Embracing IGR as a primary revenue source positions states on a trajectory toward financial autonomy and the ability to meet the evolving needs of their populations
Nigeria, a country endowed with diverse resources, continues to grapple with economic challenges that vary across its 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. One crucial indicator of financial health and autonomy is the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of each state. A recent report has shed light on the precarious financial situations of Bayelsa, Kebbi, Katsina, Akwa-Ibom, Taraba, and Yobe states. The analysis indicates that these states, facing insolvency concerns, heavily rely on the monthly disbursements from the Federation Account Allocations Committee (FAAC) for their financial sustenance. This dependence is underscored by their meagre internal revenue generation, which falls below 10 per cent of the cumulative revenue received from the federation account in 2022.
In the same report by Economic Confidential, a subsidiary of PR Nigeria, seven states have been identified as the most economically viable in Nigeria for the year 2022. The states in this valued category include Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kaduna, Kwara, Oyo, and Edo. This disclosure was made by Zekeri Idakwo, the Assistant Editor of Economic Confidential, during a press briefing and the presentation of the 2022 Annual States Viability Index Report held in Abuja on Monday. The report’s credibility stems from its painstaking compilation, drawing on data released by both the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics and the Federal Account Allocation Committee. This comprehensive approach ensures a nuanced understanding of the economic landscape, considering factors ranging from fiscal management to revenue generation.
The inclusion of states such as Lagos and Rivers underscores the importance of thriving commercial centres in contributing significantly to the national economic tapestry. Ogun, Kaduna, Kwara, Oyo, and Edo, by earning a spot on this list, showcase a diverse range of economic activities and effective governance practices. This unveiling of the most viable states serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, investors, and citizens alike, providing insights into the economic health of these regions. It also underscores the need for other states to draw inspiration from the successful models presented by the identified states, fostering healthy competition and collaborative efforts to enhance overall economic viability across the nation.
Idakwo said: “The IGR of the 36 states of the federation totalled N1.8trn in 2022, which was above that of 2021, which was N1.76 trillion. The report further indicates that the IGR of Lagos State of N651 billion is higher than that of 30 other states put together whose Internally Generated Revenues are extremely low and poor, compared to their allocations from the Federation Account. A total Internally Generated Revenue of N1.5trn from the seven most viable states in 2022 was almost twice the total IGR of 29 states together that merely generated about N650bn.”
A detailed breakdown of the report reveals significant variations in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) among states. Notable examples include Lagos, which, despite receiving N370 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), managed to generate an impressive N651 billion. Ogun received N113 billion from FAAC and generated N120.5 billion, while Rivers received N363.4 billion from FAAC and generated N172 billion. Kaduna received N155 billion from FAAC and generated N58 billion, Kwara received N99 billion and generated N35.7 billion, Oyo received N181 billion and generated N62 billion, and Edo received N147 billion in federal allocation and generated N47.4 billion.
On the other hand, the report highlights the financial challenges faced by six states, including Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Katsina, which are labelled as insolvent states. These states failed to generate up to 10% of the total allocations received from FAAC, indicating a concerning level of dependency on federal allocations and a need for enhanced strategies to boost their internal revenue generation. “The six states that may not survive without the Federation Account due to their extremely poor internal revenue generation of less than 10% compared to their federal allocations are Bayelsa, Katsina and Akwa Ibom, the home states of former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and the current Senate President Godswill Akpabio, respectively. Others are Taraba, Yobe and Kebbi States,” the report added.
Bayelsa found itself at the bottom of the list, having received a substantial allocation of N273 billion but only managed to generate a meager N15.9 billion, representing a mere 5.81% of the total allocations. Kebbi, although receiving N119 billion, generated only N9 billion (7.67%); Katsina received N165 billion and generated N13 billion (7.90%); Akwa Ibom secured N360 billion with an IGR of N34.8 billion (9.66%); Taraba received N103 billion and generated N10.2 billion (9.91%); and Yobe received N105 billion, generating N10.4 billion (9.91%). Idakwo emphasized that enhancing the states’ Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) requires a proactive shift toward economic diversification into productive sectors. This strategy contrasts with the current heavy reliance on monthly Federation Account revenues, which predominantly originate from the oil sector.
The report further emphasised that these states might face considerable challenges in sustaining their financial stability without relying heavily on the monthly allocations. He pointed out that certain states struggled to attract investments due to a combination of socio-political and economic crises, including issues such as insurgency, kidnapping, armed banditry, and clashes between herdsmen and farmers. These adversities not only hampered economic growth but also deterred potential investors from engaging with these regions, exacerbating the states’ financial predicaments. Addressing these underlying issues is crucial for creating an environment conducive to economic development and attracting the necessary investments to bolster the states’ financial resilience.
The recently unveiled seventh Annual States Viability Index (ASVI) report highlights a concerning reality: a multitude of states find themselves financially precarious and would struggle to sustain operations without the consistent monthly disbursement from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), predominantly sourced from the oil sector. Internally Generated Revenues (IGR), crucial for state autonomy, are derived from various channels such as Pay-As-You-Earn Tax (PAYE), direct assessments, road taxes, and revenues from ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). The report underscores the indispensable role of FAAC disbursements in upholding the financial viability of numerous states, revealing a critical need for diversification and robust strategies to bolster IGR and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.
Upon closer examination of the data presented in the report, a more in-depth analysis by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) reveals additional insights: a significant number of Nigeria’s 36 states would find it challenging to cover recurrent expenditure, particularly personnel costs, without revenues from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). Personnel costs in a fiscal budget encompass the total expenditure allocated to remunerate government employees. Its investigation reveals that 17 out of the 36 states may not be able to meet even six months’ worth of approved personnel costs from their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the 2023 fiscal budget. To finance their budgets, these states would have to rely on alternative sources such as local or external borrowings, multilateral loans, FAAC disbursements, grants, and aids. The states facing this financial challenge include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, and Imo, as well as Kastina, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, and Yobe.
As an illustration, consider Bayelsa’s fiscal appropriation for 2023, which earmarked N81.78 billion for personnel costs, equivalent to N6.81 billion monthly. However, the state’s IGR stood at N15.09 billion. In the scenario where IGR is utilised to cover personnel costs, it would only be sufficient for two months, necessitating alternative financial strategies to bridge the shortfall.
In a parallel scenario, Plateau State’s approved personnel cost for 2023 amounted to N105.12 billion (equivalent to N8.76 billion monthly). However, the state’s IGR only stood at N15.93 billion, capable of covering a mere two months of personnel expenditure. This underscores a substantial gap between the allocated personnel budget and the state’s revenue-generating capacity. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the cumulative Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2022 reached N1.93 trillion, reflecting a 1.57% increase from the N1.896 trillion recorded in 2021. Interestingly, as reported by The ICIR, nearly half of this total IGR in 2022—49.25%—was attributed to Lagos, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory combined. This concentration of revenue in a few states accentuates the disparities in economic capacities and underscores the need for a more equitable distribution of resources for sustainable development across all regions.
Despite generating Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), a notable challenge persists in 13 states, as they were unable to implement 80 per cent of their 2022 fiscal budgets. This indicates a significant gap between revenue generation and effective utilisation in these states. Furthermore, many states with lower IGR levels heavily rely on the Federal Government’s allocation and resort to taking loans to sustain their operations. In contrast, states like Lagos, Ogun, and Rivers exhibit a more robust financial capacity. The ICIR’s analysis reveals that Lagos State’s 2022 IGR alone is sufficient to cover the state’s personnel expenditure for an impressive two years and ten months (34 months). Similarly, Ogun State’s IGR can offset 14 months of personnel costs, and Rivers State’s IGR is substantial enough to cover 16 months of personnel expenditure. This stark contrast underscores the disparities in financial resilience among states and emphasises the need for strategic financial management and economic diversification to ensure sustainability across the board.
Challenges faced by states and implications for development
The recently released report has shed light on the financial intricacies faced by various states. An alarming revelation is that a considerable number of states would struggle to offset recurrent expenditures, especially personnel costs, without relying on the monthly disbursement from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). This dependency, as highlighted in the report, poses a significant threat to the economic viability of these states, leaving them susceptible to external economic shocks. The analysis of IGR across the states accentuates the disparities in economic capacities. Lagos, Ogun, and Rivers stand out as economic powerhouses, utilising their substantial yearly IGR to offset personnel costs for extended periods. Lagos, for instance, can cover personnel expenditures for an impressive 34 months, showcasing a level of financial autonomy that distinguishes it from many other states. Conversely, the report identifies states such as Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Katsina as financially insolvent, failing to generate even 10% of their total allocations from FAAC. This stark dichotomy between states with robust IGR and those heavily reliant on federal allocations highlights the urgent need for a reevaluation of fiscal strategies.
The inability of several states to implement a significant portion of their fiscal budgets despite generating IGR points to inefficiencies and mismanagement. It raises questions about the states’ capacity to invest in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, hindering overall economic development. Addressing the challenges associated with IGR requires a multi-faceted approach. States must prioritise economic diversification, moving away from reliance on oil-dependent revenues. The promotion of private sector participation and investment-friendly policies can stimulate economic growth, fostering an environment conducive to increased IGR. Furthermore, states must implement robust financial management practices to ensure the effective utilization of generated revenues. This includes reducing wasteful spending, enhancing transparency, and investing in capacity building for revenue-generating agencies.
As Nigeria navigates the complex terrain of economic viability, the role of IGR cannot be overstated. States must strive for greater financial autonomy by diversifying revenue sources, implementing sound financial management practices, and creating an enabling environment for investments. The disparities in IGR among states underscore the imperative for comprehensive reforms to ensure sustainable development and resilience in the face of economic uncertainties. The report should prompt a re-evaluation of strategies, emphasizing the importance of sound fiscal policies, efficient resource allocation, and proactive governance. The states recognised in this report serve as beacons of economic resilience and models for sustainable development in a rapidly changing global landscape.
No Christmas messages from 50,000 troops to families, says COAS
Kumuyi to churches: help those in need
Unity, peace, selflessness and hope formed the theme of messages to the Christian faithful by governors, other political leaders, religious groups and clerics as they celebrate Christmas today.
They also charged Christians to rededicate themselves to Christ, be their brothers’ keepers and pray for the nation to overcome its current economic and security challenges.
The governors were Babajide Sanwo-Olu, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq(Kwara), Biodun Oyebanji(Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Ademola Adeleke(Osun), Sheriff Oborevwori(Delta), Yahaya Bello(Kogi), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Abba Yusuf (Kano).
Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike; Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; Deputy House of Representatives Speaker Benjamin Kalu; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; former Senate President Bukola Saraki, All Progressives Congress(APC) chieftain Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim; Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Saliu Mustapha, were among the political leaders.
The religious groups and clerics were the Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN) in Ethiope in Delta State and General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church William Kumuyi.
Olubadan of Ibadan, Lekan Balogun, Oluwo of Iwo Abdulrosheed Akanbi, Corps Marshall of the Federal Roads Safety Commission(FRSC) Dauda Biu and Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), also rejoiced with Christians of the Yuletide.
Sanwo-Olu to Christians: emulate Christ
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, implored Nigerians, especially Christians, to embrace peace, harmony and tolerance in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Urging Lagos residents not to lose hope due to the challenging times, the governor enjoined them to trust in God and have faith in the good intentions of the current administration.
The governor also called on Christians to emulate the life of Jesus Christ by making tolerance, meekness, sacrifice and humility their virtues.
He said: “As we celebrate Christmas, I am extending my best wishes to every Lagosian and Nigerians, particularly Christians across the State, Nigeria and other parts of the world.
“Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ. So, we must not forget the true essence of the season, which is to reflect on the birth of Jesus and its significance to mankind. We should seize the opportunity of the celebration to strengthen our love for one another by being kind and generous to the people around us.
“As we mark this year’s Christmas, I want to urge Lagos residents, particularly Christian faithful to continue to live in peace and harmony with believers of other faiths.
“We should emulate virtues of humility, tolerance, perseverance and compassion as exemplified by Jesus Christ, whose birth we are celebrating this season.”
•Abiodun: to Nigerian: be hopeful
Governor Abiodun advised all Nigerians, especially Christians not to allow the current economic challenges to dampen their spirit. He said that there is hope for economic turnaround.
The governor, who also urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirits of love, peace and goodwill. said the current hardship would soon give way.
He said: “On this joyous occasion of Christmas, I extend my warmest greetings and heartfelt wishes to each one of you. It is a time when we come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and reflect on the values of love, peace, and goodwill.
“Christmas is not only a time for festivities and merriment but also a time for deep introspection and gratitude. It reminds us of the importance of unity, compassion, and the spirit of giving. As we gather with our friends and families, let us remember those who are less fortunate and extend a helping hand to them.
“We must all embrace the spirits of love, peace, and goodwill, especially during this Christmas season.
“There is hope. Just like Jesus sacrificed His life for Christians so that they can have life, the sacrifice Nigerians are making now will also yield bountiful benefits.
“Irrespective of the challenges we have, we do not have any other country we can call our own. At this time, Christians should show love to all people and support the government in its quest to find lasting solutions to the myriads of problems confronting the country.”
•Live like Christ, Abdulrazaq urges Christians
Governor AbdulRazaq, who also congratulated Christians in the state, reminded them that the season represents the birth of Christ.
In a statement, the governor said the birth of Christ heralded hope and urged Christians to act by the message of truth, love and peace that Christ preached.
•Oyebanji preaches peace
Governor Oyebanji, in his message, congratulated Christians for witnessing another Christmas. He implored them to put into proper use, the lessons of love and giving which the birth of Jesus Christ symbolises.
He described Christmas as a season for the demonstration of love for one another through giving.
His words: “Christmas is a season to give, as it symbolizes the time God gifted Jesus to the world, according to the Holy Bible. It is a season to express love and generosity to one another, especially, the needy and the less privileged in society.
“It is also a time for Nigerians to note that love for God and humanity is the foundation of religion. I urge Nigerians to use this season to build goodwill and be more united in the task of building a very strong and vibrant nation.”
The governor added that national development would become faster and easier when Nigerians see one another as brothers and sisters regardless of religion and tribe.
While noting the current economic challenges in the country, Oyebanji urged Ekiti people to be optimistic that 2024 would be a year of prosperity for the country and Nigerians.
•Adeleke, Oluwo preach fear of God,
Governor Adeleke and Oba Akanbi urged Christians to draw from the spiritual import of Christmas by sharing love and fostering harmony in their communities.
Adeleke said: “Christians must embrace the spirit of compassion and kindness that the season reflects. Osun people should appreciate the strength and prospects of unity in driving the needed progress for the state. Let’s use the season to renew bonds, lend helping hands and spread love without boundaries.”
Oba Akanbi described fear of God as the panacea for the socio-political challenges facing the nation.
“I urge Nigerians to open a new page of life dedicated to worship and fear only God in honour of the 2023
Diri urges peace, brotherliness
Diri of Bayelsa State implored the people of the state to foster peace, joy and brotherliness as they celebrate the Yuletide.
Diri promised that his government would continue to build on the legacies of peace and love in the state.
He said: “My message to us Bayelsans is that, on behalf of the prosperity administration, I urge us to promote peace, joy and brotherliness throughout this Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“Your government of prosperity will continue to spread the message of love, peace, unity, hope and build a brighter future for our dear state that all of us have desired even before its creation.
“I pray and extend my warm wishes for a merry Christmas and a better 2024.
“At all times, we must proclaim the superiority of Jesus Christ. No power on earth can unseat the real governor of Bayelsa, who is Jesus Christ.”
•Mbah promises to lead by example
Governor Mbah urged all Nigerians to love one another and to live together in peace to advance the country.
Mbah, who also reaffirmed his desire to create a new Enugu State, reminded the Christian faithful and the nation that the true meaning of Christmas is love.
He said: “Love is the reason for Christmas, as we celebrate the height of love wherein God sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to be born as man for our salvation.
“Thus, as we commemorate His birth, let us likewise imbibe and exemplify the values of love, peace, harmony, selflessness, and being our brother’s keeper, as Christ had shown us by example.
“We can only create the Enugu State of our dreams and advance the country by sincerely pursuing these virtues.”
•Have positive mindsets, Bello admonishes Christians
Governor Bello of Kogi State urged Nigerians to embody God’s love for humanity and extend it to their neighbours during the festive season.
He emphasised that the season symbolises hope for humanity, encouraging citizens to maintain a positive outlook.
While acknowledging that the holiday is an excellent time to share the joy with family and friends, the outgoing governor said the season was a time for sober reflections and prayers for peace, unity, and togetherness.
Governor-Elect Ododo also urged residents of the state and other Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of nation-building and sacrifice.
“The commemoration of the birth of Christ is a period for deep reflection on the need to think and act in manners that bring glory to our nation,” he said.
•Oborevwori calls for peaceful co-existence
Governor Oborevwori congratulated Deltans and Nigerians as they joined the rest of the world in commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
He urged Christians to use the occasion to offer special prayers to God for a more peaceful, and united state and country.
The governor, who described Christmas as a season to show love and care for one another, urged Nigerians to eschew bitterness and work for the unity and progress of the country.
“I urge you all to make the most of this joyous occasion for serious introspection, complete spiritual rebirth, and dedication to coexisting peacefully and harmoniously with followers of other faiths.
“We must prioritise peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding among citizens, particularly in light of the current security and economic challenges facing our nation,” Oborevwori said.
•Yusuf seeks prayers, progress
Yusuf of Kano State urged Christians to pray for the sustenance of peace, progress and political stability in the state.
The governor, while felicitating with Christians, also called on them to rededicate themselves to the service of humanity in line with the true teachings of Christ which emphasise tolerance, patience, care for the needy and love for one another.
He enjoined the people to continue to live in peace and adhere to traffic rules and regulations to avoid road accidents and protect the lives of every road user.
Yusuf also urged Christians to use the festive period to pray for unity, peace and prosperity for the state and the country.
•Economic recovery imminent, says Bamidele
Senate Leader Bamidele has assured that the country’s economy would soon recover from its present downturn.
He therefore pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Bamidele said this while celebrating Christmas with his constituents in Ekiti Central and distributed. He distributed 3,000 bags of rice to them.
He said: “As a federation, we may be witnessing difficult times currently. But we will walk into an era of economic boom, for which all Nigerians will glorify the Name of God Almighty. The time is no longer far. It will begin to manifest with the implementation of the 2024 appropriation, which the National Assembly will pass into law this week.
“All the committees of the National Assembly have concluded their hearings. They have equally submitted their reports to the Committee on Appropriations, whose members are now looking into the committees’ reports ahead of the plenary.
“After this Christmas holiday, the National Assembly will reconvene on December 29 to deliberate on the report of the Committee on Appropriations. Hopefully, before the end of this year, the National Assembly will pass the 2024 appropriations bill and also transmit it to the Presidency for assent.
“As a parliament, we are committed to maintaining our tradition of January-December budget cycle. Since 2019, we have kept to this tradition and will not allow anything to disrupt it to deepen the budget governance,”
Bamidele also preached peaceful co-existence among all ethnic nationalities across the federation, warning that no country could witness development progress in an atmosphere of ethnic disharmony.
•Barau, Kalu seek prayers for unity
Deputy President of the Senate Jibrin and Kalu also rejoiced with Christians and urged all citizens to intensify prayers for the peace, unity and progress of the country.
“I urge the Christian faithful, therefore, to remain steadfast in adhering to the tenets of Christ’s teachings on this Christmas, now and always. I equally enjoin all Nigerians to pray for and rekindle trust in the Renewed Hope Agenda for a brighter future under the purposeful, caring and humane leadership of the current administration,” Jibrin said.
Deputy Speaker Kalu said: “I enjoin Christians and other Nigerians to pray for the country amidst challenges and show love and kindness to one another, especially the less privileged. I also appeal for peaceful co-existence, which is needed for development to take place.
“I assure you that the future of the nation will be brighter under the purposeful, caring, renewed hope leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
•Be security conscious, Wike tells FCT residents
FCT Minister Wike urged residents of the nation’s capital to be security conscious and shun any act that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
He said: “On behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, I hereby extend my heartfelt greetings to all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory for the 2023 Christmas which is a season that transcends borders and, brings people together in a spirit of love, compassion, and goodwill.
“This festive season which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, holds immense significance for all of us as it symbolizes the birth of hope, the promise of renewal, and the enduring power of kindness. Amid our diverse backgrounds and unique journeys, we find common ground in the universal themes of love, generosity, and the joy of giving.
“Let us remind ourselves that small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on individuals and families facing challenges.
“While security has been beefed up across the territory throughout the festivities, residents are also advised to be security conscious and reach out to the security agencies whenever you notice anything out of the ordinary.”
•Support prayers with positive actions, Saraki tells Christians
Former Senate President Saraki advised that all prayers for Nigeria should be backed with action.
This, according to him, will help in the achievement of Nigeria’s development
Saraki, in a statement by his Media Office in Abuja, noted that the prayers of religious groups like the Christians have sustained the country.
Saraki added that citizens who take time to pray for their country are demonstrating patriotism and that such commitment needed to be supported with positive attitudes like compliance with the laws of the land, and tolerance of people of other religions and those with different viewpoints on issues.
“ I believe that we all have to emulate Jesus Christ who represents positive actions by preaching compliance with the laws of the land, contributing to growing the wealth of the nation, performing our civic duties honestly and transparently, supporting the poor, helping to prevent any harm that may come to the nation and demonstrating the fear of God in all our activities. These are what Jesus Christ represents.”Saraki said.
•Let’s rekindle hope, says Fayemi,
Former Ekiti State Governor Fayemi, who noted that Christmas signifies a time for reflection and gratitude, advised all Nigerians to rekindle the “flames of hope and unity that underpin our nation.”
He said: “ It is a time to celebrate the values of love, compassion, and generosity which was illustrated by the birth of Jesus Christ.
‘’Despite our challenges, Christmas reminds us of the enduring power of faith, forgiveness, and resilience. Let us embrace this spirit and use it to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, foster peaceful coexistence, and rekindle the flames of national unity.
‘’I urge all Nigerians, irrespective of their differences, to use this special season to extend kindness and understanding to one another. Let us celebrate the joy of family and friends, share our blessings with those in need, and offer prayers for peace and prosperity for our nation.”
•Olawepo-Hashim calls for tolerance
Olawepo-Hashim, an industrialist, also felicitated the Christian faithful and the entire people of Nigeria as they joined the rest of the world in celebrating Christmas.
In a statement released by his Media Office in Abuja, Olawepo-Hashim urged Christians and other Nigerians to, in the spirit of the season, uphold the principles of love, tolerance and sacrifice to sustain harmony, progress and advance the cause of humanity.
The frontline politician added that Christmas represents joy, peace, hope, love, and goodwill, all of which are very much needed in our country at this time when we are confronted with diverse challenges of development.
He said: “ In the true spirit of the season, let’s show love to our neighbours, kindness to the less-privileged and vulnerable, and tolerance to one another across the lines of faith, politics and ethnicity; in the spirit of the unique sacrifice and teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
“I urge fellow Nigerians to appropriate the hope that comes with Christmas and reinvest trust in God’s ability to restore the lost glory of Nigeria”
The business mogul also admonished Nigerians to reflect on the lessons of the period and emulate Christ by fostering peace and unity in our Nation, while also tasking Nigerians on religious tolerance “since it is one way we as citizens can live in peace, harmony and love as taught by Jesus Christ, who is the reason for the season.”
“More importantly, as we observe Christmas this year, let us all imbibe the essential message of Christ’s ministry and truly begin to love our fellow Nigerians as we love ourselves,” Olawepo-Hashim added.
*Olubadan urges tolerance, patience
Oba Balogun enjoined the Christians to take proper lessons from the birth of Christ as signified by the annual Christmas celebration.
The monarch recalled that the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ are full of lessons in tolerance, patience and love.
The Olubadan said the love of God for mankind upon which the coming into this world of Jesus Christ was predicated and whose birth the Christmas signifies, His life while on earth and his remembrance over 2000 years after his exit from the world are more than enough lessons for all.
Asking that the love which the whole thing about Christ and Christmas symbolises should permeate among the people, Balogun said: “Our love for one another should never be compromised for whatever reason. We should live for ourselves by being caring, concerned and ready to make sacrifice”.
•Kumuyi calls on churches to give to the needy
General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church Kumuyi called on Church leaders to help their needy members.
Kumuyi made the call yesterday at the ongoing December National Retreat of the Deeper Life Bible Church held at the Deeper International Life International Conference Centre, (DILCC), Mowe, Ogun State
The programme tagged “Emmanual’ brought together thousands of Christian faithful from parts of the country.
Kumuyi said although Deeper Life church has a lot of building projects, it will not execute them all at the expense of the poor, vulnerable, widows and other indigent persons.
Noting that Christmas is also a season to share love, the cleric encouraged the church and their leaders to make some money and resources available to give to the poor.
He added; “Let us give priority to the welfare of our members and those who are not our members.
.”I am looking for the dyeing, impoverished, vulnerable children and family, I am ready to support them. If you know them, tell your coordinator and leaders.
“We can give food items and show a little bit of love as we celebrate the birth of Christ”.
•50,000 troops in war front miss wishing loved ones merry Christmas, says COAS
Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Taoreed Lagbaja has said that over 50,000 troops of the Nigerian Army would miss wishing their families and loved ones Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in person.
He said it is not because they did not want to, but because they would be on duty across difficult-to-access towns, communities, villages and hamlets, across the country and beyond.
The COAS said this yesterday in his Christmas message to the troops.
In a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Lagbaja said the troops were “duty-bound to be deployed, while other families rejoice and celebrate together, sometimes not knowing if similar celebrations are going on in their own families.”
The COAS saluted the “troops’ undying faith in the Nigerian State in the face of adversity.”
He also commended their “unwavering dedication and sacrifice in ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.”
Lagbaja congratulated troops for making it this far into the year and for weathering every storm that came their way.
Lagbaja noted that judging by the policies and unfolding programmes of the Federal Government, the year ahead holds good prospects for Nigeria and the Army.
He disclosed that in the coming year, the Army would take delivery of more helicopters and other combat enablers to enhance its war against insurgents.
The COAS also disclosed that the Army Headquarters has initiated several welfare projects that would directly impact the lives of soldiers and their families.
•FRSC boss reassures motorists ACF felicitates with Christians
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Kaduna state of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and a diaspora group, Tangale Community Overseas (TCO), greeted Christians and called for prayers against the problems facing the country.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF said a deserved return to mutual understanding, tolerance, cooperation responsible neighbourliness, peace and tranquillity in all Nigerian communities were needed.
It said: “The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) felicitates with Christians in all its national and State Chapters, as well as others in the nation and indeed the world over, on the season’s Christmas celebrations.
“ACF also wishes everyone a happy New Year in advance. No doubt, our communities variously face daunting existential economic challenges, social upheavals, poverty, inequalities, and political disagreements.
“No less, or even more worrying has been the insecurity bedevilling our communities due to the criminal activities of bandits, extremists and other misguided elements or social misfits in the society. ACF yearns for an end to all these problems. ACF is conscious, worried and prays for escape from all the challenges.
“In the spirit of the Yuletide ACF calls on all to fervently pray for a deserved return to mutual understanding, tolerance, cooperation responsible neighbourliness, peace and tranquillity in all communities specifically and for humanity in general.
“ACF also calls on all to pray for knowledge, courage, wisdom and empathy for our leaders, whether political, religious or traditional, as well as for our armed forces as they try to grapple with the challenges of the economy, insecurity, leadership and governance.”
Also, the Kaduna State chapter of CAN called for sober reflection on the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ as it brings hope to humankind.
It said: “CAN Kaduna State Chapter wishes every Nigerian happy Christmas celebrations and earnestly pray that Nigerians will be committed to observing the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and seek to live peacefully with one another.
“Accordingly, Nigerians, and people the world over, ought to learn the depth of the love of God for giving humankind His son to save individuals by being one another’s keepers.
“While people celebrate, CAN prays for peaceful celebrations as people move from one place to another and hope that Nigerians all live as a family to confront any adversity that may destabilise the corporate existence of society.”
Tangale Community Overseas (TCO), in its message, expressed displeasure over the alleged imposition of a stooge as their traditional ruler by Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.
A statement by the TCO General Secretary, Lamela Lakorok, read: “Unfortunately, for the third time, the Tangale people are celebrating Christmas without a traditional ruler, following the decision of the Governor of Gombe State not to endorse the choice of the Tangale people, Dr Musa Idris Maiyamba, whom the people have chosen through an election process by the Tangale kingmakers. “
Corps Marshal Biu has reassured the motoring public of FRSC’s readiness to make the highways safe during the Yuletide period.
This was contained in his Christmas message in which Biu reiterated his earlier call for motorists to guide against bad driving.
He cautioned travellers against dangers that go with road travel in this period of increased human and vehicular traffic, stressing that people must show extra vigilance while using the road to overcome any form of carnage.
Calling on all road users to support the ongoing road safety sensitisation programmes by the FRSC, Biu said bad driving habit accounts for why the Christmas and New Year periods are the most challenging to the campaigns for safer roads.
He warned against offences like route violation, overloading, speeding, light signs violation and driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs which have been identified as being responsible for most crashes and deaths, especially during the Yuletide.
The Corps Marshall advised motorists to call 08052998090 or 09067000015 when in distress.
* Reflect on Christ’s teachings, Lagos CAN admonishes
The Lagos State Chapter of CAN also urged Christians to reflect on the teachings of Jesus Christ and not focus on merry-making.
The Christian body advised in its 2023 Christmas message, saying that the practice of the moral teachings of the advent of Christ to redeem mankind was of beneficial to society than indulging in lavish feasts.
“The King of Kings signified love, peace, solution to crisis and above all an access to our Salvation.At the point mankind is now, with a myriad of near insurmountable social problems, our attention should be focused on our helper in the ages past for solution and not in merriment,” Lagos CAN Chairman, Archbishop Stephen Adegbite said.
Adegbite, who described passive Christian living as a minus to society, charged Nigerians to pray for the nation and its leaders.
*IPAC urges Christians to imbibe virtues of Christ
IPAC also urged Christians to emulate the life of Jesus Christ and imbibe His virtues of love, peace, unity, and tolerance in their service to God and the nation.
The council, in a statement by its National chairman-elect, Yusuf Dantalle described Christmas as significant to believers, as it marked the divine birth of Jesus Christ.
Danielle urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for the nation, particularly the security and economic challenges impeding progressive governance in the country.
“The council enjoins government at all levels to provide dividends of democracy to Nigerians to assuage their sufferings by section 14 (2)b of the 1999 constitution as amended which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, “ he said.
•Christians pray for Tinubu at Christmas Carol
Christians from different denominations celebrated the Christmas season at the weekend with prayers for the success of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The annual Christmas carol tagged: Created to Manifest His Glory was taken from Mathew 5: 15, and was organised by the Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023.
It featured gospel artists like Esther Igbekele, Segun Ajidara and Omotola Jaiyeola
National Woman Leader of the group, Toyin Aroyewun, said that the carol was aimed at appreciating God for the success of the 2023 elections that led to the emergence of Tinubu as President.
Caretaker Committee Chairman of Asiwaju Project 2023, Lagos State, Lanre OLaide, said that the group engaged in prayers for President Tinubu to win the election.
“President Bola Tinubu has a lofty agenda that will help to address numerous challenges facing the country. I believe that as he rolls them out, things will normalise and we will all smile again,” he said.
He praised the President for intervening in the conflict, which had led to a chain of events, including the demolition of the House of Assembly complex, resignation of some members of the State Executive Council and protests by supporters of the two camps, led by himself and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike broke his silence on the resolutions in Port Harcourt, the state capital, while addressing a church congregation during a thanksgiving for George Kelly Alabo, who recently resigned as Commissioner for Works.
The service was attended by 27 members of the House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and those who recently resigned as commissioners and special advisers.
Contrary to the position of some Rivers elders who faulted the presidential intervention, Wike insisted that President Tinubu deserved commendation for intervening in the crisis, stressing that his aim was to restore peace.
He said President Tinubu had earlier invited them privately and told them what they should do to end the crisis.
The minister warmed people to desist from involvement in conflicts between two politicians without first investigating the root causes.
He said: “We must thank Mr. President for intervening. I was not the one who invited Mr. President. You people were the one asking the President to intervene.
“Now, he has intervened and you are now saying he has no constitutional power. President has intervened to bring peace. No matter what circumstances, the President invites me to a meeting and tells me to do something within 24 hours I will carry it out.
“This is because not only as president, I have subjected myself to the peace process. Why is everybody shouting? Some of you didn’t even know that Mr. President had invited us privately and said do this. You agreed before Mr. President, but you didn’t do it. Then, Mr. President asked the larger state to come. We must tell ourselves this simple truth”.
Wike criticised some elders for trying to get their pound of flesh because those they supported in the last elections failed at the polls and at the Court of Appeal.
The Minister said: “In 2014 and 2015 when I wanted to be governor, two people invited me to their houses and said that the elders of the state wanted to see me. I went thinking they were the elders of the state.
“On getting there, I saw only two men. I said two of you are the elders of the state? They told me the elders had decided I should not run an election. I told them you must be joking. I left. The same people again have constituted themselves as elders of the state.
“Check everybody there, some of them, their sons lost elections; even lost at the court of appeal. Now, they have come to be elders of the state. Everybody wants to take their pound of flesh. Wike stopped me from not going here. Wike made me not to be this. Even those that Wike made had also joined them. That is the irony of the world”
The former governor faulted efforts to tribalise the crisis, saying that most people had forgotten that he was the architect of the entire process that produced the governor.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to tell the church that blackmail is the easiest thing. Some of you may be reading what is going on. Sit down properly and ask yourself: can this be true? Power and money, if you are not careful, it can destroy you. It can also make you, depending on how you handle it.
“I have never one day done anything that will bring this state backward. It was during my time I fought many states to win back our oil wells. The money that comes from those oil wells is not in my pocket, but for the interest of the state. To show character when I was here, I never went to see the Federal Government. I was the only opposition to the Federal Government. I challenged them.
“I hear many people say we are from so place. But nobody remembered who was the architect. Now, you are telling us where you are from.
“All of us, irrespective of where you come from, know that the state belongs to all of us. There is nothing like Ijaw and there is nothing like Ikwerre. All I know is Rivers State.
“If you want to settle us, find out the facts, don’t just shout asawana. When we were choosing who will go, we never shouted asawana. All we said was come, you will go and represent us. That is how it was supposed to be.
“Part of governance is managing people. If you cannot manage people, you don’t have business being in government. It is not only road contract, management of people. If you can’t manage people, you don’t have business to be there. I have had my own crisis, I managed it and survived it. If you have yours, pray. If you can’t pray, meet pastors and they will intercede for you”.
Wike insisted that politicians must play by the rules, saying that despite his giant strides as a governor, he obeyed the rules.
He said: “Being a pastor, there are rules. Being a traditional ruler, there are rules. If you have chosen to be a politician, there are also rules. You must obey. I was a governor. I obeyed. It didn’t stop me from performing my functions.
“I do governance and at the same time I would go back and obey those rules. That is why you can see me with leaders. Don’t pull the ladder you used to climb. If not, when you are coming back, I don’t know how you will come down.
“I urge the church to continue praying for us to be firm. I have done my path. I am happy and I am doing well in Abuja today. Leave propaganda and blackmail. There is nothing I am looking for in this state now.”
“I have my own budget as FCT Minister. I have my own commissioners. By January, I will present my budget before the National Assembly. I preside over the expenditure. All I am saying is if you are a politician, play according to the rules. People laboured. People suffered”.
Wike highlighted the danger of dabbling into disagreements between two politicians without first knowing their root causes.
He pleaded with the church to pray for peace in Rivers and the country, adding that it would be in the best interest of everybody for President Tinubu to succeed.
He said: “When Boma Iyaye was appointed executive director of finance and administration in NDDC, the first thing he did was to thank God and then, brought his chiefs to my house to thank me.
“Through Boma, something would come, through me something came to Boma. Nobody talks about where Boma comes from. I am Ikwerre man. But when politicians are fighting, if you don’t know the root cause of the matter dont kill yourself.
“I was just laughing. Those of you carrying flags shouting what I don’t know, assuming another group confronts you and another thing happens, what would you tell your parents; something you don’t even know the root cause.
“I plead with the church to continue to pray for peace not just in Rivers but the entire country. If the president does not succeed all of us will suffer it. I do believe that he will succeed.”
The Sokoto State Government on Saturday distributed N25 million and essential food items to communities in preparation for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Hajiya Maryam D’Mass, the Special Adviser to Gov. Ahmed Aliyu on Resident Community and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), inaugurated the distribution, emphasising its aim to alleviate the economic challenges faced by the society.
D’Mass expressed her satisfaction with the administration’s commitment to the well-being of all citizens in Sokoto state.
She assured the gathering that the gesture is a groundbreaking and sustainable effort, marking the first time a state government has provided relief materials to resident communities in the state.
“I am pleased to inform you that the present administration prioritises the well-being of all citizens in Sokoto state.
“This act reflects our commitment to peace and peaceful coexistence, and I assure you that it will be an ongoing initiative.
“We should sustain our support and prayers for the government to continue to excel so that we can enjoy more dividends of democracy at our doorsteps,” she urged.
D’Mass further assured the resident community of equal treatment with any other citizen in the state.
She said the distribution would cover 25 groups, with each group receiving 10 bags of 50kg rice, 10 cartons of spaghetti, five 25-liter jerry cans of vegetable oil, and a cash amount of N1 million.
The special adviser expressed gratitude to the governor and Senator Aliyu Wamakko for the opportunity to serve the state and the resident community.
Mr Olubunmi Dare, the Chairman of the Association of Communities Resident in Sokoto (ACORS), appreciated the state government’s concern and support for their members.
Dare emphasised the need for all the resident communities to maintain the peaceful environment experienced in the state.
The medical outreach, which, takes place annually, has been on for the last six years and is sponsored by the Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (SAIL) Foundation.
The approved centres for the sixth SAIL Medical Outreach Programme 2023 are the General Hospital, Gashua; and Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, according to a statement by Lawan’s media aide, Ezrel Tabiowo, in Abuja.
Speaking during the ceremony on Saturday, at the Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, Senator Lawan said the medical outreach by the SAIL Foundation was aimed to complement the body efforts of the Yobe State Government under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni.
He lauded the Ministry of Health for partnering with the foundation in ensuring improved quality of healthcare for citizens of the state.
The former Senate President said that the partnership with the Ministry of Health facilitated the establishment of healthcare facilities across the various local government areas in Yobe North.
Lawan said: “Let me assure you that by the grace of God we will continue with this programme in the coming years, and we will always like to improve on what we have done before.
“The adages, “health is wealth” and “a healthy nation is a wealthy nation”, are facts. We want to ensure that our people are healthy, so that they can go about their normal businesses.
“Our intervention has been to support those people who are not only challenged but who have less or probably even nothing to fight those challenges.
“In society, those who have should support those who don’t have or who have less; that is why the SAIL foundation instituted this particular programme, and as we do today, we also provided for our livestock vaccination activities simultaneously.
“This morning, we launched and flagged-off in Yusufari local government, the livestock vaccination programme. It is our desire to not only make our people healthy but our animals.
“I am happy to note that what we do in our medical outreach is even touching on some of our neighbours from Jigawa, Bauchi and so on. I wish we could do more but we will try to do better than this.
“What we do is to simply complement what the Yobe State government has been doing. Our state government has been doing so well in health and others areas, too. And, therefore, this token is in support of what it has been doing.
“I want to commend Governor Mai Mala Buni, for working so hard to ensure that our population are so healthy, and, of course, very productive.
“I want to also take this opportunity to commend President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who has taken health as part of those areas of priority for this administration.
“We will continue to support Mr. President to ensure that we are able to deliver completely, the improved healthcare for our people. And, of course, the “Renewed Hope” agenda will be realised when we all work together.”
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has inaugurated the construction of a skills and vocational city in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state.
At the event, the governor said the centre would train 800 youths yearly in different new cutting edge skills when competed.
“The reason we are doing this is that when we came in, we realised we have a deficit when it comes to the issue of skills.
“We believe it is important for us in Kaduna state to equip our youths with skills so they can compete with their peers around the world,” he said.
Sani also inaugurated the construction of Tang’jei-Jankasa rural road in Zangon Kataf to boost transportation of agricultural produce across the state.
“The road will link many villages with markets because we believe our farmers should have good roads to transport their produce from the farm to the market.
“This is important because one of the major focuses of our government is agriculture,” he stated
Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Area, Yunana Barde, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues from the zone, lauded the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises to the people of Southern Kaduna.
Barde assured the governor of the support and cooperation of the people of the zone in his determinations to transform the state for growth and development.
The governor also inaugurated the installation of 2,000 solar powered streetlights across the eight local government areas of the Southern part of the state.
He said the project was in line with the rural transformation agenda of his government, adding that it would reduce poverty, increase productivity and revitalise the economy of the rural areas.
A founding member of Pan-African-European Organisation Africa Vagabonds, Lutz Mükke has urged media houses to professionalise war and crime reporting especially as it relates to Africa.
He argued that this in depth professionalisation was essential for the indepth and high quality democratic discourse on war and crisis reporting in the region.
Mükke said this in a study titled: Media Routines and Ignorance?.
A copy of the study was shared with The Nation in Abuja.
It explained: “In 2023, the Otto Brenner Foundation in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, published a survey about the coverage of the Sahel interventions of the German army in leading German mass media in collaboration with the pan-African-European association Africa Vagabonds.
“The results are a scandal: Experts from Mali, Niger and Germany criticise the media’s “oversimplified perceptions of reality” of the Sahel conflicts heavily, and the fading out of parliamentary debates on the matter in the media coverage is met with incomprehension.”
According to the author, Mükke, there was no in-depth journalistic research into the military operations in the Sahel as well as the absence of reportages or investigative research on the ground from the Sahel.
Mükke regretted that correspondents reported from Cape Town, Paris, Berlin and Rabat which were 2400 to 6000 kilometres away from Bamako/Mali, adding that high-ranking French and German government representatives dominated the information sources, lamenting that important source groups from Africa hardly ever had their say.
He further revealed that there was no in-depth information on the “terrorism” complex, maintaining that the media did not even report thoroughly on the debates of the German parliament on the Sahel military interventions.
He said: “There had been no proper contribution by these essential leading media for a democratic discourse about the military interventions of the German army.
“Details from the content analyses during the period under review, 41 online articles on the complex topic were published in the analysed media.
“The parliamentary debate plays virtually no role in these reports. tagesschau.de, for example, does not go beyond a 95-second news item and the parliament has approved an extension and reinforcement of the Bundeswehr mandate for Mali.
“The influence of news agencies on the reporting analysed is very high. Around 60 percent of all articles are one-to-one reprints of agency reports or are based on agency material.
“The French news agency AFP and the German press agency GPA are particularly influential. Around 40 per cent of all contributions came from correspondents. However, they report from Cape Town, Paris, Berlin, and Rabat, which are between 2,400 and 6,000 kilometres from Bamako/Mali.
“None of the media analysed considered it appropriate to place their reports from the ground in the Sahel region or more complex investigative contributions or storytellings. The overall reporting is strongly characterised by news reporting.
“There are no editorials, interviews, portraits or reviews on the topic, only two commentaries. Monotony also prevails in the departmentalisation, almost all articles appear under the headings “Politics” and “Abroad”. The business/economics and culture sections published nothing on the topic.
“All articles dealt with the topics of “war, crisis, coup”, with two events triggering reporting peaks – a coup in Mali and the death of the President of Chad. The activities of the German Armed Forces are never investigated in depth on the ground. The geographical focus of the reporting is on four countries: Mali, France, Germany and Chad.
“To a lesser extent, regional observations are made about regional interrelations. The mix and selections of the “information sources” of the Sahel reporting must also be questioned.
“High-ranking French and German government representatives dominated by a wide margin, followed by Malian military personnel and high-ranking EU and UN representatives.
“Representatives of the West African regional organisations ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations are also included to a lesser extent. It is striking that around 60 per cent of all sources are non-African.
“Entire African groups of sources are not mentioned at all or only in rare individual cases: business people, scientists, religious representatives, artists, musicians, writers, students.
“They are obviously of no particular importance to those involved in the journalistic production process, neither as characters in the narratives nor as relevant sources. Even aid organisations, traditionally strong communicators in sub-Saharan Africa, play only a marginal role.
“The same applies to so-called “Islamist extremists”, “terrorists”, and various armed groups, such as the Tuareg fractions. These, too, are hardly depicted at all but merely appear as a threatening sub-context.
“In no single case is more detailed information provided about them. However, they were and are proclaimed the main reason for the military interventions and the massive budgets the German parliament allocates to these military actions.”
An investigative data journalist from Bamako/Mali, David Dembélé pointed out that the military operations in the Sahel should be of “utmost interest” in Germany.
He finds it “paradoxical” that there was no independent journalistic research and reporting by the four media from the Sahel countries, not even during the important debates by the German parliament.
On his part, Ibrahim Manzo Diallo, editor-in-chief of the Aïr Info group and the radio station Radio Sahara FM from Agadez, Niger, explains that independent journalists and editorial offices have to do much more when it comes to highly relevant topics such as military operations or war and peace.
Solid minerals minister Alake opens our eyes to sores and opportunities
It was a different narrative but no less chilling. When the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, spoke to lawmakers recently about the requirements of his ministry and its challenges, it was not a routine revelation. He announced that the surge of illegal mining, and associated banditry in the country, emanated not just from foreigners, but from within our community as a nation.
Hear him: “These are not your artisan miners. They’re not the people who pick gold on the ground. These are heavy and powerful individuals in our country. They’re Nigerians, and not foreigners.”
He proceeded further: “Yes, you can see foreigners as symptoms, but they’re not the basics. Nigerians are the powers behind those foreigners that you see on the streets. We’re identifying them and employing various strategies, both kinetic and non-kinetic.
“The non-kinetic with the artisan miners, I gave them an ultimatum that they should form themselves into cooperatives because every Nigerian has a right to life and necessities and if the government cannot provide these necessities, we cannot push them into the bush.”
For long, Nigerians were fed with a line that the culprits behind illegal miners were solely foreign businessmen with local collaborators. From the lips of Alake, we now know that they are locals with foreign collaborators. So, the locals are not symptoms but basics as the minister framed it, or shall we say the underlying disease. The foreigners constitute the symptoms. It is the vermin in the system opening the ulcerous sores to the flies buzzing over our patrimony. He added that even the foreigners lack proper immigration documentation.
It is not just a matter of criminals, but big criminals. If it is about big criminals alone, then it is a big crime. Big crime does not just tease a little resource from our commonwealth but big and frightening chunks. It violates our vitality, depletes our resources and compromises our potential to fund a robust nation and a lifestyle for our people in education, nutrition, healthcare and basic infrastructure.
No amount of money has been estimated, and for how long, from the depredation, but it tugs the heart with trepidation to even imagine it. Since it is a big crime, it is a mighty affair for the state and nation. It is not an issue for the minister alone. It concerns the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the National Economic Council (NEC), the national security adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security outfits in the country and, of course, the president and commander-in-chief. It is a raw material for policy makers and thinkers, journalists and researchers, the citizens and elected officers. It is an invasion from within.
Alake says the government is bringing together a list of the criminals. The government should not just compile the names but also expose and prosecute them. They are not just stealing our treasure for their own dubious luxury, but they are immiserating a nation and ruining a generation. It will ultimately be a disservice to the nation if these agents of plunder remain in opulent anonymity, and not brought to disgrace and separated from their false prosperity and celebrity.
The minister reiterated what he saw as the financial potential of that industry and put it at $700 billion, which we see as conservative. He himself asserted that if the legislature assents to his budget proposal, his ministry will rake in a bountiful harvest. “We can return trillions to the coffers of this country as revenue if we are given such a budget as proposed,” he said. He did not disclose if the trillions will be in naira or dollars.
He listed 44 major solid minerals in the country, although the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) had put the number at 30. The minister’s figure may be new and improved data, and that should only cheer our hearts if they do not just lie impotent under the bowels of our earth or get stolen by elite bandits. Exposing them is not the minister’s alone but the task of the government.
Indeed, all local governments in this country have one form of mineral or another, and that only underscores why, as a nation, we should never lack or borrow. It is not our poverty that makes us suffer but our wealth. Many think we only have gold or crude oil or limestone. We also have such unfamiliar ones as magnetite, mica, quartz, rutile and kaolin. Also lying cosy beneath us are precious metals like sapphire, topaz and aquamarine. Gemstones or not, we have to make the most of the 44 because they are all part of our commonwealth. The minister listed seven with the highest demand in the world, including lithium, gold, cobalt, barite, bitumen and coal.
Alake has said that investors are coming “in droves,” although not many of the names of such investors have yet been disclosed. This must arise from the series of exploratory and marketing trips he has undertaken since he became the helmsman of that ministry. It is good news, but we await the harvest.
Sounding both sanguine and evangelistic, Alake said, “We have not even explored a quarter of the potential of what we have. Therefore, the entire budget of N24 billion is a non-starter if we are to achieve the stated objectives of the sector. We need nothing less than N250 billion for exploration if we are to achieve the mandate of this sector. The sector should contribute not less than 50 percent to the nation’s GDP. That N24 billion is a non-starter.”
One critical thing to enhance investment, he noted, is the restructuring of the Nigerian Mining Corporation. He wants it to follow the track of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) but with a different equity portfolio. He is calling for less government equity of about a quarter while companies and citizens will gobble up the rest. “Nigeria will also have its equity,” he explained, “adding that this would mean that no government could destabilise the structure.
Mining cannot be fruitful without calm at the sites. For now, it is a free-for- all-affair with many youths crowding the sites to work for pittance for the peacocks exploiting our failure to secure the mines. The minister spoke about deploying technology. He mentioned the use of artificial intelligence so as to refine the deployment of forces by reducing them and making them efficient. In that sense, he also met with the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, and we commend the proposed introduction of specialised mining police.
We have witnessed hordes of bandits ravage the northwest, including schools. The kidnap of many innocents is normalising as a scourge. It has been a harrowing part of our lives for the past few years. It is a paradox that the nightmare intersects our source of wealth.
The task before the minister is the task of a nation. Solid minerals are a big treasure trove. Crude oil has blinded us to its gem. It is high time we saw it as a prosperity emergency.
Sir: The report credited to the Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde that those who oppose the choice of Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomoso should withdraw their cases from court or face the wrath of his government is an infringement on the right of a section of Laoye chieftaincy family. The governor reportedly stated this while presenting staff and instrument of office to Oba Laoye in Ogbomoso on Tuesday, December 19.
Recall that some of the princes that were dissatisfied with the choice of the Oyo State government and the kingmakers approached the court to stop the installation and later the presentation of the staff and instrument of office to the new Soun. An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso had nullified the appointment but the Oba went back to court to stop the execution of the judgement which he was granted. This paved the way for the installation and presentation of the staff and instrument of office to the Oba.
All along, it has been a win-win situation for Oba Laoye. Now threatening those in opposition to Oba Laoye would obstruct the course of justice and this is dangerous for our democracy and rule of law and constitution of the land which Engineer Seyi Makinde swore to uphold and protect.
Issue of Obaship is a delicate issue which causes rancour within chieftaincy families because all princes believe that they are qualified for the throne. Jaw-jaw rather than war-war is the key.
The governor spoke well when he advised the litigants that further contestation over the eligibility of the new Oba would bring the throne and the town no good. However, stating that he would deploy the government arsenal to fight them if they do not withdraw their cases could only harden the litigants among who are educated people who knew their rights and may want to defend it. People have the fundamental rights to seek justice when they feel their rights are infringed upon; threatening them is out of it.
Meanwhile, the new Oba did well in his inaugural address by extending the Olive Branch to his co-contestants. Laoye chieftaincy family is a large family with many qualified personalities. As the new Oba correctly said, it is God that gives crown to whomever he deems fit. That Oba Laoye is divinely ordained is beyond contestation. Only jaw-jaw rather than threat can douse the tension in the family and so the amiable governor should borrow a leaf from Oba Laoye in this wise.
Sir: The local government administration was a colonial creation. It served the colonial masters and their indigenous successors in the political administration of Nigeria very well indeed. It has undergone several changes since Nigeria became independent of British colonial rule almost 63 years ago.
With an executive and a legislative arm, the local government is all but local in name. It has become a modern government in a rural setting. It has been refined by the natives themselves to make it fit into the modern concept of government.
The local government for Nigerians is more than a convenient administrative unit. It is the locus of local political power. And everyone wants to be a part of it. The government is people in flesh and blood. The government is the next-door neighbour or the man further down the road. If the government must touch the lives of everything and everybody in the country, then it must have the means of touching people. It could have its agents even at the grassroots level. But if people must be involved in government, then they must be familiar with the workings of government.
The local government system brings the workings of government closer to the people than anything else. It is the running of a progressive and dynamic government at the local level. The whole idea is to encourage the practice of democracy at the grassroots. The concept itself is so attractive that it is pretty unlikely that Nigerians would be opposed to any number of local governments.
Presently, Nigeria has 774 local government areas. But unlike what obtains at the federal and state levels, local governments have expenditure limits and are supposed to be autonomous and free from the control of the state government.
So, we can say that local government autonomy is not total as some state governments intercept the federal government subvention. And no local government can survive without allocations from the federation account. Thus heavy dependence on the federal government financially is a big minus for local government autonomy.
Under the present system of local government administration, the executive power is vested in the chairman who may exercise it personally or delegate it to the vice-chairman. Both, together with the supervisors and the secretary, who are appointed by the chairman, form the executive arm. The elected councillors form the local government legislature. The legislators must elect, from among themselves, one councillor, usually from the majority party, as leader of the council. He plays roles similar to that of the speaker in the state house of assembly.
Indeed, they call him a speaker rather than the leader of the council. The secretary acts as the chief administrative adviser to the administrative arm and keeps proper records of local government. There is also a head of personnel management department, designated as the clerk of the legislative council. He keeps records of the proceedings of the council meetings. The clerk also liaises with the secretary of the local government for the smooth-running of the administration of the local government.
In other words, the local government is necessary to enable the people at the grassroots to enjoy speedy developments. The local government council is also empowered to vet and monitor the implementation of projects and programmes in the council’s yearly budget as well as examine and debate monthly statements of income and expenditure rendered to it by the executive arm.
Some of the noticeable problems of the system include the fact that most of the legislative councils, which are expected to meet at least once or twice a month, are usually idle. The majority of them do not even know what to do except to turn the council into a court of inquisition against the executive. Local councils also lack good libraries and competent legal draftsmen to guide in the preparation of bylaws. In other words, they lack standard procedure. There is also the issue of lack of imprest to run the council and unavailability of vehicles for council members to visit project sites.
Another obstacle to the effective functioning of the council is the calibre of people constituting it. Another visible problem is the patent ignorance among majority of councillors across the country. Also noted is state excessive interference in the affairs of the local governments. Lack of total autonomy and state interception of federal government subvention is another noticeable problem of the local government administration. There are also increasing cases of inexperience on the part of the councillors about their job.
