Include Anger Mgt in Basic, Civil Education, EU, UN Tell FG

In order to bring to an end the rising spate of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) where women and girls are mostly affected, the European Union, United Nations and the Federal Government of Nigeria have called for the inclusion of anger management in the curriculum of basic and civil education.

Also, in its on-going tripartite collaboration which is known as the ‘Spotlight Initiative’ in which the sum of $10million will be disbursed annually to six pilot states for four years beginning from 2019, the agreement is hinged on six pillars which include strengthening institutions, supporting women movement, prevention of social norms as well as the delivery of quality and essential services among others.

Development communications specialist and former Commissioner for Information, Sokoto State, Dr. Danladi Bako, who emphasised this in Kano  during a media dialogue with the theme: ‘Ending violence against women and girls’ organised by Spotlight Initiative said with the inclusion of anger management in the curriculum, young people will learn about civility, noting that 80 percent of domestic violence is provoked by hate speech and lack of decorum.

Lamenting that gender-based issues do not get enough publicity in the 725 radio and television stations in the country as well as in the mainstream print media, Bako reiterated that there has to be a political will and a way towards making the male folk accept that there's equal rights even in a patriarchal society.

 

According to him, "In critical issues, anger and temper management is also a barrier. Do we have a curriculum on civility and anger management? Eighty percent of violence is provoked by hate speech and lack of civility. We must recognise all these issues.

"High percentage of violence is caused by provocation. Sociological issues need to be interrogated and discussed, especially with traditional rulers, as they need to feed members of their community who are appetitive and stick to culture and religion.

"Kids must be taught how to control their temper as they reach the stage of holding their own families. We must begin to sensitise our children through our school curriculum.”

He called on state government which hasn't domesticated the Child Rights Act to do so as a matter of urgency.

The House of Representatives on Thursday ordered an investigation into the alleged violation of labour laws by international oil companies (IOCs), including the casualisation of labour.

The House also directed the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, to provide to the Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity a performance update and report concerning plan to reform the process of granting and renewing recruiters’ licence to labour contractors as announced in July 2018.

The House took the decision following the adoption of a motion moved by Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

Kalu e said Nigeria, as a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), has ratified 40 international labour conventions, and has through the National Assembly enacted the Labour Act, among other labour-related laws, which Nigeria is sworn to protect the rights of workers in the country.

The lawmaker lamented the ugly trend of work in formalisation or casualisation in the oil and gas sector by IOCs leading to an uncertainty of employment for thousands of workers who are constrained to operate under very precarious conditions with near total denial of the benefits associated with permanent and decent work.

Kalu said a report published by the Campaign for Democratic Workers’ Rights pegged the number of casual workers in the Nigerian workforce at 45 percent, and also stated that 50 percent of the burden of casualisation exists in the downstream oil and gas sub sectors of the economy, telecommunications, banking, construction, mining and some other work places.

 

He stated that since the early 2000, the Nigerian oil sector has suffered the effects of incessant disputes between IOCs and organised labour unions over allegations of unfair labour practices levied against IOCs as a result of which, on several occasions, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had planned industrial actions which had threatened nationwide fuel scarcity and hurt the economy as Nigeria stands to lose over N100 billion per day in the event of strike by NUPENG.

The legislator recalled that in July 2018, in light of the frequency of those allegations, the federal government announced a plan to reform the process of granting and renewing recruiters’ licence to labour contractors with the aim of ensuring adherence to expatriate quotas and eschewing unfair labour practices, despite allegations of unfair labour practices by IOCs still abound.

Kalu noted that a statement by the leadership of NUPENG after a recent meeting of its Central Working Committee (CWC) in Lagos alleged that IOCs are flagrantly flouting local and international labour laws; repeatedly engaging the services of unregistered and unlicenced labour contractors.

He said NUPENG also accused IOCs of massive exploitation and abuse of workers as well as some instances of elopement of IOC labour contractors with contract workers' severance benefits, including Virtual Travel Network allegedly eloping with terminal benefits of 48 contract workers since 2015 and in another, Logistics Facility Affairs (LFA) contractor with Chevron Nigeria Limited allegedly absconding with workers’ final entitlements.

The House, therefore, directed the "Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity and other appropriate Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to address the challenges of exploitation and abuses of workers in the oil and gas sector.

"Mandate the Committee Labour, Employment and Productivity to investigate the allegations of violation of labour laws by IOCs, including the casualisation of labour, and report back within four weeks for further legislative action."

U.S Lawmakers Write Nigerian Govt Over Detention Of Sowore, Others

Two United States lawmakers have written to the Nigerian ambassador in the US, Sylvanus Nsofor, over the continuous detention of Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and his co-accused, Olawale Bakare.

The congressmen, in the letter dated November 25, said there have been a number of troubling reports about Nigeria’s security agencies assaulting and detaining journalists raised concerns about the continuous harassment of journalists, activists and protesters in Nigeria.

The letter was signed by a ranking Senator, Robert Menendez, and a member of the House of Representatives, Josh Gottheimer.

Menendez serves as the Ranking Member (most senior Democrat) of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee that helps shape foreign policy of broad significance, in matters of war and peace and international relations.

He was Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the 113th Congress, where he led the effort to sanction Russia after they invaded Ukraine. In the 115th Congress, he served as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues.

The other signatory, Gottheimer, is an American lawyer, writer, and public policy adviser serving as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 5th congressional district.

The lawmakers in the letter said the attacks on journalists was an attempt to close media and civic space in the country through the use of security operatives.

Read the letter by the U.S. lawmakers below.

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Ambassador Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor
Head of Mission Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
3519 International Court, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008

Dear Ambassador Nsofor,

“We write to express strong concern about closing media and civic space in Nigeria. There have been a number of troubling reports about Nigerian security services assaulting and detaining journalists, using excessive force on non-violent protesters and taking other actions that inhibit freedom of expression, and otherwise prevent Nigerians from fully exercising their fundamental constitutional rights.

Journalists and activists such as Omoyele Sowore, Jones Abiri, Kofi Bartels, Samuel Ogundipe, and others investigating and speaking-out about politically sensitive problems like corruption or insecurity have been harassed and detained; with reports that some have even been tortured. In at least one instance, the Department of Security Services has ignored a court order to release a detained activist.

Restrictions and deadly crackdowns on non-violent protests since 2015 have similarly reflected a lack of apparent commitment to civic freedoms which is beginning to negatively impact the image of Nigeria’s government, both at home and abroad.

Security forces used live ammunition on Shiite protestors in Zaria, Kaduna State in 2015; on protestors in Onitsha, Anambra State in 2016; again on a Shiite procession in Abuja in 2018: raided the offices of the Daily Trust, and arrested the editor in January 2019; and shot and killed Precious Owolabi, a journalist covering a July 2019 protest in Abuja.

These crackdowns have collectively killed hundreds of Nigerian citizens, and serve as troubling demonstrations of the excessive force used by the military. The alleged perpetrators of these abuses have yet to be brought to justice.

Mr. Ambassador, Nigeria has a critical role to play in preserving peace and stability in West Africa, and as the most populous democracy on the continent it could serve as a shining example of how countries can best observe the rights enshrined in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

However, failure to respect the rights in the Charter and those in Nigeria’s own constitution undermine your nation’s ability to lead in this arca. We urge you to ensure that the rights and liberties contained in the constitution are observed for all citizens, and to take strong action against further closing space for journalists, political opposition, and those in civil society.

The rights of all citizens must be respected without the threat of government reprisal. We look forward to seeing progress on this critically important issue.

Thank you for your attention on this urgent matter.

House Directs DPR to Release List of Illegal Filling Stations for Demolition

The House of Representatives on Thursday directed the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to release the list of illegal filling stations cited at the boarder communities  to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for demolition.

The Chairman of House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Mahmud Gaiya, gave the directive yesterday when the Comptroller-General of  NCS, Col. Hamid Ali (rtd); DPR and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) appeared before the Committee over the decision to stall the supply of petrol to filling stations cited 20 kilometres to the boarder without due consultation.

The Custom CG had while explaining the rationale behind the decision, accused the DPR of refusing to avail the NCS with the list of illegal and legal filling stations at the border communities.

The Committee decried the excruciating pains Nigerians living at the boarder communities are going through due to the decision to stall supply of petrol to some filling stations at the borders.

The committee lamented that a litre of petrol is now being sold between N600 and 800 at the boarder communities, adding that whatever purpose that was intended to be achieved has now been defeated because the decision has added to the untold hardship of the people living at the border communities.

The Committee lamented that the obnoxious decision was ill-timed, adding that the consultation that took place during the meeting with the Committee could have been held before the decision to stall supply of petrol to some filling stations at the border was taken.

It also accused some personnel of Customs of colluding with smugglers to  smuggled petrol into neighbouring countries

 

The Committee insisted that policy should not only be reviewed but must be rescinded.

While directing DPR, which he accused of causing the mess, Gaiya said: "This list must reach the office of the CG tomorrow. Since you have this list and you have refused to give them, we are then forced to take the decision."

Earlier, Ali said the decision to stop the supply of petrol was not meant to be a permanent decision, adding that the decision would be reviewed.

He stated categorically that the decision was not taken to hurt anybody; even though he said during war, there would always be collateral damage.

The Customs CG noted that 30 to 40 per cent of fuel that the federal government subsidies go out of the country, stressing that “30 per cent of our own fuel is a lot of money.”

"I know that there is a policy in this country that says no petrol station should be established 10 kilometres to the border. It is there! It exists! It is a policy. It is now left for us to work with DPR and ensure that this policy is implemented. So any petrol station that is beyond that, it is either its licence is revoked or it should be relocated within the confines of the law.

"The bottom line is that this decision is not supposed to be a permanent decision. Like I said, we had to take a decision in order to address the grave situation in this country. There is no doubt about it that we are losing a lot of money. The DPR is in a better situation to give you the statistics. They are there to tell you how many litres of petrol they get. They have calculated how much is going out.”

On his part, the Assistant Director of Operations, DPR, dris Zangi, said only 923 filling stations at the boarder are approved and about 400 are illegal.

Senate Rejects Interim Management Team of NDDC

The upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly has formally distanced itself from the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) constituted last month by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

At Thursday's plenary, the Senate emphasised that it has no business with the Commission's ‘illegal’ management team headed by Dr. Joy Yimebe Nunieh.

It specifically insisted that the 15-member governing board whose nominations were forwarded to it few weeks ago by President Muhammadu Buhari, screened and approved by it, should be the one to relate with.

The Senate stand was sequel to its President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan's referral of the 2019/2020 budget of NDDC received from President Buhari last Tuesday to its  committee on NDDC headed by Senator  Peter Nwaoboshi for consideration within two weeks.

Specifically, the Senate president, after approval by senators through voice votes for the budget to be forwarded to the Committee on NDDC, warned that  only the approved board should be recognised for that purpose.

According to him, "The Senate Committee on NDDC should ensure that only the 15-man governing board forwarded to the Senate by the president, screened and approved by us should be related with as far as the  budget of  the agency is concerned and other official matters."

He further directed the Committee to expeditiously engage the recognised board on the budget proposals and report back in two weeks.

Members of NDDC governing board recognised by the Senate are Dr Pius Odubu as Chairman; Bernard Okumagba as Managing Director; Otobong Ndem as Executive Director, Projects, and Maxwell Oko as Executive Director, Finance and Admin.

Other board members are Prophet Jones Erue, Victor Ekhator, Nwogu Nwogu, Theodore Allison, Victor Antai and Maurice Effiwatt.

Others board members are  Olugbenga Edema, Uchegbu Kyrian, Aisha Murtala Muhammed, Shuaibu Zubairu and Abdullahi Bage.

President Buhari had last Tuesday forwarded to the Senate via a letter dated November 21, 2019, the 2019/2020 NDDC  budget.

The letter read: “Pursuant to Section 18(1) of the Nigerian Delta Development Commission Establishment Act, I forward herewith 2019/2020 budget estimates of the Niger Delta Development Commission for the kind consideration and passage by the Senate.

“While hoping that the Senate will consider this request in the usual expeditious manner, please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

Immediately after the letter was read, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator  Enyinnaya Abaribe,  drew the attention of his colleagues to the fact that members of the NDDC board duly confirmed by the Senate were yet to resume official duty.

Abaribe, who came via Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules to raise the issue, said  the failure of the executive to swear in members of the board duly confirmed by the Senate sequel to a request from President Buhari may threaten early consideration and quick passage of the 2019/2020 budget of the NDDC.

He added that the Interim Committee of the NDDC led by Nunieh is an “illegal contraption” that lacks the backing of law to defend the Commission’s budget.

He said: “Having regard to the fact that this Senate has confirmed members of the board of the NDDC and they are yet to resume office, I fear that we may run into a problem of delayed budget again since nobody will come to defend this budget.

"This Senate, having confirmed the board of the NDDC will not countenance any illegal contraption coming to represent NDDC.

“To prevent a late budget for NDDC that is helping Nigeria on revenue and development of the region, it will be better for us to prevent this issue from coming up.”

 Lawan, who sustained Abaribe’s point of order in his ruling, said: “As far as we are concerned, this Senate knows that we have confirmed the request of the president on the board membership of the NDDC, and we have communicated that.”

Anambra Begins e-registration for Foreigners

Anambra State Government on Thursday said it has flagged off e-registration of foreigners in the state, which will enhance effective monitoring and control of foreigners.

The state Governor, Willie Obiano, who stated this at the state Command Headquarters of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in Awka, said: "This will help all security agencies and institutions involved in migration management to monitor and coordinate their activities.’’

"This will help the government  to know those that are illegal migrants in the state and what they do, so as to help to fish out the criminals among them.’’

The governor, who was represented during the flag-off of the event by Secretary to State Government (SSG), Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, called on landlords/owners of premises that are accommodating migrants, like Hotels, Guest Houses, employers of expatriates, traditional rulers, market/traders associations, president-general of Town Unions and academic institutions with foreign students to ensure that such migrants comply with the provisions of immigration regulations.

Controller of Immigration, Anambra State Command, Mrs. Tochukwu Agwai, reminded that President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier in the year inaugurated the exercise in Abuja.

She said the robust data that would be generated from the exercise would be linked to the Interpol data base as part of an international collaboration recommended by the National Migration Policy.

This she said would also strengthen security, curb irregular migration and attendant challenges to the country.

Building Collapse: House Direct Works Ministry to Implement National Building Code

The House of Representatives on Thursday directed the Ministry of Works and Housing to implement the National Building Code in order to regulate construction, as part of effort to curb the rising incidences of building collapse in the country.

The House also directed the ministry to liaise with the Building Collapse Prevention Guild to carry out assessment of buildings prone to collapse in order to alert residents and avert impending loss of lives and property.

The directive by the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by Hon. Wale Raji at the plenary yesterday.

He noted that the incidences of building collapse across the country have reached an alarming proportion, with on less than 60 cases within the last four years, according to a report by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, resulting in tragic loss of lives and destruction of properties.

The lawmaker observed that the frequent cases of building collapse could be attributed to negligence on the part of contractors, client and professionals, faulty designs; lack of professional supervision and adherence to the building code; lack of effectiveness of government agencies responsible for the monitoring of building procurement and construction processes; quackery at pre and post-contract stages and the use of substandard materials among others.

 

Raji recalled the collapse of a two storey building in Surulere, Lagos State, on October 25, 2019, in which five persons were rescued and an earlier incident in Magodo area of the state on October 12, 2019, which claimed the lives of a mother and her three children, leaving at least six others injured.

He equally recalled the collapse of a three storey building that was housing a primary school at Ita Faji area of Lagos Island on March 13, 2019, causing the death of 16 persons and a seven storey building under construction collapsed in Port Harcourt on November 23, 2018, causing the death of 13 persons.

 

The lawmaker also stated that on December 10, 2016, the roof of Reigners Bible Church International in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,  caved in during a service programme killing about 200 persons, and on September 12, 2014, a six storey building belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Lagos, collapsed, killing 116 person.

He also expressed worry about  the report of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, an umbrella body of all construction professionals in the country, that there are thousands of other buildings across the country waiting to collapse due to mass urbanisation and lack of targeted intervention by government at all levels.

Raji  further stressed the urgent  need  to address the menace of building collapse and sub-standard construction prevalent in the country to avert losses both in human lives and property occasioned by the avoidable malaise.

The House therefore urged the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and other professional bodies to investigate and penalise their members involved in cases of building collapse.

"We urge the Ministry of Works and Housing to implement the National Building Code in order to regulate construction in the country and safeguard lives and property of the citizens.

"The House also urge the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) to sanitise the building materials sector to get rid of sub-standard goods in the markets," he said.

The House further urged the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) and the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) to ensure proper supervision of workmen and to further carry out sensitisation campaigns to enlighten the public on the need to use quality materials and professionals in construction of buildings.

Ortom Attributes Appeal Court Victory to Benue People

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the 2019 state governorship election is a victory for the people of the state who gave him a second term mandate.

The governor on Thursday said the appellate court verdict has not only validated the earlier judgment of the Governorship Election Tribunal but also confirmed the choice of Benue voters in the 2019 polls.

He once more returned all the glory and praise to God Almighty for giving him the opportunity to lead the state for another term.

Ortom also deeply appreciated the leadership and members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, as well as Benue people for the support given to him.

He specially commended his legal team for its outstanding performance at the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.

The governor stressed that the task of building the state is the responsibility of its entire people. He therefore restates his call on the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC for the 2019 governorship election, Emmanuel Jime and other contestants in the last election to join hands with him to develop Benue State.

Ortom emphasized the willingness of his administration to collaborate with sons and daughters of the state irrespective of political differences, ethnicity, religion and place of origin, for a greater Benue.

Bayelsa Oil-Producing Communities Demand Direct Payment of 13% Derivation

Oil-producing communities in Bayelsa State on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to fast-track the payment of the statutory 13 percent derivation fund accruing to the Niger Delta to them directly.

Coming under the umbrella of  Concerned Citizens of Oil and Gas-Producing Communities of Bayelsa State, the people said despite the huge funds available for the purpose, many areas remain in poverty and desolation.

 

In a letter addressed to the president and made available to journalists in Yenagoa, the representatives of the affected towns lamented the level of deprivation they had suffered as citizens of Nigeria, despite the wealth they contribute to the country.

The petition was signed by 15 representatives of the oil-producing communities, including Dressman Arthur from Shidi-Ama, Allison-Kulo Faith from Egwe-Ama, both in Brass Local Government Area, and Bishop Okorotie from Ekeremor in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

The people noted that the communities were in need of the fund to sustain their livelihood especially as they had mostly lost their means of livelihood to oil exploration activities.

They, however, commended President Buhari for showing concern for the people of the Niger Delta region, urging him to consolidate it with the payment of the derivation fund directly to the communities, noting that the involvement of the state governors and their governments was unconstitutional.

“On behalf of ourselves, our respective oil and gas-producing communities, local government areas and the entire host communities producing oil and gas in Bayelsa State, we wish to write to demand that henceforth, the payment of 13 percent derivation fund be made directly to the oil and gas-producing communities in the state. The reason is not far-fetched.

“In the 1999 Constitution, Section 162 (2) as amended, 13 percent derivation fund is succinctly provided, and it is to ensure that the oil producing communities who have lost their livelihood, everything and suffered from the pollutions, oil spillages, devastation, degradation of oil exploration activities should be adequately compensated.

“It is regrettable, therefore, that nothing and we mean nothing practically has been done to ameliorate the lives of the poor and downtrodden masses living in abject poverty in the midst of plenty, which have made Nigeria rich.

"The communities and areas from which Nigeria's black gold is extracted and developing other regions and cities have cried for long.

“Now, therefore, it is imperative that the president fulfills his mission to move the people to the next level. To this end, kindly direct, as per the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the payment of 13 percent derivation fund directly to the down-trodden masses, where oil exploration and gas flaring take place, to take charge of the affairs of the administration of their environments and improve their communities.

"We have been cheated and deceived for too long. Let us have a sigh of relief that indeed you have come to make a difference and salvage the suffering masses,” the group stated.

Bill to Allocate 40 % of Nigeria's Annual Budget to Capital Projects Passes Second Reading

 

A bill seeking to provide 40 per cent of the country's annual budget for capital projects in the next 10 years has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who sponsored the bill, described it as an economic stimulus bill.

Speaking at the plenary yesterday, he said the reason there are abandoned projects all over the country is as a result of the paltry sum allocated to capital projects.

He argued that the issue of how the federal government would generate revenue to meet up with the 40 percent target to fund the projects is 'very simple' inasmuch as the executive plug all the loopholes, funding the projects won't be a problem.

Gbajabiamila said: "With the current economic challenges confronting us as a people, coupled with the decaying state of infrastructure across the country, we cannot undermine the importance of this bill which seeks to provide 40 percent of our annual budget for capital project for the next 10 years."

 

He added that the purpose of the bill allows the lawmakers to use their legislative instrument, having been empowered by the constitution, to support the federal government to improve on the country’s infrastructure and drive the economy for the next 10 years.

The bill consists of five sections, and Section 1 seeks to provide that 40 percent of the country’s budget be earmarked for capital project for the next 10 years.

“Section 2 of the bill creates some forms of monitoring process to ensure implementation and enforcement by providing that upon commencement, the Accountant General of the Federation shall submit quarterly reports to the National Assembly on the performance of the capital budget and must be submitted within two weeks after the end of a corresponding quarter.

"Under sub section 2 of Section 2, the National Assembly shall within two weeks consider the report of the Accountant General of the Federation, and if not satisfied, shall pass the necessary resolution to ensure implementation and performance by the president.

"Section 3 provides that the bill shall be in force for a period of ten years after which there shall be a review by the National Assembly.

"Section 4 makes provision for penalty of five years imprisonment or a fine of N50 million or both for violation or any attempt by any person to frustrate the implementation of the bill when passed. This stringent punitive measure suggests that the current state of infrastructure and economy is not such to be handled with kids gloves," the Speaker said.

Under section 5, the bill is cited as 'Economy Stimulus Bill'.

The Minority Leader of the House, Ndudi Elumelu, who led the debate on behalf of the Speaker, said a critical  look at the 2020 budget shows that just 10 per cent was earmarked for capital projects.

He said the bill therefore aims at correcting these anomalies synonymous with the country's budgetary process over the years.

Elumelu pointed out that one of the things that can make the country grow significantly is to provide critical infrastructure, noting that those infrastructure cannot be provided if there is no significant allocation to capital projects.

Also, Hon. Dachung Bagos stressed the need to have such a bill to guide the executive in order to make sure that the country budget doesn't end up with recurrent expenditure and debt servicing.

On his part, Hon, AbdulGaniyu Johnson said recurrent items and overhead items are been lumped together under capital projects by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), but added that the proposed legislation would be a catalyst for the development of the country.

The House, therefore, referred the bill to the Committee on Finance and Appropriation.

PDP Govs Urge States to Think Beyond Oil

States governed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday commenced a two-day seminar on how to improve their states’ internally generated revenue (IGR), as party challenged states to move away from oil, suggesting that buyers may be scarce in the nearest future.

The governors in unison said they were already preparing themselves with creative ideas and solutions to improve IGR so that when federal government can no longer share as much as it does now, they would still be in a position to fulfill their obligations to the people.

The revenue drive workshop organised  under the auspices of the  PDP Governors Forum in Abuja, tagged: ‘The 2019 Internally-Generated Revenue Summit has the theme: ‘The Imperatives of Developing Internally Generated Revenue Options for State Governments in a Recessed Economy’.

Declaring the seminar open, the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, stated that beyond the issue of enhancing IGR, the PDP states must cut down on wastage to be able to prepare for the future.

 

Secondus, who was represented by the party National Financial Secretary, Abdulahi Maibasira, said the myriads of problems facing the country necessitated the move away from the heavy reliance on the federal allocation to robust internally-generated revenue.

He warned that improved revenue is not enough as state governments must demonstrate prudence in the management of resources to meet the needs of the people.

According to Secondus, “The myriad of problems facing the country, like poor infrastructure, poverty and the likes, necessitated the need for more sources of fund. But increased IGR may not solve the problem. The best way also is to be prudent in the management of resources. There must be a cut down in waste to be able to prepare for tomorrow.”

The PDP national chairman also berated the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government for leading Nigeria to the unenviable position of the poverty capital of the world.

He expressed the hope that the summit would find solutions to the revenue issues hindering the performances of the government, advising that it should examine the issue of taxation, double taxation, secret tax codes, ease of doing business as well as the structure of government.

“We need to make revenue base count and make the country work. We can’t get the country working unless we do the needful,” Secondus stated.

Raising concern about multiple taxation, he stressed the need for transparent tax administration as well as the need to monitor e-commerce businesses.

Meanwhile, the party leader lamented the violence that enveloped the Bayelsa and Kogi States governorship elections, adding that what the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared as results were not the true reflection of what transpired.

Also, the Director of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Osaro Onaiwu, challenged the governors to think beyond oil,  stating that in the very near future, Nigeria may not have buyers for its oil.

He explained that this is why it has become critical for states to find creative ways to generate revenue internally.

According to Onaiwu, “This is not to be mistaken for a call for more taxes, rather, a call to begin to think outside the box in preparation for when Abuja cannot share as much as it does now.

He said that whether money comes from Abuja or not, there will still be a need for the states to build infrastructure, pay worker, provide health care, improve education among others.

Commending the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for hosting the South South Police Regional Summit, Onaiwu said what that mean is that PDP governors believe in peace and not violence, as such, it has helped the states to develop.

He added that Zamfara State in the next two years would be a state to be reckoned with as the governor is working round the clock to ensure that peace reign supreme for the benefit of the people.

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, revealed that there is a stabilising peace in the state, which he said has helped to generate revenue for the state.

 

Ultimate Onelove Club Advises FG to Offer Business Plans, Loans to SME Sector to Tackle Economic Crises …Set to celebrate 7th anniversary

By Sunday Okobi

In order to tackle the present economic crises in the country through small and medium enterprise (SME), the management of Ultimate Onelove Empowerment and Investment Company Nigeria Limited, a loaning and investment and empowerment firm in Lagos, has charged the federal government, through the ministry of commerce, to constantly offer free and easy business development plans for those in the SME sector on the loans provided to them for business.

The firm also urged the government to intensify easy access to small business loan as well as set up council to educate and supervise the growth of their businesses.

These advices were offered to the government and public at a press conference held recently in Lagos by the company to herald its seventh year anniversary and end of the year party taking place  on December 1, 2019, at Jonel Garden Hotel, Iyana-Ejigbo, Lagos.

At the event, the Managing Director of the investment firm, Mrs. Lynda Eze-uneke, told THISDAY that their company has provided loans and business development roadmaps to numerous small and medium businesses in Lagos and the South-east region as well as offer them constant mentorship on proper management and growth small business, as she called on the government to complement their efforts on SMEs in the country.

 









According to Eze-uneke, “The federal government, in order to grow the economy and take the country to a deserved state, should offer the stakeholders in the SME sector easy access to loan and free, easy and short term training on business development plans and proper management of the loans given to them, just like what our company is doing in local communities in Lagos and South-east area.

“We are providing people in the small and medium scale business with information on how to manage the loans given to them. We also encourage them on the importance of savings, the rules and benefit of savings and therefore making them to develop the habit of savings which in turn helps them to meet up with their urgent needs as well as keeping their business alive.

“Ultimately, we give them easy access to loan with low interest rate to boost up their businesses.”

The MD, who berated and described the federal government Tradermoni and Marketmoni programme for not being enough to start a substantial (SME) business, added that such money for a business plan was just a distraction which wouldn’t take any serious business-minded person anywhere, calling for SMEs to be giving high priority by the government, not doling out pittance in the name of SME loan.

Ultimate Onelove Empowerment and Investment Company Nigeria Limited boss, however, lauded the federal government over the border closure, which she said is of great help and advantageous “to our economy and the Nigerian people.

“The action has encouraged and increased the demand for local products. It will help our agriculture and business sectors and local industries to grow, as our youths would want be engaged in farming knowing well that profit will be made after successful farming activities. This will drastically reduce unemployment and enhanced the availability of local products. Also, there will be high earnings from those sectors which will automatically contribute to improved national income in form of tax revenue.”

Eze-uneke stated that their company  is ready to help the government carry out the training of traders and those in the SME sector on various business development plans if given the opportunity, adding that “we have been organising  interested persons in business plans, train them on the job creation, provide them with proper information and knowledge necessary in building their capacity to carry out their businesses, supervise them, disbursing directly to them whatever offer that comes their way from the government as well as monitor the growth of the business.

“So it would be an honour if Ultimate Onelove Empowerment and Investment Company Nigeria Limited is called to offer its quota to the economic development and growth of Nigeria.”

Drama As Melaye Visits INEC Headquarters Again

There was palpable tension on Wednesday at the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when security operatives denied Senator Dino Melaye and others from entering the premises to submit what was taken to be “additional petition.”

Melaye, candidate of the PDP in Saturday’s supplementary election for the Kogi West Senatorial seat, is not happy with the plans of the electoral umpire (INEC) and wants the exercise to be cancelled over what he describes as intimidation of voters and violence in the first conduct of the poll.

He approached INEC again with yet another petition, asking the commission to act on his petition and not start preparing for a supplementary election.

The PDP candidate, who was later granted entry, asked INEC to postpone the exercise, alleging that the electoral umpire did not include some of the polling units that were canceled during the November 16th election in the forthcoming supplementary poll.

No INEC national commissioner was present to receive Senator Melaye’s petition, however, a senior officer in the office of the INEC chairman, Mr. Jafaru Leko received the petition.

Kwankwaso Visits Bauchi, Enjoins the People to Support Gov Mohammed For Rapid Devt

Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has enjoined the people of Bauchi State to give their maximum support to the administration of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for the rapid socio -economic and political development of the state.

 Kwankwaso gave the advice while answering questions from journalists  at the Government House in Bauchi on his private visit to the state.

The former governor expressed confidence on the ability of Governor Bala Mohammed to overcome the challenges militating against the progress of the state, adding that he.has the capacity and experience to steer the affairs of the state to enviable heights.

He said with the support and cooperation of the people of the state regardless of their differences, it will assist the governor to deliver on his campaign promises.

 Kwankwaso used the medium to congratulate the governor on his victory in the last gubernatorial election conducted in the state, describing it as well deserved.

APC Chieftain Distances Self from Call for Oshiomhole's Resignation

The National Auditor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Isa Madu Chul, has disassociated himself from the purported call for the resignation of the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Chul said he was part of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting where a vote of confidence was passed on Oshiomhole, expressing shock over the publication where his name was mentioned as part of the signatories calling for the removal of the chairman.

He explained that he attended a meeting called by one Nasiru Dano, an ex-official member of the NEC, but in that meeting the issue of asking Oshiomhole to resign never came up.

Chul insisted that the publication was full of mischief and a ploy to destroy his reputation before the public, adding that he is loyal to the party and the leadership and would never be involved in any mischief.

He said: "Nothing of such was discussed because I cannot even be in such a meeting when I know that our national chairman has been leading the party to victory in our recent elections. Apart from that, he has brought discipline and party supremacy into the affairs of the party; repositioning the party and making it a winning machine, which is commendable.

"So I was surprised to see my name as one of those who signed for the resignation of Oshiomhole. I want to state categorically that I am not part of that evil plot, and I am calling on Nasiru Dano to retract that publication or I will take legal action against him."

Buhari, Netherlands PM Pledge to Collaborate on Trade, Human Trafficking

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Prime Minister of The Netherland, Mark Rutte, have agreed to work together to deepen trade volume, private investment as well as fight human trafficking among others.

Rutte is on a two-day working visit to Nigeria, and is leading a trade delegation of eight Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Dutch multinationals currently operating in Nigeria with huge investment portfolios in the agriculture, finance, oil and gas sectors.

According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President,  Femi Adesina,  the two leaders reached the agreement yesterday when they both met in Abuja to discuss bilateral  relations between Nigeria and The Netherlands.

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting revealed that the two leaders reviewed the progress that has been made on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on improving the bilateral relations between the two countries concluded and signed by the respective Foreign Ministers in The Hague in July 2018.

 ‘‘We welcome the steps that have been made to increase bilateral economic cooperation and are happy to see higher levels of bilateral trade volumes as well as private sector investments,’’ the communiqué signed by Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Netherlands, Oji Ngofa, and the Deputy Head of Mission, The Netherland Embassy in Abuja, Ewout-Jan de Wit, said.

It added: ‘‘The contribution of Dutch private businesses, both global players and small, micro and medium enterprises, to the Nigerian economy is duly noted.

‘‘Investments by the Netherlands Investment Bank FMO and the Dutch Good Growth Fund are contributing to better access to finance and energy for the private sector.

‘‘Nigeria confirms its commitment to continuing reforms for a conducive business and investment environment while The Netherlands pledges to continue assisting Nigeria for an increase in agricultural productivity, especially horticulture, seed, and sustainable palm oil production.’’

President Buhari and Prime Minister Rutte also reiterated their commitments to the fight against human trafficking, appreciating the close collaboration between both countries in supporting the victims.

Noting with concern the challenging security situation in the West-African sub-region and Nigeria, The Netherlands acknowledged the sustained efforts of Nigeria in the fight against insurgency and in countering violent extremism.

‘‘The Netherlands will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need, particularly women and girls, in order to mitigate the impact of insecurity and displacement,’’ the communiqué said.

After the bilateral consultations between delegations of both countries, Buhari and Rutte witnessed the signing of the MoU on dairy chain development between Royal FrieslandCampina WAMCO and the Government of Niger State.

Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, and the Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Plc, Mr. Ben Langat, signed the MoU. 

The agreement on dairy chain development is expected to save Nigeria about $1.2 billion from milk importation annually.

While speaking to State House correspondents, the Dutch Prime Minister expressed delight  to make his first visit to Nigeria.

According to him, "It is an honour to be here in Nigeria. It’s my first visit to Nigeria, and like I said at the lunch meeting, I am very impressed. Everything in this country is huge, is big. It is 20 times the size of The Netherlands and more people live in Lagos than the whole of my country.”

He added that from the discussions we had with the business leaders, it was very clear that despite the fact that there are so many differences, the two countries have a lot to offer each other politically, economically or culturally.

"Politically, Nigeria has taken its responsibility as one of Africa’s most important countries by playing a leading role in the region, and by this way expanding democracy in West Africa. I have deep respect for the way Nigeria is doing this including the leadership of the president.

"I also want to express my appreciation for Nigeria’s active role in promoting international law in the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Our countries, Nigeria and The Netherlands, share the belief that international law contributes to a fair and safer world. We are also working together on the issue of migration, and that is why the minister of migration is part of my delegation, and my country is looking forward to continuing this excellent partnership," he stressed.

The prime minister noted that one of the focuses of the visit is economic cooperation. He said both Nigeria and The Netherlands stand greatly to benefit from the economic cooperation, adding that there is room for trade expansion as The Netherlands is Nigeria’s third biggest trading partner and a major importer of Nigerian products.

On the humanitarian situation in the North-east region, he said: “We discussed at length the situations both in The Netherlands and in Nigeria and also what is happening in the different regions. We try to be involved as much as possible because of the long standing relationship between our two countries.

“We have a very active embassy here, there is a very active ambassador in the European and the Dutch side and from the Nigeria, and we can work together and deal with these issues.”

FUTA Expels Six Students for Bullying Colleague

The authorities of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) on Tuesday expelled six students of the institution for allegedly bullying of a fellow student.

The expulsion of the student, the school said, was sequel to the recommendation of an investigative panel which probed the incident that took place in an off-campus hostel on November 16, 2019.

The expelled students are Popoola Olaniyi Agboola IDD/ (300L); Oluwadare Faith Tobiloba FST ( 200L);  Nandi Yohanna Jessica IPE/ ( 200L); Ajuwon Tolani Emmanuella FAT/ (100L); Emmanuel Funmilayo Taiwo FAT/ (100L) and Alao Olabimpe Cecilia CSP/ (100 L)

The expulsion of the students was contained in a statement issued by the institution Deputy Director, Corporate Communications, Adegbenro Adebanjo.

The statement said the expulsion was in line with the position of page 48 of the 2019/2020 Students Handbook which prescribes expulsion from university for students who engage in “physical assault or battery on another student outside the university premises.”

 

Adegbenro said as a consequence of their expulsion, their studentship of FUTA ceases forthwith with all its rights and privileges.

According to him, the punishment meted out to the affected students is not to pander to the justifiable public outcry that greeted their ‘odious act’ but in tandem with the rules and regulations as contained in the Students Code of Conduct as stipulated in the university.

Robbers Attack THISDAY Executive Director, Others in Lagos Traffic

The perennial traffic that has bedeviled Lagos in recent times has encouraged the resurgence of traffic robbers, who take undue advantage of the situation to fleece unsuspecting motorists.

THISDAY Executive Director and and Arise TV analyst, Mr. Emmanuel Efeni, his kids and other motorists, were the victims of some of these traffic robbers on the long bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday morning.

As was the norm in the past couple of months, motorists were stuck on the bridge due to the gridlock, when the robbers struck and dispossessed them of their belongings.

Armed with sharp objects, the gang in true gestapo style, broke the side mirrors of the cars stuck in the traffic and robbed them of their valuables.

The robbers held sway at the entire axis for  minutes before the motorists, who were tired of being sitting ducks, mustered together and attacked back.

Recounting his ordeal, he said the dare-devil robbers took advantage of the traffic gridlock on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to attack Lagos-bound commuters early Tuesday morning on Long Bridge.

He said: “The traffic logjam has become constant as a result of the partial closure of the Berger Bridge for the ongoing construction of the expressway.

“The robbers emerged from under the long bridge to attack motorists who were literally at a standstill. Several men with iron rods and cutlasses at about 5.15 am emerged from under the long bridge and started smashing the side  glasses of cars and dispossessing passengers of their valuables.

“They got to my car, smashed the glass of the front passenger where my daughter was sitting and were asking in northern intonation "where is the money?, bring the money”.

“We were terribly frightened as they moved from car to car. It took some group of men who mobilised other drivers from their cars who came out with their spanners, cutlass and whatever they could lay their hands on to confront the thieves.

“With the large number men approaching, the robbers took to their heels and jumped under the bridge with their loot.”

This incident came barely a week after the new

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu, declared a state of emergency on traffic management and control in the state.

One of the measures he mapped out was the review of the time for duty report for traffic officers to take care of the peak hours.

He said traffic duty officers will run shifts between 10am and 10pm while the second shift will be 10pm to 10am, providing 24hours coverage. 

This he said would ensure free flow of traffic and will also curb the menace of traffic robbery. The truth in that statement remains to be seen with the continuous attacks on motorists.