Communication Technology Minister, Omobola Johnson Uses Position To Subvert Bashir Gwandu
- Writes ITU Asking It To Remove Gwandu From Their Records
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| Omobola Johnson |
The Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has written a letter to one of the prominent bodies in the United Nations (UN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), asking it to remove Dr Bashir Gwandu, the former executive Commissioner of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), from its records.
In an action that is tantamount to undermining the interest of the country in relation to the operations of the UN body, the minister added that there was the need for the ITU to update its records by removing Gwandu as not only the chairman or vice-chair of the two organs but also as a representative or delegate of Nigeria.
The minister stated this in a letter ref: MC/ST.01631T4, dated April 12, 2013 and addressed to the Secretary General of the ITU, a copy of which was obtained by LEADERSHIP yesterday.
But Gwandu has filed a legal action against his removal before the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja, challenging the propriety of his removal.
It is noteworthy that it was during the pendency of the suit that the minister wrote the said letter under reference to the ITU.
With the letter, the minister has blocked the participation of Gwandu in the work of the ITU and from operating as the elected chairman of the technical body, the RAG, and from operating as vice-chairman and potential chairman of another technical body of the ITU – the Joint Task Group, JTG-4-5-6-7.
Incidentally, President Goodluck Jonathan had commended Gwandu after he won election into the ITU.
In a letter dated April 16, 2012 and addressed to Gwandu , Jonathan said, “I write to congratulate and felicitate with you on your well-deserved election as the chairman of the Radio Communications Advisory Group (RAG) of the ITU and chairman of the Commonwealth ITU Group in Geneva. I believe your election to these exalted international positions reflects not only your competence and experience but also our country’s rising profile in world affairs.
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| The Embattled Bashir Gwandu |
“I therefore urge you to see this recognition as another opportunity to continue to excel as you represent our fatherland. It is my prayer that Almighty God will give you the wisdom to effectively discharge your duties in this new assignment.”
In an attempt to use her position to subvert Gwandu, the minister apparently does not care whether or not Nigeria loses such a positions to other countries or that the president’s letter and statements weightless.
In an ITU circular CA/210 published on the ITU website calling for election to the chairman of the RAG on May 22, 2013, the director in charge, Mr. Francois Rancy, stated in reference to the ministers’ letter that “The Radio Communication Bureau has been officially notified that Gwandu is unable to carry out his duty as chairman of the Radio communication Advisory Group (RAG).
In accordance with the provision of CV 244 and Resolution ITU-R 15, the RAG, at its forthcoming meeting, “shall elect a new chairman from among those vice-chairmen and, if necessary, a new vice-chairman from among the members.”
Apart from Gwandu, none of the vice-chairs is from Nigeria.
Efforts to get the response of the minister and the permanent secretary of the ministry on the story were abortive, as several telephone calls and SMS were not replied by press time.
Source: Leadership
