Family announce death of ex-UN Sec General Kofi Annan

Former United Nations Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kofi Annan has died, the Kofi Annan Foundation said on Saturday (Aug 18). 

Annan, who is a citizen of Ghana, died in hospital at Bern, Switzerland, in the early hours of Saturday, two close associates of Annan said. 

A statement from the Kofi Annan Foundation said: "It is with immense sadness that the Annan family and the Kofi Annan Foundation announce that Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness."

Kofi Atta Annan was a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1997 to December 2006. Annan and the UN were the co-recipients of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize

Kofi A. Annan of Ghana, the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, served from 1997 to 2006 and was the first to emerge from the ranks of United Nations staff.

One of  Annan’s main priorities as Secretary-General was a comprehensive program of reform aimed at revitalizing the United Nations, and making the international system more effective. He was a constant advocate for human rights, the rule of law, the Millennium Development Goals and Africa, and sought to bring the Organization closer to the global public by forging ties with civil society, the private sector and other partners.

At Annan’s initiative, UN peacekeeping was strengthened in ways that enabled the United Nations to cope with a rapid rise in the number of operations and personnel. It was also at Annan’s urging that, in 2005, Member States established two new intergovernmental bodies: the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council.  Annan, likewise, played a central role in the creation of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the adoption of the UN’s first-ever counter-terrorism strategy, and the acceptance by Member States of the “responsibility to protect” people from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. His “Global Compact” initiative, launched in 1999, has become the world’s largest effort to promote corporate social responsibility.

Annan undertook wide-ranging diplomatic initiatives. In 1998, he helped to ease the transition to civilian rule in Nigeria. Also that year, he visited Iraq in an effort to resolve an impasse between that country and the Security Council over compliance with resolutions involving weapons inspections and other matters—an effort that helped to avoid an outbreak of hostilities, which was imminent at that time. In 1999, he was deeply involved in the process by which East Timor gained independence from Indonesia. He was responsible for certifying Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, and in 2006, his efforts contributed to securing a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Also in 2006, he mediated a settlement of the dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria over the Bakassi peninsula through implementation of the judgment of the International Court of Justice. His efforts to strengthen the Organization’s management, coherence and accountability involved major investments in training and technology, the introduction of a new whistleblower policy and financial disclosure requirements, and steps aimed at improving coordination at the country level.

Annan joined the UN system in 1962 as an administrative and budget officer with the World Health Organization in Geneva. He later served with the Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, the UN Emergency Force (UNEF II) in Ismailia, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva, and in various senior posts in New York dealing with human resources, budget, finance and staff security. Immediately before becoming Secretary-General, he was Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping.  Annan also served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the former Yugoslavia (1995 to 1996), and facilitated the repatriation from Iraq of more than 900 international staff and other non-Iraqi nationals (1990).

Annan studied at the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, and completed his undergraduate work in economics at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1961. From 1961 to1962, he undertook graduate studies at the Institute of International Affairs in Geneva, and in 1972 earned a Master of Science degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management.

Annan was awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize for Peace, jointly with the United Nations. He has also received numerous honorary degrees and many other national and international prizes, medals and honors.


In May of 2009, Kofi Annan became a Fellow of the Committee on Global Thought at Columbia University.

Police v Fayose : How it all happened!

It started like a joke on Wednesday but it is now trending that the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose and some security agents had a serious brush that saw the controversial governor reportedly fainting.

As a matter of fact some accounts actually had it that the governor actually collapsed after series of teargas attacks were launched against the Ekiti Government House.

In a special release made available to the press by Idowu Adelusi, the spokesman of the governor, he said tension started building up when preparations were being made for President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the state.

Adelusi said posters displaying PDP candidates were torn at the Fajuyi park and replaced with those of APC candidate.

After the reported ‘tear gas attack’, the governor was bandaged on the neck and hands, managed to speak with teeming supporters who massed to the governor’s office to sympathize with him.

Said Adelusi “The governor suddenly fainted after briefly addressing the people and that further angered them as they cursed and rained verbal invectives on the opposition and candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Kayode Fayemi

“Trouble started when Fayose, leading thousands of supporters in a victory walk he had announced to hold in Ado Ekiti some days ago, approached some stern looking armed policemen to demand why they were preventing people to mass at the campaign venue in Fajuyi pavilion.

Responding, security men allegedly teargassed him and many others, and shot sporadically in the air.

Alleging physical assault by the security agents, Fayose said: ” I  was slapped by a policeman who kicked me and shouted at me, but I want you to be strong and be of great courage do not be discouraged, this battle must be won. They have come to occupy our land, this is not our democracy. I pray that they will not cause 1883 in Ekiti. I call on the international communities and relevant agencies, Ekiti is under seige. How can l  be a governor of Ekiti state and be manhandled like this?

“I will go back to the hospital and rest. Be resolute, stand with PDP and Eleka. I am having a lot of pains but I prefer to bear this pain because of you.

“I call on international communities,  Nigerian and  Ekiti is in trouble, they have arrested many PDP members, put them in chains and locked them away.

“Come and rescue Ekiti State. We are the majority, we are the party to beat. They said they have the instruction to kill me or the candidate of the party but they will fail.” He said.

Fayose was later said to have been rushed to the intensive care unit of the state hospital after he fainted.

See more inages below: 

Culled from PMParrotng

NANTA given 7-day ultimatum to withdraw purported Nigeria Travellers ID card

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, NANTA , has been given a 7- day ultimatum with which to desist from the production and issuance of   ‘the so-called   Nigerian Travel Practitioners identification Card” to the public  which it inaugurated ceremoniously and publicly  on Tuesday the 26th day of June , 2018 at Landmark Centre,  Lagos .

In the  letter served unto Mr Bernard Bankole , President National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies , NANTA from Yinka Olujimi and Company , Legal Practitioners , with the headline “Illegal introduction of a purported Nigerian Travel Practitioners Identification Card”  on behalf of Mr Wale Ojo Lanre ,a tourism stakeholder who  averred that the inauguration of such a scheme is not only  Ultra Vires and one outside the purview  of the objectives of the association but also a breach of his fundamental human right and  a threat to the nation

Ojo – lanre in the letter pointed out that   Mr Bernard Bankole during the inauguration of the scheme claimed that his action was in collaboration with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, a corporate entity which has no statutory mandate to venture into the production and issuance of such a document

That by the nomenclature, the scheme is a misrepresentation of its nature and reaches as it purports to be an official national travelers‘ document for all Nigerians

MR Ojo – Lanre also averred that the action of the Association has set confusion into Nigeria and  its citizens will no longer know the appropriate travel document to take along when traveling out of Nigeria

He pointed out that “’as a tourism journalist and practitioner, who is not a member of your organization, your action is a breach of my various fundamental human rights as guaranteed him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ‘

He opined   “You will  no doubt agree with us that the action of your organization is an egregious breach of Nigerian laws, an invitation to chaos in the travel industry and a crime against the Federal Republic of Nigeria “

Ojo – Lanre, therefore, called on NANTA to ‘desist, forthwith  from issuing the purported national travellers’ identity to within 7 days of the delivery of this letter to you, including the day of the delivery , you cause to be published in three national newspapers, a public notice announcing the withdrawal of the so-called National Identity card Scheme .

He warned that “Please note that if you fail, neglect  and or refuse to meet the above demands, and within the time demanded, our client is resolved to enforce his right as well as those of other citizens against  you “







‘’

2019 Akwa Ibom Guber Race: Why Nsima Ekere Is The Main Issue

Someone asked me why the MD of NDDC, H.E.Obong Nsima Ekere, is so discussed, debated, analyzed. Some other person sought to know why he is so maliciously and viciously attacked, envied and begrudged by agents of the PDP government in the state. At the just concluded APC National Convention, a delegate from one of the states in the South South asked me why the former Deputy Governor of the state is so embraced, loved and preferred by the people for the governorship of the state come 2019.


Within the APC, he’s being seen as the sure bet and the real contender for the governorship of the party. He is the only person who has what it takes to bulldoze and wrestle power from the incumbent governor. Any other governorship aspirant in the party is rightly being seen by party members as a pretender.


PDP operatives in the state know that with him as the governorship candidate of the APC in the poll, they will be floored. So, they are scared-stiff of facing him in the election.

In this piece, we’ll look at those things that make him so thick and trending in the politics of the state. In the first place, as the MD of NDDC, he has demonstrated passion and zeal for the development of the state. He’s brought so many life-touching projects to the state, despite the shenanigans of the PDP government in the state. He has demonstrated capacity and excellence. He has demonstrated ideas and innovations. He has reformed the Commission to the admiration of every progressive-minded Niger Deltan. At least, no project awarded by the Commission under his watch is abandoned or shabbily executed. All over the region, he is being admired and celebrated. It’s therefore the belief and conclusion of many informed people in the state that given the opportunity to govern the state, he will turn things around in the state.

Some well informed analysts have analyzed, compared and contrasted performance of Obong Nsima Ekere as the helmsman of NDDC and that of Udom Emmanuel as the governor of the state. While the governor is being dismissed as a failed project, not having any appreciable project to show for the hundreds of billions of naira accrued to the state since 2015 when he was voted into power by the PDP. On the other hand, Nsima Ekere is being celebrated for the many projects the NDDC under his management has undertaken in the state.

Flowing from the facts stated above, it can be safely concluded that his star and excellent performance at NDDC is what makes him thick, popular and preferred by the people of the state for the governorship of the state come 2019 and that’s the main reason he is being maliciously and viciously attacked by the PDP operatives in the state, but the more they fabricate and churn out lies against him, the more popular he becomes and the more he is being admired and preferred by the people of the state.

Unlike the present governor who didn’t know anybody in the state prior to 2015, over the years, Nsima Ekere has been building and sustaining relationships with different classes of people in the state. In fact, there’s no ward that he doesn’t have political course mates, classmates or playmates. He’s well connected with the grassroots.

As an apostle of politics of ideas and issues, he has developed a clear cut plan for the rapid and even development of every part of the state, part of which is what he is carrying out at NDDC.

Why Akwa Ibom Peoples Opinion Polls Score Gov Udom Emmanuel Low.

Countdown to Elections 2019, three unmistakable profiles of Udom Emmanuel have emerged and are currently trending across the State.

Most Akwa Ibomites believe that Gov. Udom Emmanuel:

 *1. Has Poor Leadership Skills And Capacities* 

Udom was as green as they come when adopted and initiated into Akwa Ibom politics. For one year as Secretary to the State Government, he was “hyped up” and in preparation was made to undergo an intensive crash course in leadership.

That crash course was designed make a good leader out of any average student. But, not Udom Emmanuel who, by his performance record so far, does not possess or reflect good leadership capacities. It is either he was deliberately impervious or he pretended through the training just to get pushed into the Hilltop Mansion.

 *2. Is Hypocritical In Style*

For example, claiming a cordial relationship with his predecessor is just in order to get himself reelected. But, the buzz is that if Udom manages to get a second term,

In January 2018, Udom needlessly tested his political muscle against Akpabio. Quickly, he discovered that his drama was an unstrategic political suicide mission for which costs were incorrectly counted. Hypocritically, he backed off to fly the cordial relationship kite.

For now , Udom’s leadership style remains an ambush waiting to openly “turn tiger” against all of Akpabio’s legacies from May 29 2019. If reelected, most Akwa Ibomites, even as many of his supporters do privately, believe that Udom will unleash extreme difficulties for the State in times ahead.

 *3. Serially Lies To The People* 

June 2018 has spun a lot of bad reviews against Gov. Udom Emmanuel. Embattled and weakened by critics, the governor has been repeatedly caught lying about almost every project he claims and commissions.

The fact that he needlessly lies about non existent or poorly developed projects embarrasses and troubles most Akwa Ibomites.

°  Udom claims that he has constructed over 1,700 kilometers of toads across Akwa Ibom States, but is fuzzy with details. Given that length of newly constructed roads, averaging about 60 kilometers per Local Government Area, Akwa Ibomites should be able to see and drive upon them.

°  Udom claims to have partnered with Greenwell Technologies for the construction of Nigeria’s largest Fertilizer Blending Plant. But, what he commissioned, which has already gulped billions from a State guaranteed loan, is an old and neglected warehouse converted for the repackaging of fertilizer products.

°  Udom claims to have imported 100 containers load of new medical equipment for use in General Hospitals and Health Centers across the State. But, Udom only shipped only 25 containers load of various users and uncalibrated biomedical equipment donated by to Akwa Ibom State by an international Non-Governmental Organization.

°  Udom claims that he inherited an undisclosed huge debt burden from his predecessor. But, it has been revealed that he inherited a debt burden of less than N60 billion and a flowing stream of revenue from his predecessor.

°  Still on the debt burden lie, Udom repeated claimed that the reason he cannot complete old and embark on many new projects is that of a monthly payment for debts. But, Udom has since restructured and secured long-term payment facilities for debts. With a monthly revenue averaging more than N18 billion, Udom lied about the unavailability of funds for projects.

If Udom Emmanuel knew anything about being honest with Akwa Ibomites, he should have since suspended or fired all subordinates responsible for MDAs from which these improprieties come. So far, he refuses to even acknowledge any wrongdoing, often ignoring Akwa Ibomites with unbelievable arrogance and temerity.

Folks, remember that your must-cast vote is a tool. Use it to stop weak and corrupt leadership, use it to vote for honest and accountable persons with strong leadership potentials.

Clement Ikpatt writes from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

WHERE IS OUR MONEY? AKWA IBOM PEOPLE ASK UDOM EMMANUEL

By Clement Ikpatt

For three years, Gov. Udom Emmanuel copiously insinuated and hid behind the excuse of having inherited huge debts from his predecessor and mentor, Chief Godswill Akpabio. 

To any audience with listening ears, Mr. Udom Emmanuel lamented his lack of funds to pay outstanding gratuities and pensions. Many Akwa Ibomites believed him, sympathizing with his government for the lack of funds to maintain of old projects and to start new ones.

Unwilling to disclose details of inherited debts and despite being under intense pressure from the State House of Assembly members and other citizens to unmask the States debt profile,  Gov. Emmanuel and his aides spared neither effort nor opportunity to emphasize his frugal disposition, especially given his erstwhile career background as a banking executive.  

It was politically convenient to directly accuse or insinuate that ex Governor Godswill Akpabio was at fault for having taken so many huge loans. Enraged Akwa Ibomites believed their governor, least suspecting that Mr. Udom Emmanuel and his aides were deliberately stretching a lie too far in order to discredit the former governor. 

On June 13, 2018), the truth bubbled up to the surface as a media aide to Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Mr. Jackson Udom, unequivocally stated in a Press Statement what the Udom Emmanuel government never wanted Akwa Ibomites to know. He was reacting to a social media publication that ex Gov. Akpabio left behind a whopping five hundred billion Naira (N500 billion).

"The Akpabio government obtained loans totalling N80 billion only. Loans were duly approved of by the State House of Assembly, Jackson Udom stated.

He also stated that the Akpabio government, in 2015, handed over an unpaid debt burden of less than N60 billion to the Udom Emmanuel government in addition to revenue enablers such as hospitals, hotels, an International Airport, an International Stadium, the Ibom Power Plant, a Gas Processing Plant at Esit Eket and others. 

In an inexplicable twist of fate rendering as a cold war between Gov. Emmanuel and his predecessor, the revenue enablers, meant to boost the State's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile, are either abandoned or not operating in full capacities.

Akpabio's media aide further stated that the Gov. Emmanuel government inherited at least thirty seven highways, flyovers and bridges in addition to over one hundred and five million United States dollars ($103 million), which is due from the ongoing Paris Club refund.

Rolling out more details, Mr Jackson Udom disclosed that "the Akpabio government handed over verified refund due to the State in excess of N145 billion (one hundred and forty five billion naira) committed to federal infrastructure."

"These are in addition to National Assembly approved refund through bonds of which Akwa Ibom gets seventy eight billion Naira (Ñ78 billion)", he stated.

Capping these disclosures, Mr. Jackson maintained that the Akpabio government received less than N1.7 trillion in eight years and that Akwa Ibom State owed only the United Bank of Africa (UBA) while Godswill Akpabio was governor.

More than one week since these revelations, neither Gov. Udom Emmanuel nor any official of the Akwa Ibom State Government has reacted.

By Mr. Jackson Udom's disclosures, the Akpabio debt fog was lifted to expose appears to be a ludicrous and malicious web of lies spun by the Udom government. 

As expected, mixed reactions by Akwa Ibomites from various walks of life have registered a common concern, which is that there is the possibility of massive corruption and squandermania going on in the Udom Emmanuel government, such as has never been heard of or seen in the State.

In recent weeks, there have been series of damning reports exposing sectoral rot and policies failures especially in the education, health  and industrial sectors. Many Akwa Ibomites openly accuse embattled Gov. Emmanuel of fostering cultures of secrecy, unaccountability and misinformation. On many occasions, Government has been caught embellishing some projects status and outrightly lying about many others.

These have Akwa Ibomites so embarrassed and talking all over: never before have they seen this low level governance leading to squandermania of goodwill and blighting poverty in a State rated first in the nation with regards to monthly statutory allocations.

Udom Emmanuel's government is not known for many developmental projects, but for many controversial and scam projects. Altogether, cost of projects embarked upon by government do not reflect the stream of statutory and other revenues accruing to Akwa Ibom State since 2015.

With regards to the Akwa Ibom debts and revenue, it is now clear that government has been lying about paying off so much of huge debts left behind by the Akpabio government. Instead, government has creatively restructured most debts into long term facilities thereby freeing up funds presumably for development projects. So, to the majority of Akwa Ibomites, the big question is: what has Gov. Udom Emmanuel been doing with Akwa Ibom State money?

Akwa Ibomites also believe that Gov. Udom Emmanuel has not been accountable with regards to the Paris Club refund ($105 million), Federal Government refunds and bonds (about N223 billion), undisclosed Internally Generated Revenue, monthly statutory allocations and derivation funds and other streams of revenue since June 2015.

Akwa Ibomites can no longer afford or tolerate a low performance and an unaccountable government that notoriously misinforms, scams and squanders both goodwill and resources.