The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

How U.S. Army works with Nigeria, others, by Secretary

Christine Wormuth is the Secretary of the United States Army. In this briefing attended by United States Bureau Chief OLUKOREDE YISHAU, Wormuth speaks about the U.S. Army’s global engagements, relationships with allies, including Nigeria, and others. Excerpts:

What it means to be the Secretary of the Army

The Army is led by two senior officials – a civilian, the Secretary of the Army – and I am the 25th Secretary of the Army – and then also led by a four-star general. Currently, that general is John McConville, and the two of us together are responsible for over $185 billion annual budget for the United States Army. Our institution includes almost a million soldiers; those are active, guard, and reserve. And with General McConville, I am responsible essentially for organising the entire United States Army. I am responsible for all of our recruiting, also for training and equipping the United States Army.

U.S. and the Nigerian Army

I would say the primary presentation, if you will, of the United States Army in Africa is – has been through United States Africa Command, and particularly through our Security Force Assistance Brigade that I mentioned. So we – just like Multi-Domain Task Forces that are aligned to different theaters, we have a Security Force Assistance Brigade aligned to the Western Hemisphere, we also have one aligned to the African continent. So that is primarily how the United States works with countries – or excuse me, how the Army works with countries like Nigeria. It is through exercises and partnering to build capacity. So I would be happy to try to get you additional information about our plans with Nigeria specifically, but United States Africa Command would probably have the most comprehensive description of what we’re doing there.

Foreign deployment

We are currently deployed in almost 140 countries around the world today. We have more than 40,000 soldiers in Europe. Some of those soldiers are permanently stationed there; many of them have been deployed there in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We also have United States Army soldiers permanently stationed in Korea and Japan as well as Hawaii and Alaska.

United States Army’s role in supporting Ukraine

We have trained over 10,000 Ukrainian armed forces. We’ve trained them on Patriot, Avenger, and Stinger air defense systems. We’ve provided training on a range of armored vehicles, including Bradleys, Strikers, and now Abrams tanks. We also – the Army has provided the Ukrainian armed forces with billions of dollars of equipment – everything from vehicles to Patriots to radars to hundreds of thousands of rounds of munition. For example, we’ve provided over 700,000 155-millimeter artillery shells.

We also in the United States Army have learned many lessons from the conflict in Ukraine, and I’d be happy to talk about that for those of you who are interested.

Role of the Army in the Indo-Pacific

A lot of national security observers tend to focus on the Navy and the Air Force’s role in the Indo-Pacific, and those are very important roles, but the Army has an important role to play there as well. Just to mention two things, first, if the Army – if the United States, for example, were ever to get into a conflict in the Indo-Pacific, the United States Army would play an essential role as a lynchpin force.

We would be responsible, I would expect, for establishing our bases for the Air Force and the Navy, for protecting those bases. We would play a tremendous role in resupplying the United States Military, so we would be doing a lot of in terms of logistics. And we also would be able to provide long-range fires. So for example, the Army is developing a hypersonic weapon, and that would be something that we could employ in that role.

But on a day-to-day basis, every day, the United States Army also plays a very important role in campaigning in the Indo-Pacific in essentially trying to continue to preserve the security and stability there in that region by strengthening deterrence. And we do that largely by basically conducting exercises in that region. We have many very comprehensive, multilateral exercises through United States Army Pacific, and we also engage on a regular basis with all of our allies and partners in that region. So we are able to demonstrate our ability to interoperate every day with those countries, and we use things like our Security Force Assistance Brigades to help build capacity of our partners in the region.

China and America

Well, first of all, I would say I don’t think either the United States or China wants a war. I don’t think that would be in the interests of either of our countries. So I think, one, we need to be working on lowering the temperature in the region. That said, I am certainly concerned about China’s coercive and aggressive behavior in the region. So what we are focused on, as I said in my opening remarks, is really trying to strengthen deterrence, trying to make sure that every day President Xi and his senior military leaders wake up and say to themselves, “Today is not the day to try to take Taiwan by force,” for example.

And the way we strengthen that deterrence, I think, as I said, is by demonstrating combat credible forces in the region. So through our Pacific Pathways set of exercises, we are able to bring Army forces into the region; we are able to show how we can conduct joint air assault operations; we are able to use systems like HIMARS, artillery, for example, in our exercises. And we’re able to show how we’re able to operate with our allies and partners in the region, and I think that does a lot to strengthen deterrence and to show that basically, as we say sometimes, the best way to avoid fighting a war is to show that you can win any war you might have to fight. And I think that’s where the United States Army really tries to focus.

Certainly China has what we like to say in the Army, excellent interior lines of communication. They’re – the distances in the Indo-Pacific are formidable, and all of the issues that you point out, I think, are real issues. That said, I think what we’ve seen in how the international community has rallied to Ukraine’s side, I think there’s a lesson there for China, which is that if there were to be a war, I think that it is highly unlikely that China would be facing the United States alone. I think you would be facing a coalition of countries even broader than strictly limited to the Indo-Pacific. So I think some of the geographic challenges that you’re pointing to are mitigated when you think about the fact that we would probably have other countries involved in the region in any kind of a conflict.

We have been working very diligently to broaden and diversify our basing agreements in the region. So I think the agreement that Secretary Austin was able to come to with the Philippines, for example, is a great example of being able to show how we’ll have more bases from which to operate. I think Japan’s sense of its own security and the threat that it perceives from China has shifted dramatically in the last 10 years. I think you see Australia being more and more concerned about Chinese aggressive actions in the region. So I think all of that would come into play if there were to be a conflict there.

And I think in terms of China feeling encircled or contained, if you will, I think the United States has a strong track record of showing we are a democratic nation that respects the concept of territorial sovereignty. We do not believe in unprovoked aggression, such as what we’ve seen, again, with Russia going into Ukraine. I think the role that the United States has played in the Pacific for decades has been about preserving the security and stability of that region so that all of the countries in the region, to include the United States, which is a Pacific nation, can continue to prosper economically. So I think China wouldn’t have anything, I think, to worry about were it not to be making very expansive territorial claims, for example, that have been rejected by the international tribunal.

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June 7, 2023
Security implications of the Brown Card
- By Onche Odeh
Two days to the formal inauguration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s president, 385 foreign nationals were formally conferred with Nigerian citizenship at an event hosted by the Ministry of Interior in Abuja.

During the occasion, the immediate past Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola announced that the ministry had gotten the approval of the Federal Executive Council to execute new pathways to permanent residency for eligible foreign nationals through the issuance of Brown Card. Consequently, he said he was bestowed the power to, among others, execute and clarify existing guidelines to provide permanent residence to foreign nationals who desired to invest in Nigeria in line with established guidelines.

Aregbesola made pointed reference to the fact that acquiring Nigerian citizenship is currently unattractive to foreigners because of the 15-year waiting period as a major eligibility criterion. While he is happy that the country conferred citizenship status on the highest number of foreigners under his tenure, he said the figures are far too low to be celebrated. Aregbesola may be right, as only 671 foreign nationals have been conferred Nigerian citizenship since 2011.

According to the minister, granting of citizenship to foreigners is intended to attract foreign investors, resourceful individuals and people with rare talents and unbounded energy willing to come into the country to boost the socio-economic and political foundation that will elevate Nigeria into one of the 20 great economies of the world. As true as this may sound, what may, however, be in contention is whether the introduction of a Brown Card would not amount to creating more problems that may negate the targeted result. Of more concern is the effect that the introduction of such a system of documentation could pose to the already weakened security architecture of the country.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his inaugural speech made it clear that security shall be top priority of his administration. To this effect, he said his government shall reform the country’s security doctrine and its architecture, stressing clearly that improved security interventions under him would go beyond increase in number of personnel and commodities, but targeted investments in better training, equipment, pay and firepower. Such is the approach that one expects to be employed in the management of naturalization and residency status of foreigners in Nigeria.

Concerns are rife that the introduction of a Brown Card would provide a pathway for fraudulent foreigners who are looking for escape routes from the existing systems that keep them in security check. One of the changes that Brown Card seeks to make to the process of acquiring Nigerian citizenship is to reduce the waiting time of 15 years as part of the eligibility criteria to five years or less in comparison to what obtains in countries like United States, among others. As a matter of fact, this could only be achieved through a constitutional amendment process, as acknowledged by Aregbesola, in his May 27 speech. What this means is that a Brown Card cannot become a bona fide document until Nigeria’s constitution is once again amended, which may not occur soon.

Another issue that was raised as part of the reason for pitching the idea of a Brown Card is for it to serve as a means of fast-tracking citizenship for foreign husbands of Nigerian women. This is already being handled under the Special Immigration Status and Niger Wife, which is already being handled by the Nigeria Immigration Service through its technical partners. Instead of introducing a fresh programme, the existing programme could be strengthened where loopholes have been found. What we may see happen with the introduction of a parallel channel of granting permanent resident status and citizenship as proposed is that unscrupulous foreigners, especially those who evade paying for the services under existing programmes or enter the country for nefarious reasons, would ride on the fact that Nigeria wants to use the brown card to increase the number of foreign nationals, to find their way into the country.

A confirmation to this is already being reported by a Civil Society Organisation under the guise of Save Nigeria Movement. The group had in a statement by its convener, Reverend Solomon Semaka hinted that some persons masquerading as agents are already making contacts with foreigners in the country for them to pay as much as $5,000 with the promise that they would grant them the Brown Card. This portends a bigger draw down for Nigeria’s image, as the country is currently battling to cleanse itself of the blemishes of the internet fraudsters popularly known as yahoo boys.

It is also pertinent to note that deploying a parallel programme that competes and possibly conflicts with operational modules of existing ones waters down the security system of the country, which has been grossly compromised by unscrupulous foreign nationals who come into the country with ulterior motives under the guise of being investors. Agreed, the country needs to make more earnings from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) which could be facilitated through granting of citizenship and permanent residency to worthy foreigners. But a hasty introduction of a parallel platform alongside existing ones could be counter-productive.

What could be done is to upgrade the operational scope and modules of existing ones to avoid unhealthy duplication of roles. Above all, the country would naturally become attractive to foreigners, like US, UK, Canada, among others. This could only become real if the country is secure and prosperous. Anything that would render the country’s security system porous will surely breed counter-effects.
- Odeh, a development communication expert wrote this article from Abuja.
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June 7, 2023
2023-27: Political salaries -a security matter

All governments must make the difference between politics and what is good and necessary for the people – the essentials of good governance, be that government a democracy, autocracy, militocracy, capitalist or communist in nature. Nigerian governments initially concentrated on the people and fulfilling a common desire for an independent life, one independent of the negative interference that has currently grown to draw back the essential progress of the people necessary for Nigeria to be a real 2023 country reckoned with other countries and not merely a 419 joke.

In those days before the milito-political upheaval of the mid-60 and late 80s, the citizens found and kept work and the country boomed with promise with manufacturing taking its rightful position because governments created enabling environments for education of the masses and work especially through cooperatives and factories.

Sadly, now it is completely clear that governments have persistently failed the citizenry while excelling in illegality by oppressing the citizenry through the criminal activities of unsupervised security personnel  and civil servants neglecting their duty or creating obstacles to ‘normal services’ at every turn and opportunity. This hallmark of government corruption must be deliberately eliminated for any respect to return to every government/citizen encounter because any visit to any ministry is regarded with disgust by most citizens. Even when government offices make the right productivity noises regarding ‘efficiency’ and ‘Ease of Doing Business’ or even ‘anti-corruption’ statements and ‘whistle blowers will be protected’, the hype is much more than the effect. This is mainly because there is little or no sustained office level day-to-day supervision within ministries or agencies where they often neglect service delivery. No nation will survive if, like Nigeria, it continuously has neglects to provide potable water, 24/7 electric power, pothole free roads going in new directions, mass transport, security, growth of industry and manufacturing and of course an improved value of the currency with a targeted $50-100b  growth of the foreign reserves.

Security of life and limb and property is the first responsibility of any government, seriously inadequately addressed in the previous government. Security and stability are the foundation of any nation. We all watch police and crime films and even children can tell you how to manage a crime scene with tape, personal protective clothing like gloves and masks and plastic clothing, specimen bottles and plastic bags and fingerprint and camera equipment.

How come this important fundamental security knowledge has escaped the routine international practices in our police service? The 2023-27 government has already put security first. But so did Buhari who mourned and sent condolences almost every day on account of our valiant fallen security heroes and over 63,000 -100,000 estimated dead during  2015-2023,  not to mention those unfortunate thousands kidnapped, wickedly murdered, returned or still held in captivity the best known of whom is Leah Sharibu plus five million IDPs. And it is still an APC continuum and Nigerians everywhere have great demands and expectations of this government to right the perceived security wrongs. The level of insecurity has never been worse. This is largely due to the poor economy with many in poverty made worse by a lack of the legitimate funds in circulation. Imagine if all the owed salaries and owed pensions had been paid like with normal governments worldwide. Imagine the tens of thousands of families, thousands of small businesses and millions of persons who would have been given a better education, started a new business, improved an existing business, exited from debt and poverty, gained the respect of other family members and reduced the criminals.

President Tinubu must ensure a secure nation, the very foundation, are under his daily watch and not thwarted by spies within, terrorists, underequipped security operatives whether police or armed forces. He appears already to be asking long unanswered hard questions like how do police at checkpoints feed? In over 50 years on the highways of Nigeria, I have never once seen a feeding vehicle for duty at checkpoints. Why? Are they given money to buy from the locals or is the fund embezzled.  Mr President, please ask the IG. We pray they will obey your instructions on welfare.

Policing includes much better use of forensic laboratories in every state with better forensic knowledge at even LGA level including simple logical taping-off of crime scenes and photography of the crime scene and victims, shared with police. Nigeria’s 5-6 profile databases on fingerprints, facial recognition and the timely delivery of the passport 2-4 weeks. Already the new Comptroller-General of Immigration has promised improvements but such improvements require more capture points and better facilities for waiting. In Ibadan, the passport seekers sit under a tree, unless things have improved?

No Nigerian government should expect to surpass the meagre necessary Sustainable Development Goal improved targets for the country by only using past infrastructure or even past personnel or past methods. The country is plagued by deficits in health, security, power, transport, education, wage differentials. We should all help stop governments ‘Putting Politicians First’ by concentrating on the politics of feeding politicians fat to the point of obscene obesity. This past government activity was easily demonstrated by the stupendously ridiculous and immoral Salaries and Perks, Pensions beyond reason when compared to the minimum wage of N30k and what other politicians earn worldwide relative to other Nigerian citizens. Politician salaries are a strategic security situation. We can start from there, President Tinubu.

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June 7, 2023
AfCFTA: How youths can leverage to make impact
Sir: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is potentially the world’s largest free trade area bringing together the 55 countries of the African Union (AU) and eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The project is set to create a single continental market with a population of about 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of approximately US$ 3.4 trillion.

It’s particularly surprising that Nigerians especially its youth are not yet basking on the euphoria of a potential reality of the African Continental Free Trade Area despite more African countries ratifying Africa’s flagship project. Beyond the huge opportunity to accelerate intra-African trade and boost Africa’s trading position in the global market, there is a better prospect of strengthening Africa’s common voice and policy space in global trade negotiations. However, it seems the lack of knowledge or inadequate information dissemination about the AfCFTA is not doing justice to its cause.

Looking at the heterogeneous nature of policies and diversity of implementation despite the homogeneity the region shares in various facets of endeavour, it’s worrisome that the region is yet to explore regional value chains and clusters that will create linkages and synergies among different sectors and countries. There is no gainsaying that, with effective collaboration, the region can also promote green and circular economy practices that minimize environmental impacts and optimize resource use.

While the benefits of removing trade barriers in the African region are timeless, individual countries like Nigeria first need to address the challenges that may hinder the optimal utilization of the free trade area. There is no doubt that Nigerians seem to have hacked the business terrain within the country but the same cannot be said about their knowledge and skills to compete in regional and global trade. They also face skills mismatches and gaps that limit their employability and productivity largely due to inadequate access to quality education and training that could equip them with the skills and knowledge required for the AfCFTA stage.

Despite the advantage of exploring a free trade zone, navigating around and outside the region needs adequate financial and infrastructural resources which has remained an Achilles heel with many young people having business ideas without the requisite resources to execute them. Ultimately, the limited influence of young people in the policy-making and implementation processes, especially at national and regional levels may also impact on their participation at the big stage.

While the AfCFTA project is still gathering momentum, governments at national and subnational levels have the opportunity to adjust to policies that will ensure that this project is indeed a symbiotic relationship. Thus, there must be some level of intentionality in creating conducive policies and regulations that will facilitate effective youth participation at the bigger stage. Also, considering that virtually all sectors are set to benefit from this, there is a need to galvanize key stakeholders in those sectors to ensure proper coordination in charting pathways for the optimum utility of the free trade area in Africa. This for instance includes the private sector which can in fact provide entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for young people geared towards preparing them for regional and global trade.

In a nutshell, lifting trade barriers will contribute to uniting policies, and regulations which could potentially lead to uniformity in the system of governance in the region. This will increase the unity in the voice of the African region on the global stage. Thus, Civil Society Organisations can use this platform to scale their activities to a continental level by raising awareness and advocating for nations to commit to AfCFTA thereby promoting the rights and interest of the region’s growing youth population. This can be achieved by organizing symposiums and facilitating dialogue and cooperation among youth and other stakeholders.

Ultimately, all hands must be on deck to lay a strong foundation for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development, gender equality, and structural transformation of member states. Finally, Nigeria specifically must put all mechanisms in place to benefit from the emerging industrial development through diversification and regional value chain development, agricultural development, and food security.
- Olasupo Abideen, abideenolasupo@gmail.com
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June 7, 2023
Revitalizing Nigeria’s foreign policy
Sir: The new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces numerous challenges in restoring the country’s foreign policy and strengthening its engagement with West Africa. The previous administration, under Muhammadu Buhari, often neglected foreign policy in favour of domestic issues. However, the new president must recognize the importance of both domestic and international affairs, as they are interconnected.

To begin with, Nigeria needs a stable and prosperous economy to project credibility and influence on the international stage. It is essential to strike a balance between domestic economic growth and foreign policy objectives. In this regard, visionary leadership that combines technocratic expertise with a strategic focus on Nigeria’s standing in the global community is crucial.

Nigeria has historically played a prominent role in African international relations. During the Cold War era, the country embraced a non-aligned principle and sought to steer regional and continental growth. However, the aspirations of becoming a major black power and an industrial powerhouse were not fully realized. The current administration must work towards reigniting these ambitions by revitalizing economic growth, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), and diversifying Nigeria’s export base beyond raw materials.

The decline in FDI and export value underscores the need for comprehensive solutions to address challenges such as insecurity, corruption, theft, and vandalism that have hampered Nigeria’s production capacity. By tackling these issues, Nigeria can regain investor confidence, increase export volumes, and expand its economic capabilities.

While addressing domestic issues is crucial, the new administration must also recognize the impact of regional stability on the country’s interests. Nigeria’s stability and prosperity are closely linked to that of West Africa. As such, foreign policy should prioritize regional cooperation, peace, and development.

To achieve this, the new administration should focus on the following key areas:

Common Defence Policy: The president should rally West African leaders to develop a common defence policy to address insecurity and terrorism in the region. This would involve collaborative efforts, intelligence sharing, and joint military operations to combat threats effectively.

Active Participation in Peacekeeping: Nigeria, as the longest-serving member of ECOWAS and the AU Peace and Security Council, should play a more active role in peacekeeping initiatives. By contributing troops and resources to regional peacekeeping missions, Nigeria can help stabilize conflict-prone areas and enhance regional security.

Regional Integration: Efforts should be made to foster regional integration through cultural education and people-to-people interactions. Promoting cultural exchange programs, educational initiatives, and cross-border collaborations will contribute to a sense of unity and shared identity among West African nations.

Diplomatic Engagement: The president should engage in diplomatic initiatives at regional and continental levels. By participating actively in ECOWAS and AU forums, Nigeria can shape regional policies, advocate for African interests on the global stage, and foster mutually beneficial relationships with other nations.

Restoring Nigerian foreign policy and strengthening engagement with West Africa requires a multifaceted approach. The new administration under President Tinubu must strike a balance between domestic economic growth and foreign policy objectives. By prioritizing regional cooperation, peace, and development, Nigeria can contribute to the stability and prosperity of West Africa, which in turn will benefit Nigeria’s own domestic and international interests. It is through visionary leadership, robust diplomatic engagement, and strategic partnerships that Nigeria can regain its position as a key player in African international relations.
- Akinola Ayobami Steven, <akinolaa61@gmail.com>
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June 7, 2023
Protecting our freshwater bodies
Sir: Though the 2023 World Environment Day highlighted and acknowledged the efforts of environmentalists, policymakers, and community members working tirelessly to create a better world, the event is a reminder that we need to take proactive steps to ensure the sustainability of our planet. Celebrated annually on June 5, the event is an opportunity for individuals, communities, organizations, and governments around the world to come together and raise awareness about the importance of protecting our environment—in this case, our freshwater bodies.

The environment is essential for our survival; we depend on it for our sustenance.

The theme for this year’s World Environment Day focuses on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution. The world is being inundated by plastic. More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year, half of which is designed to be used only once. The slogan “beat plastic pollution” has never been more relevant than it is today. Indeed, our freshwater bodies are facing an unprecedented crisis of plastic pollution, and there is an urgent need to take action to address this issue. Plastic waste is an eyesore, and it poses a severe threat not just to our freshwater bodies but also to human health.

Plastic pollution affects the quality of the water that we depend on. Plastic waste can release toxins into the water, leading to contamination and illness. Yes, water contamination is an essential issue that needs attention, affecting health and reducing access to safe drinking water. Pollutants in water can come from many different sources, including sewage systems. This contamination can lead to cholera, typhoid, cancer, intestinal infections, reproductive issues, and developmental problems as well as impacts the economy with the cost of water treatment and healthcare.

One of the most significant steps individuals can take is to reduce their use of plastic products. This can include using reusable bags, water bottles, and containers instead of single-use plastic products. Individuals can also properly dispose of their plastic waste by recycling or composting it. Collaborating with the local government, communities can also play a role in beating plastic pollution. Community-led initiatives, such as beach clean ups and plastic waste reduction campaigns, can raise awareness about the problem of plastic pollution in a local context. Organizations can also work with their suppliers to reduce the amount of plastic in their products, and they can design products with the environment in mind. Governments can enforce policies that reduce plastic waste, such as taxes on single-use plastic products or bans on plastic bags. They can also promote recycling initiatives and invest in infrastructure to support waste reduction and management efforts.

Together, we can beat hazardous human activities and create a healthier, more sustainable world for ourselves and future generations.
- Christopher Ononukwe, christopherononukwe@gmail.com
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June 7, 2023
Zulum as exemplar
- Other northern states should emulate Borno in educational development
In continuation of the commendable focus of his administration on enhancing the quality of public education in Borno State during his first term, it is instructive that the governor of the state, Professor Babagana Zulum, kicked off his second term last week with the laying of the foundation of the 25th mega-size secondary school to be constructed by his government since 2019. Twenty-four of these mega school structures, each of which has 30 classrooms that can accommodate a total of 1,800 students with particular focus on technical education had earlier been constructed in the administration’s last four years in office, before the commencement of the latest addition located in Gambou Ward of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

The prioritisation of education by the Zulum administration right from its inception was demonstrated by its rehabilitation of over 108 existing primary and secondary schools and the construction of additional 1,000 classrooms across the state thus far. Other new initiatives are the reintroduction of Mock examinations in secondary schools as well as the introduction of centres of excellence to enable government harness the potentials of underprivileged children.

At the ceremony to commence the construction of the new mega school, Governor Zulum announced new measures to consolidate and improve on his government’s attainments in this critical sector. The central and most critical of these is the administration’s plan to employ 5,000 new teachers and other categories of staff for public primary and secondary schools in the state, to improve the quality of teaching and administration. The governor explained that new teaching and non-teaching staff would be needed for the commencement of afternoon primary and secondary schools in the state, to address problems of school congestion and increased enrollment of out-of-school children.

For a state that was for years the epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency, with the depletion of schools and the high rate of attrition of students and teachers due to incessant attacks on educational institutions, it is heartwarming that the number of children who have resumed their education has risen to the extent that afternoon shifts are being introduced. According to the governor, the introduction of afternoon schools will necessitate increased numbers even of non-teaching staff and he had thus directed the Office of the Head of Service to identify qualified staff currently redundant at government offices who will be trained in school administration and deployed to hold non-teaching positions in the afternoon schools.

A positive fall-out of the policy, apart from the employment of substantial numbers of new teachers will thus be the efficient and productive deployment of currently employed but largely underutilised staff in the public service to schools.

It is a measure of proactive thinking on the part of the government that it is also planning for adequate security measures to ensure the safety of the afternoon schools since classes may extend to early parts of the night. Notable stakeholders in education in the state have understandably commended the government’s initiative while offering suggestions to enhance the effectiveness of the new policy.

The immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Borno State, Mr Muhammed Jubril, was enthused that the recruitment of the new teachers would fill the huge gap created by the large number of teachers killed by insurgents in the past few years, while stressing the need for a more equitable and efficient distribution of teachers among schools in the state, as some schools are more severely affected by teaching staff shortages than others. Noting that the 5,000 teachers to be recruited will only cover secondary schools, he canvassed for the recruitment of a larger number to cater for primary schools. We understand however that it is wiser for government to employ only the number it can afford to pay at this time even as it plans towards additional recruitment in future. And those to be employed must be qualified and competent.

Professor Zulum is one of those northern governors who has recognised the imperative of decisively addressing the educational deficiencies of the region, both to accelerate rapid socio-economic development and to ameliorate poverty. Statistics by the relevant agencies indicate that educational performance in the north continues to be poorer than the south. Although it is the most populous part of the country, the North is estimated to account for over 70 per cent of the estimated 13.2 million out-of-school children in the country. According to data released by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the majority of children aged 10 and above in northern states destabilised by insecurity have not finished six years of basic schooling and Borno is one of the worst affected states in this category, with a figure of 84 per cent of young children who lack access to education. In this regard, Governor Zulum offers a sterling example to his colleagues in the region of the way to go.

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June 7, 2023
Reckless claims
- It is soul-lifting that people wasting the time of our courts through frivolous applications are being punished
What started as an aberration soon turned to a fad, as busybodies offered, and senior lawyers accepted briefs to file frivolous applications before the court, to stop the presidential inauguration which held successfully last week. Thankfully, the courts, including the apex court of the land rose up to the occasion and hammered the finances of those wasting the precious time of the courts. On Thursday, four days to the inauguration on Monday May 29, one of such frivolous applications was dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

The claimant, one Chief Ambrose Owuru, a lawyer, filed a suit seeking to stop the inauguration, on the ridiculous claim that he won the 2019 general election. His application had earlier been dismissed by the Supreme Court in 2019, and recent effort to resurrect same resisted at the Federal High Court. So the appeal court slammed him with fine of N40 million in favour of the four respondents, namely, former President Muhmmadu Buhari, attorney-general of the federation, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and President Bola Tinubu.

We hope the beneficiaries will take steps to recover their entitlements, if Chief Owuru fails to pay. The day after the appeal court dismissed the case, Federal High Court presided over by Justice James Omotosho, sitting in Abuja, also dismissed the application of Praise Ilemona, Pastor Paul Isaac Audu and Dr Anongu Moses, who jointly instituted a suit praying for an order of court to halt the May 29 swearing-in of Tinubu as President, and imposed a fine of N17 million on them.

The applicants filed the suit to halt the inauguration on the grounds that President Tinubu supplied false information about his age and citizenship status, when petitions by those who participated in the presidential election were pending before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT). Justice Omotosho dismissed the suit as frivolous, and abuse of court process. He held that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to file the suit, which relates to the presidential election dispute pending before the PEPT. Many such frivolous suits were filed against the election.

Those engaged in these flagrant abuse of the court don’t seem to care about the damage they are doing to our legal system. Many innocent citizens who rely on the social media which slants the news to suit their ill-motives suffer emotional torture as a result of avoidable apprehensions. Those hell-bent on eroding the integrity of our courts also give the false narrative that justice is not served when the applications are dismissed, as they should. The frivolous petitions also clog the courts, while more serious cases suffer delay.

We condemn the litigants, and particularly the lawyers who accepted these briefs, and support the hefty fines imposed on them by the courts. While access to court is a basic necessity in a democracy, it amounts to abuse when a citizen files frivolities and vexatious applications to annoy another citizen and waste the time of the court. We urge lawyers to resist the temptation to file election-related cases outside the provisions of the 1999 constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 just to earn litigation mileage.

Clearly the extant laws of the country provide grounds for pre-election and post-election applications before the ordinary courts and electoral petition tribunals. The general principles of law also provide for locus standi and what constitutes a cause of action, which are basic requirements to justify the filing of action in court. But it appears some persons blinded by prejudices and self-serving interests disregard these principles in their quest to truncate democracy.

We urge the courts and even the Nigerian Bar Association to monitor those who engage in these shady practices and where possible sanction them as provided by extant rules of professional practice.

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June 7, 2023
Petrol subsidy removal: N21.8tr budget execution, revenues to rally

Nigeria has for years, enjoyed subsidies on petrol despite having one of the lowest revenue levels as a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) worldwide. For instance, in the 2023 executive budget, the aggregate expenditure is N21.8 trillion, statutory transfers (N967 billion); debt service (N6.5 trillion); recurrent non-debt expenditure (N8.3 trillion ) and capital expenditure of (N5.9 trillion). The removal of petrol subsidies by the Federal Government signals opportunity for improved fiscal responsibility, a boost for government revenue and expected improvement in budget implementation, writes Assistant Business Editor COLLINS NWEZE.

Nigeria is undergoing an economic and fiscal crisis of monumental proportions. Its biggest challenge fueling these crises is poor revenue and fiscal indiscipline.

At the center of the fiscal crisis is petrol subsidies which have made it very difficult for the economy to breathe.

Many attempts to scale back harmful petrol subsidies have been reversed under pressure from interest groups and the public, making the government absorb avoidable costs.

That continued until May 29th when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu courageously waved the subsidy payment goodbye and promised palliatives to cushion the effects on the people.

This has led to many marketers to shut filling stations while others sold for between N600 and N900 per litre as petrol queues retuned to the cities.

In many countries, subsidies could be a temporary policy tool to correct market imperfections- that is, when competitive, private markets fail to deliver socially desirable outcomes.

But that is not the case with Nigeria, which has for years, enjoyed subsidies on petrol despite having one of the lowest revenue levels as a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) worldwide.

A large share of Nigeria revenues is spent on public debt service payments, leaving insufficient fiscal space for critical social and infrastructure spending and to cushion an economic downturn.

With crude oil prices now at $74 per barrel and its implication on the petrol price in the country has once more gave credence to the President’s bold move at petrol subsidy removal.

Data showed that the Federal Government spent N10.41 trillion on fuel subsidy between 2006 and 2019 on petrol subsidies, which is funds that would have been used or developmental projects and supported effective implementation of national budgets.

2023 budget fundamentals

The N21.8 trillion budget for 2023 was the highest ever in Nigeria’s history but has minimal space for infrastructure funding. Only N998.93 billion was allocated to infrastructure for works and housing, power, transport, water resources and aviation.

A large part of the budget will be channelled into consumption, neglecting critical infrastructure needed to facilitate development.

Although N20.5 trillion Budget 2023 was initially presented to the National Assembly, the Senate and the House of Assembly, passed N21.8 trillion as the Appropriation Bill for 2023. The budget is made up of Statutory Transfers (N967 billion); Debt Service (N6.5 trillion); Recurrent Non-Debt Expenditure (N8.3 trillion) and Capital Expenditure of (N5.9 trillion).

The budget analysis showed that N998.93 billion, about five per cent of the budget, was allocated to infrastructure for works and housing, power, transport, water resources and aviation. Such low funding plan for infrastructure, has widened of infrastructure gap in the country

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a Nigerian knowledge Institution and leading advocate for fiscal transparency and accountability, disclosed that in the 2023 executive budget, the reasonable expectation is that every available resource in the 2023 federal budget would be targeted at concrete deliverables.

“Indeed, frivolous, inappropriate, unclear and wasteful expenditure should be eliminated to the minimum. A larger part of the funding of the budget will be borrowed and it will be foolhardy to borrow and waste the borrowed funds,” the report said.

Lead Director at CSJ, Eze Onyekpere, said the N10.7 trillion deficit in the 2023 budget excludes expenditure on fuel subsidy. The continuation of the subsidy would have increased the deficit and further increased the debt profile of the country.

“Subsidy removal is a step in the right direction but the fiscal authorities through the budget must make palliative provisions to cushion its effects on the poorest of the poor. Going forward, the removal creates a little fiscal elbow room for government to manage its resources on a more efficient manner,” he said.

A report by PwC titled: ‘Fuel subsidy in Nigeria – issues, challenges and the way forward’, said the practice of fuel subsidy is unsustainable and may lead to a debt crisis in the medium to long term.

“It is imperative that the government restrategises its approach and focus on targeting the poorest of the poor, and those who have been identified as being in need of it. Targeted subsidy will reduce corruption, increase government savings and investment in infrastructure, and reduce poverty and hardship,” it said.

According to the report, households in the bottom 40 per cent of the income distribution account for less than three per cent of all fuel purchases.

“Furthermore, it is reported that three-quarters of all fuel sold in Nigeria is consumed by private firms, public transportation services, government agencies, and other businesses. Most vehicles used for carrying large numbers of people (such as molue) and goods are diesel powered which is already deregulated,” it said.

The PwC recommend either a full subsidy removal with targeted palliative or a targeted subsidy scheme funded through a subsidy levy which are likely to elicit less opposition from the Labour Union and other key stakeholders that are historically opposed to subsidy removal.

African Refinery Port Harcourt Limited, The NNPC Joint Venture Partner in the 100,000 barrels per day refinery currently being developed within the Port Harcourt Refinery Complex has lauded the bold action of the government in removing the petroleum subsidy.

African Refinery’s Chief Executive Officer Omotayo Adebajo also called on Nigerians to be patient in the face of the immediate hardship caused by the subsidy removal and to support the President’s strategic announcement which in his opinion has been long overdue.

While acknowledging that the subsidy removal has resulted in higher pump prices, he strongly believes that in the long run, the President’s action will boost investment in local refinery capacity in addition to the short-term benefit that subsidy removal will free up money that can be immediately channelled by the new government into high impact projects that would benefit a vast majority of Nigerians.

Also speaking, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, said payment of subsidy on petrol would have sent the country into bankruptcy.

He spoke the day after releasing the new petrol pricing template, which raised the price from N185 per litre to between N488 – N577.

Kyari, who spoke during a visit to the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the Federal Government spends N400 billion on subsidy monthly, an amount that is too heavy for the economy to cope with.

He added that no kobo has been made available by the government for subsidy payments since February. He advised Nigerians to accept the reality that subsidy removal had come to stay.

The NNPCL boss warned that reversal of the decision could cause a cash crunch for the company and consequently affect borrowings by the federal and state governments.

Last year, the Federal Government said payment of subsidy would stop by June 2023. It budgeted N3.36 trillion for the payments.

On his part, an economist and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said petrol subsidy removal presents a good opportunity for fresh investments in the downstream oil sector.

Many other stakeholders have given various responses on the likely impact of petrol subsidy removal on households, businesses and economy.

Former Registrar, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Uju Ogubunka, said payment of petrol subsidy has been a major drain in the resources of Nigeria, adding that there is low revenue to susutain subsidy payment.

Ogubunka, who is also President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN), said government should however be more prudent, and invest borrowed funds in projects that supports the economy.

On its part, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Nigeria’s removal of petrol subsidy remains a domestic decision.

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Speaking at the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Economic Outlook press conference in Washington, the Director, IMF’s African Department, Abebe Selassie, said Nigeria spends so much on petrol subsidy, when much investment is needed to shore up health and education sectors.

Selassie said knowing when to subsidise and to what extent, is a very deeply domestic and political question. “If government wants to do that, that’s fine, but we think it’s suboptimal, as I said, the benefits of subsidies tend to accrue to to richer households. But if that’s what the government is deciding, that’s fine. Removing them also, I think, is of course part of the split, you know, political and domestic debate that needs to be heard,” he said.

“Continuing, Selassie said: “We know of course in Nigeria, fuel subsidies eat up tremendous amount of resources at the same time that the government doesn’t have resources to address huge investment needs.”

Selassie said there is so much investment need from health, education to infrastructure, but this is a choice for the Federal Government and civil society to make on where to put the funds.

Countries with working subsidies reforms

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says that reforming subsidies is not always easy, but many (mostly energy-producing) countries have nevertheless managed to raise domestic prices in recent years, including Angola, Egypt, India, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia.

“Reforms need to go a lot further, however, particularly in reflecting environmental costs in fuel prices, which should be a key component of countries’ strategies to implement the pledges made in 2015 under the Paris Climate Change agreement to reduce carbon emissions,” it said.

The Fund said Nigeria needs a comprehensive and detailed reform strategy that specifies clear long-term objectives for future price paths and the use of revenues.

“A far-reaching communications strategy is also needed to show how subsidies crowd out more efficient and equitable public spending. A gradual approach to reform, allowing consumers and firms time to adjust, can help. Measures such as cash transfers to protect vulnerable households and retraining for displaced workers are often essential to overcome opposition,” the IMF said.

Revenue options open to govt

The IMF said that what Nigeria needs at the moment is mobilising revenues through efficiency-enhancing and progressive measures, including petrol subsidies removal.

According to the Fund, revisiting tax exemptions and customs duty waivers, increasing and broadening the base for excise taxes, developing a high-integrity taxpayer register, enhancing digital infrastructure, and improving on-time filing and payment are important measures.

It added that Nigeria’s export structure has not fundamentally changed over the decades, with hydrocarbon products still accounting for 90 per cent of the country’s exports today as they did in the 1970s.

“Successful economic diversification requires trade openness and competitive discipline. The experience of Malaysia, Indonesia, and to some extent India has shown that a shift toward export-oriented industrialisation can boost GDP.

‘’The limited gains from inward-oriented policies in terms of creating jobs and improving living standards suggest that Nigeria needs to change course,” it stated.

To accommodate a growing number of young people entering the labour market, Nigeria will need to create at least five million new jobs each year over the next decade. Based on the experience of other countries, embracing more open trade and competition policies would help diversify the economy and reinvigorate growth, particularly as the African Continental Free Trade Area takes effect.

Reiterating the benefits of effective budget implementation, Onyekpere advocated early release consolidated budget implementation reports.

He said Section 30 (1) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, requires the Minister of Finance, through the Budget Office of the Federation, to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the annual budget.

This includes the crucial task of assessing the attainment of fiscal targets and providing comprehensive quarterly reports to both the Fiscal Responsibility Commission and the Joint Finance Committee of the National Assembly.

June 7, 2023
Cultural Extravaganza: celebration of shared heritage

Despite the initial scare of possible heavy down pour last Saturday morning, residents of Lagos dared the cold weather and converged on Agege Stadium for a colourful Cultural Display and Appreciation Carretta 2023.

The residents, who thronged Agege Stadium in different colourful attires depicting the various associations and groups from the five divisions of Lagos State- Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe (IBILE), were all in festive mood to celebrate the inauguration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat for a second term in office.

But central to the cultural extravaganza were myriad of costumes, rhythms of drums, scintillating dance steps and cultural performances, all symbols of the rich cultural tapestry that is Lagos. Indeed, it was a celebration of the rich culture, heritage and tradition of Lagos State as vibrant colours and sounds encapsulate the diversity and cultural dynamism that define Lagos as a metropolis.

The event tagged Lagos Cultural Extravaganza, which commenced around noon, featured various cultural displays, performances and dances from different arts and culture groups from each of the five divisions in the state.

Leading the pack of groups that participated in the performances was an all-female troupe, Kori followed by

Egungun, Igunnuko, Angere, Gelede, Agbo Remireke, Agbo Orugbo, Meu Boi, Asarokulo and Agere. Others were Zangbeto, Woro, Sato, Footprints of David Arts Foundation, The Brazilian Descendants Association Lagos and the Lagos State Arts Council troupe.

Nigeria’s foremost female talking drummer, entertainer and cultural ambassador , Aralola Olamuyiwa aka Ara literarily stole the show with her thrilling performances at the tail end of the celebration.

The event was attended by the First Lady of Lagos, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; Chairman of the Inauguration Planning Committee, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; traditional rulers, some Permanent Secretaries and party chieftains among others.

In his goodwill message, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the event as a truly pan-African celebration that symbolises unity in diversity and a testament to the shared history of Lagos.

The governor said the Lagos Cultural Extravaganza is a celebration of freedom, cultural fusion and shared heritage as Lagosians, adding that it was also a manifestation of unity amidst diversity.

He said: “Indeed, this event is more than just a festival. It is a testament to our shared history, our resilience, and our ability to transform our cultural differences into a vibrant expression of unity. It mirrors the spirit of Lagos, a city that thrives on the strength of its diversity and cherishes its unique blend of cultures.

“The myriad of costumes, the infectious rhythms of drums, the exuberant dances and the tantalising flavours of our diverse cuisine that grace the events are all symbols of the rich cultural tapestry that is Lagos. They present the harmonious blend of various cultures that have found a home in this great city and contribute to its unique identity.

“As we revel in the festivities and soak in the vibrant energy of the Lagos, let us not forget the essence of this grand celebration…It is a testament to the fact that our strength indeed lies in our differences.”

According to the Chairman, Media and Publicity Sub-committee of the second term inauguration, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, the event was an indication of the commitment of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to the promotion of culture and the creative industry.

He said the event was part of the activities put together by the inauguration committee headed by Mr. Tayo Ayinde to celebrate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and to appreciate Lagosians for re-electing them.

He added that the event is a forum to show the unity and diversity of Lagos, as well as the spirit and strength of Lagos, and the diverse cultures in the state.

In acknowledgement of its sterling performances, the Footprints of David, a children’s arts and education advocacy group from Bariga, won the first position for tits cultural performances while the Zangbeto from Badagry and Ajojimale masquerade from Epe came second and third.

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June 7, 2023