 on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, malicious damage, Arson, promoting native war etc even when none of them was arrested at the scene of the clash or with any exhibit such as arms and ammunitions. These innocent Oruku men including two under aged are currently detained as Awaiting Trial Immates at Enugu Prison. What an “Injustice and Police brutality”

We observed that out of a unit of 62 Mobile Police men who are expected to maintain peace between Oruku and Umuode, only about (11) eleven Mobile Policemen were on ground when Umuodes started the attack, thereby, incapacitating police in quelling the situation because of sophisticated weapons been used by Umuodes and their mercenaries numbering about one hundred.

That Oruku people on receipt of rumors regarding this recent attack by Umuodes, then through our lawyer Barrister Ifeanyichukwu Ukoh sent a petition to the Commissioner of Police and Director SSS Enugu State Command dated 17th March 2010, we informed them of plans by Umuodes to precipate another round of crisis under the guise of purporting to erect structures such as schools and markets in the disputed Agu-Efi land inspite of pending suits at High Courts Enugu against the Government and Umuodes.

Despite the above-stated reports to Police authorities, the police could not stop Umuodes from executing their plans, hence they attacked our people on Friday 2nd April 2010.

It is unfortunate that despite the efforts made by the Igwe of Oruku to alert the police on time, the police on Saturday 3rd April 2010, invited the Igwe and other Oruku leaders, and also Igwe of Umuode and their leaders too, to Police Headquarters Enugu, only to arrest the Igwe of Oruku and his subjects. The Umuodes and their Igwe were not arrested, but were set free despite the fact that both parties signed an undertaking last year to maintain peace in both communities a breach of which would attract sanctions from the Nigeria police against the two communities, leaders. The action of the police in setting free the Umuode leaders is designed to make Oruku people the “scape-goat” in this matter.

(7a) This is not the first time the Nigeria Police Enugu State Command is making Oruku people scape-goat in Oruku-Umuode crisis. On December 29, 2007, one Ekene Okenwa was shot and killed by Umuode youths led by Ikechukwu Ani, Emmanuel Omaba, Jacob Ani, Chidi Mbonu, Alfred Inyaba and others. Later in the evening of that day, they abducted and killed Felix Nwatu of Oruku. In spite of all petitions from Oruku to police authorities, neither the culprits nor any Umuode leader was arrested up till today.

(7b) Early 2008, Umuode youths, led by messrs Jacob Ani, a retired solider, Omaba Emmanuel, Okwudili Ani, Ifeanyi Nshi, Romans Onovo, Fidelis Nnaji, Ikechukuwu Ani and their mercenaries within three consecutive days set ablaze and demolished houses belonging to the following people from Oruku Living at Aguefi Land.
1. Rev. Prof. V.C.N Nwatu
2. Mr. Martin Ogbu Nwuke
3. Chief Ani Nwuke
4. Chief Nwatu Nworji
5. Mr. Ogbu Nwobisi
6. Mr. Nwatu Nwanike
7. Mr. Ifeanyi Okenwa
8. Mrs. Nnenna Eldeh (a widow)

Oruku people lodged a complaint to Enugu Area Command of Nigeria Police in writing who invited the complainants and Oruku Leaders as well as Igwe of Umuode for the matter. It was very unfortunate that inspite of properties worth Millions of Naira destroyed in the incident, The Police refused to arrest the perpetrators while the complainants are today refugees and wallowing in abject poverty. Another incident of Police bias against Oruku people, also, happened in spite of presence of heavily armed Mobile Police Stationed in the area then.

(8) On 30 March 2008, one Ikechukwu Inyaba was murdered by some Umuodes when they attacked Oruku community. None of the murderers namely Okwudili Ani, Omaba Nwa – Idenyi, Friday Nwaonu, Ikechukwu Onovo, Emmanuel Omaba, Chidi Mbonu, Jacob Ani, and others at large were arrested. Instead, the police arrested and detained Oruku elders who took the corpse of late Ikechukwu Inyaba to Police Area Command Enugu to make a formal report. This is yet another incident of making Oruku people a scape-goat by the Nigeria Police Force.

(9) On 21st April 2008, the day the Panel set up by Enugu State Government to enumerate houses of Oruku and Umuode people commenced work, one Okechukwu Ani armed with an Ak 47 Automatic rifle waylaid the Panel members and Oruku leaders who represented the community during the enumeration exercise. He was arrested through the gallantry of Mobile Policemen attached to the panel. He was also in possession of 24 rounds of live ammunition, and was taken to police Headquarters, Enugu.
During interrogation as published in police extract of the case file, he confessed that the Ak 47 automatic rifle was purchased for them by Professor Barth Nnaji (a one time minister of Science and Technology and presently a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee), Igwe Moses Ugwu and Justice Anthony Onovo of Enugu State Judiciary. He also confessed that one Okwudili Onovo, their youth leader and other Umuode youths were equally given the same weapons by the people mentioned above.

It is very unfortunate that in spite of the confessional statement made by Okechukwu Ani naming those who purchased the automatic weapons given to him and the other Umuode youths, the Police failed to investigate this; instead the Police treated Professor Nnaji, Igwe Moses Ugwu, Justice Anthony Onovo as “sacred cows” simply because they have someone at the highest echelon of Nigeria Police Force in the person of the current Inspector General of police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, who is of Umuode Stock in Akpugo, Nkanu-West Local Government Area, who suppressed the investigation and possible arrest.

Even our petition to the former IG Mike Okiro, through our lawyer, Barrister Samuel Okoh, on this matter was totally ignored by the police authority. We wish to request the authorities concerned to call for the files in order to confirm the veracity of our assertion in this matter.

In 2008, Oruku people cried out, and complained about the influx of illegal fire arms into the area by Umuode leaders, namely Prof. Barth Nnaji, Igwe Moses Ugwu, Justice Anthony Onovo, Emmanuel Omaba, John Onovo, Clement Inyaba and others, and we followed it up with petition through our lawyer. Barrister Samuel Okoh to the then Inspector General of Police, but nothing was done by the police authority, acting in concert with Umuode’s kinsman in the Police Force, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo.

This our complaint above was later confirmed by the arrest of Okechukwu Ani, who was in possession of AK 47 rifle fully loaded, as stated above.

On 18th December 2008, the governor of Enugu State invited both Oruku and Umuode leaders to government Lodge, Enugu where he announced the report of the panel he set up to enumerate the houses in Oruku/Umuode. Umuode youths, after the meeting started acts of brigandage by shooting sporadically within their area inspite of the presence of policemen in Oruku/Umuode who became helpless as a result of the superior fire power of Umuodes, in their bid to force Oruku out of their ancestral homes.

On 28 January 2009, the day Enugu State Executive Council approved the so-called white paper on the enumeration of Oruku/Umuode houses, Umuode imported mercenaries and way-laid all the nooks and crannies of Agu-Efi land.

The Police Area Commander was informed on phone about it, yet nothing was done to arrest the situation. Then in the early hours of Saturday 30th January 2009, Umuode, under the guise of purporting to bury one Mrs Ede, attacked Oruku people living in Agu-Efi land thereby forcing Oruku people to defend themselves. After the clash, the police authorities in Enugu State arrested nine Oruku people, some of who were arrested in their residential homes in Enugu, but nobody from Umuode was arrested inspite of our earlier report/complaint.

On 21 August 2009, as a result of rumors of planned attack from Umuode, The Traditional Ruler of Oruku, Igwe (Dr) C.A. Nomeh wrote to the Commissioner of police requesting for his intervention to avert any possible clash.
In response to this, the Commissioner of Police invited the leaders of Oruku and Umuode to a meeting after which it was resolved that a peace undertaking should be drawn up and signed by both communities, and witnessed by the police.
This was done, part of which read as follows…. “that none of the parties shall engage in any act of breach of peace in the disputed Agu-Efi land pending determination of the cases in court.”
To show discontent on this laudable effort by Police, Umuode brought complaint alleging kidnap of one Ikechukwu Onovo, whom they claim to be a palm wine tapper.
In that petition, Umuode did not mention the name of any Oruku citizen as a suspect, and this was pointed out to them by the Commissioner of Police in his office. Later, in a swift move, the Umuode forwarded a petition to the Inspector General of Police mentioning nine Oruku people as suspects which we consider an after-thought on their part.

In response as usual, the IGP directed the Officer in charge Enugu State Anti-Robbery Squad ordered the arrest and detain Oruku people, including the Traditional Ruler, Igwe Nomeh (JP). Then on 4th December 2009, following invitation by O.C SARS, the Igwe reported to his office (the 4th in the series), the Igwe was beaten and detained. Dissatisfied with this development, Oruku people put up a petition to the Inspector General of Police expressing their displeasure at the way the matter was being handled. Copies of the petition were, also, forwarded to the Director-general, State Security Services. But nothing came out of it.

Then on 5 December 2009, Umuode youths, in a bid to disrupt local government elections, started shooting sporadically at Oruku people, inspite of the presence of Mobile Policemen in the area. Nothing was done to them, though it took the gallantry of the Mobile Policemen under DSP Alex to stop further escalation.
Having stated the obvious, we wish to ask the following questions:-
Why is it that whenever there is a clash between Oruku and Umuodes, Oruku people are made the scape-goats by the police and the state government while Umuodes are treated as sacred cows? There is obviously a saying that ….. “It takes two to Tango”. We do not know why it is not applicable in this matter.
What interest do IGP Ogbonna Onovo and the Enugu State government have in Oruku/Umuode crisis that made them always connive with police to continue to eliminate Oruku people?

Is Prof. Barth Nnaji above the law, when it is obvious that he is the one brazenly sponsoring Umuodes in their armed struggle against Oruku people in a bid to drive Oruku people from Agu-Efi land? Even when an Umuode man (Okechukwu Ani) had confessed to police that Professor Nnaji is the brain behind the purchase and supply of all the sophisticated weapons which they have been using against Oruku people, why can’t he be investigated by security agencies?

Why is it that Enugu State government has refused to follow (or adopt) the method used by the Colonial Administrators to settle the underlisted communities which had similar problem like that of Umuode?
The communities are as follows:-

Ugwuaji was carved out of Amechi Awkunanaw in 1927
Isiogbo Nara was carved out of Nara Unateze community in 1937 by the colonial administrations;
Akwuke Awkunanaw was carved out of Akegbe Ugwu in 1937; and (c) Ugwogo – Nike was carved out of Ibagwa Nike in 1937. There are also other communities such as Akporga, Ntchatancha, Obinagu – Onuogba Nike among others- all were carved out from Iji Nike.
In these instances, virgin/vacant lands were allocated for their relocation and settlement by their mother community. None of these mother communities were asked to vacate for the newly created communities. Oruku community in line with the above-stated examples had donated Abari land (a virgin/vacant land in Oruku) for the relocation and peaceful settlement of Umuodes which is easily accessible through Enugu- Abakaliki express road. With the above-stated examples, we do not know why Umuodes are desperate in forcing Enugu State government to implement the white paper despite the following pending court cases:-

HAGB/6/08 – suit against acquisition of Agu-Efi land by Government of Enugu State.
E/271/09 - suit against government white paper on Oruku/Umuode Crisis.
E/84/2010 – suit against government and Umuodes on the legality (or otherwise) of Umuode autonomous community.

(5) Why is it that out of a unit of Mobile Policemen said to be stationed in Oruku/Umuode, made up of 62 Mobile Policemen, only eleven of them were physically present in Oruku/Umuode when Umuode youths invaded Oruku (hoping to sack Oruku in Aguefi land with their sophislated weapons). The police Authority in Enugu State should explain the rationale behind tens.

(6)Why is it that the Nigeria Police and Enugu State Government which are expected to be un-biased umpires in this conflict are biased against Oruku people, and have continued to intimidate and humiliate citizens of Oruku and their leaders even when Oruku people are the complainants as enumerated above? As stated earlier, no single Umuode man had been arrested or interrogated over this crisis.
While the above stated questions beg for answers, we wish to state that no theory can be formulated to settle Oruku/Umuode crisis if the State Government and Nigeria Police continue to be biased against us.

NIGERCEM: The Sleeping Giant!

A six-man judicial commission of inquiry into operations of Nigerian Cement Company Plc (Nigercem), Nkalagu, from 2002 till date as they affect interests of Ebonyi State Government is expected to submit its report to Chief Martin Nwanchor Elechi’s government soon.

Governor Elechi had, last year, October 9, while inaugurating the Commission, chaired by Justice Adiran Orah (rtd), charged it to find out the details of the privatization or sale of shares of Nigercem around 2002 and the terms and conditions of such privatization or sale thereof; and to ascertain the extent to which the core investors (Eastern Bulkcem Company Limited) or other investors have operated the Nigercem Factory/Industry vis-à-vis the terms and conditions of the Privatization Agreement or any other agreement or requirement due on their part.

Part of the mandate of the Commission was to find out the present status (including assets and liabilities, as well as the interests of the host communities) of the Factory and make necessary recommendations that would assist in resuming the production of cement from the area. Other members of Justice Orah commission were listed as the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Alloy Nwankwo: Secretary to the State government, Chief Fidelis Mbam, and members of the State Executive Committee (SEC).

It would be recalled that Governor Elechi had earlier set up an Economic Advisory Committee which looked into the fortunes of the company. Based on the committee's report, the Governor petitioned the Federal Government, indicating the state’s desire to take over the company since, in his logic, it had become obvious that Eastern Bulkcem (the core investors) were not prepared to reactivate the cement firm.

But unfortunately, the Federal Government seems to be foot-dragging over this matter, as it is yet to conclusively respond to Governor Elechi’s letter almost three years after, so as to enable him know how to go about in getting the factory back on stream.

Elechi, as Governor of Nigercem’s host state, understandably, feels concerned because of the core investor’s continued delay in reactivating the premier cement company, as a result of which the company has failed to contribute to economic development of both the state and Nigeria in general.

Incidentally, Elechi’s government has, for sometime now, been battling with Eastern Bulkcem over its (Bulkcem)’s insincerity in reviving the ailing cement industry.

Insider Weekly Magazine even learned that Eastern Bulkcem and its collaborators were, rather than reviving dying Nigercem, busy plundering the factory and looting equipment therein. Of course, the alleged looting brought the core investors on a collision course with youths in the area who mounted guard at the premises of the factory. The youths, having interpreted the action of Eastern Bulkcem to mean that its acquisition of Nigercem was borne out of its secret plan to loot the equipment for other personal uses, vowed to halt the looting and dismantling of equipment in the company.

Of note is that Nigercem, owned by governments of the southeast states (Ndigbo), was, following maladministration and insincerity, sold off to Port-Harcourt, Rivers State based Eastern Bulkcem Limited in October 2002. It is common knowledge that the current situation of Nigercem is, to say the least in the mildest way, tear-evoking. Nigercem, which commenced production way back in 1958, was Nigeria’s premier cement company. Nigercem reached its peak when it recorded production of over 480,000 tonnes of cement in 1975.

Then, through its foreign technical partners and interference-free management, Nigercem maintained optimum production as to satisfy local and even international demands. Nigercem generated enough revenues to run itself, including payment of staff salaries and other emoluments.

Following creation of additional states in 1976, Nigerian government reduced its shares and control from 42.9 to 10 percent to enable the southeast states to have majority control in the company. Before now, Nigercem had blossomed to a point of establishing auxiliary factories such as bagging companies, printing outfits, fish farms, hospitals and what have you.

Unfortunately, the federal government’s hand-over of the running of Nigercem to the southeast states marked the beginning of its demise.

At this point, management of the cement outfit became characterized by undue influence and interference by various owner (state) governments. Merit gave way to inducement and appointment of friends and political cronies who lacked the requisite knowledge in high managerial positions in the company.

Nigercem was to sink deeper into the abyss during the second and third republics when the southeast civilian governments evolved a policy that the Chief Executive of the company should be from the host state while the board of directors should be appointed from the remaining owner states. This particular policy literally served as a death knell on the cement company, as offices were filled on the basis of state of origin rather than on merit.

And the eventual privatization of Nigercem in 2002 by governors of the southeast states worsened the already aggravated situation. The governors then included Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia); Chinwoke Mbadinuju (Anambra); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu) and Achike Udenwa (Imo).

By the manner of its privatization, the governors had ceded Nigercem to Eastern Bulkcem (manufacturers of Eagle Cement) as majority shareholders. Unfortunately, Bulkcem, it was learnt, violated all the stipulated conditions and guide-lines towards reviving the cement company. A major default of Bulkcem is said to be its refusal to offset arrears of salaries and emoluments owed to the workforce before the privatization.

Many are of the view that it was for selfish reasons that the southeast governors settled for Bulkcem in preference to other perceived better investors, believed to possess funds and needed technical partners to turn the ailing company around then.

For instance, Egwu, host governor then, reportedly secured 20 percent share in Eastern Bulkcem.

In the case of Udenwa, being a one time Accountant of the Eastern Bulkcem, the cement firm, no doubt, reportedly assisted to install him as governor of Imo state in 1999. It was, therefore, natural that Udenwa supported ceding of Nigercem to his former company.

And Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia state was said to have, single-handedly, appointed Chairman of the Privatization Committee of Nigercem.

More notable was the fact that the foregoing were in addition to ‘kickbacks’ Bulkcem allegedly dispatched to the governors to facilitate the ceding of Nigercem to it.

Although Elechi’s government is presently restive over Eastern Bulkcem’s seeming ruination of Nigercem, the state might, eventually, be frustrated by the privatization agreement and ratio, which is that while Bulkcem owns over 70 percent shares, Ebonyi, as the host state, controls only 10 percent. This situation makes Eastern Bulkcem the core investor that is supposed to be in the vanguard of the revival of Nigercem.

Perhaps, another frustration that will militate against Elechi’s quest to salvage Nigercem is the indifference and lack-luster attitude of the federal government in intervening in the affairs of the company, as to ensure that it bounces back to life. And the attitudes of the government of the southeast states are, equally, heart-renting!

All said and done, is not nauseating (if this claim is true) that rather than turn Nigercem around, Eastern Bulkcem is presently busy dismantling and carting away several equipment of the cement company?

Insider Weekly harbors the fear that Eastern Bulkcem might not have stopped at its plundering of Nigercem, as there are rumors that it would have unilaterally sold off the Nigercem liaison office in Enugu. But this rumor could not be substantiated after-all. Also, efforts to elicit reactions from authorities of Eastern Bulkcem concerning their running of Nigercem yielded no results.

But many have continued to wonder whether the situation would be allowed to remain the way it has been with NIGERCEM!

Culled from: Insider Weekly Magazine, Published in Lagos-Nigeria

To Olisa Agbakoba, With Tears!

So many things that have happened in the past few months have made me shed endless tears over the fate of the once foremost human rights organization, Civil Liberties Organization (CLO). (Pic shows Agbakoba)

My lamentations are not necessarily over the intra-leadership crisis in the body. I continue to weep for CLO because of the attitude of the human persons who have helped drive the death nail in her head.

Such human persons, by clear design, resolved, and are about to actualize their resolution, by plunging CLO into such an internal crisis which, if time is not, will be the nun dimities of the orgnanization.

Now that the CLO vandals have done their worst (in the name of leadership scuffle), attempting to destroy an organization which they were not where it was founded in the first instance, what have been their gains? If these destroyers of CLO who are currently looking elsewhere to extend their destructive tendencies do not answer this question, shame unto them!

Yet, another reason I shed tears for CLO is whenever I remember that it (CLO) is now an orphan even when it actually has a healthy living father in the person Olisa Agbakoba. In the 80s and 90s when he (Olisa) was toiling day and night, trying to midwife and sustain CLO, one took him for an extremely serious minded person.

But the contrary, at least, as far as current rotten head of CLO is concerned, is the case. Or, is it not?

Why must Olisa Agbakoba allow his brain child, the CLO, to be so submerged in the murky waters of human rights politics? If not that I’m scared of the legal implications of saying ‘Shame onto Olisa Agbakoba (SAN)’, I would have boldly told him that without giving any hoot, and still go ahead to call him other unprinted names that roll to my mind.

Should I say that Olisa Agbakoba has lost his head for abandoning CLO the way he has. And for me, his reason/s for leaving CLO in the scorching sun should go to hell and burn to ashes. Suffice it to say that Agbakoba’s attitude has classified him as a poor finisher.

Yes! Who on earth would have been the founder of such an organization as CLO and allow it to die and rotten? Tell me. CLO, apart from losing its Lagos headquarters, has presently lost most of its six zonal offices due largely to internal crises that have eaten deep into its fabric.

My gnawing problem with Olisa Agbakoba is that he has, even on invitation, refused to intervene in the CLO crisis. Agbakoba has rather chosen not to touch the crisis in the CLO with a very long stick. This certainly shows that something is wrong with Olisa Agbakoba. It is either that Agbakoba has gone jinxed, or that he, unknowingly, slipped into irreversible class suicide. The implication of the later is that he used CLO to climb to the top and, then, heartlessly dumped it to crash to pieces. Or how else can one explain this lackluster attitude of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)?

Let me, once-more, recall that the immediate cause of the current crisis began with the purported unconstitutional suspension of the President, Titus Mann, by some members of the Board. Titus Mann was neither given fair hearing to react to the seeming trumped-up charges against him, nor was he present at the meeting during the purported suspension.
More heart-rending was the fact that President Mann had informed the board that he was seriously sick, and could not attend the meeting, yet those who were more interested in hijacking leadership in CLO rather than fighting the cause of the oppressed insisted on sending him to the hangman irrespective of protests from the other members of the Board present.

To demonstrate their knack for lawlessness, this group, having tried in vain in coax Uche Wisdom Durueke, Vice President, to preside over the sanctions on the T. Mann, forced him to step aside for them to take their long sought for pound of flesh on the President.


With Durueke out of the way, Igho Ighariwe got prodded to unconstitutionally assume the position of Acting President of CLO, and, in fact, presided over the meeting in the course of which they, of course, achieved their set objects.

This group did not stop at this. They went ahead to forcefully take over the CLO secretariat in Lagos, unleashing the Nigeria police on both Ibuchukwu Ezike, the organization’s Executive Director and some other staff.
As I write this piece, there is still a police occupation of the Lagos headquarters of CLO. What a shame! The rest is now history.

But wait a moment. If Agbakoba dumps CLO, what of past leaders of the organization like Ayo Obe, Uche Onyegucha, Peter Eze (Esq), Emma Ezeazu, Innocent Chukwuma and a host of others? What have they done to stop CLO from imminent death?

There seem to be too many questions begging for answers from for those who stand on the sideline, watching this one time ‘Hope for the Hopeless’ body to die.

Written by: Uba Aham (Chairman, Southeast Zone & Member, CLO Board of Governors)

NIGERCEM: Elechi Tackles Bulkcem

A six-man judicial commission of inquiry into operations of Nigerian Cement Company Plc (Nigercem), Nkalagu, from 2002 till date as they affect interests of Ebonyi State Government is expected to submit its report to Chief Martin Elechi’s government soon.

Governor Elechi had, last year, October 9, while inaugurating the Commission, chaired by Justice Adiran Orah (rtd), charged it to find out the details of the privatization or sale of shares of Nigercem around 2002 and the terms and conditions of such privatization or sale thereof; and to ascertain the extent to which the core investors (Eastern Bulkcem Company Limited) or other investors have operated the Nigercem Factory/Industry vis-à-vis the terms and conditions of the Privatization Agreement or any other agreement or requirement due on their part.

Part of the mandate of the Commission was to find out the present status (including assets and liabilities, as well as the interests of the host communities) of the Factory and make necessary recommendations that would assist in resuming the production of cement from the area. Other members of Justice Orah commission were listed as the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Alloy Nwankwo: Secretary to the State government, Chief Fidelis Mbam, and members of the State Executive Committee (SEC).

It would be recalled that Governor Elechi had earlier set up an Economic Advisory Committee which looked into the fortunes of the company. Based on the committee's report, the Governor petitioned the Federal Government, indicating the state’s desire to take over the company since, in his logic, it had become obvious that Eastern Bulkcem (the core investors) were not prepared to reactivate the cement firm.

But unfortunately, the Federal Government seems to be foot-dragging over this matter, as it is yet to conclusively respond to Governor Elechi’s letter almost three years after, so as to enable him know how to go about in getting the factory back on stream.

Elechi, as Governor of Nigercem’s host state, understandably, feels concerned because of the core investor’s continued delay in reactivating the premier cement company, as a result of which the company has failed to contribute to economic development of both the state and Nigeria in general.

Incidentally, Elechi’s government has, for sometime now, been battling with Eastern Bulkcem over its (Bulkcem)’s insincerity in reviving the ailing cement industry.

It was even learned that Eastern Bulkcem and its collaborators were, rather than reviving dying Nigercem, busy plundering the factory and looting equipment therein. Of course, the alleged looting brought the core investors on a collision course with youths in the area who mounted guard at the premises of the factory. The youths, having interpreted the action of Eastern Bulkcem to mean that its acquisition of Nigercem was borne out of its secret plan to loot the equipment for other personal uses, vowed to halt the looting and dismantling of equipment in the company.

Of note is that Nigercem, owned by governments of the southeast states (Ndigbo), was, following maladministration and insincerity, sold off to Port-Harcourt, Rivers State based Eastern Bulkcem Limited in October 2002. It is common knowledge that the current situation of Nigercem is, to say the least in the mildest way, tear-evoking. Nigercem, which commenced production way back in 1958, was Nigeria’s premier cement company. Nigercem reached its peak when it recorded production of over 480,000 tonnes of cement in 1975.

Then, through its foreign technical partners and interference-free management, Nigercem maintained optimum production as to satisfy local and even international demands. Nigercem generated enough revenues to run itself, including payment of staff salaries and other emoluments.

Following creation of additional states in 1976, Nigerian government reduced its shares and control from 42.9 to 10 percent to enable the southeast states to have majority control in the company. Before now, Nigercem had blossomed to a point of establishing auxiliary factories such as bagging companies, printing outfits, fish farms, hospitals and what have you.

Unfortunately, the federal government’s hand-over of the running of Nigercem to the southeast states marked the beginning of its demise.

At this point, management of the cement outfit became characterized by undue influence and interference by various owner (state) governments. Merit gave way to inducement and appointment of friends and political cronies who lacked the requisite knowledge in high managerial positions in the company.

Nigercem was to sink deeper into the abyss during the second and third republics when the southeast civilian governments evolved a policy that the Chief Executive of the company should be from the host state while the board of directors should be appointed from the remaining owner states. This particular policy literally served as a death knell on the cement company, as offices were filled on the basis of state of origin rather than on merit.

And the eventual privatization of Nigercem in 2002 by governors of the southeast states worsened the already aggravated situation. The governors then included Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia); Chinwoke Mbadinuju (Anambra); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu) and Achike Udenwa (Imo).

By the manner of its privatization, the governors had ceded Nigercem to Eastern Bulkcem (manufacturers of Eagle Cement) as majority shareholders. Unfortunately, Bulkcem, it was learnt, violated all the stipulated conditions and guide-lines towards reviving the cement company. A major default of Bulkcem is said to be its refusal to offset arrears of salaries and emoluments owed to the workforce before the privatization.

Many are of the view that it was for selfish reasons that the southeast governors settled for Bulkcem in preference to other perceived better investors, believed to possess funds and needed technical partners to turn the ailing company around then.
For instance, Egwu, host governor then, reportedly secured 20 percent share in Eastern Bulkcem.

In the case of Udenwa, being a one time Accountant of the Eastern Bulkcem, the cement firm, no doubt, reportedly assisted to install him as governor of Imo state in 1999. It was, therefore, natural that Udenwa supported ceding of Nigercem to his former company.

And Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia state was said to have, single-handedly, appointed Chairman of the Privatization Committee of Nigercem.

More notable was the fact that the foregoing were in addition to ‘kickbacks’ Bulkcem allegedly dispatched to the governors to facilitate the ceding of Nigercem to it.

Although Elechi’s government is presently restive over Eastern Bulkcem’s seeming ruination of Nigercem, the state might, eventually, be frustrated by the privatization agreement and ratio, which is that while Bulkcem owns over 70 percent shares, Ebonyi, as the host state, controls only 10 percent. This situation makes Eastern Bulkcem the core investor that is supposed to be in the vanguard of the revival of Nigercem.

Perhaps, another frustration that will militate against Elechi’s quest to salvage Nigercem is the indifference and lack-luster attitude of the federal government in intervening in the affairs of the company, as to ensure that it bounces back to life. And the attitudes of the government of the southeast states are, equally, heart-renting!

All said and done, is not nauseating (if this claim is true) that rather than turn Nigercem around, Eastern Bulkcem is presently busy dismantling and carting away several equipment of the cement company?

There are harbors the fear that Eastern Bulkcem might not have stopped at its plundering of Nigercem, as there are rumors that it sold off the Nigercem liaison office in Enugu. But this rumor could not be substantiated after-all. Generally, efforts to elicit reactions from authorities of Eastern Bulkcem concerning their running of Nigercem yielded no results as at press time.

But many have continued to wonder whether the situation would be allowed to remain the way it has been with NIGERCEM!