Bode George’s judgement: Sign of hope

THE courage of Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Ikeja High Court in sentencing Chief Bode George and five others to two and half years imprisonment over NPA contracts should be commended.

Before now, many Nigerians had concluded that the EFFC and the Judiciary were there to serve interests of the powerful people and oppress the common people.

Many had thought that big men or powerful people could never be jailed in Nigeria except those that have fallen out of favour of the ruling class.

However, with the new development, there appeared to be little hope left that tomorrow could be better in this country.

Mr. Yayok Kure,
Kwoi,
Kaduna State.

Gov Akala, please make Oke-Ado/Imalefalafia/Idi Ope road passable

We congratulate the Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala, the Executive Governor of Oyo State for the efforts of his government to rehabilitate Ibadan roads and beautify the state capital. God will continue to guide him.

We are however appealing to him to prevail on the contractor handling the Queen Cinema - Oke-Ado-Molete road to remove without delay the blockage at the Oke- Ado / Imalefalafia junction hindering vehicles coming to Imalefalafia/ Idi-Ope.

The blockage is affecting residents of the area badly. We shall be grateful if he could instruct the supervising Engineers and the contractor to open up the road leading to Imalefalafia Street, Idi-ope area, Ibadan so that vehicles could branch to Imalefalafia street without going through Ososami Street.

We are also using this medium to thank the Oyo State Government in advance for listening to our request. The voice of the people is the voice of God.

Chief Ayo Labiyi
Chairman, Landlords LandladiesTenants Association,
Imalefalafia Street, Ibadan

Kudos to Gov Akpabio over passage of Child Rights Act

I want to commend the government of Akwa Ibom State for adopting this important legislation and urge all the people of Akwa Ibom State to rise up to the challenge of helping the government implement it. The implementation of the Child Rights Act is critical to the eradication of child witchcraft and to the protection of the rights of the child in Akwa Ibom State.

Children are accused of being witches and wizards. Sometimes children who talk in their dreams or sleep walk are said to be witches. They are blamed for whatever goes wrong in their families.

Recently, the situation in Akwa Ibom State has been really bad to the point that has attracted both local and international outrage.

Thousands of children alleged to be witches and wizards were tortured, driven out of their homes or killed. Some of the child victims rescued by some public spirited individuals are kept at a camp, the Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network, in Eket.

Many of them bear the scars of their traumatic experience. And it was in response to this very ugly and embarrassing situation that the government of Akwa Ibom State signed into law the child rights act in December, 2008. According to Governor Godswill Akpabio, the child rights act was signed into law ‘to protect children and posterity.

The child rights law protects the growth of perceptual, emotional, intellectual and behavioural capabilities and functioning during childhood of Akwa Ibom children under 16 years. It empowers them with the capacity to enjoy physical, social and psychological well-being to the enforcement of their physical, mental and emotional freedom from abuse.

The implementation of the Child Rights Act would create a conducive atmosphere for the development of the child.

It will bring to an end child abuse by criminalizing and penalising abusers. The law guarantees comprehensive government protection for Akwa Ibom State children.

It strengthens the mechanisms for the defence and protection of children.

Leo Igwe, Uyo