Organised Labour on Wedneday received the death of the past president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)), Comrade Pascal Bafyau with rude shock, even as the Congress promised to immortalize the late labour leader.
President of the NLC in an interview with the Daily Sun said that the death came as a serious shock to the Congress as the past president was never reported ill and the Congress was still mourning one of its officers, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde who was murdered in Edo state last week.
“Comrade Bafyau was a strong pillar of the Congress who played a major role in what the NLC is today”, he said.
Omar said the late Bafyau was equally a veritable ally and intermediary between labour and the government, noting that his death at this period in the history of the labour movement in Nigeria was never anticipated.
“Among our modern day presidents of the Congress he was the first to have gone to the great beyond, hence the NLC would be playing a very important role in his burial looking at his contribution to the labour movement in the country. We are waiting for the family to roll out the burial programme to see where we will come in, but definitely we are going to be actively involved”, he said.
Comrade Omar’s counterpart in the TUC, Comrade Peter Esele also was short of words when he learnt about the demise of the late labour leader, whom he described as a dogged fighter.
According to him he was together at a rally with the late labour Icon in Edo last week to give support to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s political campaign for the second term in office, despite Bafyau political inclination.
“The late Bafyau was a dogged fighter, who believe in fighting for the cause of Nigerian workers. Even when we met in Edo last week, he was still giving us advice on what we can do to move the labour movement forward”, he stated.
The TUC President General said that the late Bafyau’s death was a great loss and sad news for the entire Nigeria, stressing that he would be greatly missed by the labour movement.
“He contributed to what we know as the NLC today, foundation and the structure of the NLC took root during Pascal time”, he added.
Esele’s statement was confirmed by the press statement which Comrade Omar later signed to announce the death of the labour leader, who was reported to have suffered a severe cardiac arrest and passed on 11.30p.m on Tuesday on his way to the hospital.
Comrade Paschal Myeleri Bafyau, Omar noted had led the NLC as President from 1988 to 1994.
“The five years he was NLC President were the turbulent years of the Generals Babangida and Abacha regimes. Comrade Bafyau had been elected NLC President in December 1988 after a ten-month seizure of the Congress by the Babangida regime.
His Presidency ended in 1994 when the Military under General Abacha again seized the Congress”, stated the NLC President.
The incumbent NLC president said that despite the turbulent period in the country’s history at which the late labour leader operated,which included the June 12 crises, Comrade Bafyau still made remarkable achievements as NLC President.
“These include the building of the 12-Storey Labour House in Abuja, establishment of the Labour Transport Service (now Labour City Transport), the founding of the now defunct Labour Bank (LACON),
and the establishment of the old Labour Party in 1989.
“But perhaps what he would be best remembered for was the strive for a strong and united Labour Movement. This, saw in 1988, the uniting of the two factions of the NLC, the Democrats and Progressives, which were engaged in a fratricidal ideological struggle”, he expressed.
Other commitments of the late labour leader include: “Bafyau was Board Chairman of the National Mass Education Commission from 2009, member of the 1986 Political Bureau and the 1987 Constituent Assembly.
“He was also a Board member of the Urban Development Bank (UDBN), the Nigeria Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), and the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)”.
Omar added that Comrade Bafyau dedicated his adult life to the Labour Movement beginning from 1969 when at 22, he was elected the North East Branch Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Railwaymen (NUR), and rose to be the NUR General Secretary in 1982.
“Throughout his life, Comrade Bafyau lived in the best traditions of the Labour Movement. He worked hard for sustainable democracy in the country. He also shunned material things; despite the height he attained in labour and politics, as at the time of his death, he lived in a rented house in Abuja.
“His death is a big blow to the Labour Movement and the democratic process in the country”, he maintained.
After leading the NLC from 1988, he quit in 1994 to join politics. He was a member of the defunct Social Democratic Party and participated in Abacha’s transition politics.
Until his death, Bafyau, who hailed from Adamawa, was a member of the PDP.

BEADS are like magic pearls that beautify every neck, wrist, ankle or the waist. To a Krobo woman, they are a way of life.

The uniqueness of beads and their agility in adding colour and meaning to modern fashion, have created a burgeoning market for the piece of Ghanaian jewelry.

Beads making has consequently found its rightful place in the creative industry and many businesses are springing up around it.

Belwik Art Enterprise is one such endeavours which was founded out of an overriding impetus of the owner to contribute to the arts and culture in Ghana. This crave to follow her passion, compelled Mrs Yvette Kporjroh to make a dramatic switch of jobs from where she had originally received training to a completely different world of endeavour.

Prior to establishing Belwik Art Enterprise for beads designing, batik making and wood polishing, Yvette worked as a telephonist at the National Theatre, Accra.

But her passion for the creative industry soon overrun her love for the telephone, forcing her to part ways with her employer in 2006 to take up training in the business from a friend.

She told the GRAPHIC BUSINESS that such a decision was to enable her live her dream of venturing into the handicraft. The fruits of that six-year-old decision have been the thriving Belwik Art Enterprise which does beads design, artifacts and produces nice crafts of batik for people of strata in Accra and beyond.

The business also trains interested persons in the various areas that it operates in.

However, since the business survives on frequent capital injection, Mrs Kporjroh said inadequate working capital was one of the challenges facing Belwik Enterprise.

“The demand has been very good but our only challenge is the injection of working capital to finance an expansion to meet the growing demand,” she told the GRAPHIC BUSINESS.

She further explained that “I sometimes go to shows and people express interest in my products but I become stuck since I don’t have money to produce for them.”

According to her, for the fear of getting drowned with high interest rates, Mrs Kporjroh she has never attempted to go for loans from any financial institution in the country although she would have wished to access more funds to expand her business.

“The interest rates are high and that is scaring me from going for a loan from the banks. If I should go for a loan and I’m not able to pay for it, what do I do,” she asked.

Another challenge for her business is the high rent charged for exhibition space at fairs and the general expensive nature of attending fairs to give the needed exposure to the products outside the country as some of the difficulties plaguing not only his company but the creative industry as a whole.

In spite of the challenges, Mrs. Kporjroh sees a brighter future for the handicraft industry, as Belwik Enterprise had so far been a great success.

“It has exposed me. People know me and they call me to work for them. I have also travelled to many countries including Zambia, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Benin, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire. I hope to exhibit my goods in Europe soon,” elated Yvette told the GRAPHIC BUSINESS with beaming smiles.

In an attempt to give back to the society Belwik Enterprise started an initiative in 2009 to train women in the areas of operations to “enable me to empower others so that they become independent and create wealth for themselves.”

Her application for support from the National Commission on Culture yielded fruits as the commission granted her GH¢5,000. According to Yvette, she used the funds to purchase training equipment for her workshop.

Belwik currently employs four ladies but has the capacity to increase the intake provided she could scale up her capital and expand the workshop.

She expressed the frustration that although the venture could employ more hands, the lack of space and finance was stalling expansion and employment generation.

Sharing her experiences on Ghana’s creative industry, she said “Ghanaian products are unique. People show interest at all times when you go to fairs. But mostly, due to financial constraints we go with small goods and even when people are ready to buy we don’t have enough.”

Mrs Kporjroh appealed for support in the area of finance, promotion and marketing opportunities, an endeavour the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) has been performing on a small scale within its resource limitations.

While commending the GEPA for supporting the creative industry, Mrs Kporjroh appealed for more of such support and collaboration with the industry even when there were no exhibitions.

She also wants the government and other stakeholders of the sector to direct more funds and support to make the sector more vibrant as it was an avenue for employment creation.

A mother of four, Mrs Kporjroh says she enjoys training others, particularly young females, in such employable and innovative skills.

As a result, she said, her outfit wants to set up a training institute to train more people in creative designs. GB

Aspirant Bishop Christian R.A. Cole

The latest aspirant that has made his intention known is Bishop Christian R.A. Cole. He is president of the Multi Religious Council for Peace and Justice.

Speaking to SALONE TIMES over the weekend Bishop Cole said as part of his manifesto his administration will deploy Sanitary Inspectors and Dog Police in addition to other functionaries that will monitor the cleaning process to prevent health hazards.

“My administration will arrest reckless expenditure, luxurious life style and will ensure probity in fiscal expenditure.”

He said he noticed that in the past years when council had matured and experienced leadership like the late Lucien Jannet, Dr. June Holst Roness up to the Late Akibo Betts there were major developments in Freetown City Council and the traditional ethos was maintained.

“Over the past decade, we have seen a rapid decline in the council administration due to indiscretion, arrogance and corruption. These maladies threaten to almost ground the City Council administration,” he said.

Bishop Cole went on to say that it is unfortunate that they are witnessing a political succession in the council whereby they ‘stage-manage and hijack the position of Mayor’. This he said deny the choice of the people.

“This does not make for competence. Through that most of them end up to fail or become corrupt.”

Bishop Cole a one time Member of Parliament and Commissioner for Oath said with his vast experience he will not sit down and allow Freetown to decay. Bishop Christian R.A. Cole also served as the student secretary in the Ministry of Education, District Officer of Bo among others.

“My rescue plans include: to ensure probity by making sure that there is financial accountability of all rates and taxes pay and that such money are spent deliciously. As I already started two years ago, I will intensify the cleaning of the city which is in a very bad state at the moment.”

He stated that in addition to prioritize education he will ensure that the bulk of the youths especially the girl child access basic education by providing a level playing field and offering scholarships where possible.

“I will dismantle the old age pursuit of education by connectocracy and replace it with merit. I will also support the infrastructural development of President Koroma by first ensuring an ultramodern city hall in an appropriate location, decked with a library, adult education auditorium and a youth centre.”

In the area of sports Bishop Cole said he will explore the possibility of creating three separate game parks; one in the east, central and west that will prevent the usual accident which normally occur by kids when playing.

“I intend to look into taxation more closely and critically in a manner that will not be a burden to the citizens but will also increase revenue,”

In the area of cemeteries and markets he said will take the appropriate steep to arrest all form of loitering in that sacred area. “I will personally engage in cleaning city market as that will be part of my priority when elected in to the office of the Mayor of Freetown.

On the side of subscribers the liberalization of the international gateway should have paved the way for them to access cheaper international calls which should have alleviated the cost of communication. From research, Sierra Leone is the only country in the sub region that has the highest cost for international calls.  This, according to sources is because of the monopoly of the international gateway by SIERRATEL.

Sources within the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) informed SALONE TIMES that Teltac is a consulting firm for SIERRATEL to control the international gateway but stated that with the liberalization of the international gateway it would make communication simple and affordable and operation and with the advent of the fibre optic communication will be at easy as the international gateway should not be monopolized.

“We encounter a lot of problems whenever we make international calls,” said Isata Conteh a mother of six. She went on to say they only rely on their relatives abroad who mostly call once a month if the line is bad then they are lost for that month. “We have experienced this for several months now, our hope for survival is with them, and at times the little I have to manage life I use to return the call.”

February 15, 2012 should been the compulsion date for the amendment of the Act by repealing the applicable provision of Section 33 and replacing them with provision that ends international gateway monopoly. The final Act of the international gateway monopoly should be completed by July 5, 2012 provided the Information Minister moves the motion of amendment or repeal of section 33.

In January 2012, newspapers published a press release from the Information and Communication Ministry in relation to the Liberalization of the International gateway. The release stated that “Government of Sierra Leone has received a credit from the International Development Association (IDA) as part of the West Africa Regional communications Infrastructure Program (WARCIP-SL), and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this credit to payments under the contract for consultants’ services for the revision of the Telecommunication Act 2006 and related regulatory instruments.”

The services from document given to SALONE TIMES include but not limited to the following, “provide assistance to the National Telecommunications Commission Act 2006 as amended in 2009 and the all proposed (draft) legislations together with existing regulations of NATCOM with a view to revision of the act. The draft legislation should embrace Fair Competition, Transparency, Improved access and Protection of Consumer interests and should be conducive to private sector investment. It should be in conformity with international best practices in these areas and incorporate flexibility for easy adaptation to changes in Technology.”

From the above statement, subscribers are asking what is causing the delay for the enforcement of this act. “Is it for the benefit of SIERRATEL as against the interest of the subscribers?  Subscribers pointed out that if SIERRATEL cannot manage its affairs well, it is better for them to pack up and go, through that they said they can enjoy the value of their money with cheaper and quality communication.

NEC data centre

These were the exact words of the Chief Electoral Commissioner/ Chairperson of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) Dr. Christiana A. M. Thorpe while addressing the press and other stakeholders at NEC national data centre, Wellington over the weekend.

Dr. Thorpe went on to say that to date, the commission has completed the uploading and extraction of data captured from the field between 23^rd January and 25^th March, 2012 and that 99% of these have been fed to the data centre server.

“The consolidated data have been set to undergo duplicate analysis and biometric matching and printing of ID cards. These activities have been outsourced to Zetes, a reputable service provider in Belgium and the UK,” she said.

In his explanation about The De-Duplication Process, Commissioner Stephen Aiah Mattia said ”this is the process by which each voter’s fingerprints will be compared against all other fingerprints on the Voter Registration database. This means that the 2,701, 299 provisional figure provided by NEC will be multiplied by two giving a total of 5,402,598 fingerprints which will be compared against each other.”

He went on to say that the de-Duplication is necessary because the BVR kits used during the exercise were not networked. Therefore, while it was possible to detect people who attempted to register more than one in the same BVR kit, it was not possible to detect anyone who registered in a different BVR kit while the registration was on.

Officially opening the NEC National Data Centre, Commissioner for the Western area National Commission for Democracy (NCD) Madam Georgette De Marke said NEC has fulfilled the electrical mandate based on the 2012 electoral act. She commend the Chairperson and the entire staff for their relentless effort  in making sure that Sierra Leone once again hold a peaceful and readable elections this year.

She called on the government and donor partners to give their support for the timely completion of the regional data center before the start of the exhibition process as the national center was done on time.

Islamic women ready to change women's style

The event which took place at the Institute of Islamic Studies in Freetown was organized by the Islamic College,  and the Iranian Cultural Consulate.

The day itself is on the 20^th of Jomadi –Thane 12 of May 2012.

Speaking on the aspect of the Fatima Zahara as a role model for women, the Iranian Cultural Consulate Mohamed Sofla said that celebration is to reflect on the greatness of Fatima.

He noted that to understand Islam, one has to know Fatima as well. He said that Fatima is the role model for Islam and Mary is the role model for Christians.

He described Fatima as the bedrock for salvation and development in humanity. He advised that no Muslim woman will succeed if she fails the acknowledge and practice the legacies of Fatima.

He went on to congratulated all Sierra Leoneans on this day. He described Fatima (SA) as the dearest and best daughter of our Holy Prophet (S) as the Holy Prophet (S) loved her the most.

The Cultural Consul stated further that with Fatima as their model, women can learn to fight injustice and oppression. He noted that “We turn from ourselves to others. She really was, and is still our symbol, our model, our heroine. This is not to deny the spiritual presence and essence of Fatima, who has inspired thousands of artists, poets, writers and artisans.”

Lady Aisah said: “I have never seen anyone whose habit, character and manner of speech were as similar to the Prophet as Fatima.”

Adding, “Fatima is a perfect example of an ideal woman, of what a woman could be and no one has become. Hussein and Zainab, the sister and the brother, who brought such a deep revolution in the history of mankind, gave a sense of honor to freedom, and opposed despotism and oppression.

“Oh, yes! We as Muslim women should spare no effort in trying to understand her dignity and in order to know ourselves and our status in Islam and to make the world better than ever,” he said.

In his address the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sierra Leone Dr. Maliki congratulated all women for the celebration. He lauded the importance of the celebration and urged all women to follow Fatima’s footsteps. He noted that her life time earth was short but did a lot to improve Islam and the women. He said Fatima was four years old when her mother Kadija died and suffered many circumstances. She succeeded because she was herself.

In her statement, Mrs. Nadiatu Bah spoke on the humility of Fatima as a woman. She said that Fatima gave birth to four children and gave them care, courage and mercy. She noted Fatima learnt a lot from her parents and thus applied it in her lifetime. She said Fatima was obedient, content and served as an administrator. She said not is different from Fatima except her way of life.

Another contributor was made by the wife of the Ambassador Mrs. Maliki. She also explained the life history of Fatima which she said women should follow. She said her life was full of wonder.

Meanwhile, the birthday of Fatima coincides with the birthday of Imam Khomeini leader and founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran Revolution but not the same year.

Another speaker was Sheik Tejan Sillah, Dr. Javad Raghavi among others. Distribution of gifts to women climax the celebration.

Officials of IFM addressing the press

Maldives Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) issues broadcasting license to Islamic Foundation of the Maldives (IFM) – the largest Islamic organization in the Maldives – on Thursday to establish a television channel.

Addressing the press at IFM office, the popular preacher Sheikh Ibrahim Fareed Ahmed, also the vice president of IFM scholars council said the license was originally registered for a company named “Meeqath”, but the TV channel will be managed and operated by the organization under an agreement.

The channel will not broadcast any content about politics and contrary to Islam, he said, adding the main purpose to establish a TV channel is to educate people and to tackle social issues.

Sheikh Fareed said the channel is targeted for all the age groups and both genders, and special programmes to be also made for women.

Maldives – a chain of 1,190 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean – is ranked 73 according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF)’s press freedom index between 2010 and 2011.

Currently, four TV channels are being broadcasted in the country.

NPA General Manager

TRACE’s journey to Freetown from Bo was full of fun. Happily TRACE made it to Freetown. As soon as it  entered Freetown TRACE was stuck in traffic for over two hours in the city centre on its way to Bo. To the glory of God TRACE got a smooth ride in the city centre. When TRACE reached home the first welcome it  got was that of non electricity. TRACE was expecting electricity more especially when it was Sunday evening but that welcome which it received made it to feel flabbergasted.

An hour of TRACE  returned, TRACE’s fiancée paid a visit.  When she entered, her first question was “Don’t you have light?” TRACE was thinking what to say and at the same time stirring at her, “You seem very hot and tired?” she continued. “This is what I met. What is the problem with the light these days?” Trace asked. Mama as Trace used to call her was quick to respond to that question “I should ask you that question because your work gives you the power to know more than I do when it comes to the running of government.” I told her that I would investigate first thing in the morning and would tell her what the problem is. “No problem,” she replied. TRACE spent the night uncomfortably. The heat was like someone that was close to a fire.

TRACE passed the night by the grace of God, soon day break. TRACE first interview was done at the National Power Authority (NPA). Climbing the steps of NPA, TRACE was thinking what the response of their Public Relations Office (PRO) would be. TRACE finally made it on to the fourth floor of the NPA building straight to the office of the PRO Victor Wilson Clarke. TRACE’s conversation with the PRO cleared many rumors that were spreading around. But the most disturbing thing TRACE discovered from the PRO was the shutting down of the almighty Bumbuna on May 10 this year. If it happens it will be the second time in one year Bumbuna is shutting down according to record.

“It was first shut down in February. The May 10th shut down will cost NPA Le 7 billion to help sustain the Kingtom plant until Bumbuna comes on again.” Mr. Clarke told TRACE.

This now was TRACE concern. “Bumbuna is currently supplying 7 mega watts in Freetown which is far from its original 18 mega watts, due to the drop in the water level and NPA is paying Le 1 billion weekly to Bumbuna despite their output to NPA,” he told TRACE.

This was a bit disturbing how NPA pays such amount of money with no condition. Could it be that some one is benefiting from such plan. Its reminded TRACE of a sayings give unto Ceaser what belong to Ceaser. But to Bumbuma they are collecting what does not belong to them. Can you imagine that they are producing 7 megawatts now and they are collecting Le 1 Billion weekly.

The company is also sending Le 2 Billion weekly to sustain the plants at Kingtom Power Station. Despite the frantic effort NPA is making to provide 24 hours electricity to this nation, there are people that are undermining that effort.

Hearing this TRACE Trace was quick to give them a grade mark of 40 percent. It seems that they are making frantic effort to provide sustainable electricity to the nation. NPA has been meeting stiff challenges in the collection of its bills. It has therefore taken proactive measures in its bid to collect its bills. This is true, the latest move take by NPA to arrest those  that are in the habit of stealing electricity clearly  indicates that NPA is ready to provide electricity to this nation. The company was able to recover over One Hundred and Fifteen Million Leones in one operation.

With such a huge sum of money shows how people are yearning to move the country backwards while others are yearning to move forward.

In the area of Freetown blackout which Mama TRACE wanted to know about, Mr. Clarke said “Our machines are in good order but there is shortage of Marine Fuel Oil (MFO) in the country. The MFO is bought by National Petroleum (np) which has promised to come with supply this week. We have not got enough fuel to run the engine.  Meanwhile only one or two machines are running,”

TRACE went deeper after leaving the office of the PRO and discovered that most government offices including the office of the President at State House have been in total blackout for the past two days. TRACE learnt that government owes NPA Billions of Leones for non payment of utility bills.

It is very interesting that a government which is preaching about sustainable energy is not paying their bills. As TRACE is training for the fight to uproot those that are in the habit of stealing NPA electricity and bring them to book, TRACE called also on NPA to supervise some of their staff members who according to investigation are the ones connecting illegal connection. They are not even thinking about their job if they are caught on the act. Or they are still thinking that NPA is still in the dark days where people can do whatever they want to do and go scout free.

One other strategy NPA has introduced is the public display of Meters in homes and offices, the line of cables from the pole to the meter should be transparent.

Mr. Clarke said they are going to continue to change to prepaid meters in the remaining areas under NPA purview.