Category: News

By Yinka Odumakin

UNTIL the late intervention of reasonable lawyers from the North, some fellows were going to break the Nigerian Bar Association into two for responding positively to the pressure of Open Bar Initiative to disinvite Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the recent Bar Conference.

Their argument was that a man who operates on the opposite lane of the rule of law should not be allowed on the platform of lawyers to make hypocritical declaration on the subject.

In the classic case of the person whom they said should not be made a chief because he curses all the time and reacted that “thunder will kill the person who said so”, El-Rufai‘s divisiveness was the first response to the corrective action.

Corrective action

There was no reflection on a governor openly boasting that he “settled” killers because they are of the same ethnic stock with him or threatening international community members that they would leave Nigeria in “body bags”.

Resorting to that bully tactics reminds us of when the Action Group through Anthony Enahoro moved the motion for Independence in 1957.

The North opposed the motion and thereafter walked out of parliament. The Kano riots followed later and an eight-point demand was issued to return to Nigeria: for the following: (1) That each region shall have complete Legislative and Executive Autonomy with respect to all matters except the following: External Affairs, Defence, Customs and West African Research Institutions;

(2) That there should be no Central Legislative body and no Central Executive or Policy making body for the whole of Nigeria; (3) That there shall be Central Agency for all regions which will be responsible for matters mentioned in Paragraph (1) and other matters delegated to it by a Region;

(4) That the Central Agency shall be a neutral place preferably Lagos; (5) That the composition and responsibility of the Central Agency shall be defined by the Order-in-Council establishing the constitutional arrangements. The agency shall be a non-political body.

(6) That the services of railway, air, posts and telegraphs, electricity and coal mining, shall be organised on an inter-regional basis and shall be administered by public corporations. These corporations shall be independent and covered by the statutes under which they are created by the board of experts with a minority representation of the regional governments;

ALSO READ: Bayelsa signs MOU with FG over upgrading Asoama Sports Academy

(7) All the revenues shall be levied and collected by the regional government except Customs revenue at the port of discharge by the Central Agency and paid to its treasury;

(8) The administration of the Customs shall be so organised so as to assure that goods consigned to the region are separately cleared and charged to duty. Each region shall have a separate public service.

We became independent in 1960 and in less than seven years we were already at war. And we have never really been at peace as a country really. It has been low-intensity war even in our peace season.

One of the major causes of our warfare has been resource allocation, which is why peace-loving Nigerians have been advocating for an all-round productive Nigeria through restructuring.

That agitation is currently being given practical effect by Governor Bello Matawale of Zamfara who is making the state the face of productivity through the exploration of solid minerals.

Exploration of solid minerals

He has used all the political skills to move across party lines to get the President to buy into this productivity line that will benefit the whole country.

There should be less tension when we get to the negotiating table now as we are no longer talking of sharing the resources of a section of the country. The Yoruba say that eating together is not a pleasant experience if it is only one side who brings food to the table.

What the local boys are washing at the moment is of more value than the allocation the state is taking from the federation sharing: a clear potential of benefits in Zamfara for the state and the rest of Nigeria. We showered all these only on maps at the 2014 National Conference. Matawale is bringing stuff out and he is getting all the encouragement he needs from President Muhammadu Buhari.

Our conversation in Nigeria under productivity will change from warfare to love and good neighborliness. Those who are embroiled in warfare now will key into peace.

Zamfara was a land of war before Matawale came and in a year, it is now a new territory where young people hear the voice of their governor urging them to key into productivity.

The Ooni of Ife (Alatunse) listened with rapt attention to the governor and decoded the meaning of what is happening in Zamfara for Nigeria as a whole.

He lauded him and prayed for him. He went a step further to say he shall become his chief soon as the Obapero of the source (he who brings calmness), a worthy appreciation for doing well for the community.

VANGUARD

Dr. Okonjo Iweala

Nigeria has appealed for global support for its candidate as the election process for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General position began on Monday in Geneva.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s two-time Finance Minister and a development economist are vying for the job alongside candidates from Mexico, Egypt, Moldova, UK, Saudia Arabia, Kenya, and South Korea.

At a reception held in Geneva to garner support for Iweala, Mr Adebayo Adeniyi the Minister of Trade and Investment described her as a global icon with proven leadership skills that the WTO required.

Also read: UK ready for any outcome of post-Brexit trade negotiations with EU – Johnson

Adeniyi, who was represented by Mr Abdulhamid Adamu, Charge d’ Affairs of the Nigerian Trade Office in Geneva listed some of Iweala’s achievements as spearheading negotiations and reforms that enhanced transparency of government accounts and strengthening institutions against corruption, among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the first phase of the election process, Amb. David Walker, Chair of the WTO’s  General Council and his colleagues from the Dispute Settlement Body, Mr Dacio Castillo as well as that of the Trade Policy Review Body, Mr Harald Aspelund will commence consultations with all WTO members.

The consultation is geared toward assessing their preferences to determine which candidate is best placed to attract consensus support.

At the end of the first phase of consultation, three candidates will be dropped thereby paving the way for five candidates to move to the next level.

Okonjo-Iweala in an interview with NAN expressed her readiness for the job saying she possessed the required competence.

“I want our partners and the WTO members to know that I have the bundle of skills required to lead the organisation at this time and put it ahead and face it towards the future.

“I am hoping that they will support me.

“I have had constructive discussions with the WTO members and feel really good and confident but nothing is done until it’s done. So I don’t want to be overconfident “ She said.

She also expressed appreçiation to President Muhammadu Buhari and his Chief of Staff Prof. Ibrahim Gambari for nominating and supporting her.

Okonjo-Iweala also expressed gratitude to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama for his support.

The WTO election process usually lasts up to two months.

So far, no date has been fixed yet for the announcement of the winner.

Vanguard News

By Gabriel Ewepu – Abuja

A group called Peoples Movement for a New Nigeria, PMNN, on Monday demanded the inclusion of well-specified traditional rulers’ roles in the constitution amendment by the National Assembly for a new and effective approach to address many challenges facing governance at the grassroots.

This demand was made by the President and Founder PMNN, Yahaya Ndu, at a press conference held in Abuja.

According to Ndu there is confusion, despair, and desperation everywhere one cares to look in today’s Nigeria. Insecurity, unemployment, immorality, bestiality, corruption, unrest, violence, as well as disrespect for constituted authorities, is common, and Nigeria and Nigerians by popular confession have never had it so bad, to say the least.

He also recalled that traditional rulers had constitutional roles under the 1960 and the 1963 constitutions, and under those constitutions, the Council of Chiefs was established in the regions; and as a matter of fact, some of the traditional rulers even rose to become regional Governors.

READ ALSO: Economic Summit Group commends FG over petrol price deregulation, electricity tariffs

He further stated that even in the 1979 constitution, traditional rulers were represented in the National Council of State.

He added that before the coming of the white man; before the advent of colonialism in Nigeria, the areas that makeup Nigeria were largely governed and administered by the Ezes, the Obas, the Emirs, and so on;  and governance structures were rooted in the traditional institutions.

When the white man and his colonial rule came, traditional authorities were gradually uprooted and increasingly made irrelevant and redundant and even cosmetic to the extent that today there are no specific roles for Traditional Rulers in the extant 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said: “In all the 36 states of Nigeria, as well as in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, traditional rulers are in place in their various constituencies.

“But strangely, the role of traditional rulers was totally and inexplicably expunged from the extant 1999 Constitution. That opportunity is the ongoing review of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

“I, therefore, with all sense of history and patriotism, urge the National Assembly of our beloved country Nigeria to lead us back to the right track, to restore the glory, honour, and dignity of our traditional rulers; and to create and ensure specific roles for them in the constitution of Nigeria.

“Virtually all our traditional rulers are among the best brains we have in this country. Most of them are extremely well-traveled. Many of them are successful captains of industry that have proved their mettle in all works of life.

“They are solidly grounded in the culture and tradition of their communities and people. They are patriotic. They are civilized and civil. They are the embodiment of all that is good and regal and exemplary in society.

“Let us restore their glory, honour, and dignity; and by so doing, we shall inevitably engender a new lease of life for our nation Nigeria.”

He also said that in creating and setting out the specific roles for traditional rulers, some areas and sectors to be in the amended constitution include “Security; Traditional institution is the closest tier of government to the people, to the communities, much more than even the local government authorities and what have you.

“They are also the institutions that make the most sense to the people whom they serve. Therefore, the traditional rulers should by all means have specific roles as regards security within their domains, even if such roles are to be limited to gathering of intelligence.

“The roles should be sacrosanct and should not be at the whims or pleasure of state Governors who are essentially and even constitutionally partisan.

“Culture and Tourism; Nigeria, our country, is groaning from debilitating massive and chronic unemployment, poverty, etc. Common sense if nothing else should compel us to use our staggering cultural and tourism endowments, potentials, and attractions to create employment for our people, especially the youth and women.

“Most instructively, culture, and tourism create employment for the people where they are.  In other words, those in the rural areas, for instance, will have gainful employment created for them right there in their rural areas, where they reside.

“So, in this light, there is simply no attendant rural-urban migration to contend with.

“Agriculture; One of the most strange aspects of the neglect we have entrenched regarding our traditional rulers is in the area of agricultural development, initiative, and interventions.

“For a nation profoundly blessed with arable lands, the most populous black nation on earth, it is indeed most strange that hunger is starring us in the face so much so that we are perpetually asking for foreign aid to feed our people.

“I urge the National Assembly as it reviews the constitution to ensure that specific roles are also assigned to our traditional rulers in the area of agricultural development if we are serious about conquering hunger in Nigeria.

“Environmental Sanitation; All over the world and through all generations known to man, environmental sanitation is instrumental to the health and well-being of people.

“Today, when we have reduced our traditional rulers and institutions to mere ornaments to be displayed as governors see fit and when we have visitors etc, the reverse is the case.

“Solid Minerals, Oil and Gas, and other extractive industry; Traditional rulers should by law be involved in all extractive industrial activities conducted or undertaken within their domains.

“This arrangement amongst other things will help in reducing restiveness and insecurity as well as unemployment in the localities.”

He also called on NASS to consider emoluments for traditional rulers in the constitutional amendment, which should come directly from the consolidated revenue of the Governments and a percentage of the revenue internally generated from the domain of the traditional rulers resulting from viable endeavors and enterprises initiated by the traditional rulers in their communities.

On appointment, he said, “Traditional rulers should be appointed, suspended or removed as the case may be, not by State Governors/Governments but their constituencies themselves following their respective culture and tradition.

“Dispute between traditional rulers and government or between traditional rulers and their subjects should be settled through the instrumentality of their cultural norms and the courts.”

In conclusion, he said, “In so doing, we have exposed our society to the ravages and vagaries all that is evil and negative with the attendant immorality, ungodliness, disharmony, and boundless catastrophes.

“Experience has shown us abundantly that we have erred. Yes, we have erred and fallen down the slopes; and racing towards a bottomless pit.

READ ALSO: Ogun reduces school hrs to 3 as it announces reopening date

“But fortunately, all hope is not lost and an opportunity to make amends and move ourselves to the right track has presented itself.”

However, he (Ndu) decried the alleged treatment some State Governors are treating traditional rulers, which has made the traditional institution a doormat and relegated to the backburner.

“These traditional rulers are now appointed and hold office at the pleasure of the state Governors and can be dethroned or suspended at the whims and caprices of the Governors.

“Paradoxically, traditional rulers are said to be the custodians of the culture and traditions of their Peoples.

“The social dislocation that has resulted in this aberration is glaring for all to see. Interestingly, the National Assembly populated by representatives of all the people of Nigeria our country is in the process of reviewing the 1999 operational constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he said.

Vanguard

Ona Ekhomu

By Evelyn Usman

Security expert, Dr Ona Ekhomu, has charged traditional rulers in the country to design and implement security architectures that would interface with security agencies, to tackle security threats in communities.

He also described as urgent, the need for state governments to weave traditional rulers into the fabric of security in the states if the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and assassinations would be won.

He gave the charge weekend in Lagos while announcing the conferment of the fellowship of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operations of Nigeria, AISSON on the Aguma of Bassa Turunku Kingdom in Nasarawa State, Dr. David Wodi Tukura, in recognition of his leading role in promoting security and safety culture and consciousness in Nigeria.

ALSO READ: People Talk: On fuel pump price and electricity tariff increase

Lauding the recently enthroned monarch for spreading the gospel of security awareness in his Kingdom, the AISSON President, said: “His Highness brings critical security and leadership skills to the fight against banditry and terrorism in Nasarawa State and the North-Central geo-political zone of Nigeria.

Recipient of the fellowship of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operations of Nigeria, AISSON, the Aguma of Bassa Turunku Kingdom in Nasarawa State, Dr. David Wodi Tukura.

Given the pedigree of His Highness, he is well-positioned to assist Governor Abdullahi Sule and other State actors in achieving public peace in the State.

He is a veritable security icon who served twice as commandant of the Training Academy of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Dr. Tukura also served as Director of Research in EFCC and holds the prestigious security certification – Certified Protection Officer (CPO) from the International Foundation of Protection Officers USA.

Reminding governors on the need to inculcate traditional rulers into the fabric of security in their states, he also advised traditional rulers to organize vigilante groups and hunters to defend their areas while the public security agencies combat complex security threats.

“ Traditional rulers should design and implement security architectures that interface with public agencies in the event of grave threats such as the recent mass fatality bank robbery in Kagara Niger State, where about 90 bandits on motorbikes attacked a bank in the town, robbed it and killed a large number of persons”, he stated.

VANGUARD

By Victor Ahiuma-Young, Chioma Obinna, Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Gabriel Olawale

The Federal Government, Monday evening, ordered members of National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, to return to their duty posts immediately, summoning a meeting with the leadership of NARD for tomorrow, Wednesday, in Abuja.

Speaking through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, in a statement by the Deputy Director/Head of Press of the ministry, Charles Akpan, the government explained that six of the eight demands listed by the association had been met.

He said even with the lean resources available due to the COVID-19 effects on oil output and price, resulting in low revenue, the Federal Government had addressed majority of their demands, including Special Hazard and Inducement Allowances, and Group Life Insurance.

The labour minister reminded the resident doctors that “by the labour laws and the International Labour Organisation, ILO, conventions when issues are being conciliated, all parties are enjoined not to employ arm-twisting methods to intimidate or foist state of helplessness on the other party, in this case, their employers, the Federal Ministry of Health.

“There is a pending case in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN, instituted by two civil society groups against NARD, the Minister of Health, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment.”

ALSO READ: Patients groan as NARD begins nationwide total strike

Consequently, Ngige advised the resident doctors to respect the country’s laws and withdraw the ultimatum issued to their members to down tools with effect from 8a.m., Monday, September 7.

The life insurance, according to the statement, “is not only for health professionals and workers but prepared also for all federal civil servants and public servants in federal organisations that are treasury funded.”

The minister said the Federal Government also appropriated N4 billion from the Special Intervention COVID-19 N500 billion 2020 Appropriation, for funding of Medical Residency Training and with intent to do same in the ongoing 2021 budget to be submitted to NASS for consideration.

He added that the N4 billion has been processed for payment.

“Other issues like the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital right between NARD and the authorities were addressed, while old issues not related to the COVID-19 period and issues of state governments not addressing the Consequential Minimum Wage Adjustments, and low patronage of Residency programme are work in progress,” he added.

Already, patients seeking healthcare services in different public-owned hospitals in Lagos were left stranded, as NARD members made good their threat to embark on a nationwide indefinite strike from Monday.

Recall that the doctors had, Friday, threatened to an indefinite strike over alleged government failure to meet their demands after the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum.

When Vanguard visited some of the public-owned hospitals in Lagos, although some doctors, especially consultants, were seen offering skeletal services, the patients who turned up in large numbers were turned back as a result of the strike, which was called over non-payment of life insurance, and other allowances.

Many patients who spoke to Vanguard at various hospitals in Lagos described the development as an act of wickedness on the part of the government and striking doctors.

From the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH; National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi; Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta; to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, patients were left unattended to.

Speaking with Vanguard at the FMC, Ebutte Metta, a patient, Mr Kunle Ademola, said that the recurrent strike was very disappointing as it is not in any way helpful for patient’s quick recovery.

He added: “This recurrent strike is very frustrating. The last time I came, they went on strike for some weeks before they called it off. Now, they have embarked on another strike.

“I hope they will reach a better agreement on time. Since the service I required was not an emergency I was told to come back. When will I come back? They can’t say.”

Reacting to the development, President, NARD-LUTH, Dr Jolayemi Judith, said that over 400 resident doctors in the hospital were fully in compliance with the national directive as regard the strike.

He added: “None of our members is going to render any service in whatever form. We appeal to the patients to bear with us while calling on the Federal Government to do the needful and move the nation’s healthcare forward. ”

VANGUARD

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has said that over 1,000 schools would be reconstructed and equipped with modern teaching facilities across the 16 local government areas of the state.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Rafiu Ajakaye, quoted the governor as saying this on Monday at the last lap of the citizens’ engagement on the 2021 budget held at Ajase-Ipo.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the citizens’ engagement was via zoom meetings with the people.

Also read: KWARA: Battle royale as Popoola, Danbaba fight for speakership

AbdulRazaq added that the administration has activated plans to gradually fix the school facilities, equip them, and train and motivate teachers to guarantee quality basic education in the state.

“We have over 1,000 schools, which need to be rebuilt completely. It is not just about renovation because many of the classrooms have collapsed. Some do not even have floor, not to talk of furniture.

“So, we will gradually fix these schools and bring them back. There are many lapses, especially in the area of education.

“That is why we intend to access UBEC funds which the state has not accessed since 2013.

“We want to access it to fix some of our schools. The infrastructure deficit is so huge that even the entire UBEC fund cannot fix all our schools,” he added.

NAN also reports that the State Executive Council had on Friday approved for the state to take an N7.1 billion facility to access another N7.1 billion of the six-year backlog of outstanding UBEC funds, which the state plans to invest in its basic education sector.

Speaking via zoom, the governor said the administration would also invest in training and promotion of teachers, among other incentives, to keep and attract more qualified hands.

He commended the people of Kwara South for their self-help approach to development, adding that the administration would not fail in its duty to build infrastructure and rejuvenate the economy.

“The government is aware of challenges in Kwara South, particularly in the area of access roads for farm produce and trade.

“Would soon commence phased construction of at least 600 kilometers of roads under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) before the end of the year.

“The World Bank assisted programme (RAAMP) is going on, and that should cover about 600-kilometer roads, which should begin by the fourth quarter of this year.

“Many roads have been captured under the program, including Kwara South,” AbdulRazaq said.

He said the administration has been constructing some roads and rehabilitating health centers in the region, as elsewhere across the state, and called for more engagement with and support for the government.

“This meeting is to engage you, to know your pains, where you want us to improve in terms of infrastructure: roads, water, healthcare, schools, job creation, and indeed all facets of human endeavours.

“So, we are here to listen to you. Tell us what you want and how you want it done,” he added.

AbdulRazaq said the government has also set up a committee on job creation headed by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi with a mandate to explore more areas the administration can get people engaged in productive activities.

The engagement session was attended by the Deputy Governor; members of the Kwara State House of Assembly led by Speaker Rt Hon. Yakubu Danladi; cabinet members; traditional rulers; and various youths and community-based associations across the Kwara South.

Vanguard News

Kano State Government says it has recruited over 10,000 teachers to fast track implementation of its Free Compulsory Education programme.

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje made this known at the National Consultative Workshop on the ECOWAS Post 2020 Vision on Monday in Kano.

Ganduje, represented by Musa Yahaya-Bichi, Permanent Secretary Cabinet Office, said the measure was in line with the ECOWAS Vision, aimed at achieving sustainable social and economic development in the sub-region.

READ ALSO: Wither the Reconstruction of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road Project?

He said that the recruitment was designed to improve teacher-pupil ratio, enhance school enrollment and reduce the number of Out-of-School children in the state.

The governor noted that the population of the Out-of-School children had dropped to less 400,000 as against 1.3 million before the introduction of the programme in the state.

“This is expected to further shrink in view of the popularity of the policy among the people,” he said.

Ganduje revealed that the state government had also inaugurated the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital and Sheikh Isiaku Rabiu Pediatrics Hospital.

He said that the hospitals were equipped with modern facilities to enhance treatment of cancer and child health medicine in the state.

The governor added that the state government has concluded plans to establish 300-bed capacity hospitals each at Bichi, Gaya, Karaye and Rano to enhance healthcare service delivery at the grassroots.

On security, Ganduje disclosed that an ICT based Advanced Security Control Centre was set up at the Police Command, Bompai, while an ultra-modern skill acquisition centre was established to provide training in over 100 trades to youth and women in the state.

Ganduje noted that his administration had executed infrastructure development and other viable projects in line with the ECOWAS Vision to improve the social and economic wellbeing of residents.

He urged the participants to make positive contributions to enable the forum achieve its objectives.

Also speaking, Mr Joseph Oyi, Head of ECOWAS Unit, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the workshop was designed to articulate on the views of stakeholders on the impact of the ECOWAS Vision 2020.

Oyi added that it was also designed to gather views of the people of Nigeria with regards to the formulations of the ECOWAS Vision 2050.

“The aim is to have discussion with stakeholders on the ECOWAS Post 2020 Vision.

READ ALSO: Flood: 4 killed, 5,200 houses destroyed in Kano

“The vision borders on a strategy or plan whereby the Commission is moving from the ECOWAS of States to ECOWAS of the People.

“This means that all activities of ECOWAS should be people oriented, people inclusiveness in its programmes such as education and democracy among others.

“We are looking at how education in the region will be harmonised so that we don’t have disparity in the education certificate. And within the member states education certificate can be used without problems,” he added.

Vanguard

Godwin Obaseki (left) and Ize-Iyamu

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Edo Governorship election says Gov. Godwin Obaseki has toyed with his chances for re-election by failing to keep to his electoral promises.

Ize-Iyamu made the assertion on Monday, during his ward-to-ward campaign at Ogwa, Esan West and Amahor, Igueben Local Government Areas of the state.

He said Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), missed his chances of reelection when he betrayed the trust of people of the state.

He said it was because the governor could not give account of his stewardship to Edo people that he decided to cross-carpet to PDP where he felt he would not be held accountable for his actions.

“‘The governor did nothing for Edo people for almost four years and does not deserve a second term because he will also not work for the people,” he said, urging the electorate to vote massively for APC to restore Edo to the path of development.

“We will bring more roads and employ teachers in your schools.

“In the area of Manpower development, our women need more than wrappers, they need money to support their businesses,” Ize-Iyamu said.

READ ALSO: Edo 2020: PDP urges INEC, security agencies to be neutral

At Udo, Igueben council, he promised to construct the road linking the community to Igueben town.

In his remarks, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Edo, said he withdrew his support for Obaseki because he failed to continue with the upgrade of infrastructure he met on ground.

Oshiomhole said Obaseki could not deliver the dividends of democracy to Edo people, a promise the Governor made during his electioneering campaign in 2016.

“Today, you are complaining of lack of good roads, no teachers, no water because he failed to continue with my work.” (NAN)

vanguardngr.com

Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said it was committed to the credible electoral process in the upcoming forthcoming Edo and Ondo Governorship elections.

The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, made this known at a webinar on Edo/Ondo Elections organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).

The theme of the webinar was “Edo/Ondo Elections: The imperative of Safety Consciousness and Conflict Sensitivity in Media Coverage and Reportage”.

Oyekanmi said that the commission was committed to providing a level playing field for all candidates and parties.

“We are not interested in the outcome of the elections but the credibility of the process to ensure that materials get to the polling unit on good time.”

Oyekanmi appealed to journalists to be fair and objective in reporting the Edo and Ondo elections, adding that in spite of the utterances of political actors in Edo and the challenges, INEC was ready for credible poll.

He said that the commission had taken proactive measures to address security concerns.

“INEC is determined to conduct the election despite the current difficult circumstances.

“Out of the 14 activities listed in the timetable released in February, we have carried out 12.

“The only two left are the deadline for campaigns slated for Sept. 17 and the election proper slated for Sept. 19.

“All the logistics needed for the election have been taken care of. The non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the 18 local government areas of the state,” he said.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Akwa-Ibom Journalists snub Fani-Kayode’s press conference

Mr Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of ICP, said the key objectives of the webinar were to strengthen the capacity of the media to engage professional, ethical, issue-oriented, gender-sensitive issues.

Arogundade said it was also to improve their capacity on inclusive sensitive and conflict sensitive reporting of the electoral processes and elections.

Arogundade said the webinar was organised with a specific focus on the imperative of safety consciousness and conflict sensitivity in media coverage of the two elections because of the prevailing circumstances in the two states.

“In the area of safety, we are looking at how journalists could avoid getting in harm’s way in the course of their legitimate duties amid the general concern that the elections could turn violent as pockets of violence are already being recorded here and there particularly in Edo.

“We are also looking at how journalists could ensure their health safety in view of the fact that the two elections are taking place under the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the area of conflict sensitivity, we are looking at how journalists could contribute to the peaceful conduct of the elections by embracing the principles and guidelines of conflict-sensitive journalism,” he said.

Arogundade urged journalists in the two states and elsewhere to read and digest the Resource Manual on Elections and Democratic Accountability and the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage.

“Both publications actually have chapters or sections that deal extensively with details of how journalists could be conflict-sensitive, avoid hate speech and be personal-safety-sensitive in the coverage and reportage of elections,” he said.

He reminded journalists that their main duty during elections was to relay the information that citizens would require to make informed choices.

“It is a duty we must not abdicate but which we have to undertake with the utmost sense of professional responsibility so as to set the appropriate pubic interest agenda as far as elections in Edo and Ondo states are concerned,” he said. (NAN)

vanguardngr.com

President says, anyone can now import petrol & compete


Potential benefits of petrol deregulation similar to experience in Telecoms

Though the deregulation of petrol is causing hardship across the polity, the initial pain will eventually give way to greater benefits among which include a significant reduction in the price and availability of the product at all times, according to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President stated this on Monday at the First Year Ministerial Performance Review Retreat for Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and top government functionaries in Abuja.

Apparently, this was what happened when competition was allowed in the Telecoms sector, the tariffs were initially high, even the cost of SIM cards then was about N50,000, but today due to competition SIM cards are in fact given free of charge by operators.

Speaking on the impact of petrol deregulation, the President acknowledged the difficulty that the development is causing Nigerians, noting that “we will continue to seek ways and means of cushioning pains especially for the most vulnerable in our midst.”

According to Buhari “We will also remain alert to our responsibilities to ensure that marketers do not exploit citizens by raising pump price arbitrarily. This is the role that government must now play through the PPRA.

“This explains why the PPRA made the announcement a few days ago setting the range of price that must not be exceeded by marketers. The advantage we now have is that anyone can bring in petroleum products and compete with marketers, that way the price of petrol will be keep coming down.”

Still referring to the benefits of a deregulated market, President Buhari said petrol scarcity which usually caused long queues at petrol stations have been dealt with noting that “under this administration, Nigerians no longer have to endure long queues just to buy petrol, often at highly inflated prices.”

In the same vein the President explained his administration’s tariff adjustment policy emphasizing that it was geared towards improving service delivery and addressing arbitrary increases.

According to him, “NERC, the industry regulator therefore approved that tariff adjustments had to be made but only on the basis of guaranteed improvement in service. Under this new arrangement, only customers who are guaranteed a minimum of 12hours of power and above can have their tariffs adjusted.

“Those who get less than 12 hours supply, or the Band D and E Customers MUST be maintained on lifeline tariffs, meaning that they will experience no increase. This is the largest group of customers. Government has also taken notice of the complaints about arbitrary estimated billing. Accordingly, a mass metering program is being undertaken to provide meters for over 5 million Nigerians, largely driven by preferred procurement from local manufacturers – creating thousands of jobs in the process.”

Speaking on actions taken to addressing long standing challenges, the President said measures are being put in place to address the challenge faced by Nigerians not connected to the grid.

“…as part of the Economic Sustainability Plan, we are providing Solar Home Systems to 5 million Nigerian households in the next 12 months. We have already begun the process of providing financing support through the CBN for manufacturers and retailers of Off Grid Solar Home Systems and Mini-Grids who are to provide the systems.

“The Five million systems under the ESP’s Solar Power Strategy will produce 250,000 jobs and impact up to 25 million beneficiaries through the installation This means that more Nigerians will have access to electricity via a reliable and sustainable solar system,” the President noted.

Vanguard

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lapos State.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday said that the Coronavirus pandemic had shown Nigerians that there was need for prayers.

Sanwo-Olu, who said this at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Session of the 34th Synod of the Diocese of Lagos, also urged everyone to continue to pray for the state and country.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the 2nd Session of the 34th Synod was held at Our Saviours Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

“COVID-19 has shown us in reality that we need to pray. We are not out of it yet, we need to continue to take precautions. Your prayers has really held us all together.

“The church has also participated in series of activities during the lockdown, various donations have been given to the citizens and I thank all churches for these,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu, who said the numbers were gradually going down in the state, also sympathised with everyone that had lost someone during the pandemic.

“This is a painful thing and as a government we will continue to do what we need to do to keep life alive.

He said that the theme, “Pray, Serve and Grow’, was apt due to the ongoing pandemic ravaging the world.

READ ALSO: APC takes SIMPLE Agenda message to Edo North

“Service to the Lord is serving, loving and supporting one another.For us to build a greatest Lagos, we certainly need to hold on to God and pray.

“We certainly need to use God as an instrument of contact for all of us,” he said.

He, however, appreciated the frontline health workers who had been working tirelessly during the pandemic.

The Bishop of Lagos, Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye, in his address, appreciated everyone for their presence.

He said:“We are here, gathered to register our unreserved appreciation and gratitude to God Almighty, for seeing us through the devastating season of global outbreak of an infectious pandemic disease.

“The kernel of our joyful celebration is anchored to the unshakeable assurance, that we have a bigger God, by whose fulfilled promises of protection upon our lives, gave us the grace to gather today,” he said. (NAN)

vanguardngr.com

As reactions continue to trail the deregulation of the prices of electricity and petrol, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) on Monday commended government’s actions at deregulating fuel and electricity prices, noting that the benefits would ensure smooth functioning of both markets.

The position of the group is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr Asue Ighodalo and NESG CEO, Mr Laoye Jaiyeola.

According to the group, “the NESG commends government’s actions at deregulating fuel and electricity prices and urge that proper policies, processes and procedures be put in place, to ensure that all the reforms (beyond price deregulation) necessary to facilitate the smooth functioning of both the fuel and electricity markets are effectively and conclusively implemented.”

Continuing, the NESG said “adequate communication to stakeholders and the general public on the benefits derivable from these actions must also be regularly carried out.”

ALSO READ: FCT police arrests man who stole FRSC vehicle 

Speaking further on the reform programme being implemented by the current administration, the NESG acknowledges all efforts especially in diversifying the economy.

It said “the NESG notes nation’s huge exposure to the vagaries of oil price fluctuations and emphasizes the need for a better structured and effective diversification of the economy. However, the NESG is not oblivious to the continuing crucial role of the Oil and Gas sector in our economy.

“Accordingly, we applaud the work now being done by the Presidency to see to the quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and urge further stakeholder consultations so that the resultant law will create the required enabling environment for investment flows, reserves enhancement, technology transfer and utilization efficiency.”

On the Federal Government’s efforts in improving efficiency at the nation’s ports, the group acknowledges government efforts at reopening the eastern port and urges that the rail link between Onne and Port Harcourt be given urgent attention so as to avoid replicating the Apapa Port experience.

Stating its position on recently enacted Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, the NESG acknowledged the expected far-reaching positive impact of the law on small businesses and called on individuals and groups who have expressed concerns to seek appropriate ways of addressing them.

According to the group, “we have noted the issues being raised by some stakeholders about the provisions of certain sections of the Act, and urge all concerned to follow due process in seeking review and then be given fair hearing such that the many proactive provisions in the law that would facilitate the ease of doing business, provide efficient corporate structures and a stable / certain business climate are not drowned out but are well communicated, optimised and implemented.”

Vanguard

By James Ogunnaike

Ogun State Government has announced Monday, 21 September 2020 for the reopening of schools in the state for the first term of 2020/2021 session.

Vanguard reports that the state government, however, reduced the hours for primary and secondary school to three hours.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kunle Somorin explained that this second phase of the reopening of schools is extended to all classes in primary and secondary schools, Technical and Vocational Colleges, and Tertiary Institutions.

Somorin explained that while primary 1 to primary 3 will go to school from 8.00 am to 11.00 am, primary 4 to primary 6 will go to class from 12.00noon to 3.00 pm.

He added that JSS 1 to JSS 3 lecture will be between 8.00 am and 11.00 am, while SS1 to SS3 will attend classes from 12.00noon to 3.00 pm.

The statement, however, said Technical and Vocational Colleges will operate their normal school hours of 8.00 am to 2.00 pm.

The statement reads “Early Child Care Development and Education classes i.e 3-5 years of age will not be resuming in public schools until the next phase of schools’ reopening”.

”Private schools are expected to take necessary measures to meet the COVID-19 protocols for physical distancing, among other requirements”.

READ ALSO: Ogun state commences third phase of broiler project

”Tertiary institutions are allowed to commence reopening from 21 September 2020 as may be determined by their respective management”.

“It should be noted that the government had earlier announced that all students had been given an automatic promotion to the next class, including automatic placement for primary 6 students in public primary schools into JSS1 of public secondary schools”.

However, primary 6 pupils desirous of placement into the State-owned Boarding Schools will sit for the Common Entrance Examination on Saturday, 12 September 2020.

“The hitherto JSS3 students who have now been promoted to SS1 will write their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in October 2020.

”The Statement emphasised that the COVID-19 guidelines earlier issues for reopening of schools are still in effect and include: Provision of Sick bays / Isolation rooms in schools, training and designation of some teachers as first-line responders, provision of face masks, infrared thermometers, adequate hand washing facilities and alcohol-based sanitisers for students and teachers in all schools; disinfection of the schools as well as suspension of general assembly.

“Our approach to COVID-19 pandemic management has been deliberate, focused, inclusive and carefully balanced between life and livelihood and this has manifested in the steps we have adopted to the reopening of schools, ensuring safety of our children whilst minimising disruption in their education”.

“The guidelines are applicable to all schools in the state whether private or public”.

“I enjoin our students to take full benefits of the reopening of the schools for their educational advancement and wish them a very fulfilling 2020/2021 academic year”, the statement concluded.

Vanguard News Nigeria

President Donald Trump on Monday said the United States was not a fully developed country. Trump stated this at a news conference outside the White House that coincided with the U.S. Labour Day celebration.

According to him, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) treats China as a developing nation, and the U.S. “as a nation that is fully developed”.

He cited the U.S.-China trade agreement signed by the Obama administration under WTO conventions, describing it as one of the most disastrous trade deals in history.

“We are not fully developed, as far I am concerned.

“China didn’t t play by the rules. One of the reasons WTO is so bad is because China didn’t play by the rules.

“We did, but their rules were easier because they are considered a developing nation.

“So, their standards are much lower, but even at that they didn’t play by the rules,” he said.

Trump said the U.S. lost millions of jobs and billions of dollars to China under the deal, which his administration had renegotiated.

No country has ever cheated America like China did for many years and decades, the president said, adding that the U.S. was getting nothing other than losses.

READ ALSO: Igbo Muslims urge Buhari to remain focus on anti-graft war

“But China was taking our money to build their military. You see they are building a very powerful military.

“We are lucky I am building ours otherwise we would be dwarfed right now by China,” he said.

Reiterating his claim that China would own America should Joe Biden wins the Nov. 3 presidential election, he said his administration was working towards decoupling the U.S. and Chinese economies.

“So, when you mention the word decouple, it’s an interesting word.

“Under my administration, we will make America enter the manufacturing super power of the world that will end our reliance on China once and for all.

“Whether it’s decoupling or putting in massive tariffs like I have been doing already, we will end our reliance on China because we can’t rely on China,” he added.

Trump said the WTO had become much better following his rough stance against international organisations that were unfair to the U.S.

“We are looking at WTO. They have become much better. They have been very nice to us lately, I would say that, amazingly.

“We never used to win anything at the WTO, we were losing every case, but all of a sudden we won a lot of cases.

“We just won seven billion dollars, and they are talking to us much differently than they used to, because if they don’t shape up, we are going to shape out, that’s all.”(NAN)

vanguardngr.com

ECOWAS

By Bashir Bello

The Economic and Community of West African States, ECOWAS on Monday said it has eliminated over 95% of trade barriers along borders for member states under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme, ETLS.

This was as it said that Nigeria alone accounts for 60 to 70 per cent of products under the scheme.

Head of ECOWAS National Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Joseph Oyi disclosed this during a consultative workshop organized by the ECOWAS Post 2020 vision held in Kano State.

Mr. Oyi represented by Tajuddeen Epo further reeled out other achievements by the commission to include facilitation of peaceful and democratic change of government in seven countries including Nigeria.

According to him, “positive developments in several West African Countries, including continued efforts being made to carry out political, constitutional and security sector reforms to improve good governance and democracy. The region facilitated peaceful and democratic change of government in Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Mali, Togo and Senegal.

“Under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme, ETLS, the region has eliminated over 95% of trade barriers along borders of member states. Presently, Nigeria has over 2,400 companies with over 6,900 products under the scheme.  Nigeria alone accounts for 60 to 70 per cent of products under the scheme.

“Accordingly, the goal of this workshop is to articulate the views of various stakeholders on impact of ECOWAS Vision n 2020, as well as the expectations of the people of Nigeria, with regards to the formulations of the ECOWAS Vision 2050 document.

“The objective of this workshop is to collectively assess the ECOWAS Vision 2020 and to ensure that the ECOWAS Post 2020 vision reflects Nigeria’s national interest as well as regional aspiration.

READ ALSO: Insecurity: North Central elders join call for sack of service chiefs

“The transformation of the ECOWAS from “ECOWAS of State to ECOWAS of the people” is non-negotiable. Consequently, the emphasis is directed towards regional projects that will have direct impacts on the people of the community,” Oyi however said.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the workshop would play a vital role in fine-tuning modalities of moving west African nations forward.

Ganduje represented by the Permanent Secretary cabinet office, Alhaji Musa Yahaya Bichi said his administration had initiated a lot of developmental policies and infrastructure geared towards improving the well being of the general populace.

He said some of the developmental projects include free and compulsory education at primary and secondary schools levels, enhance security tactics through modern ICT technology, provide infrastructural facilities for improvement of Health care service delivery among others.

Vanguard News Nigeria

A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Nigeria news, Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc

By Ozioruva Aliu

A middle-aged man identified as Okhehelem Onyenma Monday protested the purported rape of his six years old daughter (name withheld) in Edobor Street, Uwelu quarters alleging that the suspect, Destiny Obiyan lured his six years old daughter with rice and egg to defile her.

Oyenma who took his protest to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin City said he became aware that all was not well with his daughter when he noticed that she was bleeding from her private part.

He said “He took my daughter through the backyard to his own house, bought her rice and egg. My daughter told me that after feeding her, he pulled her pants, put his fingers and after that, he inserted his penis.

“After that, my daughter started bleeding seriously. So, because of the curfew, the vigilance group assisted me and my wife to look for my daughter that night and not knowing that she was with Destiny Obiyan in his house.

READ ALSO: He lured me with N100, gagged me – Teenager raped by 67yr old man

“She told me that after he finished raping her, he asked her if she can find her way back home. We wanted her to take us to the house of the rapist that night but she said she can’t locate the house that night.

“So the following day, I asked her to take her mother to the rapist’s house while I went to the Textile Mill police station to lay up the complaint. So when myself and the police got to Obiyan’s house, we met him and his native doctor with his charms inside his palour.

“According to the native doctor, they have already gone to buy drugs for my daughter to stop her bleeding. On the floor were a handkerchief stained with her blood and some other charms were on the display on the floor.

“The police further arrested the boy and the native doctor. The rapist said he sent two persons, a boy and a young lady to buy the drugs and that they spent N2,000 for the drugs”, he said.

He said the test conducted on her, showed that she was defiled.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP, Chidi Nwanbuzor, said the matter was already in court.

Vanguard News Nigeria

Service Chiefs in a security briefing meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari

By Joseph Erunke – Abuja

Elders in the North Central states of the country have joined in the call for President Mohammadu Buhari to sack the service chiefs over the state of insecurity in the country.

The group of elders in the region,under the aegis of Coalition of North Central Elders,in a statement signed by their National Chairman, Engr Usman  Bida and National Secretary, Barr Moses Okudu, appealed to the president to immediately restructure the security architecture.

The elders who said they were concerned about the alert on the presence Boko Haram elements in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja, by the Nigerian Customs Service, attributed the development to what it called “intelligence failure” on the part of the security agencies.

Their position came barely 24 hours after another group in the North under the umbrella of Arewa Professional Forum,APF,did not only express concerns over the worsening state of insecurity but also appealed to the president to relieve the top security heads from their position and inject fresh hands in the security management.

The group said it was “saddened that there is  no state in the North Central that is free of terrorists attacks or that has not had its own fair share of the mindless killings of innocent citizens one time or the other”, recalling with regret that the region was” the most peaceful in the entire North.”

It reminded the president that the first step in restoring security in the country was the restructuring of the security architecture with the sacking of the service chiefs.

ALSO READ: Insecurity: Sack Service Chiefs now – Northern Elders tell Buhari

According to the group, “Nigerians are tired of rhetorics and promises of security situation getting better.”

The statement read in full:”The entire Management and members of Coalition of North Central Elders, wish to condemn in the most strongest term the unabated state of insecurity in our region in particular and Nigeria at large.

“We join other well-meaning Nigerians to call  on Mr President to immediately restructure the current security architecture in the country with the sacking of the Service Chiefs as the first steps.

“Nigerians are tired of rhetorics and promises of the security situation getting better.

“We are saddened that there is no state in the North Central that is free from terrorists’ attacks or that has not had it own fair share of the mindless killing of innocent citizens one time or the other, a region that was the most peaceful in the entire north.

“When we were about to recover from the arrest of over 400 terrorists with dangerous weapons in Toto Local Government of Nasarawa by the military which was quite commendable, we are taken aback, with the recent intelligence reports released by Nigerian Customs Service, of the presence of Boko Haram elements in Federal Capital Territory,Abuja and some local government areas in Nasarawa and Niger states. This is a complete failure of intelligence.

“As it stands today, the well-meaning citizens of North Central and Nigeria, are frightened by this information.

Some parts of Nasarawa, Niger and Kogi states are no-go areas because of the activities of these  terrorists that kill, kidnap, and rob people at will as if we are  in a Banana republic.

“In Niger State, people are killed on a daily basis, women are raped and children killed by this terrorist group.

“We voted for President Muhammed Buhari because of his vast experience in security and integrity and we expect the best from him.

“Mr President, we are with you, and will always be, but we feel your continued retention of the Service Chiefs for the last five years running is totally against the wishes of Nigerian people given that it is causing a lot of low morale and bad work zeal in the entire Armed Forces, we appeal that you act now.

“Mr President sir, four officers cannot be more experienced than thousands of the officers we have in the Armed Forces. It is on this note that we appeal to you to as a matter of urgency and national importance sack them from office.”

Vanguard News Nigeria.

…Hails Makinde’s giant strides in Oyo

Former Minister of Aviation and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the increase in the pump price of petrol and electricity tariff, calling on the federal government to be sensitive to the plight of the masses.

Fani-Kayode who spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital also revealed the rationale behind his fact-finding tour of some states in Nigeria.

He said the hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and electricity tariff is not acceptable in a civilized society.

Besides, he described Oyo State governor, Engr Seyi Makinde as a man that has brought the true meaning of governance closer to the people, saying that Makinde is a rising star in the South West and Nigeria as a whole.

Also read: Fani-Kayode inspects ongoing projects in Oyo state, describes Makinde as effective leader

The former Minister said he embarked on the tour of some states in the country to assess the completed and ongoing projects as well as projects that are still in the pipeline initiated by the serving governors.

He added that the tour had earlier taken him to Sokoto, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Enugu, Cross River, Akwa Ibom States, adding that he has been doing the tour on his own and, saying he was glad to do so.

Fani-Kayode stated that he had been in Oyo State for a week and he toured sites of at least 15 projects embarked upon by Governor Makinde, saying: “I have known him (Makinde) for quite some time before he became governor of Oyo State. Before he became governor, I knew he would become governor some years ago because we prayed about it and it was revealed to me. There were reasons and purposes for him to come in at this time. And that is evident in what is going on. He’s transforming the state.

” He has brought joy to his people. He has ensured that the government has true meaning in the state. He has become an example of what many of the other governors ought to be. He has also become a shining example for us in the South West. We are very proud of him. I am proud of him.

“This is not about blowing a trumpet for the media, especially when you have got all the money in the world. Oyo State does not have the kind of money that Lagos State has… When this man finishes, Oyo will be much closer to the Lagos dynamics in terms of commerce, industry, security, agriculture, and infrastructural development. This is just the beginning. There are so many other projects that he has in the pipeline.

“So, when you ask me about him as an individual, we have a few governors in Nigeria across the party lines that are equally doing well, because I know most of them, if not all. We have a few that I can say are really remarkable and have done great work. You can talk about the governor of Zamfara, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and a number of others that have done so well. Makinde is in that league. As far as I am concerned, he is one of the rising stars of the new generation of politicians in this country. In the South West, he is definitely a rising star. And if we have more


leaders like him in the South West, we will certainly be able to impact far more on the affairs of the governance of the country generally.

“One more thing I will say about him is that he has the courage of his convictions. Most politicians, I am sad to say, may not have that. He would stand and argue these points, no matter, whose ox is gored. He doesn’t make a noise. He just gets down to work. His works speak for him, not his words, and the way he carries himself has won a lot of respect for him in the country. I have no doubt whatsoever that he will continue to play a very key role in the affairs of this country in the next few years.”

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to engage those who understand the dynamics of economies to help salvage the Nigerian economy, saying: “It is important to joggle our memory so we know exactly where we are. In 2015, when we had PDP Federal Government in power. That was a bit ahead of the election, fuel cost N87. The Excess Crude Account (ECA) was $2.5 billion. The rate of dollar was N200 to one dollar. A bag of rice was N8,500 and external debt was $9.7 billion. These are facts and verifiable. I will challenge those who will doubt it to go back and check.

“Today, let’s compare, fuel now is N150, let’s even be nice about it. It comes from N87 per litre to N150. The Excess Crude Account which used to have $2.5billion now has $72 million . The exchange rate which used to be N200 to one dollar, today is N471 to one dollar. A bag of rice used to be N8,500, today it is N25,000. Actually, it is more than that. It’s about N28,000. Let’s stick to N25,000. External debt in 2015 was $7billion, today the external debt is $ 27 billion.

“Let me try and be a little bit fair to the Federal Government because President Buhari offered an explanation for this particularly in terms of food prices, electricity price, and so on and so forth. The explanation he offered is the same explanation he offered in 1984 when he was military Head of State. What he said was that the reasons why all these prices are high are because of corrupt middlemen. The important thing for us to know is this: these prices are unacceptable in any civilized society. And the time when COVID-19 just afflicted the nation and our people, governments all over the world are offering palliatives to their people to ensure that the effect of COVID-19, apart from being on health, also the economy and the quality of life of the people, they are trying to ameliorate all that to ensure that their people do not just go down and do not suffer these terrible consequences of the terrible disease. But in Nigeria, I’m sorry to say the opposite has happened.

“Even though we have the consequences of COVID-19 and COVID-19 is still with us, we also have the heavy joke economic depression, complete destruction of our economy, high prices, food prices are high, fuel prices are high, electricity prices are high. Everything has shut up in some cases 100 or 200 percent. How do you explain that? How do you expect an average income earner and those who don’t have work to afford a bag of rice? So, it’s really a sad situation. I will urge the Federal Government to do their best to do far better than they are doing. I’m not going to sit here and attack anybody. This is not about partisan politics now. It’s about our nation. It is about our people and the quality of life of our people. Nigerians were not brought to this world to suffer and to suffer economic degradation.

“We are already being described as the world capital for poverty. This title was conferred on us in the last couple of years. It is so sad. But when you add these statistics to that I asked myself – how on earth will an average Nigerian cope? How can 90 percent of Nigerians cope? Really, our government has to do better. I sincerely hope and pray that they would allow those who understand the dynamics of economies to be able to advise them and ensure that things will change because if we don’t change, I really don’t know where we are heading as a nation.”

Vanguard News

Fanwo

The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo has directed the state-owned Graphic newspapers to begin a four-page magazine in the four indigenous languages of Ebira, Igala, Yoruba and Hausa, saying the first edition should be out by next week.

Addressing the management and staff of the Kogi State Newspaper Corporation at its ultra-modern office complex in Lokoja, Monday, Fanwo said it is time Kogi began to protect her indigenous languages.

“As a people, as the centre of the nation and as the source of Nigeria, we cannot afford the erosion of our culture. Our generation-next must understand our languages and be proud of them.

ALSO READ: Politics over, time to deliver governance, Bello promises Kogites

“To this end, we urge the Management of The Graphic to commence the publication of a four-page pullout from next week, with each page dedicated to each of our main languages in the state.

“Apart from mulching our culture from the scorch of modernity; we owe the Governor who has given us the best Office Complex for any state-owned newspaper in Nigeria, the best of our efforts to move our information sector forward”.

He thanked the management and staff of the Corporation for standing firmly behind his drive to make Graphic the best in Nigeria, saying, “without your great support, we wont be where we are today”.

Both the Managing Director of the Corporation, Pastor Dayo Thomas and the Editor, Mr James Oyewole assured the Commissioner of the readiness of the Corporation to ensure a befitting Unity Magazine in line with the policy of the State Government on unity for prosperity.

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— ghoul (@_bebob) September 7, 2020

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