After 34 years of assassination of the country’s revered revolutionary leader, Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso has commenced the prosecution of a former President Blaise Compaore and 13 others involved, Al-Jazeera reports.
Compaore and 13 others are facing an array of charges in the death of Sankara, described by his followers as the African Che Guevara.
The killing of Sankara, an icon of pan-Africanism, has for years cast a dark shadow over the Sahel state.
Sankara and 12 others were riddled with bullets by a hit squad in October 1987 during a putsch that brought his friend and comrade-in-arms Compaore to power.
Al-Jazeera has reported that Compaore, the chief accused, stated through his lawyers last week that he would boycott the trial.
The former West African nation's leader will be tried in absentia by the military court in the capital, Ouagadougou.
Compaore ruled the country for the next 27 years before being deposed by a popular uprising and fleeing to neighbouring Ivory Coast, which granted him citizenship.
He has always denied the allegations leveled against him that he orchestrated the Sankara's murder.
He and his former right-hand man, General Gilbert Diendere, who once led the elite Presidential Security Regiment, face charges of complicity in murder, harming state security and complicity in the concealment of corpses.
On Monday, after several hours, proceedings were adjourned until October 25 after defence lawyers said they were confronted with 20,000 documents and had had little time to prepare their case.
They requested a one-month postponement but were granted a stay of two weeks by judge Urbain Meda.
Days before the trial opened on Monday, his lawyers announced he would not be attending a “political trial” flawed by irregularities, and insisted he enjoyed immunity as a former head of state.
Diendere, 61, is already serving a 20-year sentence for masterminding a plot in 2015 against the transitional government that followed Compaore’s removal.
Another prominent figure among the accused is Hyacinthe Kafando, a former chief warrant officer in Compaore’s presidential guard, who is accused of leading the hit squad. He is on the run.
A young army captain and Marxist-Leninist, Sankara came to power in a coup in 1983 aged just 33.
He changed the country’s name from Upper Volta, a legacy of the French colonial era, to Burkina Faso, which means “the land of honest men."
He lobbied with a socialist agenda of nationalisation and prohibited female genital mutilation, polygamy and forced marriages.
Like Ghana’s former leader Jerry Rawlings, he became an idol in left-wing circles in Africa, applauded for his radical policies and defiance of the big powers.
Burkina Faso has long been burdened by silence over the assassination – during Compaore’s long time in office, the subject was taboo – and many are angry that the killers have gone unpunished.
“The trial will mark the end to all the lying – we will get a form of truth. But the trial will not be able to restore our dream,” Halouna Traore, a comrade of Sankara and survivor of the putsch, said in a TV interview.
PoliticsNewsAddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
A Story trended in the social media on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, the International Teachers Day. On that day, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Alhaji Yahaya Mohammad as a Board Member of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Many Nigerians appeared scandalised that the Senate would clear a man who was born on September 29, 1969 but had started school in 1968; that is the year before he was born.
Owei Lakemfa
It was also unsettling for them that the nominee had claimed he attended the Borno Teachers College for thirteen years from 1975.
That means he started his post-primary education at the age of seven and finished the five-year course when he was 20. Simultaneously, he attended the professional College of Administration Studies in 1980 when he was a 12-year old boy. This man clearly, was a child prodigy.
Personally, I see nothing strange in a man beginning primary school before he was born because children are educated before they are born. Otherwise, where would a new born baby have learnt how to cry? Where would it have learnt that when hungry, it should yell for nutrients or breast milk?
It is a well-known fact that for us Nigerians, education is not just life-long, but eternal; it is before birth and after death. That is why it is not uncommon for people to speak to a corpse at the grave side.
They admonish it on various issues, remind it of past or pending matters and generally tell it not to forget the loved ones it has left behind. Sometimes the corpse during burial, is sent on errands; it is told to convey the greetings of the living to deceased loved ones in the land of the dead.
The Yorubas know this better than any other Nigerian nationality. They tell the corpse to continue its education eternally. There is a standard instruction they give the corpse: “When you get to heaven, neither eat millipedes nor worms, rather, eat what is eaten there.” In other words, the deceased is to study the dietary pattern in heaven. It is like saying when in Rome, behave like a Roman.
Although teachers are told their reward is in heaven, they neither teach the unborn nor the dead; they teach only the living on surface earth, and they do a good job doing so. This is why I agree that: “Teachers are the keys that unlock the student’s mind.”
It is also a truism that while: “the architect makes houses, the writer makes poetry, the scientist makes discoveries, the teacher makes them all.” In other words: “Teachers make all other professions possible.” So: “If there were no teachers, all other professions will not exist.” The point is, if you can read this, thank your teacher.
Teachers Day in Nigeria has become a ritual during which the Presidency plays the role of chief priest casting divination which shows a better future for teachers. This year, two major promises the Buhari administration made to teachers are: an enhanced salary system and extending their retirement age from 60 to 65 years. These are familiar promises; they were the same made during the 2020 Teachers Day.
In fact, the issue of an enhanced teachers’ salary system dates back to 2006 during the Obasanjo administration. It was called the Teachers Salary Scale, TSS. It is similar to the University Salary Scale, USS.
The Yar’Adua administration, 2007-2009, formalised the TSS. Since then, its implementation has been trying to burrow through the bureaucracy underground. So for over a dozen years now, the Jonathan, and now the Buhari administrations on every Teachers Day, make the same promises.
The extension of the teachers retirement age by five years is even an older promise since the retirement age of lecturers in the universities has been sixty five. In fact in 2010 the then Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu announced the implementation of a new retirement age in the universities; that for professors was extended from 65 to 70, and for the non-academic staff from 60 to 65 years.
But why are teachers pleased whenever they are teased that their retirement age will be extended? It is poverty. Nigeria has evolved so well that to be a pensioner is to be sentenced to a life of penury. First, it takes eternity for the once-off bulk retirement payment, called gratuity to be paid.
Secondly, pension payment has never been a priority of governments at state and federal levels. Thirdly, subsequent adjustments to pension in line with continuous currency devaluation, hyper-inflation and salary increases, are usually not reflected, or reflected very late for pensioners. So the average Nigerian worker lives in fear of retirement.
This is in sharp contrast to their European counterparts who look forward to retirement. I recall during my March 2012 visit to factories like BMW in Germany, there were protests and strikes over the decision of some governments in Europe to increase retirement age by an average two years.
The workers felt they needed more time for holidays and with their families. I reflected that in contrast, Nigerian workers and professionals were clamouring to postpone their retirement as long as possible even if it means tampering with their official records.
In any case, with mass unemployment among young graduates including those with degrees in education, does it not make more sense for teachers to be encouraged to take due retirement and be handsomely rewarded so more employment opportunities can be available for the young?
Whatever the case, we all need teachers, whether old or young. For instance, teachers are needed to organise refresher courses for the Nigeria Army.
Soldiers in Onitsha had arrested popular actor Chiwetalu Agu for wearing a cloth emblazoned with the defunct Biafra coat of arms. First the army statement announced that it was the “very well-known attire” of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
This is incorrect because that was the symbol of Biafra from 1967, the same year IPOB founder, Nnamdi Kanu was born. Secondly, various organisations in Eastern Nigeria wear it. So the army’s conclusion that by the actor wearing such a cloth in his film company bus, amounts to “soliciting” support for IPOB, is illogical.
More to my point. Viral videos showed soldiers pushing the famous actor at gun point, forcing him to the ground, dragging him on the tarred road before finally carrying him like a piece of rag. Yet the army told Nigerians and the world that: “he (Agu) was not assaulted or subjected to brutalisation.”
You see why teachers are needed to explain that brutalisation or assault is to visit physical violence on somebody, which was what soldiers in the video did to the veteran actor. May we never lack teachers in our lives.
OpinionAddThis : Original Author : Owei Lakemfa Disable advertisements :
The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari that the fighter jets he is acquiring will be used to destroy the country.
According to Sun, the cleric who spoke on Sunday during a sermon at Adoration ground in Emene advised the president to rather focus on building more industries to absorb unemployed youths.
Recall that President Buhari, last week, confirmed receipt of new fighter jets which he said will be deployed against any form of insecurity in all parts of the country.
Mbaka however warned that, “The jets you are buying are going to be used to collapse Nigeria. Please, the first person to meet President Buhari after this message; should tell him that all these jets he is buying will be used to destroy Nigeria. God told me to tell him that all these jets are going to be used to destroy Nigeria. Let him stop buying more jets and begin to build more industries.
“We don’t want to hear that our children are being killed. Those that are being bombed are Nigerians. Nobody is going to give an award to a mother or a father for killing his or her children. The solution is simple. Put the round peg in the round hole and banditry will die.
“People are not agitating for nothing. Listen to the reason for their agitation; because even in the military, there is agitation. In the police, there is agitation. In the church there is agitation. In the families, people are agitating. Drivers are agitating, businessmen are agitating.
“Use the money and solve the problem otherwise, you are buying jets that aggrieved people will take up and scatter people. If it doesn’t happen soon, it will happen later. Do you know how many billions are used to buy these jets? If they put some of these billions into job creation, the youths will be busy, parents will be happy that their children are going to work and coming back.
“The Spirit of God is not happy with our leaders no matter how they will want to paint it. If all the men of God will be silent, the Spirit of God will not be silent. When the poor masses are crying, we the men of God should be crying with them because they are our children.”
ChristianityInsecurityNewsAddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
Families, friends and courtiers of the abducted Emir of Bungudu, Hassan Attahiru, have expressed uncertainty over the fate of the monarch, BBC Hausa reports.
The emir was abducted by bandits on September 14, while travelling to Abuja. His police orderly was killed in the incident and another police officer taken with the monarch.
Attahiru, a first class emir, is a former Secretary to the Government of Zamfara State.
The secretary of the emirate council, Usman Ibrahim, said that they had not heard anything about the emir.
“From when he was abducted, some of our people that were out of the state were discussing with the kidnappers. We thought they would release him. Our people told us that they were discussing with the kidnappers and they told them he was alive,” he said.
He, however, lamented that lack of access to mobile telecommunications networks in the area also complicated the situation.
Ibrahim said the Emirate Council was at a loss on the true situation of the emir.
Another member of the royal family interviewed by the BBC Hausa also expressed uncertainty about the whereabouts of the emir.
“Nobody knows. Nobody can say anything on whether he is alive or not. We feel he is alive but we are not certain. They (kidnappers) said they would release him when we pay the ransom but we have not heard anything from when we took the money to them.
“From that time (when ransom was paid) I don’t think there has been anyone from here who spoke with him (the emir),” the unnamed source said.
But he said it was possible the lack of communication was due to the absence of mobile telecommunications networks in most parts of the state.
InsecurityNewsAddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
Human rights and pro-democracy group, TakeItBack Movement, has tackled the Lagos State Police Command over its recent statement warning against the commemoration of #EndSARS in the state.
Last year, thousands of youths had stormed the streets to protest against police brutality and demand good governance.
But the demonstration, which lasted for days, came to an abrupt end after personnel of the Nigerian Army opened fire on some of the protesters on the night of October 20, 2020.
In honour of those who lost their lives during the protests and on the night of the attack on the demonstrators, youths in the country announced an anniversary to mark the occasion.
The anniversary is scheduled to hold on October 20.
In a recent statement, however, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, warned youths against the anniversary.
Reacting to the police statement, the TakeItBack Movement slammed the planned attempt to stifle peaceful demonstration, saying such is undemocratic.
In a statement by Festus Ogun, its legal adviser, the group said the protest is a fundamental right of Nigerians as contained in the constitution.
It also vowed to resist any attempt by the Lagos police to harass and intimidate peaceful protesters.
The group said, “The statement credited to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, warning citizens not to exercise their fundamental rights to protest during the commemoration of the #EndSars Massacre Anniversary is unconscionable, draconian and a reckless invitation to anarchy. Concerned Nigerians have taken his words like those of stand-up comedians.
"CP Hakeem Odumosu has no such power, right or authority to warn against, prohibit or outlaw protests. That will be acting the fragile limits of his powers and against the constitution. He cannot, under our extant laws, interfere with the hallowed right to protest under any guise. The only legal duty he has is to ensure the security and welfare of all protesters; which must be professionally done.
"#EndSars Memorial Demonstration is a constitutionally guaranteed right. Sections 39, 40 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as altered, safeguard and guarantee the right to protest as a human right that shall be enjoyed by all citizens without arbitrary restraint or careless warning. Articles 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Enforcement and Ratification) Act equally protect the right to protest. Additionally, Articles 18-21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 fully protect the constitutional liberty to protest.
"Emphasising the sacred nature of the right to protest in a constitutional democracy, the Court of Appeal in the case of IGP V. ANPP (2008) 12 WRN 65 held that “certainly in a democracy, it is the right of citizens to conduct peaceful processions, rallies or demonstrations without seeking and obtaining permission from anybody. It is a right guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and any law that attempts to curtail such right is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
"Rather than becoming restless about the looming inevitable revolution that will be witnessed in our country, in the fullness of time, the police chief is advised to ensure the right of protesters are fully protected.
"A police notorious for extrajudicial killing, torture, extortion and brutality lacks the legal and moral right to warn or caution victims on how to demand a better life. The audacity is provocative, scandalous and insulting.
"We shall not condone any form of harassment, intimidation, brutalisation or arrest. We shall resist any attempt to encroach on our constitutionally guaranteed rights. The police and other security agencies are hereby put on notice and they should be guided accordingly."
#EndSARSACTIVISMNewsAddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
![[GIST] Burkina Faso Opens Trial On 1987 Assassination Of Revolutionary Leader, Sankara](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vc_MBeV9AaJXQrwZQlXYp5ASWsZZhGyOWlNNG25BBBNAg4qMEMghDRI5n8r86yX2SZK8j38rECUUQxDav6Eq9EXq2C4Pqzao4LO-ww0TcS1OQv78LUgXE3lvJ977IeD6XLxVieCflDUdcFW7_u7W8kKF8eIJ00yMI=s0-d "[GIST] Burkina Faso Opens Trial On 1987 Assassination Of Revolutionary Leader, Sankara")
![[GIST] Educating Nigerians Before Birth And After Death, By Owei Lakemfa](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v6I16svqCO5UiOOlleXICWuTUVcu_oH5ykZCSw5EFCdKvSSO8HvaNt1_H7ad63WZIGAhGTODLoqkB-fXeYYN608Ma8j3IqyMDuGJcBz3BB5JpQeGR0GXvAYMcm43jNHDbcJQ=s0-d "[GIST] Educating Nigerians Before Birth And After Death, By Owei Lakemfa")
![[GIST] Buhari Wasting Resources On Fighter Jets That’ll Be Used To Destroy Nigeria – Father Mbaka Warns](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vi_UlGwr380ihM3O50JTw1J4oe9B4e6dY8TaM_s8C1i_2P2vFlmFdSS6pJVt5nbfOJKS6vO3l5_d_wBu9dL7GQWGNXel3HYOQ6jPN3uwg2E3Gvl4Zr8ojrOUdM5mSXAHmU0BmIWzo=s0-d "[GIST] Buhari Wasting Resources On Fighter Jets That’ll Be Used To Destroy Nigeria – Father Mbaka Warns")
![[GIST] Zamfara Monarch Spends Four Weeks In Captivity Of Bandits](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_ss_7nOYnJfjBSjqf3UXs1Jvm80TYrtuteR4bC_PnKkffX9tePwgB5q14a1ft0LKBTAhL5jP4yVnmY_dTJChKPgPaGH85oT8Kk490Tw9dkkhZjLcf8XmuV_rjPjy-38Xw=s0-d "[GIST] Zamfara Monarch Spends Four Weeks In Captivity Of Bandits")
![[GIST] Don’t Harass October 20 Protesters, Protect Them —TakeItBack Movement Warns Lagos Police Ahead Of #EndSARS Anniversary](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s41plgdT-VhykMNzH4IX6L1cohFvuPs0iWz2u7SRLfpawcWI_kp2b9_DCSBy3g3do-b6VhI_oCh8aGXh-DMkCHPq040P_a75iglXHuL8Rw5mjy380kdsqhtAxLK8DKqMFT37r4gA=s0-d "[GIST] Don’t Harass October 20 Protesters, Protect Them —TakeItBack Movement Warns Lagos Police Ahead Of #EndSARS Anniversary")
