The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • A welcome relief

     

    A FIRST indication that South Africa is ready to take decisive step against violent crimes in the society, even where the victims are foreigners, especially Nigerians, came with the December 2 sentencing of a police constable for robbing and killing a Nigerian. The constable, Austin Reynolds, had shot an innocent Nigerian, Mr. Ebuka Okoli, at close range for no just cause. The constable thought nothing of snuffing life out of a fellow human being. He had no respect for the sanctity of life, the nicety of following the rule of law and respecting the fundamental rights of all, citizen or resident.

    The constable who committed the crime in January 2018 probably thought nothing would happen since Okoli is a Nigerian and thus endangered in the jungle that the South African society is turning to. In recent times, South Africa has always been in the news for xenophobic attacks. Many foreigners, especially Nigerians, Zimbabweans and Mozambicans have borne the brunt of the anger of the youth who blame the foreigners for the high rate of unemployment and poverty in their country. The result has been wanton looting, assault and murder on Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg streets.

    Read Also: Uproar over killing of Nigerians in South Africa

     

    The diligent prosecution of the killer cop by the South African police, coming shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pledge to Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari that all those involved in attacking foreigners in the country would be brought to justice is commendable. We hope this would serve as deterrence to the blood-thirsty youth seeking whom to devour in a country where Nigeria and the frontline Southern African states played major roles in ending the obnoxious apartheid policy.

    However, anyone who thinks this single action is enough to curb the violent attacks is in mere delusion. Pressure on the South African authorities by African leaders must continue, with appropriate sanctions applied when necessary if the people are to be compelled to respect the rights of others.

    President Ramaphosa and his people should take more fundamental actions in tackling the inequality in the country, improve on the educational system with a view to enlightening the people about the gallant roles played by other countries in the liberation struggle, as well as ensure wide range reform of the justice system. Those arrested in connection with the xenophobic attacks should be speedily brought to justice to demonstrate the government’s commitment to building a modern country, not a jungle.

    Crime statistics from that country are frightening. A woman is killed every three hours, while 100 are raped daily. This has necessitated the deployment of 1,300 soldiers to the seedy streets of Cape Town alone as the South African Defence Force had to launch an ‘Operation Lockdown’ in the city. A lot more has to be done and new strategies introduced to combat general violence in the major cities, while other African countries, especially Nigeria, should be assured in action that the country is safe for all. These are sister-countries that the black race looks up to if other races are to respect us. Today, Africa remains the poorest continent in the world. Diseases that have long been eradicated in other countries are still very much with us in Africa, while many live in slums and unplanned cities. The standard of living remains unbearable.

    Justice, swiftly delivered as in the case of this killer constable, will go a long way in reassuring Nigerians that President Ramaphosa is determined to deliver on his promises.

  • Buhari’s $39.9bn loan request

    THREE years after the eighth senate rejected his earlier bid for foreign loan, President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the body seeking approval to borrow about $29.9 billion for development projects. The president stopped short of accusing the eighth senate of bad faith for not approving his administration’s 2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan in its entirety, with the exception of the Federal Government’s emergency projects for the Northeast covering four states’ projects, and one China Exim Bank-assisted railway modernisation projects for Lagos–Ibadan segment, out of a total of 39 projects.

    According to the president, “the outstanding projects in the plan that were not approved by the legislature are, nevertheless, critical to the delivery of government’s policies and programmes relating to power, mining, road, agriculture, health, water and educational sectors.”

    Is the president saying that the misgivings of the eighth senate are entirely without foundation? That would certainly be most uncharitable. Aside the weight of public opinion which clearly dictated caution at the time, there were also genuine apprehensions about the appreciable surge in the debt trajectory in the five years of the Buhari administration.  That the $10.32 billion external debt inherited by the administration at inception in 2015 more than doubled to $22.08 billion by 2018 would attest to this fact. The other is the N7.9 trillion – an amount equal to the 2018 budget – said to have been spent by the Federal Government on debt servicing in the last five years.

    Read Also: Aisha Buhari, World Bank and the Nigerian condition

     

    In all, we do concede to the president’s prerogative to set out his spending plan just as the senate has the duty to either approve or withhold approval. We understand the imperative of borrowing considering that the current revenue profile leaves little choice in the face of the nation’s yawning infrastructure gap. We note for instance a study conducted by Mckinsey which puts the amount needed to bridge the infrastructure gap at $31bn annually, over a 10-year period. Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex Okoh, in his own estimation puts the average required to turn the infrastructure tide at $100 billion per annum for the next six years. These figures, although disparate, attest to the same reality of the nation’s yawning infrastructure gap that requires to be bridged, which, unfortunately, cannot be met under the current budget profile.

    Caution, however, is the word.

    We urge the senate to take a dispassionate look at the loan request.  It is certainly not enough for the executive branch to state that the projects for which the loans are meant are needed to catalyse the economy; nor is it acceptable to hand the executive a carte blanche simply because it claims that the country is under-borrowed. If anything, the loans must be strictly for investment in critical infrastructure. For each, the senate must demand a convincing business case as well as realistic repayment plan. It must insist on a tracking mechanism to enable it follow through its utilisation.

    Two vital areas which are sorely needed to free up funds for development but which the government has done little about are the humongous wastes in the bureaucracy and the outrageous wages/remuneration claimed by political office holders. A window of the extent to which bureaucracy reeks of swamp is the disclosure by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, in April, that the Federal Government recovered over N500 billion in personnel costs through the implementation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

    Just as the government can and should do more, of greater urgency is the need for it to trim down the wages and remuneration of all classes of political officeholders. That done, Nigerians would have little difficulties in appreciating why such loans are sometimes necessary.

  • DSS: Whither Nigerian judiciary

    SIR: The latest drama by the Department of State Services (DSS) in their quest to re-arrest Omoyele Sowore after creating tumultuous atmosphere in the temple of justice on December 6, raises serious questions on the hope of a common man and the place of the judiciary in Nigeria nascent democracy.

    On December 5, Sowore and Bakare were released from the custody of the DSS hours after Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the DSS a 24-hour ultimatum for their release. This action was commended by the judge while adjourning the case till February 11, 2020.

    Before their release on December 5, the DSS had flagrantly disobeyed several court injunctions mandating them to release the duo. The first among this muscle flexing, was the refusal of the DSS to obey the judgement delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on September 24. The judge granted bail to Sowore but the DSS refused to obey. This was the same judge that granted the DSS’s prayer to detain Sowore for 45 days on August 8. The second display was the blatant disobedience to the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, of November 6.

    Not up to 24 hours after their release, the DSS operatives invaded the sanctuary of justice, disrupted the court proceeding, turned the court to a struggle field in the bid to cart away their prey. This dramatic twist would appear unprecedented in the history of the arm known as the last hope of an ordinary man.

    However, the usurpation of judicial power by the DSS in recent time started with the refusal of the agency to release Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and others still in the DSS custody despite several court orders for their release.

    Read Also: DSS, Sowore and beleaguered judiciary

     

    By the provision of section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended 2011, the judiciary is responsible for the interpretation of laws and settlement of all disputes in Nigeria, both between individuals, individual and government and the arms of government. But recent acceleration in the operation of the DSS seems to suggest otherwise.

    In fact, the manner with which the DSS disobeys the court these days, seems like the DSS had established a parallel court which they consult after visiting the normal court to decide whether to obey court order or not. It raises question as to why taking the offenders to the judiciary when the decision on the next line of action has already been made?

    No democracy can grow in a country where the judiciary has to study the body language of the executive or its agencies before dispensing justice. This is because judicial independence is a corner-stone of democracy and a necessary ingredient for peace and development. It anchors a nation’s respect in the international community and makes a country attractive to investors.

    It is imperative to restore the judiciary to its constitutional position by respecting all judgements irrespective of the side it takes. Where there is a blatant disregard for court judgments, the rule of law, progress, and development will be like looking for God among men.

     

    • Femi Oluwasanmi, Ibafo, Ogun State.

  • Igbemo-Ekiti and the razzmatazz of their day

    This year’s Igbemo-Ekiti Day celebration was a watershed in the history of the ancient community. RASAQ IBRAHIM reports the thrills, glitz and glamour that characterised the event.

    The rich cultural heritage of Igbemo Ekiti in Ifelodun/Irepodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State was on display on Saturday, November 16, when its sons and daughters gathered to celebrate its rich culture, heritage and tradition.

    For several hours on that day, the town was literally shut down as guests and those indigenous to the town at home and in the Diaspora joined residents to behold a cultural spectacle and catch some fun usually experienced once in a year.

    The weather was clement; as many who are indigenous to Igbemo-Ekiti and other residents thronged AUD Primary School to celebrate the culture, tradition and progress of the community.

    This year’s occasion would always remain indelible in the memories of the residents and guests because of the razzmatazz that was the feature of the day.

    There was heavy drumming, singing, trumpeting and breathtaking dance steps by cultural dancers who thrilled guests who had seated before the arrival of the dignitaries.

    It was neither a festival of drums nor the anniversary of the king on the throne. It was a day thousands of Igbemo’s sons and daughters from all walks of life within and outside the country gathered to chart a new course for development in the town.

    The occasion was also used to take stock of the achievements of their sons and daughters at home and abroad as well as express their gratitude to God for the development of the town.

    It was also a show of glamour and opulence, as representatives of Igbera, Hausa and Igbo communities in the town, friends, well-wishers and some prominent indigenes of Ekiti State, participated in the celebration.

    The celebration was carnival-like. It was a day they had looked forward to for a long time. Market women, young boys and girls, men and women and the elderly left their daily routines to catch a glimpse of the rich cultural display.

    This year’s cultural day, no doubt, attracted a large turnout of illustrious sons and daughters of Igbemo; top government functionaries, captains of industry, high profile personalities and cultural enthusiasts.

    There was no dull moment for guests and cultural enthusiasts, as an array of cultural troupes were on ground to add colour to the celebration.

    Leading the personalities to the event was the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Jamiu.

    Others in attendance included the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Hon. Funminiyi Afuye represented by Hon. Olugboyega Aribisogan, Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Olusoga David, Commissioner for Special Duties, Ayodele Jinadu and Hon. Tunde Idowu.

    The governor’s presence and those of top government officials, captains of industry and community leaders within and outside the shores of Ekiti added glamour to the celebration.

    There was spontaneous jubilation and a rousing joyousness rent the air as Onigbemo of Igbemo-Ekiti Oba Adewumi Daramola, who was colourfully clad in a richly embroidered agbada with his conical-shaped crown on his head made his way into the arena with his wife, Olori Sabainah Daramola.

    The Onigbemo appreciated the presence of everyone who attended the event, especially Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    Oba Daramola thanked Governor Fayemi for his tremendous efforts at effecting rapid development in every nook and cranny of the state and in Igbemo-Ekiti in particular.

    He revealed that since his ascension to the throne in 2015, the town has been witnessing steady progress in terms of infrastructure, basic social amenities, economic and educational development.

    Read Also: Iye-Ekiti Day holds Dec. 14

    He commended prominent Igbemo’s sons and daughters for their invaluable contributions to the sustainable growth and development of the town.

    He, however, called on his subject and non-indigenes from within and outside Nigeria to invest in his domain, noting that the community is abundantly blessed with natural and minerals resources.

    “The development and growth of our town should be a task for all indigenes both at home and in the Diaspora.

    “I call on investors to explore the various agriculture opportunities, especially Igbemo Rice by siting rice industries which will boost the economy of the town, create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and in the long run effect developmental changes.

    “My people cannot thank you enough, Mr. Governor. You have been helpful always and we pray that God will continue to support and bless you.

    “I appeal to all sons and daughters of this noble town to support the Fayemi-led administration in his good deeds during his first term.

    Fayemi, represented by Hon. Hakeem Jamiu, said Oba Daramola’s ascension to the throne has brought hope to the community with all indicators of socio-economic growth and development markedly improving.

    The governor revealed that the monarch has demonstrated exemplary leadership style in piloting the traditional affairs of the town for the betterment of its people.

    Fayemi promised to be supportive of any developmental agenda of the community targeted at improving the living standard of residents.

    Fayemi explained that projects are being carried out in the community, promising that Igbemo-Ikoyi, Igbemo-Ijan Road will be fixed to make life easier for residents.

    He called on the people of the community to explore various entrepreneurial programmes and other initiatives of his administration to become self-reliant and self-employed.

    The National President of Igbemo General Assembly (IGA), Chief Bola Olowosejeje, praised the various projects initiated by the Fayemi administration in the town.

    He urged the governor to give more Igbemo’s sons and daughters political appointments to enable them to contribute to the development of the state.

    Olowosejeje also called on Fayemi to promote Oba Daramola to the next cadre of the traditional rulers, saying the monarch is long overdue for promotion.

    He enjoined those who have the penchant to stay away from home for too long to turn a new leaf, saying: “the town is moving forward and is not waiting for anybody. It is a privilege for all to be part of the developmental change.

    “The development of Igbemo-Ekiti should be uppermost on our minds as indigenes. I urge all sons and daughters of this community to contribute to the development of the town and Ekiti at large.”

  • Formal sector employers breach pension law (1)

    It is 15 years since the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) was established under the supervision of the National Pension Commission. Yet the scheme has only captured about 8.85 million Nigerians working in the formal sector out of over 20 million people. OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO writes that experts want recalcitrant employers of 11 million workers punished for not enrolling them under the scheme.

    Fifteen years ago, the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) was established through the Pension Reform Act 2004. It was repealed by PRA 2014 and under the supervision of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

    In spite of the successes recorded in the pension industry, not all who are meant to comply with the Pension Reform Act 2004 are doing so.

    The Federal Government, state governments and many employers in the private sector are in breach of the law.

    At present, 11 million Nigerian workers from the public and private sectors have not been enrolled by their employers under the CPS as mandated by law.

    Only nine million out of the 20 million estimated workers in the formal sector are captured under the scheme.

    The Federal Government is not remitting the 18 per cent rate also mandated by the PRA 2014 and is not paying pension as and when due, which is the main objective of the CPS.

    In the same manner, state governments and employers in the private sector are also in breach of the law that stipulates 18 per cent as contribution rate for workers as they still remit based on the old rate of 15 per cent.

    Besides, many do not remit the 15 per cent to their workers’ Retirement Savings Account (RSA).

    This has led to non-payment of pensions to workers when they retire as and when due, thereby defeating the objectives of the PRA 2014.

    But what does the law say about when there are breaches by employers and what are the punishment for breaching the law?

    Read Also: Reps query PENCOM’s unapproved spendings

     

    PRA 2014

    Section 1 sub-section (a) states that the objectives of the Bill are to establish a uniform set of rules, regulations and standard for the administration and payment of retirement benefits for the Public Service of the Federation, the Public Service of the Federal Capital Territory, the Public Service of the State Governments, the Public Service of the Local Government Councils and the Private Sector.

    Section 2 (2) added that in the case of the private sector, the scheme shall apply to employees who are in the employ of an organisation in which there are five or more employees.

    Section 3(1) states that there is established for any employment in the Federal Republic of Nigeria a Contributory Pension Scheme for payment of retirement benefits of employees to whom the scheme applies under this Bill.

    In Section 4(1), it states that the contribution for any employee to which the Bill applies shall be made in the following rates relating to his monthly emoluments: (a) a minimum of 10 per cent by the employer; and (b) a minimum of eight per cent by the employee.

    Section 11 (1) states that every employee to whom this Bill applies shall maintain an account, referred to as Retirement Savings Account (RSA) in his name with any Pension Fund Administrator of his choice. Subsection (2) states that the employee shall notify his employer of the Pension Fund Administrator chosen and the identity of the Retirement Savings Account opened under sub-section (1).

    Sub-section 3 notes that the employer shall (a) deduct at source the monthly contribution of the employee; and (b) not later than seven working days from the day the employee is paid his salary; remit an amount comprising the employee’s contribution and the employer’s contribution to the Pension Fund Custodian specified by the Pension Fund Administrator of the employee. Upon receipt of the contributions remitted under sub-section (3) (b), the Pension Fund Custodian shall notify the Pension Fund Administrator who shall cause to be credited the RSA of the employee for whom the employer had made the payment.

     

    Facts and Figures

    • 11 million Nigerian workers from the public and private sectors have not been enrolled by their employers under the CPS as mandated by law

     

    • Only nine million out of the 20 million estimated workers in the formal sector are captured under the scheme.

     

    • In the same manner, state governments and employers in the private sector are also in breach of the law that stipulates 18 per cent as contribution rate for workers as they still remit based on the old rate of 15 per cent

     

     

     

    Section 5 states that where an employee fails to open such RSA within a period of six months after assumption of duty, his employer shall, subject to Guidelines issued by the Commission, request a Pension Fund Administrator to open a nominal retirement savings account for such employee for the remittance of his pension contributions.

    Section 6 of the PRA 2014 also states that any employer that fails to deduct or remit the contributions within the time stipulated in sub-section (3) (b) of this section shall, in addition to making the remittance already due, be liable to a penalty to be stipulated by the Commission.

    Section 7 further states that the penalty referred to in sub-section 6 shall not be less than two per cent of the total contribution that remains unpaid for each month or part of each month the default continues and the amount of the penalty shall be recoverable as a debt owed to the employee’s retirement savings account as the case may be and Section 8 adds that an employee shall not have access to his retirement savings account or have any dealing with the Pension Fund Custodian with respect to the retirement savings account except through the Pension Fund Administrator.

    Section 9 also states that the Commission shall determine the cost of recovery of unremitted contributions and the sources to defray the cost, which may include the amount recovered as penalty pursuant to sub-section 6 of this section.

     

    Views by experts

    Experts and other stakeholders in the industry have, however, said the law is weak as it does not make provision for punitive measures against recalcitrant employers who fail to comply with sections of the law.

    They have also said incentives should also be given to those who have been complying with the law.

    President of the Pension Fund Operators’ Association of Nigeria (PenOP), Mrs. Aderonke Adedeji spoke at the just-concluded 2nd National Assembly Members’ Retreat on Pensions in Uyo, Akwa Ibom to the effect that the scheme works but it has some challenges.

    Mrs. Adedeji stated that it is their responsibility not only to protect the gains of the pension reforms, but to also deliberate on ways to make it more efficient in order to capture more Nigerians and enable them to benefit from what some contributors are already enjoying.

    In the interest of Nigerians, she appealed to the legislators to help in addressing these and other challenges.

    She said: “As the industry assumes more prominence, issues are bound to arise around the CPS and its effect on the welfare of pensioners. This is not unusual with any developing system. And PenOp is pleased to debate the ways to improve the implementation and administration of the scheme and the legislative attention that pensions continue to command.

    “Certain developments in the industry have proved rather challenging. This is especially in the area of perennial agitations and efforts in certain quarters to fragment the scheme and the industry.

    “Some other challenges include compliance in general as well as lack of funding of accrued rights by the Federal Government. Our members will greatly benefit from your valuable inputs on ways of addressing these and other challenges. This is in the interest of Nigerians we serve and the enormous potential for contributing to the development of the Nigerian economy.

    “The lack of institutions and structures is the bane of underdeveloped economies. This can arise by derogating from existing laws, rather than bolstering these laws. The present CPS has so far proven to be efficient, effective and beneficial as a pension administration system and our collective focus and objective should be on how to enhance the gains.”

  • Joshua’s triumph is a lesson for Nigerians to learn from – Buhari

    Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described Saturday night’s triumph by the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Anthony Joshua, as a lesson all Nigerians must learn about Keeping faith with hope

    President Buhari was reacting to Joshua’s come-back victory after an earlier defeat by Andy Ruiz Jnr., noting that to fall once does not mean all hope is lost, adding that the world champion’s victory had brought more glory to Nigeria.

    The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, on Sunday morning, however rejoiced with Joshua, commending him for bringing joy to millions of Nigerians, home and abroad.

    Read Also: Haye hails Anthony Joshua over superb training

    “President Muhammadu Buhari thumbs up World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Anthony Joshua, for regaining his belts Saturday night in a rematch with Mexican, Andy Ruiz Jnr.

    “The President rejoices with Joshua, saluting him for bringing joy to millions of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, who had rooted for him to regain the titles he lost about six months ago.

    “The downfall of a man is truly not the end of his life. There’s always another, and better day. This is a lesson we must all learn from you as a country,” President Buhari tells the comeback world champion.

    He wishes Anthony Joshua well as he seeks to bring more glory to Nigeria, and to the boxing profession.

  • Charly Boy declares love for marijuana

    Joe Agbro Jr.

    Controversial entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, has declared that cannabis is a blessing to him. Charly Boy or Area Fada as he is popularly called said this in a Facebook post on Sunday morning.

    “Fela no smoke igbo pass me Naira Marley na apprentice for weed,” he started, before embarking on his marijuana-smoking journey.

    “The first time I smoked weewee(cannabis) was during the Biafran war 1968 in my village Oguta. It was introduced to me by one of my naughty cousin’s. That day sha, I been think say I go die.

    “The paranoia wey cease me no be here.

    “Na so only me start prayers inside myself by myself for myself.

    “Bob Marley Talk say, “When you smoke herb, it reveals you to yourself”

    “Dat day from the outside of myself na so I begin look de inside of myself. Nothing wey no enter my mind that day. I come dey wonder. So na like dis man go just take craze or die. Quick, quick, I don turn prayer warrior be dat. I come dey promise God many tins say, if hm fit prevent dis madness wey wan befall me I no go ever near Indian hemp again……….for where!!!!!!

    “Two months after dat, as I no mad and I no die, I became a confirmed Igbo smoker. I didn’t realize I was only suffering from hallucinogenic paranoia.

    “Since I’ve been in the world I’ve been smoking marijuana for about 55years now, and I think it’s a tremendous blessing.

    “As much as I tried some other drugs, I stuck to my Indian hemp because I became a master in controlling my high and making it work for me. Infact I make bold to say dat.

    “I started smoking Igbo before Fela, Infact Baba Fela no smoke reach me, the only difference be say, He advertised it a lot, I just kept mine under wraps for a very very long time.

    “Smoking weed always made me feel more creative, more probing, and more easy with myself. I always felt happy and free. Empowered and relaxed almost as cool as Ice.

    Read Also: Charley Boy: ‘Being in hell after death will be easy for me’

    “Aside from these positive impacts on my medulaoblangarta, cannabis has also helped heal my body in a way none of you can imagine. I have used marijuana to help treat some joint pains I have, it has also helped me to deal with my depression and anxiety. Sometimes I have used it to regain my appetite loss.

    “Cannabis, marijuana, weed, Indian hemp, weewee, zazavooo, call it whatever turns you on is now very popular than ever, as more and more places choose to legalize marijuana.

    ‘I even hear say Oyo state wan to dey export the natural grass. This beautiful plant has the ability to improve lives across the entire globe.

    “I have always loved marijuana. It has been from time to time a source of joy and comfort to me for many years. And I still think of it as a basic staple of life, along with my vegetables, fruits supplements etc etc.

    “Remember I was once a vegetarian. Most importantly I have discovered how to slow down my aging process by a concoction I discovered in my private lab many years ago.

    “The mixture of Indian hemp with some other secret grass has drastically slowed down my aging. Many Nigerians will agree with me that I am younger today than I looked 25 years ago.

    “Who was it that said, “One mans meat is another mans poison”

    “So how many of you Ignorantly gave Igbo a bad name make una begin confess.

    “For me it has become the vital and viral ingredient in my age slowing concoction which will hopefully be in the market in the next few years.

    “The biggest killer on the planet is stress and I still think the best medicine is and always has been cannabis.

    “I don give my own testimony, weytin be your own, good or bad.”

    The post attracted many comment which were in agreement of similar experience.

    While cannabis is enjoying decriminalization in many Western countries, in Nigeria, it is still an offence to cultivate, trade or be in possession of cannabis. However, in May, Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said the state is set to go into the cultivation of medicinal marijuana.

    “Our focus now is medical marijuana cultivation in controlled plantations under the full supervision of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,” Akeredolu had tweeted after a trip to Thailand to understudy the country’s cannabis cultivation.

    “I strongly implore the FG to take this seriously, as it is a thriving industry that will create 1000’s of jobs for our youths and spur economic diversification.”

    Akeredolu’s suggestion stirred controversial views in the country.

  • Why we are in a hurry to perform – Lawan

    Sanni Onogu, Abuja

    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Sunday advanced reasons why the ninth Senate is in a hurry to deliver on some of the targets set in its legislative agenda.

    Lawan said the Senate is conscious of the need to act very fast before the 2023 politics start to slow down governance.

    The Senate President spoke at the End of Year Get-Together/Award ceremony which was organised by the Senate management for the staff of the Senate.

    Lawan said: “we came with our own ideas, our own agenda as Distinguished Senators of the ninth Senate.

    “We passed our agenda. What we intend to do as Senators to enhance good governance in Nigeria is to make Nigeria better for the citizens. And of course, the way we want to go is different from the way of the past because perhaps the goals and targets are different.

    “And we are also in a hurry. We know the need for us to act fast. Time is of essence. In the next two years or so, the Nigerian political landscape will be dotted by people campaigning for presidency, for governorship and the rest of it. And that will in a way cause some disruption or slow down in governance.

    “So between now and the next two years we have told ourselves that we have to work hard to ensure that, as a legislature, we are able to perform our roles creditably to enable government function very well for Nigerians. And that is what we have been trying to do.”

    The Senate President said by the time the lawmakers return from their break in January, the Petroleum Industry Bill which appeared to have defied passage and the Constitutional amendment which is a continuous exercise will be addressed.

    “The mode of operation of this current Senate is: we don’t give space. We don’t create any space in the middle. We just want it done and done away with it,” he said.

    The Senate President thanked the staff for their dedication, hard work and noted that they are so significant to the achievement so far recoreded by the Senate.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Senate receives 2020 budget report

    “We are supposed to celebrate you. That is why I’m here because we have put all of you to test when we came in. The first test we had for ourselves as Senators and you as supporting staff was the screening of the Presidential ministerial nominees.

    “We were supposed to go on break but we held back for one week and it was a very exhaustive week. We sat up to about 8pm from morning. We succeeded because you were there for us.

    “And the subsequent activities including, of course, the budget that we have just passed. The National Assembly turned into a beehive of activities right from the day we said the budget defence will start and the budget defence will end. Most of you were always in the National Assembly. You worked so hard. You made us to succeed.

    “When we passed the budget on Thursday last week. It was because you played your part so well and that is why we were able to achieve. So I want to thank you on behalf of my Distinguished colleague Senators for being there for us. You are a significant part of the Senate.

    “So when you are not able to perform, whatever we wish, whatever we do as Senators, will not be translated into that dream that we have of getting those things passed to the executive arm of government for immediate action.

    “You deserve more than you are getting from the Senate or the National Assembly. We will work together with the management to see how we can make you perform better because we actually need your full potentials realised in this enterprise,” Lawan said.

    Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Omolori also commended the staff and assured them that the management will continue to strive hard to meet their needs within the available resources.

    “We have never, as a management, failed to acknowledge the fact that we are within a very serious constraint. But what we have said is that, whatever is due to you, you will get it, within the context of the available resources,” Omolori said.

    Clerk of the Senate, Nelson Ayewoh narrated how the idea of the Get-Together started last year and assured the Staff that it has become an annual event.

    The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the 2019 Senate President Award to Usman Labaran Gumama for his dedication to duty, vigilance, valour and enforcement of security at the National Assembly complex.

  • Yobe suspends traditional ruler for defying a 6-year-old boy

    Duku Joel, Damaturu

    Yobe State governor Mai Mala Buni has directed the suspension of the district Head of Fannami Ward, Lawan Mari from Bade Local Government for alleged sodomy with a six year-old-boy.

    In a Statement signed by the Honorable Commissioner for Information, Home Affairs and Culture, Abdullahi Bego said the Governor has directed swift action against the district head.

    Read Also: Court remands man, 65, over alleged rape of 11-year-old girl

    The statement reads:

    “His Excellency has directed that appropriate administrative and legal measures be taken swiftly to investigate and prosecute the matter.

    “Consequently, the traditional ruler involved has been suspended indefinitely from his position as ward head of Fannami Ward, Gashu’a pending the outcome of police investigation into the matter.

    “A letter to that effect has already been served the ward head by Bade Local Government Council.”

    As directed, a letter of suspension has already been issued to the district head.

  • IDP’s protest decision to shut down camps in Delta

    Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

    There was unrest, weekend, following refusal of inmates at the Ahabam Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, Asaba to go home after it was shut, insisting on being compensated financially.

    Following heavy rains and subsequent flooding of several communities in August, the state government set up Flood Risk Alert Management Committee headed by the SSG, Chiedu Ebie.

    The camps, eleven in number, catered for nearly 20,000 internally displaced persons drawn from 14 local government areas.

    Some inmates who spoke to The Nation lamented that floods have not receded in their communities, appealing that the camps be opened much longer.

    Read Also: Adamawa IDPs protest nonpayment of benefits

    An inmate, Theophilus Odogwu, insisted that inmates be given monetary compensation to cushion the effect of the losses suffered.

    He said,”we are still waiting to know what the government will give us as compensation. We have lost so much during the recent flood and so we will like the state government to support us before we go home.”

    Another IDP, Stella Samuel urged the state government to intervene as many will return home with no business to do.