The Catholic Church in Nigeria has urged well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to come to the aid of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, living in various camps across the country, especially those in troubled Borno State.
Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin of the Catholic Diocese of Ibadan made this call when he led a delegation of Catholic faithful to present relief materials to the IDPs at the centre of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.
The Archbishop said he was going back with a message to other provinces and dioceses that there is an urgent need to contribute to the upkeep of the displaced persons.
He expressed disappointment at the sorry state of the IDP camps, saying the situation was being grossly under-reported and was not well understood by many, adding that this was responsible for the little contribution from across the globe.
“We have been learning of the crisis on television and radio stations but coming here we have come to the reality and have seen things for ourselves,” the Bishop said.
“As a church, we have come with these items as a way of sympathizing and supporting our brothers and sisters psychologically traumatized by the insurgency,” he added.
In the Archbishop’s entourage were other top Catholic clergymen, including Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of the Diocese of Oyo, Rev. Fr. Michael Okocha, Vicar General of Osogbo Diocese and Rev. Fr. Martin De Cross.
Items presented to the IDPs included bags of corn, beans and rice.
The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri, Most Rev. Oliver Doeme described the visit as a sign of victory for the church and a demonstration that normalcy is gradually returning to Borno state.
Also, the chairman of CAN in The state, Mohammed Naga, thanked the delegation for the gesture, adding that this was not the first time the Catholic Church would visit Maiduguri to show their support and love to the people.
Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, has flagged off sales of subsidized staple food items in the state as part of efforts to ease the effect of the economic hardship being experienced in the country, especially with regards to the high cost of food items.
The food items which include rice, maize and millet are to be sold at 50 percent of current market price and the sales will be simultaneously carried out at various designated centres in all the headquarters of 274 wards of the state.
Deputy Governor of the state, Mohammed Ketso, who flagged off the exercise on behalf of the governor in Minna, the state capital, said the intervention was part of the state’s government palliative measures to cushion the effect of the arbitrary hike in prices of items in the market.
“We feel the pains of our people and that is why we made it a priority to embark on the sale of one thousand five hundred and eighty metric tonnes of assorted and essential food items ranging from millet, rice and maize at highly subsidised rates.
“The purpose of this intervention is a result of our commitments to ensure food security and bring respite to the people amidst soaring food prices,” he said.
The state government said plans have been put in place to ensure that the food items are distributed to all the wards for sale to members of the public at the subsidised rate and that the government intends to make the public sale a continuous programme until the economic situation improves.
Governor Bello directed officials at the ward levels to ensure strict compliance to the sales guideline, warning that government will not tolerate any act of sabotage or compromise in the sales of the food items.
“All involved in the distribution and sales should be transparent and accountable. The items are meant for the people. There should be no compromise. Nobody is allowed to buy more than 5 mudus of rice and 10 each of millet and maize,” he warned.
The governor also appealed to traders to review downward the general prices of goods and services in the spirit of the Ramadan season.
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State says he has kept his commitment with workers in the state and has made sure that the N2.6 billion wage bill of the state was paid without excuse, despite the heavy burden brought on the state by the Boko Haram insurgency.
He said there is no denying the fact that the Boko Haram insurgency had adversely affected the state, especially with heavy commitment on internally displaced persons and dwindling internally generated revenue, IGR.
“But that not notwithstanding “no worker in Borno State was owed his/her salary in the last 60 months, covering June, 2011 to May, 2016,” the governor boasted.
Shettima made this declaration while hosting members of the Borno Elders Forum and the business community in the state to a brief breaking-of-the-Ramadan-fast ceremony at the Government House on Monday night.
He noted that though it was sometimes very difficult he made it a duty to regularly provide N2.6 billion every month to pay salaries while at the same time making expenditures on feeding of internally displaced persons and carrying out other government functions in the last five years.
“Ordinarily, I don’t consider payment of salaries as achievement because salaries are debts, people worked and should be paid. However, in today’s Nigeria, payment of salaries has become rare and this makes it an achievement especially for a State like Borno which has been battling with serious security challenges and spending billions on that,” Governor Shettima said.
“We made it a duty to inject funds into the system through prompt payment of salaries by 25th of every month even while we were dealing with serious crisis of rebuilding communities from 2011 to date. We had to pay salaries because workers were at a point the only buyers of commodities, traders relied on salaries for the economy to be active. We had to consistently inject N2.6 billion for salaries of workers every month and that money circulated around markets.”
He promised that his government will continue to sustain the salaries especially with the ongoing biometric exercise that is designed to eliminate ghost workers and cut down the state’s salary bill.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Alkali Mamu, a former Air Officer Training Command and a member of the Committee for Procurement, Ministry of Defence, before Justice Salisu Garba of the FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on a three-count charge of bribery.
Mamu was charged for allegedly collecting a cash gift of N5.9 Million from Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Limited, a contractor with the Nigerian Air Force, in order to make up for the purchase price of a Range Rover Evoque.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges
Counsel to EFCC, Cosmas Ugwu, asked the court for a date for trial to commence adding that, “the prosecution intends to present six witnesses.”
He also asked that the accused person be remanded in prison custody pending trial.
But counsel to the defendant, Tawo E. Tawo, SAN, urged the court to grant his client bail, noting that he had filed an application to that effect on June 17, 2016.
Tawo Said his client has been on administrative bail and has been reporting to the EFCC whenever he was asked to, adding that the bail would enable him prepare well for the trial.
Ugwu objected, saying “the motion is not ripe for hearing”. He stated that, the application was served on him late on Friday and therefore, prayed for time to respond to it.
Justice Garba, after listening to both counsel adjourned to July 1, 2016 for ruling on the bail application and commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, the defendant is to be remanded in prison custody until the next sitting date.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has described the Nigerian media as one of the most vibrant in Africa and indeed across the world, and assured that the government will not do anything to stifle press freedom.
Speaking at the 3rd Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation in Beijing, China, on Tuesday, the Minister said the Nigerian media did not achieve its vibrancy by accident, saying apart from the fact that it derives its powers to function directly from the nation’s Constitution, the Nigerian media has come a long way.
‘’Of course, the Nigerian media is a veteran of the country’s battle of independence, and of the battle to end long years of military rule in the country. Battle hardened over the years and empowered by the Constitution and the relatively new Freedom of Information, FOI, Act, you take on the Nigerian media at your own peril,’’ he said.
Mohammed said unlike in other countries where the media is at the mercy of the government, the reverse is the case in Nigeria where the government is at the mercy of the media.
‘’On our part as Government, we do not intend to do anything to stifle press freedom. Media practitioners have nothing to fear from us. Of course, as I hinted earlier, we are the ones who have much to fear from the media practitioners.
‘’As a government, we believe that democracy itself is imperiled when the media is in chains. We see the media as a partner in progress, not some enemy to be crushed. But we also expect a high level of responsible journalism, the type that puts the collective interest above individual consideration, the type that safeguards the truth rather than push out rumors as fact,’’ the Minister said.
He called on media practitioners, especially those in the Social Media, to self-regulate in order to remain credible and viable.
‘’Putting the awesome power of the media in the hands of not just professional journalists but citizen journalists, many of whom neither subscribe to any code of ethics nor respect the laws of the land, could be catastrophic. Little wonder then that rumours have donned the garb of the truth and reputations long built and nurtured are being rubbished under the guise of the Social Media.
‘’Make no mistake about it, the democratization of information gathering and dissemination has its advantages…But there must be some form of control. Let me be clear, the Nigerian government has no plans, either in the short or long run, to regulate the media, whether traditional or new. But we will continue to advocate self-regulation on the part of all concerned for, ultimately, lack of self-control can only lead to self-destruction,’’ Mohammed said.
The Minister called for continuous capacity building for media practitioners, whether in form of training, exchange of personnel or even by exposing the practitioners to how things are done in other lands, so that they can play their important role more effectively.
He also told the forum that Nigeria is on course to meeting the June 2017 deadline of migrating from analogue to digital broadcasting.
‘’After missing previous deadlines, we are set to meet the new deadline of June 2017. This past April, we successfully set the ball rolling by launching the pilot phase of the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting in the city of Jos.
‘’We are now in the process of expanding this to other parts of our vast country. We will succeed, because there is no shortage of political will on the part of the government, or of unalloyed support and dedication on the part of other stakeholders, to make it happen,” the Minister said.
Mohammed challenged African journalists to change the negative narrative about their continent by always portraying the continent in positive light as they carry out their duty.
Former Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa has been granted bail by Justice M. B. Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
Dudafa and his co-accused Iwejuo Joseph had pleaded not guilty to 23-counts of concealment and retention of proceeds of crime to the tune of over N1,667,162,800.00 (One billion, six hundred and sixty seven million, one hundred and sixty two thousand, eight hundred Naira).
The money was allegedly laundered through several bank accounts in a new generation bank, where the second defendant, Iwejuo was the accounts officer.
Ruling on the bail applications, Justice Idris admitted the first accused to bail in the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira with two sureties in like sum; the sureties shall be landed property owners within the jurisdiction of the court. The sureties shall in addition, deposit 3years tax clearance certificates, while the first accused person is to deposit his international passport with the court.
The second accused person was granted bail in the sum of two hundred and fifty million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Both accused persons are also to deposit the title documents to the court registry, while the documents are to be verified by the EFCC.
The case is adjourned till July 4 and 5, 2016 for trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction of one Jalekun Yisau and nine other defendants in a case of alleged conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of funds.
The convicts were charged before Justice Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State alongside a former Director of Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training, Benjamin Ogunbodede, Zaccheaus Tejumola and Adenose Clement.
They were first arraigned on October 30, 2014, on a 17-count charge of misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N115 million, to which they all pleaded not guilty at the time.
But at the resumed hearing on June 17, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo informed the court of the intention of the 4th defendant, Jalekun Yisau, to change their plea from “not guilty” to “guilty”. Counsel to Yisau, Akin Ladipo, confirmed the information presented by the prosecution. Consequently, the charges that applied to the convicts were read to them and they pleaded “guilty”.
But the trio of Tunde Olupona, I. A Salawu and B.Y Adegboyega, counsels to the other accused persons in the case, opposed the plea bargain agreement, contending that the proceeding before the court is a joint trial and that the plea bargain agreement would prejudice the other parties involved in the matter.
Justice Emmanuel however, overruled their objections, convicted and sentenced the 4th -13th defendants to two and half years imprisonment each on counts 1, 3,5,8,10,14 and17. The sentence would take effect from 30th October, 2014 when the defendants were first arraigned.
The convicts are also to sign a bond with the EFCC to be of good conduct and never to get involved in financial crimes both within and outside Nigeria.
The matter was adjourned to July 1, 2016 for the continuation of trial.
The Nigerian Navy has refuted reports that syndicates operating in the name of Nigerian Navy are defrauding prospective candidates seeking recruitment into the force by directing them to pay N40,000 for placement in the on-going 2016 recruitment exercise.
The Navy says those engaged in such dubious acts are criminal elements who do not represent the navy.
A statement issued by Christian Ezekobe, Director of Information, advised, parents, guardians and candidates who have sought confirmation from the Nigerian Navy on this disturbing criminal extortion by the syndicates to be aware.
“Therefore, after a thorough investigation, the Nigerian Navy is requesting parents, guardians, candidates and the general public to avoid being defrauded as nobody has been mandated, directed or authorized to collect money from any candidate in the course of the 2016 recruitment exercise.
“The Nigerian Navy thereby reiterates that, as directed by the federal government, participation in the recruitment exercise remains FREE. No candidate is expected to make any form of payment for placement in the Nigerian Navy. However, the list of successful candidates which is being compiled will soon be released to the general public through appropriate channels of communication,”
A few days before he was killed, the then Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, (1909-1966), Sardauna of Sokoto incorporated a company called the New Nigeria Development Company. The company, formed in 1946, was designed to be a Conglomerate with interests spanning Agriculture, Mining, Capital Market, Telecommunications and Education. The last we heard about the company was on August 26, 2013 when the Chairman of the Northern State Governors’ Forum at that time, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, the former governor of Niger state advised the company to sell 49% of its equity to members of the public.
Dr. Aliyu explained that the poor performance of the company has necessitated the need for some of its investment such as the Arewa Hotels to be sold to the public. In his words “we should be concerned that after 56 years of operations the NNDC is performing epileptically”.
It is sad that those who have managed the NNDC have not been fair to the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello.
On May 27 1967,by virtue of states creation and transitional provision decree 14 of 1967, General Yakubu Gowon created twelve states in the country—six from the old Northern region, three from the old Eastern region and three from the old Western region. By decree 39 of June 24 1967, he created the Interim Assets And Liabilities Agencies, ESIALA, to take over the assets of the old Northern region and the South-Eastern States.
On assuming power in July 1975, General Murtala Muhammed (1938-1976) disbanded the two agencies.
What of the assets of the two agencies especially that of ESIALA with financially endowed institutions like the Eastern Region Marketing Board, once headed by Sir Loius Odumegwu Ojukwu (1909-1966),Eastern Nigeria Finance Corporation, Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation, African Continental Bank and others.
Even till today questions are being asked about what happened to the abandoned properties implementation committee headed by Major David Alachenu Bonaventure Mark, set up by decree No 90 of 1978 following the abrogation of several edicts including that of South Eastern state edict No 10 of May 1970.
There is another story elsewhere.
On Tuesday January19 this year at Cocoa House, Ibadan, the governors of the owner states of Odua Investment Company met in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. The current Chairman of the Odua Investment Company, Dr. Olusegun Rahman Mimiko, the governor of Ondo state announced that the Odua Investment Company has invited Lagos state to join the company as the sixth shareholder of the conglomerate. At present the company is owned by the governments of Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Ondo states. Twenty four hours after the announcement the governor of Lagos state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode accepted the invitation and declared his support for the growth of the company.
The Company recorded a revenue growth of 4.2 billion naira last year as against 4.5 billion in 2013. The spokesman for Dr. Mimiko, Mr. Kayode Akinmade disclosed that the company targets 20billion naira asset base by 2019. He disclosed further that the proposed payment of gross dividend of 167million naira at its annual general meeting was approved and paid to all the owner states.
Odua Investment Company was incorporated in 1976 to take over the business interests of the former Western state following the creation of Oyo, Ogun and Ondo states out of the old Western states by General Murtala Ramat Muhammed on February 3 1976,who was assassinated ten days after. The company held its first meeting on March 3 1976 with Chief Christopher Sunday Olutunde Akande from Arigidi in Akoko Local Government in the present Ondo state as the pioneer managing director. Chief Akande who was the former Secretary to the Military Government of Oyo state later became the President of the Nigeria Society of Engineers between 1974-1975. I covered the first sitting of the company as the state Editor of the Kwara state owned newspaper, THE NIGERIA HERALD. I remember with nostalgia when Colonel David Medayeshe Jemibewon, Lt. Colonel Seidu Balogun and Wing Commander David Ikpeme, then governors of Oyo, Ogun and Ondo respectively addressed the press on that day.
No doubt Odua Investment Company has been a huge success and kudos must be given to those who have kept the flag flying since 1976 till date, including premiers, sole administrators, governors both civilian and military, in spite of their ideological and political differences.
It has not been too rosy for the company though, for most of its subsidiaries are no more. A case in point is the National Bank which was acquired by the Western Region on April 1, 1961 and liquidated in 1992 due to mismanagement and corruption. A long time ago, the National Bank was the envy of all banks in Nigeria with assets in London and in most parts of Nigeria. Acclaim must be given also to the man who established most of the companies and subsidiaries that are now grouped together as Odua Investment Company. I am referring to Chief Jeremiah Oyeniyi Obafemi Awolowo, who ruled the Western Region as Premier from October 1, 1954 to December 15, 1959. Chief Awolowo formed the Action Group on March 21, 1951. The Motto of the party was “Freedom For All, Life More Abundant”. The Action group was formed by Chief Awolowo and seven others at a meeting in his house at Okebola in Ibadan. The seven others were S.O. Shonibare, then manger, UAC (Technical) Ltd, Lagos, later managing Director of the Amalgamated Press of Nigeria Ltd and federal publicity secretary of the AG; Chief Abiodun Akerele, a lawyer; S.T. Oredein, secretary of the British-American Tobacco Company(BATC) Workers Union, later principal organizing secretary of the AG in the Western Region; Olatunji Dosunmu a journalist, later administrative secretary of the AG in the Western Region; J. Ola Adigun, a journalist; Adeniga Akinsanya, manager of the African Press Ltd, Ibadan, and Ayo Akinsanya, a Chemist and druggist.
Sadly, unlike the era of Chief Awolowo, state governments of the old western region cannot pay salaries of workers now not to talk of establishing industries and factories—a bad legacy of the present generation.
The invitation to Lagos to join Odua Investment Company is well understood, for Lagos has been part of western region until October 1, 1954 when the adoption of the Oliver Lyttelton Constitution detached it from western region making it a federal territory. It was the same constitution that detached Southern Cameroons from eastern region. Lagos has always been the centre of commerce from the days of Mr. T.F. Barker who first administered the city between 1956-1957 to Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu, who became Minister for Lagos affairs between 1957-1960 followed by the Mutawallin Katsina, Alhaji Musa Yar’dua who also served as Minister of Lagos between 1960 and 1966.
Internally Generated Revenue for Lagos has reached N24.5billion monthly although some of us who live in Lagos are over taxed with businesses dying on daily basis and nothing much to show for the over taxation. Lagos state government is getting richer per day through over taxation while the people of the state are getting poorer, an urgent issue which must be addressed. Ogun state is not doing badly too with N6billion naira every month. On May 25 this year the Lagos state government signed a memorandum of understanding to start the construction of the 38 kilometer fourth Mainland Bridge. The bridge, which is expected to cost N844 billion will be constructed under the Build, Own and Transfer concession of 40 years under the Public-Private-Partnership initiative of the Lagos State Government. At present, Lagos is the sixth largest city in the world and has the smallest land mass in Africa. It is projected to be the third biggest conurbation in the world next year. At present, Lagos is West African most resourceful single trading market with a population of about 22million vibrant people. What the Odua governors are presently doing is in the words of Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola of Osun state, the Architect of regional integration, “intercooperation, friendship and interdependence”. Regional integration does not offend the spirit of the constitution and the spirit of federalism. If each of the regions should be allowed to develop on its own it will enhance unity, stability and better understanding.
Regional integration enhances unity even as diverse as we are. And I don’t think it negates the demand for restructuring which has become inevitable. It should be encouraged.
ERIC TENIOLA, A FORMER DIRECTOR AT THE PRESIDENCY, LIVES IN LAGOS.
