Obama approves 13,000 more troops for Afghan war

IN an unannounced move, United States (U.S.) President Barack Obama has approved a plan to dispatch an additional 13,000 troops to Afghanistan beyond the 21,000 he announced publicly in March. The move came as Afghan President Hamid Karzai's top challenger in disputed elections yesterday alleged that the embattled head of state engineered the resignation of a chief fraud investigator to cast doubt over a process that may force a run-off vote. Results from the August 20 elections have been delayed by more than a month because of massive fraud allegations. A five-member, United Nations (UN)-backed panel is investigating the charges, and its decision on how many votes to throw out will determine whether Karzai wins outright - as preliminary results show - or if a runoff is required. According to the Washington Post, the additional forces are primarily support forces such as engineers, medical personnel, intelligence experts and military police, bringing the total buildup Obama has approved for the war-torn nation to 34,000. "Obama authorised the whole thing. The only thing you saw announced in a press release was the 21,000," a defence official familiar with the troop-approval process told the paper. The report, posted on the newspaper's website late Monday, came as Obama weighs a request from the top U.S. and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, for more combat, training and support troops, with several options including one for 40,000 more forces. But the newspaper noted that the maximum number of U.S. service members expected in Afghanistan by year's end - 68,000 - would remain the same. Major deployments of support troops have not been publicised by the Pentagon and the White House in the past. When former President George W. Bush announced a US troop increase in Iraq, he only mentioned 20,000 combat troops and not the accompanying 8,000 support troops. The troop increase approved by Obama brought the level of U.S. forces deployed in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters to a total greater than during the peak of the surge in Iraq in late 2007 and early 2008. At the start of this month, some 65,000 U.S. forces are currently in Afghanistan and about 124,000 in Iraq, compared to around 26,000 US troops in Afghanistan and 160,000 in Iraq at the height of the Iraq surge, according to a troop count by the Post. Meanwhile, Pakistani jets yesterday bombed militant targets in the main insurgent stronghold along the Afghan border ahead of an expected ground offensive there, while the army killed 26 insurgents elsewhere in the northwest, authorities said. The Pakistani Taliban on Tuesday claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing carried out by a teenage boy in northwest Shangla district, which killed 45 people at a busy market. A boy aged about 13 and wearing a suicide vest threw himself at a military convoy passing through a Alpuri town on Monday, the latest in a wave of attacks that have killed 125 people in Pakistan in eight days, officials said.

How Yar'Adua's absence threatens Nigeria's bid for UN Security Council seat, by Gambari

THE decision of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to stay away from the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is a diplomatic blunder which might have its costs for Nigeria, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, an under-secretary-general of the global body of nations, has declared. Besides, Yar'Adua who is the current chairman of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sent Burkinabe leader, Blaise Compaore to Guinea in a spirited effort to end the crisis in the country. The former Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) and erstwhile Minister of Foreign Affairs blamed the blunder on what he called improper advice by the President's aides while briefing journalists at the UN headquarters in New York yesterday. He said: "...And I must say very strongly as a senior Nigerian here in the UN secretariat that there was a greatly missed opportunity that our head of state was not advised properly to come to this assembly... apart from the regular sessions of the General Assembly, issues of fundamental importance to Nigeria and to Africa were being discussed on the sidelines: Climate change, Millennium Development Goals, we have issues of disarmament and non-nuclear proliferation, financing global health, including a special meeting with President Barack Obama who was coming to the General Assembly for the first time as President of the United States with African leaders on economic co-operation and development and also on troop contributing countries of which Nigeria is well favoured...It was a tremendous opportunity missed." Gambari spoke just as the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented his report on women and peace and security to the Security Council. Gambari however stressed that if high-level lobbying at group, committee and official meeting are well utilised by Nigerian delegates, the country could still claim a non-permanent member seat of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) by the middle of this month when the election of five non-permanent members into the Council would hold. Nigeria is the current chairman of the UN Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations. A Nigerian delegates' meeting was held at the Nigerian Mission early yesterday morning and was presided over by the desk officer for Nigeria's election bid, Lawrence Olufemi Obisakin, a minister at the mission. On what manner of campaign would be strong enough for the coveted seat, Gambari, who is also a special adviser to Ban said "...and if our aspiration is to put in view our merit and our standing in world affairs, then we have to step up. If you don't sing your own song, if you don't blow your own trumpet, nobody will blow it for you because they are too busy blowing their own trumpet. Nigeria missed an opportunity to really register its own views on the world, register its credentials as an African leader and register its credentials as a country that is trying to move forward on the issues that are domestic but that is of concern to the international community such as the Niger Delta and electoral reforms in our country." On what to do next time, he offered: "Next time, I strongly believe the President should be advised not to miss out of the next General Assembly because then, it would be the pattern. That he has not come, that he did not come last year, he did not come this year and he doesn't come next year. It will not be seen in positive light by the rest of the international community. I speak now as a Nigerian, not as a staff of the United Nations. It concerns Nigeria. I have been an ambassador for the longest period of time in its history. I was here from 1989 to 1999. I have had the privilege and so with the privilege goes with responsibility to speak very frankly. You have to speak through to power. It baffles me that many people for reasons best known to them would not always offer the best advice to the leadership of our country." On Nigeria's chances of clinching the Security Council seat, Gambari submitted that the country has the qualifications to be a permanent member of the Council representing Africa in a reformed and expanded Security Council. "But international politics is not about objectivity... You have to sell yourself and not this kind of re-branding in a PR sense. You have to continue to show your commitment to the ideals of the organisation, we have to show our relevance to defining the major issues that concern the United Nations and this is something that nobody else can do for us. We have to do it ourselves and if we just do what is right, and we have a great opportunity coming very shortly, later this month, Nigeria is likely to be elected. At least, it is up for elections to be a non-permanent member of the Security Council in a very critical period (2010 and 2011), this will be an opportunity to really prove ourselves, prove that we speak for Africa, prove that we are a country to be reckoned with, a country that can make contributions." According to Gambari, "Nigeria needs to prepare well. Let me give you an example: Brazil is also going to be joining the Security Council this year. Four months ago, they had already sent a team of people to study, understudy the work of the Security Council. They have already identified their priority. They are already here, they are working. So, we have to look at what other countries that are aspirants are doing, not to copy them but to strategise and showcase what we have to offer which is something I believe should be taken very, very seriously." He stressed that even with Nigeria's endorsement by the African Union (AU), Nigeria still needed to do the basic things and throw its weight on its strength. "Well, the endorsement counts, but at the same time, you have to also present yourself. You are endorsed by the AU but what are you saying about the contributions you have made and are going to make? And recall, this is secret ballot. You need a two-thirds of the votes in the secret ballot. So, that's why I don't think we should just assume that we are in. We have to show that we are worthy, not only that, the number of votes you get, even if you are in, is very important. It shows the credits and the credibility you have in the international community by the number of votes you get even if you are elected as non-permanent member of the Security Council. So, these are the issues that I believe should be addressed thoroughly and should be taken very seriously... "Well, some people dismiss it to say 'after all, the only members of the Security Council that matter are the permanent five members and of course they are constitutionally allowed the privilege of having the veto but they can use the veto to prevent something from happening, but they cannot use the veto to advance... for any Security council resolution to be adopted, it takes a minimum number of nine, sometimes 11 votes. So, that's where the non- permanent members come in. So, if Nigeria works closely with the non-aligned movement members, work closely with China, it can make a big difference in some of the decisions of the more than five votes in order to pass a resolution. What the veto does is that nothing can be passed on substantive issues without the concurrence of the five permanent members." The Guardian confirmed last night from the presidency that the president has not only written to the Burkinabe leader, the strong "special envoy" is also said to have accepted the challenge to go to Guinea immediately. Presidential spokesperson, Olusegun Adeniyi who confirmed the development on telephone last night, said though he did not have details of the discussion between the two leaders, he was aware that President Yar'Adua had spoken to his counterpart in Ouagadougou who has agreed to undertake the tough mission to Conakry. The President's letter to Compaore reads in part: "In the course of the seventh session of the International Contact Group on Guinea (ICG-G) held on the 22nd of September, 2009 in New York in the margins of the UN General Assembly, the Group expressed the desire to see other Heads of State of our region follow up on the joint goodwill mission that was undertaken by Presidents Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Abdoulaye Wade to Guinea on 12th September, 2009." "To this end, I should be grateful if you could find the time to embark on a mission to Conakry with a view to impressing upon Captain Dadis Camara, Chairman of the CNDD, to honour the pledge to the Guinean people, the region and the international community that neither he, the other members of the CNDD nor the Prime Minister would put forward their candidature in the forthcoming presidential elections". Yar'Adua further said: "This has become even more urgent, given the deterioration of the political, security and human rights situation in Guinea. There is clearly now a breakdown of dialogue between the CNDD and the political parties, trade unions and civil society organizations. The result is that the entire transition process is threatened with complete derailment. "I have no doubt that, given your impeccable record of facilitating national reconciliation in the region, you will successfully accomplish this mission in the interest of peace in Guinea and the region..." Adeniyi said on telephone yesterday: "....I am aware the President spoke with President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso during the week and he has agreed to be his emissary to Guinea. I don't have details of the message but I think we all know there is a breakdown of law and order in the country. "The message of President Yar'Adua to the military leaders in Guinea is that they do everything to ensure that the on-going democratisation process in the country is not derailed".

NIGERIA AT 49

Today marks Nigeria’s 49th Independence anniversary. On October 1, 1960, Nigeria became a sovereign nation after gaining independence from her British colonial masters. On that day, hopes were high that the world’s most populous black nation would soon live up to its sobriquet as the giant of Africa. 49 years on, many people who spoke with Daily Sun insist that those initial hopes have been totally shattered. The British left too early - Pa Adedapo Adeniran, 85, Barrister at Law and Solicitor. Nigeria has not met the expectations of those of us who witnessed the independence. When the British were going, people like us felt that we were going to step into the shoes of the white man and carry on positively in regards to what they left for us. As a result of that, people never bothered to travel out because there was this feeling that, what are we going to do in England again? But, I think we allowed them to go too quickly. Independence notwithstanding, we should have understudied them for another 10 years or so and thereafter take over. When the white man was here, there were public water pumps all over the place. From seven pm, lights were on till about six am the following morning. And then you gathered refuse in front of your house while health workers would come to collect it every day. The drain was swept and kept clean every day and the rubbish brought out was being taken away daily by refuse collectors. So the drain was flowing so well that you could see the chocolate colour of the drain when looking down the drain. But all these things are gone with the wind. There was discipline in all the schools; the missionaries taught discipline. And at the same time, there were school clinics where all students went for medical attention. Also, then, every house in this Lagos was fumigated every year. There were also sanitary inspectors who inspected every house. And then, there were sanctions for people who violated health laws. Now, I can’t see what our leaders are doing right. When Britain was running the administration of this country, there was hardly any corruption. Any corrupt person was immediately charged to court irrespective of the status. It might interest you to know that any person who happens to go to prison is despised by his family and treated like an outcast. The shame on that person even causes him to embark on self-exile. It’s a sad story - Mrs. O Aniagwa, 77, retired civil servant and trader To say the least, the euphoria of our attainment of independence in 1960 has long been dashed. Where can I start? It’s a sad story really but I believe God is still in charge. But in the interim, someone can help us tell the government to give us good roads to travel on. We need health facilities and other facilities and amenities as they were before and at independence. Power supply is an issue for another day. Our sons are out of school, no jobs for them and we are talking of dreams. May God help us. Our hope was thwarted - Roland Bresi Esime, 79, retired civil servant Really, independence came and we were rejoicing. I was in Port-Harcourt when the independence was declared. In fact, everybody was happy. But when the civil war came, that actually worsened the whole thing. There was misunderstanding. In all fairness, our politicians don’t seem to understand what they have taken over from the British. And actually, when states were created, there was actually hope that we are going to succeed. That hope was thwarted because our governors don’t understand the actual meaning of the self-government that we have taken. Development has been very, very slow when we were supposed to improve upon what they have bequeathed to us. But it was not so. And the situation has continued on a downward slope. You can imagine our governors are making state allocations as if it were their own property, assuming that allocations for salaries meant for state development and salaries were their own and they carry the money overseas. And when the needs of the people are not taken care of with the looted money, development will continue to be slow and slow until God will come Himself to rescue us. But I’m still hopeful. What I believe is that as long as we are living, we should be hopeful. Unfortunately though, no political party has indicated the will to improve. What I know is that we have not got room to improve under the present circumstances. Nigeria has been backward and her leaders have over the years derailed. An evidence of the backwardness is the activities of the militants in the Niger Delta. I do not know how we are going to develop that place. Of course we all know the people of that place are not cared for. ASUU has downed tool and the people there are not bothered. It will take the grace of God. Our leaders are very selfish - Mrs. Valentina F. Anjorin, 67 I am a retired civil servant. I worked in so many ministries, starting with the Ministry of Works and Housing and I retired in the Presidency. In 1960 when Nigeria got her independence from Britain, we were actually very enthusiastic. We thought things were going to improve at least to some level. We thought we would continue from where they stopped. So many of our leaders then had the zeal to continue. But unfortunately, things have not worked the way it is supposed to work. Even the civil service structure is now a shadow of what it was at that time. As long as I can remember, we had water and light and the roads were good. We had all the basic necessities of life and never experienced incessant power cut. I mean if you had your money, you can buy whatever you need. Hope is very far in sight. Initially, we were proposing to be giants and going towards that. But the Military didn’t help the situation. I think it is the military that drew this country back. From that era, we ceased to be the giant of Africa. We are still in the military regime, somehow. They are no longer in uniform but they came back in mufti. We really haven’t had a civilian government after our first generation politicians. If you look around, you’ll see that they all change from their uniforms and say we are civilians. No, they are not. It’s unfortunate that many of our leaders are very selfish. I’m so sorry, but this is the observation of many people. Their children are not here, we all know that. They are very selfish. Until we take away selfishness, the country cannot move forward. So, I’m appealing to everybody and all those people in government to please embrace Christ. They should put on the armour of God so that in whatever they do, they will remember their subjects. Change is coming, and very soon. So we need to change our orientation. There should be selflessness, love for God and love for our neighbour. If I have love, I can’t leave my family in Britain and close down the universities in Nigeria. Nigeria is now a one-party state. It is very sad. Our economy cannot go forward and the reason is with us. Nothing is working right and we know why it is not working right yet nobody wants to correct it. If we have love, we can do everything. Love and selflessness, these are what we need. This country moves backwards - Mr. Lekan Alabi, 72, retired police commissioner This country is going backwards instead of forward. Most of us who grew up in the country before independence enjoyed the benefits of government. The colonial masters provided virtually everything. The roads were good, we had good schools and our economy was okay. Right now, there is no planning at all and if there is any, such plans are shoddy. In the early days of independence, the government tried to plan but all that was destroyed because of sentiments and tribalism. In our own time there was no blackout. One could travel round the country in a train. But right now, if you are to travel, your heart would be in your mouth because of bad roads. Our security is worse. There have been several robbery and assassination incidents and the government has never been successful at bringing the killers to book. Other countries are developing but Nigeria is retrogressing. Forty-nine years after independence, there is nothing to show. Despite our natural resources we are still poor. An Ambassador once said that he is surprised that Nigeria is poor despite her resources because the money is going to the pocket of some few individuals. Nigerians are very pessimistic about the future because of the present state of the nation. It is a big shame that the people of a country like ours that is the sixth largest producer of crude oil in the world still wallow in poverty. It is so unfortunate that there are countries where military governments turn everything around for good. Ghana is one of such countries but our own military bastardised the nation. It will be a Herculean task to restore back the glory of Nigeria. I cannot even give any advice to Nigeria politicians because they are not out there to build this county. Their mission is to build their families and increase their bank accounts. I’m not in the position to give them advice but, like any other Nigerian, I have a stake in this country so I will give suggestions based on my personal views. I think the present thirty-six state structure is cumbersome and very expensive to run. This leaves very little funds for development and if we continue along this line we will not have money for development. The constitution review committee should look at that aspect. This thirty-six state structure can be turned into a six geopolitical zones. There should be geopolitical headquarters. The capital can be created based on population. For the security of this country to be strengthened, the police ratio should be increased. Policemen should be given proper orientation, training and good salary. Most importantly our value system should be changed. It is our belief now that you must have money to be recognized in Nigeria. That is why our youths are employing illegal means to get money at all cost. This value system will reduce the penchant for crime. Let’s wait and see what comes out of the seven point agenda before we can grade this present government. If the so called agenda is not realized then we will know it’s all propaganda. Nigeria not yet a great nation - Mr. Femi Adenuga, 71, retired civil servant. Is it a curse that we are endowed with the black gold? Even if this is true, government must adjust itself to the reality on the ground. The basic amenities that will uplift the standard of living of the poor masses should be put in place. The have-nots should not be allowed to die today for tomorrow’s prosperity. Nigeria is not yet a great nation. There are a lot of things that must change for Nigeria to become a great nation. Education in Nigeria is not for the poor. Teachers are not well paid and the public schools are bad. Well to do people now send their children to private schools while the poor people send their kids to public schools. The light issue is also a major problem. The fear of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is the beginning of wisdom. It is big shame that a country like Nigeria that gives light to our neighbouring sister countries like Benin Republic cannot boast of good electricity supply. If they can enjoy our resources over there why can’t we enjoy them here? Why showing that you are a big man outside when your own family has not been well fed? The probe on the power sector has shown how corrupt we are as a nation. Imagine one of the frontiers of the probe being indicted for corruption. We actually thought a change has come into the sector but it was all a film trick. Many years ago, Nigerians enjoyed good water supplied by the government. These days, people can only get water from boreholes. There are so many problems in this country that we all have to contend with on daily basis. That is why I discourage people from thinking about the problems. Rather than spend the entire day complaining, we should take a break and enjoy whatever situation we find ourselves in. That is the only way to reduce our stress level and enjoy a long, happy life. By NJOKU ONYEKACHI JET, EMMANUEL OLOGBESE and ONYINYECHI ONWUKA

Four million HIV positive persons now receive treatment, says WHO report

A NEW report released yesterday by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) indicated that about four million people in low- and middle-income countries were receiving Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) at the close of 2008. This, according to the report, titled Towards Universal Access: Scaling Up Priority HIV/AIDS Interventions in the Health Sector, represents a 36 per cent increase in one year and a 10-fold increase over five years. The report highlights other gains, including expanded HIV testing and counselling and improved access to services to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child. The WHO had promised to treat three million people in developing countries by the end of 2005, a target it could not meet. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan in a statement said: "This report shows tremendous progress in the global HIV/AIDS response. But we need to do more. At least, five million people living with HIV still do not have access to life-prolonging treatment and care. Prevention services fail to reach many in need. Governments and international partners must accelerate their efforts to achieve universal access to treatment." Reacting to the publication, the Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Prof. John Idoko, told The Guardian: "The official figure for People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the country from the sera prevalence study of 2008 is 2.9 million or about three million. We also know now that even though the biggest headache is prevention because for every two people, who take drugs globally, there are five new infections. And in this country, we have about 370,000 to 380,000 new infections every year. That is a big headache; we have not succeeded very well there." "Going by NACA's current guidelines, the country has about 850,000 PLWHA who require treatment, of which 350,000 are on treatment. So, we have a gap, which we are working very hard to close. You know, working with partners, trying to expand more treatment sites and making sure that we take the treatment sites to more rural settlements to make sure that we can cover as many parts of the country as possible," he added. According to the WHO report, access to anti-retroviral therapy continues to expand at a rapid rate. Of the estimated 9.5 million people in need of treatment in 2008 in low- and middle-income countries, 42 per cent had access, up from 33 per cent in 2007. The greatest progress was seen in sub-Saharan Africa, where two-thirds of all HIV infections occur. The report reads: "Prices of the most commonly used anti-retroviral drugs have declined significantly in recent years, contributing to wider availability of treatment. The cost of most first-line regimens decreased by 10-40 per cent between 2006 and 2008. However, second-line regimens continue to be expensive. "Despite recent progress, access to treatment services is falling far short of needs and the global economic crisis has raised concerns about their sustainability. Many patients are being diagnosed at a late stage of disease progression resulting in delayed initiation of ART and high rates of mortality in the first year of treatment." Recent data indicate increasing availability of HIV testing and counselling services. In 66 reporting countries, the number of health facilities providing such services increased by about 35 per cent between 2007 and 2008. Testing and counselling services are also being used by an increasing number of people. In 39 countries, the total reported number of HIV tests performed more than doubled between 2007 and 2008. Ninety-three percent of all countries that reported data across all regions provided free HIV testing through public sector health facilities in 2008. Nevertheless, it has been shown that the majority of those living with HIV remain unaware of their HIV status. Low awareness of personal risk of HIV infection and fear of stigma and discrimination account, in part, for low uptake of testing services. By Chukwuma Muanya

OUR ROLE IN NATION BUILDING

Our collective efforts in reshaping our colonial territory that had been carved out by our colonial masters have always been geared towards making our country a viable and coherent national entity. This includes the creation of national trappings such as our national flag, national anthem and pledge, national holidays, national stadium, etc. At a deeper level, national identity is constructed by molding different groups into a nation, especially since colonialists had used divide and rule tactics to maintain its domination in several countries. Many new Nations are plagued by tribal rivalry between ethnic groupings within the nation. This sometimes results in near-disintegration but the question for Nigeria should be; At 49, are we still a new nation? By the way, what should be the role of women in our national development? Guarantees and promises on non-discrimination are contained in our past constitutions which have evolved to the present 1999 constitution but our women have had to bear the pressure of a male dominated society, where the ideology of male superiority has continued to hold strong in our social, political, economic and even religious lives. With the benefits of education, activism and increasing awareness campaigns, women are today breaking out of cocoons of complacency, self-pity and suppression or oppression (whether real or perceived), to assume important roles in the development of our nation, Nigeria. Apart from their primary constituency - the home [where most women have excelled as effective managers], they have made astounding impacts in Commerce, Industry, Banking, Education, Administration, Religion and of course Politics, to mention but a few. How does the woman make her impact felt in issues of national development today? One critical requirement is formal education. It is a popular saying, that when a woman is educated, the society is educated. No educated woman will permit her children or wards to attain an educational level less than hers. An educated woman is less dependent on people and is therefore able to lead others in the right direction. Education is aimed at the development of skills, knowledge and improvement for active participation in all aspects of life in the society. Flowing from the acquisition of formal education is the possession of the right skill and knowledge in a profession or endeavor. With the deployment of her natural talents in the endeavor which have been polished by formal education, the woman stands competitive in the society and able to make a positive impact therein. Tradition and culture have been women’s most formidable constraints in our part of the world. Though women traditionally are home makers, many have gone beyond that role to become contributors to the family income or outright breadwinners. The challenges of life in modern day Nigeria demand increased earning capabilities to finance the solution of a myriad of problems facing the women. These problems abound in the areas of Education, Housing, Healthcare, Transportation, Food, etc. With concerted steps towards self empowerment, beginning with the basics, women would be able to participate effectively in all self-development, as well as national development endeavors. It is imperative that women need to be prepared to be co-participants in the role of national development. Their participation could be from any angle of human endeavor; as wives, mothers, teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, traders, politicians, engineers, technocrats, to mention but a few. I would confidently posit that in joining the task of national development, women should commence from their primary constituency, the home. In discharging their duties as wife, mother and home-maker, women unconsciously lay the foundation for a solid nation. The role of a child’s upbringing implies the development of a human being into a well-meaning individual, useful to the family and the society at large. Women have a duty to ensure the proper education of their children and wards. An educated woman is not only an asset to herself and her family, but to the larger society. Education broadens one’s reasoning ability and this inevitably imparts on her living standards and conditions. Women should contribute to national development by striving to be the best in whatever position they occupy in the society. The old adage that what a man can do, a woman can also do better is a truism. An analysis of past and present female public office holders and Chief Executive Officers shows that they have excelled beyond all expectations, thereby making their names synonymous with the noble virtues and characteristics they exhibited in office. I also spare a thought for other unsung heroines, the small scale and sometimes road side women entrepreneurs, most of who are widows and have trained their children up to University level from their petty business ventures. The challenges and hurdles that beset women in the 21st century are not insurmountable. It is heart-warming that female school enrolment in the country is at an all-time high. There is a display of urgency, hunger and aggression by the young females to occupy the lofty positions in the society hitherto the preserve of their male counterparts. Today, they boldly apply to read courses like Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, Accountancy and Law, unlike the past era of reading Guidance & Counseling, Home Economics, Catering; as good as these courses are also. We must not lose sight of the fact that some of the challenges and hurdles women face are institutionalized and so entrenched in our society that all hands must be on deck to effectively tackle them. We must note that the full potentials of women may not be fully realized due to family role expectations. A lot of married women who strive to achieve career or business success are faced with a heart-wrenching conflict of roles. Again, women’s involvement in the top league of entrepreneurship in Nigeria is very limited. Only a few women who I can count on my fingertips sit at the apex of the organizational charts of big corporations in the oil/gas, communications, banking, manufacturing, transport, publishing and trading sectors of our economy. Constraints in finance have not helped matters and most female entrepreneurs end up in the middle and lower level cadres. The same goes for women involved in politics. The issue of co-operation of the sexes is also important. Our men should not see women as just objects of entertainment or pleasure, but as partners in progress. The President, Governors, Local Government Chairmen, as well as the Chief Executives of other semi-autonomous bodies should endeavor to appoint qualified women to important positions. Political Parties especially, must encourage qualified women to contest for elective offices. This gesture will surely complement the fact that the largest registered voter base in the country is the women. Did I once hear that any Nigerian who was not prepared to die for the country did not deserve to be a Nigerian citizen? In reply came this quote that I still remember till today; “I would love to die for my country, but not Nigeria in its present state.” In putting my Independence thoughts together, I recalled the words of the late US President John F. Kennedy who once urged Americans not to ask what their country could do for them but what they could do for their country. A good example of this is what Christ Embassy is doing to mark Nigeria’s 49th Independence celebration by distributing 10 million copies of their ‘Rhapsody of Realities’ by way of ‘Reach Out Nigeria’ campaign. I am also aware that many other organizations are giving back to society as a mark of celebrating this Independence Day. For most Nigerians however, the country must first inspire their patriotism before asking them for sacrifices. It is very difficult to feel patriotic if one does have to wonder where his children’s food will come from each day. However, we should not miss the main point here, patriotism has nothing to do with the current government or whoever the leader is but is a national duty as a citizen towards a given state and country. It is the country which is at stake, not the President. It is remarkable that the late Chief Gani Fawehimi SAN held no political office in Nigeria but his patriotic zeal led to the greatest outpouring of grief ever seen in Nigeria, witnessed as he was laid to rest. Nigeria is a great country and while it is worth living for, we must also be reminded that Jesus died for humanity and even while we hated Him, He did not disown man. Patriotism should therefore be based on identification, love and attachment to ones country that goes beyond what you get from the country. If we base it on what you get from the country, it will be few in all countries that will be patriotic. Let’s remember that even if it is Nigeria or America or any other country in the world, in most cases, majority of the people are often dissatisfied with the government of the day and that is no bad thing for any nation anyway.

President launches new Naira notes

PRESIDENT Umaru Musa Yar'Adua yesterday launched the advertised new Naira polymer substrate notes for N5, N10 and N50 denominations with a charge to all to embrace the new currency and support the "Keep the Naira Clean" campaign of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The ceremony, which took place shortly before the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, was witnessed by the ministers and management staff of the CBN. The President noted that the redesign of the lower banknote denominations and coins, as well as the introduction of a N2 coin in February 2007 represented a comprehensive reform strategy aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the currency structure. "I must express my pleasure at the outcome of the on-going currency restructuring programme of the CBN which gathered momentum 10 years ago with the introduction of higher banknote denominations of N100, N200, N500 and N1,000 between 1999 and 2005. "I am informed that the reform process resulted in huge cost-savings arising from the reduction in the size of the notes and the streamlining of their security features," Yar'Adua said. The President further observed that the printing of the N20 denomination on polymer substrate had not only been found to be strong and durable, but had been well received by Nigerians. "The demonstrated expediency of adopting the polymer substrate in banknote printing informed my approval for the conversion of the other lower banknote denominations in October 2008 on the recommendation of the Board of the CBN," he said. Yar'Adua expressed hope that the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting (NSPM) Plc, which was involved in the printing of the new polymer notes, would realise its optimal capacity in no distant future. CBN governor, Malam Lamido Sanusi, who handed notes of the currency to the President however, stated that the existing denominations of N5, N10 and N50 would remain legal tenders and circulate side by side with the new polymer notes for the next six months, saying the public could still exchange their genuine old currencies in all banks, nationwide. Sanusi, however, refuted claims that the recent banking reforms embarked upon by the apex bank impacted directly on the importation of petroleum products, particularly by major private fuel importers. According to the CBN governor, "correspondent banks have not stopped credit lines and the CBN action has no effect on oil importation." Meanwhile, in the performance report of the economy presented by Sanusi to the FEC yesterday, the CBN declared that the banking sector needs more funds to make it stronger. Addressing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting, presided over by President Yar'Adua at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Prof. Dora Akunyili, Minister of Information and Communications, said the reform programme presented by the CBN recommends that more funds be injected into the banking sector to strengthen the economy. "Nigeria's economy remains resilient and the near to medium term outlook is positive. Nigerian banking system remains strong. However, there is need for government to inject funds into the system," Akunyili said. Speaking further on the CBN presentation, the minister said: "Intervention by CBN towards resolving the immediate challenges of Nigeria's banking system will have a positive impact on the Nigerian economy. So far, there had been no run on the banks and there is a significant drop in inter-bank rate." On the performance of the economy, Akunyili said: "There had been steady growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a decline in the various measures of inflation. Inter-bank rates are being moderated. However, there had been a sluggish growth in monetary and credit aggregate since the beginning of the year." The apex bank, she added, therefore recommended "fiscal stimulus through the spending of capital release by the government." The minister said the reform by the CBN was spurred by "the deterioration in asset quality and liquidity problems. With significant exposure to the oil and gas and capital market, a section of the banking sector was badly affected." The minister also highlighted the reports and performances of six ministries, name the ministries of Police Affairs, Defence, Information and Communications, Commerce and Industry, Foreign Affairs and Justice. The review of the performances of the ministries under review, according to Akunyili, is part of the monthly assessments of the different ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) by the Council. Within the period under review, the minister said the Justice Ministry budgeted a total of N6 billion as judgment debts to further restore faith in government and in the rule of law programme.

Don't lose faith in Nigeria, say Yar'Adua, Mark

PRESIDENT Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has examined critical sectors of the nation and assured that the future was bright. He spoke this morning in a national broadcast to mark Nigeria's 49th independence anniversary. Also Senate President, David Mark, has urged Nigerians to renew their faith in the nation and stop being pessimistic. Yar'Adua looked at the problem of insecurity in the country, particularly the Niger Delta, infrastructure, the finance, especially the banks, inflation, gross domestic product (GDP), foreign reserve, transportation, the amnesty programme ending on Sunday, electricity, and others. He admitted that the dreams of the nation's founding fathers have not been completely met but again assured that the vision to join the league of the 20 largest industrialised nations by the year 2020 was still realisable. He said that the day offers "an opportunity for celebration, reflection, and rededication: Celebration of that historic day when we joined the league of free nations; reflection on how far we still have to go to give full meaning to our freedom, and the commitment we must continue to provide for the actualisation of the nation's dream of becoming one of the world's 20 largest economies by the year 2020." President Yar'Adua admitted that the "promise of independence is yet to be fully realised. This however does not diminish the value of freedom and the eternal significance of the sacrifice of those who suffered to make us free. Rather than become another day of self- flagellation, today should be a forceful reminder of the promise yet to be fulfilled, of the dream deferred for too long, and of the work that is still outstanding." According to him, the "necessary work of repositioning Nigeria has commenced apace, and the over-arching task should be how to remain focused on the twin challenges of enthroning democracy and achieving sustainable development." He spoke of the massive work his administration has done in the last two years in "confronting challenges of critical infrastructure, the Niger Delta, food security, security of lives and property, human capital development, land tenure and wealth creation." Yar'Adua hinted said that the goal of generating 6,000 megawatts of electricity by December was on course, the amnesty programme for repentant militants in the Niger Delta would end on Sunday and urged those who have not embraced it to do so. He said that the dredging of the River Niger would start soon, a holistic transportation system was being undertaken and work on ongoing roads across the country would continue. He praised the recent reform works in the banking sector and said that inflation has been checked. However, in a goodwill message on the occasion of the nation's 49th independence anniversary signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, Mark noted that renewed faith in the nation would act as a fresh catalyst for future growth, progress and development. Mark noted: "Over the years, there has been a gradual progressive and incremental loss of faith in Nigeria by her citizens. This has given rise to apathy and at extreme ends, outright hostility to the nation and her citizens." This attitude and trend, he observed, must be reversed, noting that abiding faith is a major ingredient of nation-building. Describing Nigerians as highly resilient and resourceful, the Senate President said that rather than bottle up anger, resentment and frustration against the nation, Nigerians should dig deep to rediscover their hidden core for the nation and harness same into creative energy that would engender growth and development. He argued that the resilient character of the Nigerian nation, which he said had seen her through several trials and tribulations, including the civil war, inter-religious crises, political and economic upheavals, was required at this critical point in the nation's quest for development. According to him: "At 49, no one can argue that Nigeria has realised its full potential. This notwithstanding, we have made remarkable strides, especially in our steady march towards democracy and the rule of law. There are some successes we have to celebrate and consolidate." Mark reiterated the desire and determination of the National Assembly to amend aspects of the 1999 Constitution, adding: "The lapses in the ground norm have become obvious. Our gift to Nigerians at this 49th independence anniversary is a firm promise to amend aspects of the constitution that would fast-track our nationhood and make Nigeria a nation of pride for our future generations." He assured that "the constitution amendment process would be open and transparent, as all our actions would be guided by the genuine wishes and desires of Nigerians." Mark also expressed concern over the lingering face-off between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government and called for amicable resolution. He urged ASUU to call off the strike and return to the classroom as a gift to the nation for the 49th independence anniversary. Meanwhile, in its own message, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) called for policies that would be beneficial to a majority of the people. In a statement made available to journalists yesterday, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Emmanuel Eneukwu, regretted that while the country had been blessed with enormous resources, both human and material, such potential had not been put to maximal use by the previous leaderships. According to him: "Ordinarily, we as citizens of the country should have every reason to be in celebrative mood, at least, for the fact that our dear country has attained this age, just one more year to the golden age of 50. So, for this reason, we must thank the Almighty God for keeping Nigeria united for these 49 years. "But beyond this, there is really very little to be cheerful about in the country today. What with the mounting unemployment of millions of our youths who are qualified and willing to work? "Is it the deplorable state of our roads most of which, in the last 11 years, have practically turned into death traps due largely to the lack of maintenance, in spite of the trillions of naira that has been appropriated for this purpose but which ironically has ended up in the private accounts of a few men of means and influence peddlers in our midst? "Is it the collapsed educational sector in which the university system has remained closed down for over three months while our leaders shamelessly fly into other countries to preside over the inauguration of a new university that we should be cheerful about? "Or are we to celebrate the embarrassing level of poverty in Nigeria today where majority of our people have no decent shelter over their heads nor can they afford to eat even twice a day? "Of course, the issue of power supply has become a luxury that discussing it is now a sheer waste of time. But if we must tell the truth, it has become a national shame that 49 years after our flag independence, Nigeria has become the largest market for electric generators which citizens spend over N700 billions of their hard earnings to fuel in a single year." He went further: "In all these however, the most embarrassing aspect of our national life in the last 49 years, has been our electoral system, which, since 1999, has continued to diminish the hope of the citizenry in participating in the process of deciding those who govern them. "Our failed electoral system, in addition to the unenviable record we have as one of the most corrupt nations in the world, has also become a source of concern to important members of the international community, so much that our dear country is treated like political leper among the comity of nations." On its own part, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said that the challenges of credible leadership and good governance have robbed the country of proper development and growth after about two decades of independence. Besides, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese in Kaduna, Dr. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, also said that there was nothing Nigerians should be happy about after 49 years of independence, pointing out that "our leaders have to do more for the needed growth in the country." The Northern elders prayed in a statement: "May God make it possible for the present generation of Nigerians and their leaders to experience many more decades of such epoch anniversary". The national publicity secretary of the forum, Mr. Anthony Sani, in the statement, stated that "from the beginning, the Nigerian independence meant freedom from the shackles of colonialism to do things ourselves in our ways', noting that "hardly anything seemed amis then". "There was giddy optimism in the Nigeria project, during which period the faith in the nation was infinite. Nigerians all laughed it up, toasting one another and basked in the glow of cloudless future because Nigeria felt young with bags of aspirations and hope". According to the elders that these hopes "inspired Nigerians to come together - in a united whole - for the express purpose of living up their synergistic potential for common good." They however noted that "but, in the past one or two decades, such aspirations and resolve have been bleared by challenges of leadership", stressing that "as a result, few Nigerians are able to take basic needs for granted." "Yet, the situation is not beyond redemption, considering the human and natural resources, and given the political will needed to spur reforms that will make the peoples' votes count for emergence of leaders, at all levels of governments, who will have abiding faith in the judgement of the people; leaders who will construct a political order". Meanwhile, Bishop Idowu-Fearon urged Nigerians to be more dedicated for the building of a vibrant and prosperous Nigerian nation. By onajomo Orere (Lagos), Mohammed Abubakar (Abuja) and Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna)