The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Senate joins in clemency pleas for Ekweremadu

    Senate joins in clemency pleas for Ekweremadu

    The Senate yesterday joined prominent Nigerians and parliamentary institutions in the plea for clemency to former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice.

    It urged the United Kingdom (UK) Government to grant clemency to the couple as they return tomorrow to an Old Bailey Court for sentencing.

    They were convicted in March for organ trafficking in the first verdict of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act, Ekweremadu, his wife and their doctor, Obinna Obeta.

    Sixty-year-old Ekweremadu; his wife, 56; and Dr. Obeta, 51, were found guilty by Justice Jeremy Johnson of facilitating the travel of a young Nigerian man to Britain with a view to his exploitation after a six-week trial.

    Yesterday’s resolution of the Senate followed a motion on the matter moved by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP – Enugu North) during plenary.

    Erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo, House of Representatives and the Economic Committee of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, among others, have been calling on the UK Government to temper justice with mercy.

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan noted that Ekweremadu served for 12 years as Deputy Senate President where he put in so much effort to the development of the Parliament across Africa and in the world.

    He said in performing his duties, Ekweremadu was not found wanting even as he described what happened as very unfortunate.

    Lawan said: “Let me reiterate what our colleague has presented to us. Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu served as Deputy Senate President for 12 years.

    “He has brought in so much efforts to the development of Parliaments in Africa and across the world and he has never been found wanting and therefore what has happened is very unfortunate and very sad.

    “I have written a letter to the British Judicial Authorities about two to three weeks ago seeking for clemency on behalf of the Senate.

    “I signed the letter and have it delivered to the authorities in the United Kingdom. We are now using this particular intervention to seek for clemency in the sentencing.

    “The conviction has already been done but we are seeking clemency because this is the first time our colleague is getting involved in this kind of thing.

    “I want to commend Distinguished Senator Chukwuka Utazi for bringing up this issue and let me conclude by seeking tempering justice with mercy by the British judicial authorities that when it comes to sentencing, they should consider that this is the first time ever that Distinguished Senator Ekweremadu will be facing this kind of situation.”

    In his lead debate, Utazi noted that the plea for clemency became imperative in view of the fact that Ekweremadu was deputy senate president for 12 years as well as the former Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament.

    He said by virtue of the positions, Ekweremadu has made enormous contributions towards the development of democracy in Nigeria, West Africa and beyond.

    The senator added: “Whereas they are seen as a first offenders and they do not have any previous criminal records and considering that Ekweremadu was ignorant of seeking out kidney donor to come to the United Kingdom and even applying to the British Government in Abuja for a Visa for the donor.

    “Whereas the Senate is not happy on the conviction of the Ekweremadus and ignorance of the law is not an excuse, but they were forced into this circumstance in a bid to save their dying daughter, Sonia.

    “This Senate is not any way appealing the conviction of the Ekweremadus, nevertheless, it is joining them in their plea by asking for clemency in the coming sentencing two days away (tomorrow).

    ·      That clemency may be extended to the Ekweremadus considering that all of the convicts are first offenders.

    ·      That since the matter was in the UK, that a novel approach in sentencing of the convicts be adopted by tempering justice with mercy, as the publicity already given to the trial was enough warning to would be offenders in the future.

    ·      That considering the long history of good relationship existing between Nigeria and the British Government and considering that this is the first time that the Senate is making this kind of plea on the British Government to yield to our request for clemency for the Ekweremadus in their sentencing.”

  • LP to elected members: align with Apapa, lose your seats

    LP to elected members: align with Apapa, lose your seats

    Labour Party’s (LP) leadership crisis escalated further yesterday with the Julius Abure and Lamidi Apapa groups holding separate National National Working Committee (NWC) meetings in Abuja and Bauchi.

    At the Abuja meeting, the Abure group warned that any elected member of the LP found to be in support of Apapa risked having his seat declared vacant. It added that other members that lend their loyalty to the suspended National Chairman(South) could be expelled.

    But at the Bauchi NEC meeting, the Apapa group announced that it had pardoned   LP’s  Presidential candidate for the February 25 election,   Peter Obi and his running-mate, Datti  Baba-Ahmed for attending last month’s meeting of the NEC   in Asaba, Delta State.

    The LP  leadership crisis broke out when the Federal High Court in Abuja barred the National  Chairman (Abure) and three others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

    Apapa assumed the role of Acting Chairman, pending when the order of the court would be vacated. The  Abure – led NWC, however,   refused to recognise the leadership of Apapa.

    At the Abuja NEC parley yesterday, LP’s Deputy National Chairman Ladi Illiya, described the Bauchi meeting as fake and unconstitutional. 

    Illiya added that those behind the “contrived leadership rumblings” within the LP did not wish it well.

    He said: “Those who are gathering in Bauchi in an attempt to hold a fake and unconstitutional National Executive Council(NEC) meeting do not represent our party.

    “We held our authentic constitutionally approved NEC meeting in Asaba, Delta State about two weeks ago. At the meeting, we had all the state chairmen and secretaries from the 36 states as well as the     Abuja chairman and secretary in attendance. , Who then are the NEC members in Bauchi?

    “Anyone that joins them, we will declare their seat vacant. I have the backing of the NWC on that.”

    LP’s Acting National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh,  claimed that there were plans by “detractors” to continue to instigate crisis in the party.

    He   claimed  that   Apapa supporters  have “been dangling carrots to “some of our leaders to either join them or be suspended.”

    His words: “One of the lessons we learnt is that these agents of darkness can go all the way to destabilise a political party by infiltrating its leadership and planting moles who are of course, heavily compromised to ensure that the party loses focus.

    “We urge the members of the public and our teaming supporters to continue to disregard the activities of Apapa and his cohorts, particularly the so-called NEC meeting in Bauchi.

    “Today, all chairmen and secretaries, NWC members are here. So who are they meeting with in Bauchi? Their desperation and the haste to satisfy their paymasters are high.”

    In Bauchi, the Apapa-led NEC said it had resolved to pardon Obi and Baba-Ahmed. It did not give a reason for the decision. 

    The pardon is part of a  19-point  communique issued by   Apapa and acting National Secretary   Saleh Lawan.

  • Sudan: Two aircraft flight back 376 Nigerians

    Sudan: Two aircraft flight back 376 Nigerians

    After many hiccups, 376 Nigerians were airlifted from Egypt by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Air Peace planes yesterday.

    The aircraft were expected to touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja around midnight.

    The had not arrived as at 11:00pm press time.

    The planes departed the Aswan Airport, Egypt at about 5 pm after hours of delay.

    Ahead of take-off, the military situation room update stated: “The C130 (NAF plane) estimated time of arrival (ETA) is 11:40 pm (yesterday).”

    The Air Peace plane is expected to arrive at 11.13 pm.

    Aswan-Abuja flight time is about five hours.

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said passengers exceeded the vacant seats on the planes, which caused a delay.

    The Egyptian authorities had insisted that the number of evacuees must not exceed the space in the aircraft.

    The C130 and the Air Peace could only convey 350 passengers, but 376 Nigerians made their way to the Aswan airport, which is against the terms of the agreement reached with the Egyptian authorities.

    The NAF plane eventually agreed to let in the extra 26 Nigerians after some luggage was removed.

    Dabiri-Erewa said: “The number of passengers did not match. Egypt insisted no one will leave if the number is more than what the aircraft can take.

    “The bags in the NAF plane were taken into Air Peace cargo to create more space for the 26 passengers. It took hours but now sorted.”

    Humanitarian catastrophe looms, UN chief warns

    Sudan’s de facto president Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has been fighting his deputy Mohammed Hamdan Daglo with the help of the military since April 15.

    Daglo is the leader of the influential paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

    The two generals took over the leadership of the country of about 46 million through two military coups in 2019 and 2021.

    United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on the international community to support Sudan as the African nation faces a “humanitarian catastrophe”.

    “Khartoum is in turmoil; Darfur is burning once again,” Guterres told reporters in Nairobi.

    “The Sudanese are facing a humanitarian catastrophe. Hospitals destroyed. Humanitarian warehouses looted. Millions facing food insecurity.

    “We need secure and immediate access to distribute it to people who need it most … and humanitarian workers and assets must be respected.”

    He urged all parties to put the “interests of the Sudanese people first” and for the fighting to stop before the conflict “explodes into an all-out war that could affect the region for years to come”.

    Guterres is in Nairobi for a two-day official visit to hold talks with Kenya’s President William Ruto on the security and humanitarian situation in Sudan.

    He echoed Ruto’s calls for de-escalation, a return to the negotiating table and an agreement on a lasting ceasefire.”

    UN aid chief Martin Griffiths said he was working on obtaining commitments by the warring parties to protect humanitarian assistance to ensure it can be delivered to those in need.

    The International Monetary Fund has said the military conflict will have huge consequences for the Sudanese people and the country’s economy and could affect its neighbours if it drags on.

    The Washington-based fund’s efforts to help steer Sudan’s economy out of the crisis with a $65 billion debt relief programme, the biggest in IMF’s history, have been derailed by the violence, Jihad Azour, director of its Middle East and Central Asia Department, said.

    “This is one of those cases where conflict is limiting or reducing the capacity of people,” Mr Azour told a press conference in Dubai.

    As the human toll rises, Sudanese civilians are also fleeing the country and the flow of refugees is on the rise.

    About 330,000 Sudanese have been internally displaced by the war, while the violence has so far forced 100,000 people to flee across the border, the UN has said.

    Exhausted Sudanese and foreigners are joining growing crowds at Sudan’s main seaport, waiting to leave the country.

    “Much of the capital has become empty,” said Abdalla al-Fatih, a Khartoum resident who fled with his family to Port Sudan.

    He said they had been trapped for two weeks.

  • 40% of savings in Nigerian banks now in U.S. dollar, says IMF

    40% of savings in Nigerian banks now in U.S. dollar, says IMF

    • Inflation, exchange rate fuel action

    Over 40 per cent of deposits in local banks are now in United States (U.S.) dollars, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said.

    It blamed the trend of saving in hard currency on rising inflation and exchange rate volatility.

    The IMF described the practice as a confirmation of loss of confidence in the local currency, adding that “it is usually difficult to reverse”.

    According to the IMF, market participants defend their wealth by shifting to dollar savings under high and persistent inflation.

    In its Report on dollar savings, the Fund said “Nigeria operates with dollar bias for international trade, finance invoicing and of recent, store of value. Over 40 per cent of Nigeria’s bank deposits are in dollars”.

    The IMF said the process of reversing citizens savings in dollars could be complex even after addressing the initial trigger, such as high inflation and exchange rate volatility.

    The use of dollars for storing value worsened in the country following the implementation of the naira redesign policy and issuance of new banknotes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Under the policy, the CBN introduced new 1,000, 500 and 200 naira denominations and withdrew the old notes from circulation.

    But a March 3 Supreme Court verdict on a suit spearheaded by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara state governments forced the CBN to reintroduce the rested notes.

    In its judgment, the apex court directed the CBN and the Federal Government to allow the old and the new naira notes to co-exist till December 31.

     Analysts said the redesigning of the bank notes could inadvertently lead to the dollarisation of the domestic economy.

    The IMF said most economies operate with a foreign exchange (FX) – the dollar bias for international trade and finance invoicing.

    “The optimal choice between domestic currency versus dollars  will depend on the monetary framework and the benefits that each may offer as they co-exist as two currencies,” it said.

    The IMF explained that in a highly dollarised economy, there is extended use of the exchange rate for price indexation (high real dollarisation and almost complete pass-through from depreciation to inflation). Forex is also used in foreign trade.

    It said: “There is limited scope for fiat currency (tax payments, public expenditure, non- durable goods, and low- value transactions; extended forex use for durable goods, real estate, capital goods, and high-value transactions. Also, forex takes over the role of store of value as lending capacity in domestic currency becomes limited. Most loans become forex- denominated when forex bank deposits are allowed.”

    The Fund said banking systems in many developing economies are bi-monetary while the  U.S. enjoys a privileged status as issuer of the most widely used international currency.

    It said a bi-monetary system embodies the failure to conduct monetary policy in an effective way, such as, secure price stability, efficient payment systems, and well-functioning financial markets (including long-run financial contracts at comparatively low nominal interest rates).

    “The most common type of dollarisation is financial dollarisation (FD), or asset substitution, caused by a poor performance of the local currency.

    “The local currency is used more for payment transactions but is replaced by the dollar as saving asset or store of value, in line with Gresham’s law.”

    Under extremely high inflation, such as in Venezuela or Zimbabwe, real dollarization (RD) – i.e., use of the dollar as means of payment transactions and store of value -also takes place.

    It said: “On the one hand, in some countries dollarisation is entrenched and a bi-monetary system is formally allowed (e.g., Uruguay). On the other hand, in other countries it is not allowed, or dollar accounts are restricted. Under high inflation (e.g., Argentina or the Democratic Republic of the Congo), the public holds a large share of financial assets abroad and local financial intermediation is low.

    “Countries with no history of extreme high inflation (e.g., Malaysia) impose restrictions on dollar deposits, but there seems to be no significant impact on local financial intermediation.”

    The IMF said a bi-monetary system limits the role of the exchange rate as a shock absorber, as real dollarization implies a high pass-through from exchange rate depreciation to inflation.

    It said: “Financial dollarlisation creates currency mismatches and liquidity risks for the financial system and the economy as a whole. Therefore, the exchange rate amplifies negative external shocks rather than absorbing them.

    “Both financial dollarization and   real dollarisation jeopardize monetary transmission mechanisms, as inflation expectations are difficult to anchor with a weak interest rate channel.

    “Financial dollarisation-related financial instability would need to be addressed via policy responses such as a central bank forex reserve buildup and associated regulation.”

  • Zoning of National Assembly top posts: APC targets consensus

    Zoning of National Assembly top posts: APC targets consensus

    • Party to persuade members-elect •NWC closes ranks

    The Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker and other principal officers of the National Assembly may be selected through consensus, following the zoning of the offices, it was learnt yesterday.

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which controls the majority in both arms of the National Assembly, has begun widespread consultations to ensure a hitch-free selection process.

    Yesterday, peace returned to the NWC, following the truce between the National Vice Chairman (Northwest), Salihu Lukman, and his colleagues, who he had accused of not steering party affairs in accordance with the APC constitution.

    Lukman at yesterday’s NWC meeting agreed to withdraw the suit he filed last week against the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

    The NWC also passed a vote of confidence in the national chairman at its crucial meeting that lasted over four hours.

    On the zoning of the leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly, the party said it was adopting persuasive means in a bid to pick the presiding officers by consensus.

    The NWC in the last two weeks has been engrossed in a crisis of confidence, which worsened a few days after the National Legal Adviser, Ahmad Usman El- Marzuq, recommended Lukman’s expulsion for dragging the party leadership to court.

    Addressing reporters after the NWC meeting, the spokesman for an ad-hoc committee, consisting of all the national vice chairmen, the national publicity secretary and the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Salihu Mustapha, said the crisis has been resolved.

    Mustapha, who is national vice chairman (Northeast), said Lukman has agreed to withdraw the suit unconditionally. 

    He said: “We had intimate consultations with our brother, the National Vice Chairman (North West), Comrade Salihu Lukman on issues you are aware of. Like the legal action and some other publications credited to him and we reached the resolution that this suit is going to be withdrawn and unconditionally he has also rendered his apology for any seeming embarrassment this suit and publications may have caused. 

    “We want to affirm the fact that we are one indivisible committee that we would continue to work together and also try to see that we achieve all the inspirations of the National Working Committee of the party. We will resolve all the issues raised by him through the instrumentality of the party because parties are not run on the pages of Newspapers or the screens of television but they are being run administratively and we will continue to do that as one house.”

    Zoning of 10th NASS leadership 

    The national leadership of the party said it is embarking on persuasive means of reaching consensus on the next leadership of the 10th National Assembly.

    Adamu said the party was consulting widely, especially with the President-elect, before taking a decision on the zoning of the National Assembly leadership.

    Asked if the meeting arrived at a zoning arrangement, Adamu said: “That is not what today’s meeting is all about.

    “When we do the zoning meeting and we don’t just go alone as a party. Zoning is to take along the person who has the mandate of this country, the President-elect, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu. We want to take him along. He travelled after the election and he came back only last week and we have to carry him along.

    “We cannot stop those who are ambitious or zoning interest, or individual interest, we cannot deny them and as long as that is there, we have to find a way, persuasively of reaching some level of consensus. That’s what we are working on. It is not a one-day affair.”

    APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, who affirmed that the party was yet to decide on the zoning, dismissed the insinuation that time was not on the side of the party.

    He said: “We are not wasting time. There is no timeline to do so. The zoning is something that the party does. It is a mechanism by which the party can make decisions and afford those who are interested in competing for power in the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to do so with a minimum rift and rancour. To do so peacefully and seamlessly. So, there is no timeline to that. We are not in a hurry. We want to do it right.

    “The chairman just said this required very exhaustive consultation not just of the leadership of the party but also of those who are aspiring. So, that whatever the party comes up with, by way of formula will be acceptable with minimum friction. It is important that the consultation is done and it is done properly. That is what is going on right now.”

    NWC passes vote of confidence in Adamu

    Shedding more light on the outcome of the meeting, Morka said that the NWC meeting looked at some internal matters.

    He said: “Amongst all of the issues discussed at the meeting, we looked at some internal and domestic housekeeping matters with a colleague (Lukman) who has expressed his concerns about something he believes the party should be doing.

    “But, I am happy to report as the Chairman just indicated. The party stands completely united behind the leadership of His Excellency, the National Chairman of our party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu. And we are all standing together. Our colleague’s concerns are being looked into. And I think in due course, we will have very specific conclusions from those discussions. We are good on this question.”

  • Scholars, researchers seek innovative distance learning

    Scholars, researchers seek innovative distance learning

    Scholars, researchers and other distance learning practitioners, during the week, met at Backcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, calling for new innovation in distance learning.

    The event was the inaugural conference of the Open Distance and E-Learning Association of Nigeria (ODeLAN), in collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

    The conference with the theme, “Global spaces, local contexts: Digital transformations and creative innovations in open distance and e-learning (ODeL)”, was attended by over 200 participants from and outside Nigeria from 40 institutions of higher learning.

    Delivering the keynote address, entitled, “Micro-credentialing as an acceptable model for open, distance and eLearning – A path to developing a policy framework”, the Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof.  Olufemi Peters, called for embracing micro-credentialing as an acceptable model for open, distance, and eLearning in Nigeria.

    He noted the need for new innovation in distance learning, stating, “Higher education can no longer do things the traditional way and expect a different kind of impact on our society. We can no longer revel in our preferred model of doing things that higher education leaders extolled at the first Glion Colloquium on higher education about a quarter of a century ago.

     “University leaders from around the world confirmed that universities follow a deliberate evolutionary path in making adjustments in their academic enterprise.

    “Unlike industry, which made major changes in virtually all its activities and has even reinvented itself in many cases, universities are staid institutions which talk a big game about change but are hardly responsive to change in ways that can show impact.”

    He suggested the replacement of the nation’s academic programmes with a cocktail of short courses across all distance education institutions in Nigeria to be the goal of the conference.

    According to him, micro-credentials programmes are often designed to be more flexible in their delivery, compared to traditional degree programmes.

    Noting that micro-credentials is no longer alien to the Nigerian educational system, he stated: “We can say we already have an appreciable subscription to the notion of micro-credentialing in Nigeria”.

    Highlighting the benefits, he stated that a micro-credentials programme will be shorter than the usual number of years required to complete a college or university degree.

    “It typically takes weeks or months to complete. The learner will be required to demonstrate skills, knowledge, and competencies through a mix of online lectures, group discussions, project work, presentations, and complete tests. Upon successful completion of a micro-credential course, the learner is awarded a digital badge or digital certificate,” he noted.

    Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof. Ademola Tayo underscored the importance of the conference as the global space is witnessing an unprecedented revolution in technological advancements and educational delivery, following the watershed COVID-19 pandemic.

    He stated: “I am happy to note that this conference has not only brought together academics from various institutions of higher learning in Nigeria and across Africa, but it has included the industry especially tech industries, thereby bridging a gap and creating a much-desired intersection between the educational sector and the industry.”

    In her welcome address, the Director of Babcock University Centre for Open Distance And E-Learning (BUCODeL) and Chair, LOC, ODeLAN Conference 2023, Prof. Mobolanle Sotunsa, reiterated the importance of distance and e-learning as the future of education in Nigeria.

    Sotunsa disputed what she described as the false notion that regular-mode students are superior to their ODL counterparts, noting that e-learning students have access to high-quality learning resources.

    She noted that because e-learning is technologically-oriented, its students are groomed to have an advantage over regular students in this area.

    ODeLAN President, Prof. Frances O. Egbokhare, traced the history of ODeLAN and lauded the  government for taking the bold step to open up the education space to education-hungry Nigerians, adding that the government through NUC simultaneously instituted an elaborate regime of quality assurance.

  • Stars of outgoing 9th National Assembly

    Stars of outgoing 9th National Assembly

    • By : Olufemi Salako

    The 9th National Assembly  will in a few weeks give way to the 10th assembly, which will see the birth of a new legislative dispensation which is expected to consolidate on the input of the Tinubu-led presidency, which is built on the theme: Renewed hope.

    While we await this new political cum legislative dispensation, we must pause to appreciate the contributions of the 9th Assembly towards our national growth and development. The 9th National Assembly in Nigeria made remarkable progress in its legislative functions, providing critical oversight, promoting inclusivity and diversity, and initiating projects aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.

    In terms of representation, the 9th Assembly has made significant progress in promoting gender equality and diversity in politics. The number of women in the Assembly has increased, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has been at the forefront of this push for inclusivity in the political space.

    While we celebrate these highly significant contributions, it’s important to acknowledge the lawmakers in the Red and Green Chamber who have made these possible. Starting with the outgoing Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, asides from leading the Red Chamber admirably well, Lawan was instrumental in pushing forth for the enactment of various bills into laws which no doubt contributed to the growth and development of Nigeria.

    This can also be said of his counterpart in the Green Chamber, Femi Gbajabiamila, the astute politician and administrator who has shown great brilliance and class in leading the lower house. He played a key role in leading the house in passing important legislation such as the Petroleum Industry Bill, Police Reform Bill, and the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020. Also, his role in the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the president-elect will always be remembered and highly commended by the majority.

    Also, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District. He has been an active participant in the legislative activities of the assembly, serving as the Chief Whip of the Senate. He has also sponsored several bills and motions aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians. Some of his notable contributions include sponsoring the bill for the establishment of the National Food Reserve Agency and calling for the establishment of more industries to create jobs and boost the economy.

    Also, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, representing Akoko Northeast/ Northwest Federal Constituency, is another brilliant lawmaker whose contributions to the Green Chamber cannot be undermined. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC and has been instrumental in investigating the alleged financial mismanagement in the commission. His constituent projects have continued to earn him both international and local accolades.

    Another Lawmaker is Ade Adeogun, from Akoko Southeast/Akoko Southwest constituency, he is a member of several committees including the House Committee on Power, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), and National Security and Intelligence. He was actively involved in the oversight functions of these committees and has advocated for the provision of adequate infrastructure, security, and social amenities for his constituents.

    Senator Tolu Odebiyi, from Ogun West Senatorial District, is another brilliant senator who made his mark, asides his legislative duties which were excellently done, the Tolu Odebiyi Foundation helped in no small measure members of his community positively well. Also, Senator Muhammed Sani Musa, CON, representing Nigereast brought to the 9th Assembly values which have earned him the respect of his colleagues and admiration of the people.

    He sponsored over 15 impacting bills, notable among them are; Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill, 2019 (SB. 132), Teaching Hospital Development Tax Fund (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB 136), Northcentral Development Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB 173), Rape and Insurgency Victims Stigmatisation (Prohibition) Bill, 2019 (SB 243), Loan Recovery (Regulations) Bill, 2020 (SB 492), Nigeria Wards Development Fund Bill, 2020 (SB. 570), Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill, 2021 (SB. 610), many others.

    Another notable name is Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, a lawmaker representing Ileoluji Okeigbo/Odigbo at the Green Chamber, who was responsible for sponsoring several bills which significantly contributed to the growth and development of his constituents. He was responsible for sponsoring the bill on the creation of a National Youth Service Trust Fund. The bill, sponsored by Mayowa Akinfolarin seeks to compel all organised private entities to contribute one per cent of their net profit to the fund. In addition, 0.2 per cent of total revenue accruing to the federation account will fund the entity.

    Senator Opeymi Bamidele from Ekiti Central Senatorial district is another lawmaker, who has through his legislative contributions carved a niche for himself in the lexicon of success and social transformation, thanks to his valuable contributions to his senatorial district, his people have continued to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    Also, Senator Abba Moro from Benue South is another lawmaker who has earned public accolades, he sponsored 12, moved 11 motions and submitted five petitions in less than four years, with visible representa­tion on the floor of the Senate. Another worthy member of the Red Chamber is Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, who represented Lagos West Senatorial District, records have it that he has used his tenure at the red chamber to pursue programmes and policies that will enhance the fortunes of the senatorial district. Adeola was reputed to have been instrumental in the enactment of the law that strengthened the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, legislation that catapulted the revenue of the state from N5 billion monthly to over N20 billion.

    Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero is another senator with a compelling track record in the red chamber, the former governor of Kebbi State to the admiration of the majority replicated the successes recorded by him in the 9th assembly among his senatorial district.

    We must also recognise the contributions of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, representing Sokoto North, the much respected political giant is one of the most outstanding lawmakers who have continued to contribute to the nation’s development through legislative policies as well as their community development projects across their senatorial district. He was one of the few figures whom the red chamber could always look up to for guidance given his wealth of experience.

    Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe is another figure in the 9th assembly whose influence cannot be undermined, his contributions to polity and national development speak loud of his honourable intention for Nigeria, Senator Elijah Abbo was another prominent lawmaker who has been regarded as the youngest senator in the house, to the benefit of the Nigerian people and his constituents, the proactive lawmaker has continued to give his voice to push for policies which has continued to strengthen our democracy, same can also be said of Senator Barau Jibril, from Kano North, the political heavyweight is among the very few senators with a proven track record of serving remarkably and exceptionally in running the Senate businesses and chairing the appropriation committee that drives the success of the APC government.

    We cannot forget in a hurry the valuable contributions of the first lady in waiting, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu who served in the 9th assembly representing Lagos Central, while she was a voice for women’s advocacy in the house, she was also instrumental in advancing policies which has in no small measures strengthened our democracy.   

    Another influential and high-ranking lawmaker in the Green Chamber is, Abass Tajudeen, representing Zaria constituency, Kaduna, he has been adjudged as the lawmaker who sponsored the highest bill in the house. He has distinguished himself as the only federal lawmaker from the Northwest who has thus far sponsored unprecedented 74 bills.

    Babajimi Benson from Ikorodu federal constituency, is another lawmaker with an impressive portfolio in the 9th assembly, his perchance for grassroots development has seen him attracts various community development projects for his people. Among the bills he has passed include the bill for an Act to provide special financial support, training and modern security equipment for the revamping of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    Deserving a spot on this list is Aliyu Betara, representing Biu, Bayo, Kwaya Kusara and Shani Federal Constituency, He has been rated as one of the most successful members of the 9th Assembly in terms of parliamentary activities, and this success story resonated with his immediate federal constituency where his effective representation at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly is felt directly.

    Leke Abejide representing Yagba East/West/Mopamuro constituency, Kogi State, is another notable mention, since his assumption into office in 2019, he has sponsored several bills and facilitated empowerment projects which have covered over 3000 constituents, among other infrastructural projects which have earned him public accolades and commendation. Also, Mohammed Umar Bago representing Chanchaga Federal Constituency, the now governor-elect of Niger State was a formidable figure in the house, he was known to be fearless and brilliant in his dealing, and no doubt he moved on to become the choice of his people as the governor in Niger State.

    Timilehin Adelegbe, representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, has sponsored bills and moved motions that have in no mean measure substantially improved the greater number of the people in his federal constituency. He has equally promoted the economic well-being and social status of his constituents, while he has also attracted developmental projects to Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.

    Also, Senator Biodun Olujimi is another senator from Ekiti Central constituency who’s made highly remarkable strides in the red chamber, despite being a lady, she showed much courage to thrive among her contemporaries, while she also delivered beautifully well for her people. The same can be said of Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District. He is one of the few who are effective and has mastered what eludes so much of the upper chamber. He has a reputation on both sides of the aisle for being genuine, go-getter, charismatic and generous. Sen. Sani is a parliamentarian and moderate type, who has always provided balance and a reasoned voice in the chamber.

    It is also important to acknowledge the immense contributions of Senator Ajayi Borrofice who represents Ondo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly. A review of Borrofice’s record of political leadership spanning over a decade is, in part, a reminder of how much sacrifice and risk he has taken in his career to rise to his present height.

    Another honourable mention is  Aliyu Magaji Dau from Buji/Birnin Kudu, with an excellent track record in the 9th assembly, his projects across the 248 polling units in his constituency all bears marks of his quality representation, and his contributions on the floor of the house have continued to earn him the praise of the majority. Alhassan Ado Doguwa is another well important lawmaker in the house, the highly influential figure, who served as the majority leader will always be remembered and respected for his exemplary leadership qualities and courage, which helped him stand out in the house, just like others mentioned, his contributions were highly important in bringing out the beauty of our democratic institution as well as the legacies of the 9th Assembly.

    •Salako, a public commentator, wrote from Lagos

  • Senate okays restructuring of Fed Govt’s N22.7tr unbudgeted loans from CBN

    Senate okays restructuring of Fed Govt’s N22.7tr unbudgeted loans from CBN

    • Ways and Means didn’t follow due process

    The Senate yesterday approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure the N22.7 trillion Ways and Means loan advanced to the Federal Government by the Central  Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The approval followed the consideration of the report of the Senate’s Special Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir (APC – Sokoto East).

    The Ways and Means provision allows the Federal Government to borrow short-term or seek emergency finance from the CBN to fund delayed government’s expected cash receipts of fiscal deficits.

    Since the government started experiencing a significant shortfall in revenue, it has relied heavily on the apex bank to finance its expenditure programmes.

    The funds advanced to the Federal Government under the Ways and Means provision stood at N22.7 trillion as of December 19, 2022.

    Buhari had last year requested the Senate to approve his proposal to securitise the loan but the Red Chamber rejected the request, citing lack of details.

    Buhari had appealed to the Senate to reconsider its stand, insisting that failure to grant the securitisation approval would cost the government about N1.8 trillion in additional interest in the year.

    Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, after the approval of the President’s request, noted that the Ways and Means Advances was a global practice.

    He, however, faulted the process adopted by the executive arm of government which failed to carry the National Assembly along while accumulating the huge amount of loans.

    Lawan added that the Senate had to pass the Ways and Means Advances so that the National Assembly would be able to consider and pass the 2022 Supplementary Budget still pending before the two chambers.

    Lawan said: “Let me emphasize on recommendation six that the National Assembly would not condone the way and manner the Ways and Means accrued over a long period of time.

    “Ways and Means is not peculiar to our country. They become necessities but there are processes and practices and better ways of incurring them.

    “First of all, the National Assembly is always there to consider the request of the executive in the national interest and I don’t see any National Assembly standing against any infrastructure development like building of roads and  bridges among others.

    “It is therefore very important that before the executive incur this kind of huge Ways and Means Advances, it is a must seek that they seek the approval of the National Assembly.

    “And where for, whatever reason, an emergency happened, it should not take them this kind of period before a request is sent to the National Assembly for approval.

    “We have to pass this Ways and Means Advances because we don’t want the government to be shut down.

    “The Supplementary budget 2022, is on hold at the moment because we could not pass the Ways and Means request.

    “But today with the passage of the Ways and Means Advances, the Supplementary budget 2022, which essentially is to rehabilitate damaged roads and bridges across the country, will now kickstart.

    “I urge the executive even though they are going on May 29 but even one day is important. The government is a continuum we should start implementing the Supplementary Budget 2022 alongside budget 2023 in earnest.”

    Earlier, the Senate Leader, Gobir, in his report explained that part of the money were given as loans to state governments

    Gobir added that the special committee to scrutinize the fiscal request, put up the report after ‘critical analysis and review of submissions made by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    The Senate Leader said the panel discovered that the Ways and Means balance was initially N19,326,745,239,660.20 as of 30th June, 2022 but later grew to N22,719,704,774,306.90 as of 19th December, 2022 as a result of financial obligations to on-going capital projects and additional expenditures which included domestic debt service gaps and interest rate;

    He said the Senate on Wednesday, 28th December, 2022, approved the sum of N819, 536,937,813 from the N1 trillion additional request made by Buhari leaving a balance of N180, 463,062,187 being the accrued interest on the amount.

    He said the House of Representatives had earlier approved the additional N1 trillion Ways and Means Advances request by Buhari to allow for the smooth implementation of the supplementary budget.

    Gobir said: “Part of the Ways and Means monies were given to state governments as loans to augment budgetary shortfall in their various states;

    “That most of the request for funds for increase in Ways and Means were made to Mr. President on the need to finance the budget due to revenue shortfall.

    “Such requests were either made by the Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning or the Central Bank Governor.

    “That the Federal Government as a result of revenue shortfalls occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and low oil prices, relied heavily on the Ways and Means to finance its budget deficit to keep the country working for the people.

    “That the monies received by the Federal Government were actually used for funding of critical projects across the country.

    “That due to the serious short fall in Government Revenue, the Federal Government in order for the economy not to collapse, was compelled to borrow repeatedly from the CBN, exceeding the five per cent threshold of the prior year’s revenue as stipulated by the CBN Act, 2007.

    “That the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning has concluded plans to convert the CBN loans to tradeable securities such as treasury bills and bond issuance.”

    Gobir said the Senate Special Committee after exhaustive deliberation, recommended among others, that the restructuring of N22, 719,703,774,306.90  for Ways and Means Advances be approved because the advances were made to ensure that the government does not shutdown.

    The panel further sought the approval of the Senate for the sum of N180,463,062,187 being the balance of the supplementary budget and the interest accrued on the Ways and Mean Advances.

    Other recommendations were, “That if there Is a need to exceed the five per cent threshold of the prior year’s revenue, recourse must be made to the National Assembly for approval;

    “That the Federal Government should begin the process of recovering the portion of the Ways and Means given as the loans to State Governments as further deferment of the repayment of the loans by the States will not be healthy for the economy;

    “That the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance, Budger ang National Planning should expedite action on the repayment of the loans through treasury bilis and bond issuances.

    “That the National Assembly will not condone future increase in the Ways and Means without seeking the approval of the National Assembly.”

  • CBN to issue guidelines on contactless payment

    CBN to issue guidelines on contactless payment

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is about to introduce a new cashless payment system in Nigeria.

    Known as contactless payment system, the CBN will issue the guidelines for the operation of the cashless innovation in a few months time.

     Deputy Director, Payment System Management Department of the CBN, Mr Adeyemi Adefuye, made this known in Calabar.

    The introduction of contactless payment is another tool the apex bank will introduce before December 31 to mitigate any inconvenience that may arise when the old notes make way for the new ones.

    Adefuye described the contactless payment system as a technology that “enables an alternative payments method whereby payment instruments are used without physical contact with devices”.

    When operational, payments can be made using QR Code, NFC (Near Field Communication) which is a technology that allows two devices – like your phone and a payments terminal – to talk to each other when they’re close together.

    Adefuye noted: “Contactless technology in payments will provide easy, convenient, and efficient cashless options for users. Create shorter queues at checkout points.”

    The instruments that will be used for contactless payment “include pre-paid debit and credit cards, stickers, fobs, wearable devices, tokens, and mobile electronics devices’’.

    An interesting feature of the contactless payment is the introduction of Free on board (FOB). In this case the risk of loss shifts from the buyer to seller.

    Adefuye identified some of the benefits of contactless payment to include ease of payments, speed and convenience to consumers’ in-person transactions using their phone thus enhancing customer experience”.

    The CBN he said foresees “increase in spending, revenue and profitability which grows the retail business leading to increase in GDP”.

    Adefuye stated the features of the contactless initiative as, “it is more secured than traditional payment method thus give customer peace of mind; it will reduce printing of currency thus save the regulator cost of printing and managing currency in circulation; and it reduces spread of contagious diseases during payment due to the lack of contact”.

    Also speaking to the advancement of the payment system in Nigeria, Niyi Toluwalope in his presentation stated that “Nigeria’s Payment Architecture has developed into one of the most advanced payment ecosystems globally, in terms of development and adoption of modern payment systems”.

    Toluwalope added that “payments in Nigeria has entered a new era of growth and requires that stakeholders view payment infrastructure through new lenses”.

    He argued that “efficiency can be achieved by reducing repetitive investment in payment infrastructure, while ensuring competitiveness by empowering a qualified set of fintechs with demonstrable capabilities to provide payment infrastructure needs for the rest of the industry-they are called Super-Fintechs”.

  • New devt plan to drive growth, says Buhari

    New devt plan to drive growth, says Buhari

    The new national development plan, the Nigeria Agenda 2050 (NA 2050), is aimed at ensuring that Nigeria attains a per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $33,328 per annum, placing her among the top middle-income economies in the world by 2050.

    President Muhammadu Buhari stated this yesterday during the launch of the NA2050 Plan, just before the commencement of the week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, Buhari said the Plan has the vision of a dynamic, industrialised and knowledge-based economy that generates inclusive and sustainable development for the country.

    “The plan we are launching today has a vision of a dynamic, industrialised and knowledge-based economy that generates inclusive and sustainable development for the country.

    “The broad target is to ensure that Nigeria attains a per capita GDP of $33,328 per annum that will place her among the top middle-income economies in the world by 2050,” he said.

    He added that given the measures in place for continuous plan implementation, successive administrations would find the document useful in the delivery of electoral promises.

    “I am confident that given the measures already in place for continuous planning implementation, successive administrations will find the document useful in the delivery of electoral promises.

    ”You will recall that in March, 2020, I approved the development of successor Plans to both Nigeria Vision 20:2020 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), 2017-2020. The Plans lapsed in December, 2020.

    ”To give effect to this approval, I inaugurated the National Steering Committee in September, 2020 under the leadership of the Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and a Distinguished private sector operator, Mr. Atedo Peterside.

    ”The Steering Committee is to superintend the preparation of the Nigeria Agenda 2050 and the National Development Plan (NDP), 2021-2025 to succeed the Nigeria Vision 20: 2020 and Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), 2017-2020, respectively.

    ”At the inauguration, I charged the Steering Committee to prepare inclusive Plans that would cover all shades of opinion and ensure even and balanced development, as well as put in place necessary legislations for continuous implementation of Plans even after the expiration of the tenure of successive Administrations.

    ”This was achieved with the preparation of the Volume III of the NDP that deals with Legislative Imperatives for identified binding constraints to Plan implementation in Nigeria.

    ”It is instructive to inform Council and indeed all Nigerians that I had on December 22, 2021 launched the first of the six number 5-year medium term plans, the National Development Plan (NDP), 2021-2025, that will be used to implement the Long-Term Plan.

    ”Council also on March 15, 2023 approved the Nigeria Agenda 2050 that we are launching today,” he said.

    Commending the National Steering Committee, led by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed and the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, for delivering yet again, on this important national assignment, the President described the unveiling and public presentation of NA 2050 as another milestone in the ”annals of history of our planning experience, post-independence.”

    He added that this feat has also shown the Administration’s commitment to planning and plan implementation since assumption of office on May 29, 2015.

    On the process for the preparation of the Plan, the Minister of Finance stated that it was not only participatory and consultative but inclusive; involving all critical stakeholders such as, all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as well as the representatives of Local Government Areas (LGAs).

    She listed other stakeholders as the Organised Private Sector, youth organisations, labour unions, traditional and religious institutions, major political parties, women organisations, people with special needs, among others.

    ”The Nigeria Agenda 2050 is formulated against the backdrop of subsisting economic and social challenges facing the country, including low, fragile and non-inclusive growth, insecurity, high population growth rate, limited concentric economic diversification and low productivity.

    ”The Plan is a long-term economic transformation blueprint designed to address these challenges,” she said.

    Ahmed also told the President and other FEC members present at the inauguration that with the expected improved capital accumulation, investment as a ratio of GDP is expected to increase from the current 29.40 per cent to 40.11 per cent by 2050.

    She explained that under the Plan, the bulk of the investment is expected to be financed by the private sector while total employment is expected to rise to 203.41 million in 2050 from 46.49 million in 2020.

    ”This implies that unemployment will drop significantly to 6.3 per cent in 2050 from 33.3 per cent in 2020. The corollary is that the number of people in poverty will drop to 2.1 per cent by 2050 from 83 million in 2020,” the Finance Minister said.