News

International Women’s Day: Following the Path of Rwanda

Published

6 years ago

March 11, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Ever since the conscientious exposure of the womenfolk following the Beijing Conference of many years ago, so much good much tidings have come the way of the women, among them the setting aside of March 8 of every year to celebrate their relevance and great contributions to the world.

However, as important as many believe the women are in the scheme of things, it is still disheartening that they are still placed at the lowest rung of decision making and taking. Most world governments are yet to see the need to equally allocate governmental functions in relation to their male counterparts. This is majorly as a result of culture and tradition which the African society tenaciously holds on to.

A typical example is the Nigerian society where just a handful of women are manning top notch government positions, especially elected positions. From the north down to the south, the discrimination against the womenfolk especially as regards holding leadership position has gone beyond the ordinary, and entered into typical chauvinism.

To further portray the disdain culture has made Nigerian men hold their female counterparts, a member of the House of Representatives,Hon. Gudaji Muhammed Kazaure, declared that giving women too much laissez-faire might lead to the eventual overthrow of men.

Kazaure represents the Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa and Yankwashi Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, in the lower chamber.

But the United Nations has taken the bull by the horn by appointing a woman, a Nigerian for that matter, the Deputy Secretary General, proving that time has come when women should be allowed to bite the bigger chunk of world administration. This is also highlighting the fact that a woman is in charge of the International Monetary Fund, and is performing creditably.

But more kudos should be given to the government and people of Rwanda, who have come to realize that performance is not a function of what lies between the laps, but the content of the mind, which the women proudly possess and exhibits in no small measure. The Rwandan parliament boast of more the greatest number of women in its fold. The East African country has 49 women in its 80-seat lower house of parliament and 10 women in its 26-seat Upper house of parliament. Rwanda is followed directly by Bolivia, Cuba and Iceland.

Sadly enough, Nigeria is ranked 180 out of 190 in countries that have given women chance to showcase the stuff they are made off.

It is therefore, imperative that the Nigerian public should take in consideration the example of Rwanda, a country that saw years of civil war, yet got it right and give the Nigerian women more opportunities. We must be understood that the likes of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, late Dora Akunyuli among many others did not disappoint with the positions they manned or is it (wo)manned.

Happy International Women Day!

News

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

9 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.