BBC and VOA Hausa Service October 13, 1998
Kole Shettima
Samira Adamu, the Nigerian woman who was suffocated by Belgium Immigration
officials while being deported was buried in Kaduna today, according BBC
reporter, Yusuf Adamu. Her uncle Barrister Jacob Madaki, was asked whether
the family will file a claim against the Belgium government. He responded
that their concern is to bury her. However, he added, the family may decide
to do that in the near future. He was asked if the family have been
contacted by any arm of the Nigerian government. He responded that he is
surprised that the federal government has not taken-up the issue with the
family and perhaps, according to him, the government wants to maintain a
friendly relationship with the Belgium authorities.
Barrister Jacob was asked about the claim by Samira that she was forced to
marry an older person. He said that since she was not living with him, he
is not in a position to know about the situation.
Gani Criticize Abubakar's Transition
In an interview in the VOA Hausa studio, Chief Gani Fawehenmi criticized
the transition program of General Abubakar as fake. He said that Abubakar
was part of Abacha's failed transition and that there were remaining
decrees which will undermine the implementation of a genuine transition
program.
NACB Workers on Strike
Employees of the Nigerian Agricultural and Cooperative Bank, Kaduna, have
began an indefinite strike to back their demand for the implementation of
the recently announced salary structure. The workers claim that the Bank is
in strong financial situation to implement it. They added the current
financial difficulty is a problem created by the management who have given
loans to prominent Nigerians, and they have refused to pay back.
Animal Bank in Ekiti State
After experimenting with Rural Branch, Community Bank and Peoples Bank,
another type of bank, Animal Bank has been introduced in Ekiti State,
according to a report by Bala Ibrahim of the BBC. It was launched in Ekiti
North Local Government by the spouse of the Chairperson of the council.
According to the launcher, it is part of the Family Economic Advancement
Program. It operates as follows: a person will apply for a loan in exchange
of her/his animal. The animal is kept by the bank until the agreed term of
the loan. After paying back the loan, the animal is given back to the
person. The advantages of the bank include getting money to invest, your
animal will be kept properly and animals will not roam around to destroy
farms.
In an interview Sulieman Barau, a mainstream banker, said that the concept
of an Animal Bank will not be welcomed by the main banks for the following
reasons: the animal may die, and the bank may need money instantly.
Abubakar Rimi on Rotational Presidency
Abubakar Rimi, former governor of Kano State depended his position that the
presidency should be opened to all. In an interview with Shehu Yusuf Kura
of the VOA, he explained that the late Abiola won the last presidential
election not because he came from the south-west. According to him, Abiola
won because of the political party program and the nationwide mobilization.
Responding to a question on his presidential ambition, he said that he had
never sought a position in party politics. For example, according to him,
he was not at the venue of the PRP convention which nominated him as the
gubernatorial candidate. "It is people who will make some one a president".
However, he added that he as all the necessary credentials and experience
to be president of Nigeria.
Aids Scare in Kaduna
Adamu Yusuf of the BBC reported that recent statistics released by the
Kaduna State Aids Committee shows an alarming rate of HIV infections. In an
interview, the Director of the Committee, Dr Ishaya said that many people
still think that aids is not a problem. The committee has set-up village
and community aids committees with representatives of religious and
community leaders to inform the public.
(The above is my translation and recollection)
kole