The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • ‘I passed Bar exams without knowing the way to the library’

    Growing up in a Lagos slum was tough, but Alade Oluwatoyin never forgot the advice of his blind history teacher: ‘Never make yourself an object of pity.’ The 2018 Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) alumnus tells ROBERT EGBE how he got out of the ghetto and through Law School.

    Legal Poet

    My name is Alade Toheeb  Oluwatoyin. I’m from Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State. I am the third child and last boy; I have three lovely siblings (my younger sister is the only girl). My father is a businessman, and my mother is a trader. I was born and raised in one of the ghetto areas of Orile, Sari-Iganmu in Lagos State. Apart from Law, I do other things: acting, poetry, spoken word, anchoring, mimicry and funnily enough, contortion. These lines of passion together with law inspired my nickname “Legal Poet”.

     

    Earning applause for expressing opinion

    I attended First City Foundation International Nursery and Primary School, Orile, Sari-Iganmu Lagos; Government Junior College, Surulere, Lagos and Iba Housing Estate Senior Secondary School, Ojo, Lagos, following a relocation from our previous area to another that I found more serene. I was an introvert as a child, events and memories largely built-up in my heart, perhaps this made me a creative person by default. I was the head boy in my primary school and senior secondary school, and the latter became my turning point in life, as I tried new things. I can’t forget an August occasion that earned me a standing ovation following an opinion (adjudged to have been far better than what was expected of a secondary school chap) I gave in the presence of the then special adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Eko Project, Ms Ronke Azeez, held at Lagos State University.

     

    ABU alumni

    I attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State and graduated in 2018. I proceeded to Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus (Victoria Island), graduated in 2019 and got called to the Nigerian Bar on November 28, 2019.

     

    No other lawyer in the family

    None of my family members is a lawyer, in fact my parents are not graduates, but they have always been great enthusiasts of education and they vowed all their offspring would be graduates; to God be the glory, my younger sister is the only one in university as we speak. Though my dad was a great fan of artisanship, he believed education and artisanship are means to an end and that end is what should be pivotal to man. Today he is more of a fan of education.

     

    Law was last on my list

    Becoming a lawyer was the last on my list; my childhood dream was to be a medical doctor, but as I grew older I found love in many things and I wasn’t really in good terms with mathematics. So, I joined the arts department in senior secondary school, only to discover I was made for that department. My primary inspirations have always been my parents and my siblings. For instance, I got the knack for acting and arts generally from my eldest brother, who is a trained stage-actor and dancer and I have spent more time with my immediate elder brother, who is a pharmacist more than any other person in my entire life; we engage in many intellectual discussions that I find helpful and inspiring. My younger sister, who I fondly call “my second mum”, gives me moral support now and then. I remember vividly, just before I gained admission into ABU, I was on the verge of taking up an admission in History and International Studies that came out earlier from University of Ilorin, but my siblings strongly advised me to take the risk of waiting for ABU. I wonder the tune that would have been played to that music if Law didn’t surface that year. I must also recognise the efforts of my history teacher in senior secondary school, Mr. Armstrong Ikechukwu, of blessed memory. He was a blind man that gave light to the sighted. I learnt a great deal from him; from braille writing which aid blind people to read and write, the world of special people and how they perceive life, to great historical facts and relics. He recognised his students by our voices. He encouraged healthy competitions among students (Fadipe Olamide, a seasoned journalist, was my chief competitor in History then). He was a legend the world never knew. He spurred my love for oratory, he groomed me for many debates and competitions I had in secondary school, and essentially he was one of those that advised me to read law, even in place of history and international studies. His great quote lives on in my heart: “Never make yourself an object of pity”. Finally, if I hadn’t studied Law, then Psychology, Mass Communication or Performing Arts (since I dropped my dream of becoming a doctor before senior secondary school).

     

    Law School was hellish

    In all honesty, Law School was a bit hellish. At first, I didn’t even know how I would sail through. So, I decided I would pick up one of my major strengths- listening. I listened humbly to my lecturers, because Law School naturally plants humility in a person even for the proud. I would also reiterate the law school aphorism- “Law School is not for brilliant students but for smart students”. I would also declare memory, solid orientation and constant practice as key factors that could be of immense help too. I can bet many people that had First Class had the perfect orientation before coming to Law School and they prepared for it. How I passed the Bar exams was a bit funny and it could sound a bit crazy – I passed the Bar exams without knowing the way to the library, or maybe I should say I knew the way there, but I can’t tell what the library looks like. This is no attempt to downplay the role of a library in the academic space, but I only visit libraries for researches, I don’t make them my places of reading, even during my days in Zaria, I only went to libraries when I had moot and mock appearances, assignments or researchers; books, shelves and faces in the library only create pictures of poems and other arts in my heart; anywhere I call my room is my best place for reading. Besides, Law School doesn’t demand one to go outside the scope of what one is being taught, hence the best thing is to take more of the hints of the lecturers. When we resumed newly, Hauwa Saleh (another art enthusiast and lawyer) and I had time to attend some creative events and open mics, but when it got to a point, I had to face the reality that I was in Lagos campus, so I faced it squarely.

     

    Awkward Law School moment

    My most awkward moment at the Law School was when I got into the trap of “committee of friends” (a phrase coined for latecomers to Property Law Practice classes, only those that passed through Lagos campus can relate). I was asked questions by one of the best lecturers in Lagos campus then, Mr Sylvester Udemezue and it was quite hapless for me that day that some answers I supplied had already been mentioned before I came in, while others were not satisfactory for him. He then asked me a question I barely read as I started answering the question, he asked: “Oga, what are you doing?”, I said, “I’m trying to lay a foundation”, he said, “Okay, build! But don’t forget we don’t lay foundations in Law School, we only build structures”. It was a baptism of fire for me, but his hints that day were tremendously helpful.

     

    What I would change about Law School

    I would make Law School grades to be classless; it should just be “pass” and “fail”. Some people that had First Class got it, not because of their passion for law, not because of their knowledge of the law, not because of their brilliance, but because of their memory and the orientation they had, but the society in turn places much expectation on them and if they don’t deliver up to standard their First Class becomes questionable, while we have some exceptional students that didn’t have such ace above their peers. Today, many lawyers, if not most that constitute the Magnum opus of the profession, didn’t have a First Class. Then the remuneration of young lawyers should be looked into. It also looks like they are too many lawyers today; perhaps individuals should be screened realistically before admitting them to read law from universities?

     

    Read Also: Babcock student is overall national best in Bar exams

     

    Mentors

    I look up to Gani Fawehinmi and Edward Marshall Hall. I have many mentors, from my parents and siblings, to many uncles and aunties and my senior colleagues, friends and mates.

     

    Judge, Professor or SAN?

    I would love to be a SAN; it’s a landmark feat in the legal profession. A professor could be another one for me, because of my penchant to impact, but a judge is a no-no.

     

    The future

    I have plans of pursing a masters’ degree in International Law and Jurisprudence, if the opportunity presents itself. And, somehow, I want to synergize my desires for the arts and law, because I doubt I can do away with any of them. Finally, if I have the opportunity, I would tell the world environment has little to do with achieving dreams, determination and good parentage can earn a child an unimaginable success. I will forever be grateful to my parents for making me what I am today, they nurtured us in the slum but they gave us a parentage of paradise; they are my real success story.

  • ‘How development law can lift 200m out of poverty’

    By Robert Egbe

    A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has advised the Federal Government to consider a two-year moratorium from criminal prosecution in a new, controversial but effective strategy against corruption.

    Agbakoba stated this as part of his push for President Muhammadu Buhari to apply development law to lift 200m Nigerians out of poverty.

    According to him, development law, if utilised as a public policy tool in key areas, has never failed in any country where it is applied.

    He advised the President to apply development law to the following areas: financial services sector, national trade policy, maritime, aviation and space, legal and justice sector, land administration, corruption and social security administration, among others.

    “It will transform the economy, create millions of jobs and pull 200 million Nigerians out of poverty,” the Maritime Law expert said.

    He said this in a statement titled Legal and institutional restructuring for the next Nigeria.

    Agbakoba said: “The war against corruption requires an effective strategy. In addition to the strategy of prosecution, it is suggested to consider a two-year moratorium from criminal prosecution. So legislation may be considered on immunity from criminal prosecution (Moratorium) Act. The Abacha case is now going 20 years with little result. This may be controversial but it is worth considering.”

    According to him, the legal and judicial system has experienced legal failure…

    “We must give urgency to this sector and reverse legal failure. A speed of justice policy will reduce delays. In this regard, the National Assembly can consider introducing the Administration of Civil Justice Bill to ensure efficient administration of civil disputes,” he said.

    The Silk advocated a Financial Services Sector (FSS) consisting of banks, the National Credit Guarantee Agency, a Development Bank and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Read Also: IDL lifts distributors with N200m

     

    He said: “The CBN as presently constituted is overburdened with far too many things – monetary policy, banking supervision and banking…A new policy and legislation can unbundle the CBN and create a new agency to regulate banks by ensuring they deliver on core mandate…

    “Tied to the FSS is the need for a National Trade Policy to stimulate local industry, grow export and reduce dumping of foreign goods…

    “Trade policy on Fly Nigeria will grow Nigeria Airlines, a strong Cabotage Act will grow shipping lines, oil and gas, legal, banking, insurance, shipping etc. If trade legislation is favourable, Trillions of Naira will flow with Job creation in the millions.”

    Agbakoba said there is a need to review Nigeria’s Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs).

    He observed that the President is considering an Executive Order to make Nigeria the seat of arbitration but that “while the proposed Executive Order is laudable”, it might not be enforceable.

    Agbakoba estimated that Nigeria’s maritime sector is capable of generating 7 trillion naira annually and four million jobs over five years, but that there is a need for “immediate enactment of several critical bills pending before the National Assembly.

     

  • No hiding place for rapists in Lagos, says OPD

    By Kamiye Taiwo

    The Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) has warned rapists, perpetrators of violence against women and other abusers of human rights that there is no hiding place for them in Lagos.

    OPD Director Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi said they would be hunted and flushed out to face the law for their crimes.

    Adeyemi spoke during the OPD organised sensitisation and enlightenment walk to celebrate the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls.

    The event was part of activities to re-awaken the conscience of members of the public to the plight of women, girls, children and other vulnerable members in the society.

    She said: “Our focus is on rape. The issue of rape is coming up all the time now that we cannot be silent about it, so we are trying to sensitize the people that they should come out and speak against this, not only that, the public also through their own attitude, they should stand against rape.

    “All these things that go viral to objectify women, that show that women and girls are objects of sexual pleasure and all that should stop. So, that’s what we are trying to present to the public particularly for the victim, they should come out and speak and tell the public that once they have that courage to speak, they should be stigmatised, they should not be abused”.

    According to her, Lagos State government is seriously concerned by the increase in the incident of rape and the culture of silence which has made it difficult for the rape victims/ survivors get justice.

    The director encouraged rape survivors to speak out in order to “remove veils from the faces of perpetrators” and be further assured that OPD would stand with them until Justice prevails.

    She urged on members of the society to support victims / survivors to report rape cases and elite not to use position and wealth to shield violators of human dignity from justice.

    Read Also: Senate seeks death penalty for rapists, paedophiles

     

    Adeyemi said: “We can say that in a week, we can have about three cases of rape, child defilement and all that, for children and adults, but mostly from children.

    “So, the little advocacy that we have been doing in the past has been gaining so much momentum amongst people so that they come and access our services.”

    “It’s the public and the women themselves, the public put so much pressure on this women that they’re not sure of themselves, they don’t want to come out, they even go back to the abusive relationship or they don’t even want to talk about it at all, so that’s what we want to do, just tell the public that it is time to say No, stand against it and support the people that are victims”.

    She observed that “it is only when women are protected and allowed to unleash their potential and be given equal treatment like others in an atmosphere devoid of abuses that our nation would be on the right path of growth and development.”

    She further advised mothers to keep watchful eyes on their female children and desist from entrusting their care to people that their character cannot be vouched for.

    The director urged rape survivors, victims of violence and the less privileged in the state to take advantage of free legal services being rendered by the Office of the Public Defender to protect their rights.

    The 2019 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women is a multi-year effort aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls, with focus on the issue of rape as a specific form of harm committed against women and girls in times of peace or wars.

    The theme for this year’s celebration is #Generation Equality Stands against Rape.

     

  • AIG to Police: Be friendly, show love to people

    After two months of intensive training, Lagos State Police Command, in collaboration with Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON), has completed the training of another batch of 171 officers in human rights and rule of law. The programme is part of ongoing efforts by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Abubakar Adamu, to give the force a ‘human face’ and bring it closer to the people, ADEBISI ONANUGA reports

     

    For effective community policing, men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) must be friendly with  members of the society for them to develop trust and confidence in the force, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Ahmed Iliyasu, has said.”

    “Except we are friendly with them, they will run away from us and the essence of community policing will be defeated”, AIG Iliyasu further stated.

    He spoke at the 37th Graduation Ceremony of Human Rights Police Officers held at the Police Officers Mess, GRA, Ikeja. A total of 171 officers graduated at the ceremony.

    Iliyasu, who was represented by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in-charge of Community Policing, Mrs. Bose Akinyemi, said the AIG, Abubakar Adamu, has been emphasising community policing and that it is the key point of his agenda.

    “The essence of this is that we need to be proactive. We need to know the people we are policing especially in rural areas. Be polite to them and establish good relationship with them.

    “We should go there, get ourselves familiarize with them, know them and the job they are doing”, he said.

    Iliyasu listed key people the police should familiarise themselves with to include traditional rulers, community leaders, local chiefs market men and women leaders among others, stressing that they would assist them tackle crime and criminalities among the people.

    He said the local leaders know the bad ones in their community and would expose them and their movements.

    “To catch a monkey, you must behave like a monkey. They will provide information on crimes in their area. When you secure their community, they will trust you and assist you to be successful in your job”, he advised.

    .Executive Director,  CRIVIFON, Mrs Gloria Egbuji, in her address, reiterated that the objective of the programme was to change the narrative and bequeathed friendly police officers who respect people. Egbuji who was represented by a training facilitator of the foundation, Evaristus Aloko, said human rights improve the image of the police and enables the people to be closer to them, share intelligence and assist them to make their work easier.

    “The most sophisticated police in the world needs information to make the best of policing and provide safer cities and higher quality of life where fear of crime is nonexistent”, she said.

    She added: “It was also to make police who are law enforcers not to be law breakers and help them carry out diligent investigation and interrogation without torture, make work of community policing much easier and attract more support from the people”.

    Read Also: The Nigeria Police Force

    Lagos State Director, Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Yhaqub Oshoala, who was represented by an Assistant Director of Prosecution, Akin George, said that the directorate appreciates the efforts of the police at solving crimes and the activities of CRIVIFON as regards training of men of the force, adding that he looks forward to an improved police force.

    George said that the narrative has also change in the manner the DPP advice is now been issued in respect of criminal cases saying that it now takes a maximum of two weeks from the time a case file is assigned to a counsel.

    Vice Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Okey Ilofulunwa, in a remark said there would be more intervention from the bar in order to change the image of the police for the better.

    He drew the attention of men of the force to Order 20 of 2018 signed by former IGP, Ibrahim Idris and encouraged Police to work more with lawyers on justice delivery.

    Ilofulunwa referred to section 36(C0 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which deals with ‘presumption of innocence until proven guilty’. “If we harp on this, it would improve the  quality of the work of the Police.

    The NBA Lagos Vice Chairman who doubled as Human Rights Committee chairman of the association advised the Police to carry out proper investigation of crimes and other cases in order to secure convictions.

    He said if they fail to get investigation right, their cases will collapse in court like ‘pack of cards’.

    He also admonished them to give human face to the task of community policing in other to reduce crimes and criminality in the society.

    Chairman, Chemstar Company Nigeria Limited, Mr Emmanuel Awode, who was the chairman of the graduation ceremony, expressed confidence that the training programme will ensure production of fine officers within the Police force.

    Awode, who was represented by the Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, Fola Aguda, urged the newly-trained human rights officers to use their training to give the force a human face.

    The Director, Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC), Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Omotola Rotimi who was represented by Mrs Yetunde Babalola, advised members of the Police Force to always refer tenants-landlords, intestates, loans, inheritance and other similar matters to the Centre for fast and amicable resolution instead of litigation.

  • NBA Young lawyers hold summit

    By John Austin Unachukwu

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri branch Young Lawyers Forum NBA-YLF, Owerri Branch will hold its 2019 Summit on December 13 and 14.

    Venue: Newton hotels Ltd, Plot H2, along Imo Specialist Hospital Road, off Port-Harcourt Road, New Owerri, Imo State, 9.00am prompt.

    Read Also: Challenges of Nigerian Bar Association in 21st Century

     

    The theme of this year’s summit is “Pathway to a successful legal career: opportunities for young lawyers”.

     

  • Lagos CJ approves Dec 24 to January 2 as Christmas vacation for judges

    By Adebisi Onanuga

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has approved December 24, 2019  to January 2, 2020 as Christmas vacation for judges in the state’s judiciary.

    The vacation was approved for the judges pursuant to Order 49 Rule 4 (C) of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.

    A statement signed on behalf of the Chief Judge by the Chief Registrar, Mrs Taiwo Olatokun, said work will resume in the courts on January 3, 2020

    The statement said: “Arrangements for dealing with urgent cases during the Christmas vacation are that  each judge will deal with all urgent applications related to any substantive cause already assigned to him/her.

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    “Any urgent application, the substantive cause of which has not already been assigned will be dealt with by the judge to whom the application is specifically assigned.

    “Notwithstanding the provision of Order 49 Rule 4 (c), any cause or matter may be heard by a judge during the period of the Christmas vacation where such a cause or matter is urgent and provided that the condition prescribed by Order 49 Rule 5 shall be observed and complied with.”

  • Katsina judiciary imposes dress code on officers, others

    By John Austin Unachukwu

    The Katsina State judiciary has imposed a dress code on its workers.

    Copies of the directive on the new dress code were pasted on notice boards and major entry points into the state magistrates’, Sharia and high courts.

    The notice was signed by one Ahmed Abubakar from the office of the registrar.

    The dress code stipulates that Sharia court judges and staff must henceforth be formally dressed and must appear in big (flowing) gowns and trousers with cap to match.

    Magistrates were directed to appear in black suits, white shirts, black neck tie and black shoes. The same mode of dressing was prescribed for legal assistants.

    Registrars at high courts and magistrates’ courts were directed to henceforth appear in complete native attire or suit, while their counterparts at the Sharia courts were asked to dress in native attire.

    Read Also: Lagos Judiciary Staff Union gets new executives

    The dress code also affects messengers, who were directed to appear in white kaftan and trousers with red caps. For cleaners, the code prescribes brown kaftan, trousers and brown caps.

    Watchmen have been directed to always wear blue kaftan and trousers and navy-blue caps.

    Drivers were directed to henceforth dress in brown kaftan and red caps.

    Other categories of staff were advised to always dress decently.

    The directive read in part, “For the management staff, they should wear complete native attire or suit, but they should wear suit during the New Year celebration and bar/bench meetings, etc.”

    All workers were directed to adhere strictly to the directive, but sanctions for non-compliance were not stipulated.

     

  • Institute confers fellowships, inducts new members

    By John Austin Unachukwu

    The Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), has conferred Fellowships and inducted new members.

    The investiture of the new Fellows  was part of events marking  the 20th anniversary of the institute, which held last week at the International Conference Centre Abuja.

    Among those conferred with the Fellowship were Justice Amina Adamu Augie of the Supreme Court; Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Abimbola Muktar; Kaduna State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Lawal Bello; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Air Peace Limited, Chief Allen Onyema, among other members of the legal community.

    Read Also: ICMC hosts annual conference Dec 3

     

    Other inductees included Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige; the President, Pro Value Humanity Foundation, Chief Obiora Okonkwo and the Chief Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Hon. Chile Igbawua; a former Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS, Dr. Salamatu Suleiman.

    The rest are the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari; the Director-General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Bakut Tswah Bakut.

     

  • FIDA condemns non-confirmation of acting Chief Judge

    By John Austin Unachukwu

    The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria,  in collaboration with other groups has berated the Gombe State government for not confirming Acting Chief Judge  Justice Beatrice Lazarus Iliya, as the state’s substantive Chief Judge.

    The group observed that Iliya had already completed her statutory three-month period as Acting Chief Judge and linked the non-confirmation to gender bias.

    They stated their complaints in a release signed by the Country Vice President/National President of FIDA Nigeria, Rhoda Prevail Tyoden,  and National Publicity Secretary, Eliana Martins.

    The statement reads: “Justice Beatrice Lazarus Iliya, a noble lady, is not due for retirement for another three years minimum period and has served diligently.

    Read Also: FIDA condemns violence against women, children

     

    “We, therefore, strongly object to the planned swearing in of a junior male judge, who is junior to other female Judges, as Chief Judge in her place for whatever reason.

    FIDA Nigeria views the act of swearing in a male judge who is junior to other female judges as the substantive Chief Judge as an act of gender discrimination.

    “This is more painful as the United Nations 16 days activism against gender-based violence and human rights violations is ongoing.

    “We, therefore, call on the Governor of Gombe State to do the right thing in compliance with the law by swearing in the most senior Judge who has been effectively acting.

    “This is the only action that can prove that His Excellency is not gender biased and upholds justice.”

  • Lalong to migrants: Comply with e-registration

    By John Austin Unachukwu

    Plateau State Governor Simon  Lalong has advised immigrants resident in the state to comply with the ongoing e registration of migrants.

    Lalong, who spoke in Jos while flagging off the exercise, said it would assist migrants to continue enjoying a peaceful stay on the Plateau.

    He said:” I am delighted to be here to officially flag off the registration of migrants and commission the e-Registration Centre here at the Plateau State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service.

    “This is a very important event that was initiated by the Federal Government in response to the evolving dynamics of migration in Nigerian and the world at large.

    Lalong recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the migrant e-registration centre at the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters, Abuja on 12th July, 2019.

    The governor said: “He consequently directed that all migrants residing in the country should be registered with the Nigerian Immigration Service within the amnesty period, which elapses on the 12th January, 2020.

    “It is, therefore, a delight for us here in Plateau to join other States in this on-going exercise which falls in the third phase of the scheme.

    “No doubt this development is in line with the ongoing reform s of the Nigerian Immigration Service aimed at addressing the security challenges currently facing our country as well as creating a conducive environment for migrants to reside in Nigeria.”

    He said those mandated to register include all non-citizens of Nigeria who have attained the age of 18 years and resident in Nigeria or visitors who intend to stay in Nigeria for a period exceeding 90 days.

    Employed migrants, migrant students, self Employed migrants, migrant spouses of Nigerians, or migrant dependents are also expected to be captured during this exercise.

    Lalong said the importance of the exercise could not be overemphasised, particulary for Plateau State which “has suffered from crises in the recent past.

    “We fully appreciate this exercise and support it because it will help us strengthen the security of our state and the nation at large. As a matter of fact, we consider this exercise long overdue.

    “In addition, the registration exercise will provide reliable data for planning and other engagements of the State which relate to migrants.

    Read Also: Lalong hails cleric for anti same-sex marriage law

     

    According to him, Plateau State has a history of harbouring “the highest concentration of foreigners in the country because of our natural gift of clement weather, hospitable people, economic opportunities and many tourist attractions

    “I, therefore, call on all migrants within the state to comply with this registration exercise so as to continue to enjoy their peaceful stay on the Plateau.

    Since the Nigerian Immigration Service has provided for online pre-registration as well as desk registration, there should not be any reason why migrants will fail to participate in this exercise which is free.

    “The Plateau State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service has assured me that they will be efficient, humane and professional while conducting this registration.”

    The governor appealed to the comptroller and his staff is “to ensure that no officer takes advantage of this exercise for money making or other corrupt tendencies.

    “Let me use this opportunity to ask all owners of premises that accommodate migrants in Plateau State to ensure that such migrants comply as they can be held liable in the event that the migrants fail to comply.

    “We as a government are eager to receive more and more foreigners in our state especially as we woo investors to various sectors of our economy.