The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Give security vote to traditional rulers, not governors

    Give security vote to traditional rulers, not governors

    By Hussain Obaro

    SIR: The prevailing general insecurity in Nigeria should worry everyone who has the love and interest of this country at heart. Even though the current administration came into power with a promise to stamp out insecurity by doing things differently from what the previous ones had done, things seem to be going from bad to worse as far as security of lives and properties is concerned. From the activities of Boko Haram which has spread from the northeast to other parts of the country, armed bandits who are having a near free reign to the increasing cases of kidnapping across the nation, the fact that something is fundamentally wrong with the way our security architecture is currently structured will continue to dominate security debates and analysis.

    Funding has been identified by security experts as the major impediment that had hindered the successful fight against terrorism and general insecurity in Nigeria, even as many have continued to question the fact that all the major security agencies are being controlled by the president instead of the local councils or traditional rulers in whose domain insecurity and activities of criminals actually takes place. The security votes being given to state governors is also at the centre stage of the discussion for the need for the government to channel scarce financial resources to the right place to ensure maximum funding to effectively combat insecurity.

    The security votes that governors receive which runs into hundreds of millions of naira is merely a conduit pipe through which the resources of our nation that should have been appropriated for the general good is siphoned by governors who see the fund as freebie rather than money that should be judiciously utilised for the enhancement of security of lives and properties of their states. The fact that nobody, arm or agency of government is saddled with the responsibility of tracking or scrutinizing how governors administer security votes, and the way and manner by which they helplessly “cry” to the federal government for intervention even in mere cases of between two communities makes people to believe that most of them merely divert the funds into private pockets with little or nothing spent to tackle insecurity or maintain security.

    Beyond the debate for a constitutional role of our traditional institution in Nigeria, it is a fact that traditional leaders are the closest to the people and have got ample spread and an appreciable level of grip in their various domains. This puts them in better positions to be able to stamp out insecurity if given the mandate and responsibility. Every crime happens within a community, and the traditional leaders are directly in charge and have their roots in every community in Nigeria. Hence, the need for the traditional leaders to constitutionally be given the roles of maintaining the peace and fighting crime in all its forms.

    It is said that the beginning of lunacy is doing a thing the same way and expecting a different result. Since many of the state governors haven’t shown enough capacity, seriousness and transparency in administering the security votes they receive monthly, it is high time the legislatures re-channeled the funds by giving it to the traditional leaders instead. Being the custodians of the traditional institution and heritage of their communities and people, it would be easier for them to galvanize and mobilize their subjects to effectively combat insecurity and maintain the peace if given the funds and constitutional mandate. Every community has its unique traditional method of fighting crime; the traditional leaders should be financially and constitutionally empowered to activate their local and traditional crime fighting strategies with the overall aim of complementing the effort of the police and other security agencies.

    • Hussain Obaro, Ilorin, Kwara State

  • Electricity tariff… ‘Robbing’ consumers to pay DisCos

    Electricity tariff… ‘Robbing’ consumers to pay DisCos

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has again increased electricity tariff without checking the excesses of the operators as they are yet to bridge their production gaps, JOHN OFIKHENUA writes

    Stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) have always inferred that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is mostly doing the bidding of the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to the detriment of the customers. The proponents of this submission predicate their view on the subtle manner the commission has been reticent about the violation of some of the regulations. Besides, it is commonplace that the NERC does not regulate the excesses of the distributors thoroughly. Does it check whether the consumption of electricity is proportional to the running of the meters? Has it checked vouchers to discover whether they consist of kWh at one unit or not? This would assist customers to know any change in their transactions. Has it checked the breach of subscribing for a utility that a customer cannot have? Is it not a breach of contract? Should laws not regulate these anomalies? However, this is food for thought.

    There are complaints are about the manner of vending the electricity to the customer. Some of the customers are concerned that their vouchers do not consist of their consumption rate. For instance, they are aggrieved that their vouchers do not indicate the cost of a kilowatt of electricity. Their angst, too, is about the measurement of their consumption, which, according to them, is inordinate. Besides, some of the customers say the units they subscribed to at the same amount in November 2020 and December reduced in January. Their observations predated the recent reports about tariff hike.

    The Nation learnt from a customer of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) Franklin Edo, in Kubwa, Abuja, said on “I bought 121 units for N6,000 on December 30th, 2020. But on 6th January, 202, I bought only 117 units for the same N6,000.”

    In the cause of this investigation, The Nation learnt that some customers do not even bother to read through their vouchers. In other words, they are unaware of anything about their transactions.

    Some categories of customers are under the contributory purchase of vouchers.

    A Benin Electricity Distribution Company customer said “we only contribute to buy the units through my landlord’s son. I don’t know anything about the transaction.”

    From Bauchi, a customer, Yakubu Ahmed said he would prefer to be on a prepaid meter but the process of procuring is cumbersome. According to him, the Jos Electricity Distribution Company serves him N4,000 in some months and N5,000 in some other months irrespective of supply and consumption.

    In the cause of this investigation, up to seven out of the 10 customers that our Abuja correspondent called from Mando- Kaduna, Igando, Lagos, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, and other different cities in various states across the country, are not on repaid meters. From Gwagwalada, Abuja, a customer, Mrs Ayo

    Ibukun, who was asked to narrate her recent experiences, said: “Prepaid meter is not common here.”

    To provide customers alternative to the monopoly of the distribution companies, the former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had on May 15, 2017, declared four categories of eligible customers in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). The declaration which permits electricity customers to buy power directly from the generation companies is in line with the provisions of Section 27 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 whereby eligible customers are permitted to buy power from a licensee other than electricity distribution companies.

    He said: “In exercising the power conferred on him by the said Act, the Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (the Commission) to permit four categories of customers to buy power directly from a licensee other than electricity distribution companies.”

    According to NERC, the first category of eligible customers comprises of a group of end-users registered with the Commission whose consumption is no less than 2MWhr/h and connected to a metered 11kV or 33kV delivery point on the distribution network and subject to a distribution use of system agreement for the delivery of electrical energy. The next category of eligible customers said the commission, are those connected to a metered 132kV or 330kV delivery point on the transmission network under a transmission use of system agreement for connection and delivery of energy?

    Another category of customers under the declaration consists of those with consumption above 2MWhr/h on monthly basis and connected directly to a metered 33kV delivery point on the transmission network under a transmission use of system agreement. The NERC explained that the Eligible customers in this category must have entered into a bilateral agreement with the distribution licensee licensed to operate in the location, for the construction, installation and operation of a distribution system for connection to the 33kV delivery point.

    It also said, the last category is eligible customers whose minimum consumption is more than 2MWhr/h over one month and directly connected to the metering facility of a generation company, and has entered into a bilateral agreement for the construction and operation of a distribution line with the distribution licensee licensed to operate in the location.

    The target of the directive, from the commission’s point of view, is to bring into play new and stranded generation capacities which may be contracted between generation companies and eligible customers. The declaration further provides that at least 20 per cent of the generation capacity added by the existing or prospective generation licensee to supply eligible customer must be above the requirement of the eligible customer and is supplied under a contract with a distribution or trading licensee at a price not exceeding the average wholesale price being charged electricity distribution companies by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader Ltd. The conditions for the declaration of the eligible customer is subject to review by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission from time to time.

    On January 7, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said it successfully transmitted an enhanced all-time peak of 5,552.80MW recorded by the power sector on Wednesday, January 6th 2021, at 8.15 pm. General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi disclosed this in a statement. It noted that “this  latest all-time peak transmitted, surpasses the last peak generation of 5,520.40MW which was also effectively transmitted by TCN on the 30th of October, 2020 by 32.40MW.”

    According to TCN “The new peak is an indication of the gradual but consistent growth in the capability of the power sector under the present administration. With the capacity to transmit 8,100MW, TCN successfully transmitted the enhanced peak through the nation’s grid at a frequency of 50.08Hz.”

    The Ag. MD/CEO of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz encouraged all sector players to work together to ensure sustained improvement in the power sector. TCN, he said, has continued to build more substations as well as install additional transformers in various substations nationwide. It is also restringing old transmission lines to further increase their capacity to transmit more bulk electricity for Discos nationwide. As at date, he said, TCN can efficiently wheel increased generation through the national grid.

    But the question is whether the TCN feat is sustainable? Has it steadily increased the energy it transmits to the DisCos? On the other hand, have the DisCos raised the quantum of power they send out to the customers? Have they stopped rejecting load so that the GenCos can produce what has been stranded? What is the real situation of the market? How have they fared?

    4,609.4mw was the energy that was sent out as of January 8, 2021, according to the January 9, 2021 report of the Nigerian Electricity System Operator (SO). It is a subsidiary of the TCN.

    The daily report reads: “OPERATIONAL REPORT OF 09/01/2021. Peak Generation on 08/01/2021 5,352.6MW, L0west Generation 08/01/2021 4,057.1MW, Energy Generated on 08/01/2021 112,394.29MWHr, Energy Sent Out on 08/01/2021 110,625.82MWHr, Generation at 06:00Hrs on 09/01/2021 4,421.1MW, Highest System Frequency on 08/01/2021 50.49Hz, Lowest System Frequency on 08/01/2021 49.46Hz, Highest Voltage Recorded on 08/01/2021 350kV,

    Lowest Voltage Recorded on 08/01/2021 300kV, National Peak Demand Forecast: 28,850.00MW,  Grid Generation Installed Capacity: 12,954.40MW,

    Generation Capacity: 7,652.6MW, Transmission Wheeling Capacity: 7,300MW, All-Time Peak Generation Ever Attained: 5,584.40MW, Maximum Daily Energy Ever Attained 115,067.78MWH.”

    Had the eligible customer regulation worked out, most of the customers would have skipped the distributors to purchase energy directly from the generation companies. Therefore, the gap between generated energy and energy sent out would not be stranded.

    But President, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Barrister Kunle Kola Olubiyo, told The Nation on phone at the weekend that the regulation has been dormant. Speaking to our Abuja correspondent on phone, he said “it is in place but it is dormant. There are no follow up actions by the regulator that made the law to enforce compliance. If you have a law and there is no compliance, it is no law. There are no sanctions for non-compliance. The DisCos are not complying with the GenCos.

    But confirming whether the regulation is still in force from the commission, Head, Media Unit, Mr Michael Faloseye told The Nation the “the Eligible Customer Regulation is still in force. I will need to confirm the numbers to you.”

    Without further investigations, were this regulation enforced, most industrial customers would have jumped at it. But its dormancy continues to pave the way for the DisCos to consolidate their monopoly in the electricity market.

    The commission and distributors invented a consolation that was a soothing balm for the customers while reviewing the tariff last year. They said they exempted the masses from the hike. Meanwhile, the masses have been groaning that what they pay through estimated billing is exorbitant than the energy they consume.

    Despite the commission’s order that capped estimated billings, the NERC on June 9, 2020, queried the seven DisCos including Enugu, Eko, Benin, Ikeja, Kano, Kaduna and Port Harcourt for exceeding the ceiling. The outcome of the matter is now under the carpet.

    This narrative is the condition under which the commission approved a minor Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) for the DisCos taking effect from January 2021. It conveniently reposed on its statutory power to carry out biannual tariff review. Although the Minister of Power, Engr. Saleh Mamman has said the tariff is suspended till the end of January, pending deliberation with the organised labour, it will rear up its ugly head sooner or later.

    This has made its analysis a necessary evil despite the suspension and rebuttal from the commission. The reports were not creations of the reporters. They emanated from the NERC Order (NERC/125/2020 on the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). The reports were from different perspectives. While some said it was a 50 hike, others simply found a way around the per cent increase and said NERC approved tariff increase for DisCos, others said NERC hikes tariff by 100 per cent. The different angles were all rooted in the verisimilitude of semantic, facts and figures from the same commission.

    For instance, the refutal from the commission that was titled “Public Notice on Tariff Purported 50% Tariff Increase,” worsened the information it was released to manage. Part of the rejoinder reads: “It said: “In compliance with the provisions of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act (ESPA) and the nation’s tariff methodology for biannual minor review, rates for service bands A, B, C, D and E have been adjusted by N2.00 to NG4:00 per kWhr to reflect the partial impact of inflation and movement in foreign exchange rates.”

    Where is the source of confusion?

    The reporters computed their percentage change from the adjustment from N2 to N4 per kW-hr. When an adjustment is doubled, it is changed by 100 per cent, not 50 per cent and the evasive measures of a percentage that could state it clearly. But the next day, that turned out to be a joker. A public notice advert stated the message correctly saying: “In compliance with provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPRSA) and the nation’s tariff methodology for biannual minor review, the rates for service bands A, B, C, D and E have been adjusted at between NGN2.00 to N4.00 per kWhr to reflect the partial impact inflation of and movement in foreign exchange rates. Therefore, the difference between “to” and “between” is accountable for the situation. But one obvious fact is that whether there was an adjustment or increase in whatever proportion, there a tariff hike that took effect from 1st January 2020.

    Meanwhile, that is not all. The suspended tariff is not yet cost-reflective, according to Association of Energy Distributors of Nigeria (ANED), Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Chief Sunday Oduntan. He told The Nation on phone that “it is not cost-reflective. What they are doing now they are moving gradually towards cost reflectivity.”

    The ANED spokesman, who noted that the NERC does not want the cost-reflective tariff to shock the customers, urged Nigerians to be patient for the service to improve than it was.

    Oduntan said: “They (NERC and DisCos) don’t want it to be a shock. They don’t want to give Nigerians the actual cost of production at a go. So, they are doing it gradually six monthly. But it will reach a place if only Nigerians can be patient, I see this as a way forward and improvement. It is something that will make the system better than it was.”

    The announced suspension from the minister has only postponed the take-off, which may commence in February. For the Federal Government to be fair to the customers, it is proper for the commission to insist on bridging the production gaps in the value chain as factor precedent to tariff review. This would show that although it is lawful to review tariff twice annually, the NERC is regulating with a human face.

  • Pence to attend Biden’s inauguration

    Pence to attend Biden’s inauguration

    Our Reporter

    America’s Vice President Mike Pence will attend the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, a source said on Sunday.

    It was previously reported that Pence was planning to attend the inauguration, but was waiting on an invitation.

    Word of Pence’s intention to watch President-elect Joe Biden take his oath of office in person spread one day after the first major break between Pence and President Donald Trump – when Pence defied the President by performing his constitutional duty to certify the election results.

    Pence had faced intense pressure from Trump and his supporters to stop the ceremonial vote counting during a joint session of Congress, although he told the President it was not within his power to do so.

    Biden said he was glad Pence would be attending.

    Read Also: Biden’s last hurdle

    “He’s welcome. I think it’s important that as much as we can stick to what have been the historical precedents of how an administration changes should be maintained. And so Mike, the vice president, is welcome to come. We’d be honoured to have him there, and to move forward in the transition,” Biden said.

    President Donald Trump announced on Twitter, before his account was suspended, that he would not be attending.

    Biden said Trump’s decision to skip his inauguration is ‘one of the few things he and I have ever agreed on’.

    “It’s a good thing, him not showing up. He exceeded even my worst notions about him. He’s been an embarrassment to the country, embarrassed us around the world. He’s not worthy to hold that office,” Biden said.

  • Umahi remains my political father, says ex-lawmaker

    Umahi remains my political father, says ex-lawmaker

    Agency Reporter

    Former House of Representatives member from Ebonyi State Lazarus Ogbee has debunked reports of rift with Governor David Umahi over the governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogbee  represented Ikwo/Ezza South from June 2015 to November 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ogbee refuted the report at Isu, Onicha Local Government Area, during the distribution of empowerment items to indigents by the Ebele and Anyi Chuks Foundation.

    Read Also: Umahi backs Obiozor for Ohanaeze President-General 

    The former lawmaker said Umahi remained his political father.

    He said: “Umahi has defected to the APC but he is still my political father and I, his son. We know where we have reached and cannot cross the bridge, but my relationship with him is presently personal.”

    Ogbee said he did not defect with Umahi to the APC because of his principles. “I cannot join the APC because I was robbed of my victory at the court. I knew I won that election clearly, was duly sworn-in and that was my second time at the House of Representatives.

    “I am coming again, maybe not for the House of Representatives, but in another position and definitely, cannot easily be short-changed.”

  • The dynamics of supernatural flight

    The dynamics of supernatural flight

    By Bishop Taiwo Akinola

    Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? – Isaiah 60:8.

    Introduction:

     

    Each new year comes with new windows of opportunity to start all over again. Opportunities to recover our commitment to God and to serve Him better; opportunities to revisit our visions, to learn, unlearn, and relearn; opportunities to build, to rebuild, to be blessed and become a blessing to others; opportunities to prosper, to shine brighter for Christ and to be better prepared for eternity, and so on.

    No matter how bad your past has been, you can still enjoy a new, beautiful beginning. However, a new beginning does not just happen; it has to be critically defined, and you are a major force in determining it!  Just like the Prodigal Son did to change his estate of misery and woe, you must spread your spiritual wings before you can expect to fly to higher heights in destiny (Luke 15:18-19).

    You don’t have to wait any longer for some accidental occurrences, you can rise up and put an end to stagnation in your life! Stop wishing for a wonderful job; if no one employs you, employ yourself! But, this beautiful choice must be personal to you, or else your spiritual planes may not be ready yet to fly.

     

    Identifying What Flying Means to You

     

    Flying supernaturally means different things to different people and in different places, depending on what you are looking for in life and your specific calling or core assignment on earth.

    Flying is defined dependent on who you are: an athlete, a journalist, a farmer, a student, a trained professional, a politician, an astute business tycoon, a civil servant, a mature and far-sighted Christian worker, a New Testament preacher, or just a common citizen with no dream in particular.

    To many, flying means becoming better, stronger and richer in the processes of advancing destiny, accomplishing luxuriantly and becoming famous in the society. However, there are some common trends that define supernatural flight in the genuine believer’s heart.

    For example, true believers would want to overcome anything that could keep them away from serving God, lovingly. We all wish to discover and live up to our full potentials in Christ; to be healthy and prosperous, spiritually and materially, and to stay atop as distinctive blessings to our world. Above all, we all wish to mature in Christlikeness, and to enjoy total victory over sin, Satan, sicknesses, fear and all forms of oppression.

    Whatever, we all must take seriously the challenges of the supernatural realm. Supernatural flight cannot happen without the performances of the Holy Spirit, the Most Important Entity in the realm of supernatural operations (Acts 13:2).

     

    Our Secure Platforms for Supernatural Flight

     

    God’s people are spiritually set to sit on high above all nations of the earth. In fact, we are empowered to overtake the old order and manifest the realities of God’s supernatural blessings everywhere we go (Deuteronomy 28:1-3).

    However, it is our decision to comply with the set conditions that guarantees our entitlements (Isaiah 1:19). And, in moments of such decisions, human destinies are shaped. We may not be able to change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust and readjust our sails to reach our destination.

    Meanwhile, God is our most secure Guarantor for supernatural flight (Matthew 6:33). And, it takes His empowerment to fly above the cloud (Deuteronomy 32:10-12; Acts 1:8).

    Heaven gives its glimpses only to those not in a position to look sacrilegiously on, or become over-familiar with, spiritual matters. Most certainly, it is people who maintain allegiance to God that will eventually develop useful abilities (2 Timothy 2:2).

    David followed that order! God found him in the wilderness, and He made a big show out of his life (1 Samuel 13:14). To fly like Moses, Paul, Joseph, Daniel, Ruth and Esther of the Bible, we will do well to fasten the banners of faithful commitment to God on the sleeves of our daily living (1 Corinthians 9:16; Ruth 1:17; Numbers 12:6-7).

    Moreover, suitable knowledge is quintessential to supernatural flight. Everything in life thrives on knowledge. What you don’t know, will cost you something: stagnation, frustration and devastation (Isaiah 5:13, Hosea 4:6).

    Learners are earners! Yet, learning is not child’s play, and most times, we cannot learn things of value without pain. Many are struggling today because they aren’t really ready to learn from those who have knowledge (Acts 3:6).

    Resolve in your mind today to start learning at the feet of God-accredited faith Masters. That’s how flight giants are raised! But it takes humility to embrace this fact and to spread out your spiritual wings to pursue it.

     

    Spreading Our Spiritual Wings to Fly

     

    God’s children can always find their wings and fly, even in the midst of difficult circumstances (Isaiah 40:31; Psalms 55:6). In fact, God sometimes uses unpleasant or stressful situations to push us to the edge of our current nests.

    Notwithstanding, in order to engage supernatural flight, you must painstakingly crystalize your desire to fly above all circumstances of life. Desire is a destiny enforcer that cannot be easily stopped, and your desire is what prepares you for supernatural flight  (Psalms 21:2: 145:19).

    Whereas, some Christians today are so glaringly chicken-hearted about supernatural flight, yet, anyone can still reconnect to paths of flight freedom by identifying and bastardizing phobia and excuses. Like Shadrack, Meshack & Abednego, we must debase the worst things that could happen on the trajectories of our supernatural flights.

    Against the threat of death, the three Hebrews said their God would deliver them, but that even if He didn’t, they would still not bow to a false god. At long last, they became instant heroes of faith.

    Spread your spiritual wings to fly. Stretch yourself. Be willing to move beyond your regular comfort zone. Worry less. Trust God more. When God sees that all you want is to glorify Him, He will empower you to succeed!

    Those who are chickens by nature will never fly very high, because they are nature-limited. But then, it is also nature-dictated for the eagles to fly far higher than any other bird. Certainly, it is the birthright of every child of God to live the supernatural lifestyle in all contexts.

    Our faithful Father-God is waiting for us to fly, to His glory (Deuteronomy 32:11). We must also wait on Him, listen for His voice and watch for His nudge. The freedom to fly is in the trusting!

    Abraham decided to fly with his wings of faith, and the ultimate result is what is often referred to as Abraham’s blessings, of which we all are partakers today (Genesis 12; Galatians 3:13-14). Alleluia!

    Friends and brethren, by virtue of your new birth in Jesus Christ, you’re a spiritual eagle. Flying is your heritage by redemption. You are a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. You won’t miss this, in Jesus Name. Amen.

     

    Bishop Taiwo Akinola is the Presiding Bishop of Rhema Christian Church and Towers, Sango Ota, Ogun State, NIGERIA

     

  • Zulum equips farmers for dry-season activities

    Zulum equips farmers for dry-season activities

    Our Reporter

    Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum was in Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area in Northern Borno, where he launched the distribution of variety of farm inputs to 1,200 irrigation farmers for the current dry season activities.

    Zulum, who travelled with the Senator representing Northern Borno, in the Senate Abubakar Kyari who is indigenous to Damasak, distributed water pumps as key components of irrigation, fertiliser, seeds, chemicals and N5, 000 to each of the 1,200 farmers, all of whom will be cultivating rice and onions, among other food crops.

    Read Also: Zulum signs 2021 budget into law

    The event was facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture, under its Commissioner, Bukar Talba.

    Members of the Damasak community led by Senator Kyari, thanked Zulum for his support, even as they expressed their determination to increase food production in line with the governor’s vision for agriculture.

    Zulum believes that unless resettled communities engage in agricultural activities, there could be problems resulting from unsustainable dependence on food aid from donors.

  • Adamawa APC vows to regain power in 2023

    Adamawa APC vows to regain power in 2023

    By Onimisi Alao, Yola

    Political bigwigs in Adamawa State who have been officially received as defectors from other parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have vowed to play down on their personal ambitions to present a united APC against governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The politicians and all followers of political events in Adamawa State are of the view that disunity within the APC caused it the 2019 election in the state. One of the returnees to the APC Abdulaziz Nyako is said to be a major factor.

    Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, who had left the APC towards the 2019 elections to become the governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) and who led the ADC to fuse into the APC during the weekend, said he and other prominent politicians coming into the APC resolved to forge a united front against the PDP.

    Read Also: Thousands of PDP supporters defect to APC

    “From today, we are full-fledged APC members. We must use this reunion to work and produce credible aspirants to contest elective positions in 2023,” Abdulaziz said.

    The formal reception for the new APC members which took place at the APC state secretariat in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, was also attended by Senator Ishaku Abbo who officially defected to the APC from the PDP, and former governor Bala Ngillari who also joined the APC from the PDP.

    Abbo, who had differences with his former party, the PDP and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri even while he was in that party, spoke excitedly of the need to get the PDP out of power in 2023.

  • Prepare for fresh challenges, environmental officers told

    Prepare for fresh challenges, environmental officers told

    Our Reporter

    Environmental Health Officers have been urged to brace up for fresh challenges arising from the resurgent COVID – 19 pandemic.

    Newly-elected National President of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Dr. Akinwunmi Isaac Temitope, made the call in his post-election speech at the weekend.

    He praised health officers across the country for their contribution to the nation’s fight against Coronavirus, insisting that the new wave of the pandemic demands renewed efforts and commitment to the project.

    He said: “All Sanitarians are encouraged to be up and doing especially at this trying period of COVID- 19 resurgence.

    “So far, environmental health officers in the country have contributed immensely to the fight against the virus.

    “The resurgence is a fresh challenge to the Federal Government and demands that all hands must be on deck to win the battle.”

    Dr Temitope, who called for unity of purpose among members, said the newly elected executive committee will work very hard to strengthen the association towards achieving greater heights.

    According to him, some of the key agenda include collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organisations and agencies, to rebrand the profession, and to strengthen relationships with various stakeholders in the profession.

    Members of the new executive committee elected at the National Scientific Workshop/ Delegate Conference held in Ibadan from January 6 to 9 include Awonuga Taiwo (National Deputy President), Tijani Abiodun (National General Secretary) and Bodunde Taiwo (National Treasurer).

    Read Also: Police decorate 29 promoted officers in Kano

    Others are Dr Akinyele Cyril B.(National Public Relations Officer). Others are Sodeke Emmanuel (National Auditor), Ogedengbe Dayo (National Financial Secretary), Oladejo Kabir (National Provost Marshal) and Femi Abolade (National Assistant General Secretary).

    The president stressed on the need for the educational advancement of members, saying the body will invest in the educational development of its members and will also develop a realistic roadmap to reposition environmental health components in the country.

     

  • Oyo needs security summit, says Akande

    Oyo needs security summit, says Akande

    Our Reporter

    Miffed by the spate of kidnapping and gang wars in Oyo State, the chairman of Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande has appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to address insecurity.

    Urging Makinde, who is on holiday in Houston Texas, United States to return to the country immediately, Akande, who is the Director of the Centre for Presidential Studies, Igbinedion University, Okada, appealed to indigenes, irrespective of their political leanings, to identify with the governor at this critical time.

    The former Chairman of the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said kidnapping, armed robbery, gang war, thuggery and other social vices which had become alien to the state since 2011 are now the order of the day.

    He said: “I am disturbed by the events of the past few weeks  in Oyo State. While Ibarapaland, which used to be very peaceful, has become a haven for kidnappers to operate and assassins to kill, gang wars have not been abated in Ibadan and Oyo. In Okeogun and Ogbomoso, the stories are not different. It is now one day, many crimes.

    “Like I said in my Christmas message to the people of our dear state, insecurity has assumed an alarming rate. It is neither time to blame anybody or fold our arms because of our political leanings and watch things degenerate. There is no doubt that Governor Seyi Makinde needs help and we have got to support him with whatever we have.

    Read Also: 400 register for skills training in Oyo

    “In the present situation we have found ourselves, nothing can thrive and the state, especially its residents are bound to be at the receiving end. When there is insecurity, job owners flee and this will lead to job loss and dwindling IGR. This will lead to more insecurity as many jobless individuals may consider kidnapping and other vices lucrative to survive.

    “Governor Makinde has purchased vehicles and distributed to various security outfits across the state. It is beyond that. They need equipment, they need motivation from both government and the governed, they need training and retraining and more. It is sad that despite the fact that our governor has more than five former police commissioners as advisers, insecurity is rearing its ugly head. I am sure Governor Makinde has not made good use of our friend and former Lagos police commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, a super cop who led the flushing of the dreaded Badoo boys in Lagos.

    AKande added: “To those of us in the opposition, it is time we dropped our political toga and offer advice to the incumbent administration. Let’s deploy our network of connection to assist the administration as we don’t have any other place to call our state other than Oyo State. Governor Seyi Makinde should, as a matter of fact, be receptive to advice and assistance. Anything that is done to tame this insecurity will be to his credit. Nobody is competing with him as it is not yet election time.

    “Governor Seyi Makinde should cut short his vacation to the United States and return home. It is high time we convened a security meeting involving representatives of all of us- farmers, youths, students, community leaders, security agencies, political parties, business owners, monarchs and others. Some of us would be willing to offer advise and strategies and as well deploy our network so as to return our state to what it used to be.

    “Government should also be committed to creating gainful employment and conducive environment for job creators to operate. By creating jobs, insecurity would be tamed. Unemployment is one of the reasons insecurity has not reduced.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • National carrier, airport concession, new terminals beckon

    National carrier, airport concession, new terminals beckon

    Despite pandemic wrought challenges which  clobbered the aviation sector last year; 2021 presents a silver lining in the industry’s cloud.  With series of interventions programmed to rebound the industry, KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR writes that operators are looking forward to the launch of a national carrier; opening of the new international terminals for the Lagos and Kano airports, the entrance of some carriers expected to revolutionise domestic air travel.

    The year 2020 signed out last week for players in the global air transport industry with experiences that will not be forgotten in a hurry.

    It was the year of the pandemic, from which many players – countries, airlines, airport authorities, air navigation service providers, aircraft leasing companies’ aviation insurance companies, aircraft manufacturers, ground handling companies and others in the logistic value chain -are yet to recover.

    From job loss, significant dip in revenue, disruptions in operations and other unintended consequences, the sector was worst hit as 2020 lapped into its finishing lines.

    But, a new year flapped into the horizon with promises of rebound in many aspects of air travel, as Nigeria joined other members of the global aviation community to consider what lurks in the horizon.

    Significantly, industry watchers are curious on what to expect for the sector.

    In an interview, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika said the Federal Government would deliver a new national carrier- Nigeria Air – in 2021.

    Sirika said adequate preparations had been made and that N78.96 billion had been budgeted in the 2021 Appropriation Bill to implement the plan for a new national carrier, among other projects.

    The establishment of the national carrier, he said, would be carried out in partnership with the private sector.

    He said: “In 2021, the sum of N78.960 billion is being proposed for capital expenditure at the headquarters in the aviation ministry and the emphasis will focus on the implementation of the Aviation Roadmap as directed by Mr. President.

    “The roadmap would be implemented through Public Private Partnership (PPP), topmost of which will be the establishment of a national carrier”.

    Other projects to be executed, according to him, are the establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRC) facility, Agro-Allied Cargo Infrastructure, Aviation Leasing Company, Search and Rescue Unit and Aerospace University with the support of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    Besides, the minister said 10 new airports would come up in the country in states namely: Benue, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Yobe, in addition others taken over by the Federal Government, namely Gombe, Kebbi, Dutse, and Zuru airports.

    Industry analyst and Chief Executive Officer, Centurion Securities, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd) said as lofty as the plans of the government may be for 2021, foreign technical partners and investors would be needed to birth the new national carrier to avoid pitfalls of the past.

    “Without the participation of foreign technical partners and investors, investors and the public, with the government having some shares but not controlling shares, the dreams of credible national carrier and airport concession may end up being just dreams or another disaster in government-owned enterprises,” he said.

    General Manager, Public Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Henrietta Yakubu said the authority would pursue aggressive infrastructure upgrade in 2021, as the government would inaugurtae new international airport terminals in Lagos and Kano.

    Besides, she said the government was looking at other projects for completion and inauguration in the year.

    However, experts say the new investors will spring surprises in the sector in 2021 as new entrants in the scheduled sub sector – Green Africa Airways and United Nigeria Airlines will alter the states by introducing a low cost model in airline business.

    The two carriers will push operators – Air Peace, Dana Air, Overland Airways, Arik Air, and Aero Contractors to sit up.

    Also speaking, an industrial relations expert, Comrade Abah Ocheme, said the stakes could be higher for the sector in 2021 if government weighs popular options in the model it should adopt in concession of airports.

    Ocheme said the horizon looks bright for the sector if the Ministry of Aviation will do the needful by adopting the Green Field, Corporatisation and Full autonomy options in giving out airports for management.

    According to Ocheme, the Green Field option allows new investors to handle airports like fresh ventures by undertaking construction of new runways and terminal buildings and other facilities.

    Besides, Ocheme, other industry experts, including Comrade Abdul Rasaq Saidu, who is the Secretary General, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), said 2021 presents interesting times for the aviation sector if the government would keep its own side of the bargain in agreements it reached with union leaders on sundry matters in the sector.

    Industry watchers say the fate of two government controlled airlines – Arik Air and AeroContractors in 2021 hangs in the balance, because it is not clear whether they will be sold by the receiver manager- Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

    Speaking in an interview, industry analyst and Head Strategy Zenith Travels, Mr Olumide Ohunayo said the year 2021 looks uncertain for struggling carriers as the effects of the pandemic and other problems will push operators who cannot stand the heat of the kitchen out.

    He said about five prospective carriers seeking to begin scheduled flights in the year have now exhibited signs of partnership with either foreign investors or technical partners, but are pursuing their solo ambition as sole proprietors.

    Such ambition of Nigerians still willing to invest in the aviation sector, Ohunayo said is enough testimony that people still have confidence in air travel.

    He urged the new entrants to adopt the Ibom Air template, the lean operations model to keep the business sustainable even as they are welcome to the industry.

    He said: “The new airlines are welcome, those carriers who cannot survive, will die off. The new carriers are welcome; all of them have not shown partnership initiatives with any foreign carrier or organisation.”

    He said the government should look at options on how to package palliatives for airlines and how government could create a window for lending money from banks by airlines with the moratorium.

    Ohunayo said: “The government should consider protectionist policies for indigenous airlines. I expect something good for the much talked about merger for Arik Air and AeroContractors merger instead of starting any project anew about the national carrier.