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Clampdown begins on illegal motor parks in Abuja
- Task force seizes 19 commercial vehicles, one Okada
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike’s joint task force on illegal motor parks yesterday seized 19 commercial vehicles and one commercial motorcycle at Banex plaza in Abuja.

The development is to curb the menace of ‘one chance’, kidnapping, traffic congestion and get rid of criminals.

The affected vehicles, our correspondent gathered, were illegally picking and dropping off passengers at the road corridor, therefore obstructing free flow of traffic.

The FCT minister task force comprises Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Directorate of Road Traffic Services, FCT VIO.

Deborah Osho, head of Operations in FCT VIO, answering questions from reporters, decried the traffic congestion on the road caused by illegal commercial taxi drivers.

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She said: “The task force was constituted by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. What you are seeing now is clearing the road corridor on the popular Banex road, Wuse II that has been taken over by illegal commercial taxis. The illegal commercial taxis took over 50 per cent of the road corridor, picking and dropping passengers. Meanwhile, there is an approved park where they can pick and drop their passengers, but they don’t use it, most of them prefer to use the road corridor, therefore blocking the free flow of traffic on Banex road.

“About 19 vehicles were seized along Banex road and one commercial motorcycle”.
December 19, 2023
Hoodlums attack govt agency in Abuja
- Police arrest 19
The Joint Task Force Team of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on City Sanitation, yesterday arrested 19 hoodlums who attacked Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Wuse, Abuja.

The hoodlums stormed the premises in the early hours of yesterday, over the demolition of a Mechanic Village in Kubwa, by officials of the AMMC Department of Development Control.

The Director of the department, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, told reporters after the incident that the workers in the building were going about their official assignments when the hoodlums besieged the premises.

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He said 19 of the protesters were arrested for the violent disruption of peace in the area. The Secretary, FCTA’s Command and Control, Dr Peter Olumuji, said that the task force was out on enforcement duty when the distress call came in from development control over the protest.
December 19, 2023
Police confirm another case of abducted children in Abia

Abia Police Command has confirmed Saturday’s alleged abduction of four underage children in Umuahia by their unidentified female neighbour.

The incident happened barely three weeks after the alleged disappearance of four school children of the same parents in Umuda community, a suburb of Umuahia.

The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Maureen Chinaka, confirmed the latest abduction in a statement issued in Umuahia and made available to reporters yesterday.

Chinaka said the command had arrested some suspects in connection with Saturday’s incident.

She said Mrs Ifeanyi Udoma-Ibe, a resident of Ubakala Street/Ossai Road, Umuahia, had on Sunday reported to the command that she left four children in the care of a new female tenant in their compound.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that Udoma-Ibe, who visited her sister, also a tenant in the house, left the children with the tenant to fetch water within the neighbourhood, taking her sister’s son along.

She was said to have returned to the compound to discover that the tenant had moved out with the children.

The PPRO quoted Udoma-Ibe to have reported that two of the children were hers and that the other two belonged to her sister and another family in the compound.

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She gave the names of the children as Joy Ufuoma (female – three years), Ogbonna Udoma (male – six years), Chioma Kingsley (female – five years) and Miracle Ikechukwu (female – five years).

“Unfortunately, on the same day, the new tenant made away with the four children,” the statement added.

It stated that investigation was in progress to determine the whereabouts of the children.

“Police interaction with Udoma-Ibe revealed that the tenant moved into the compound three days before the incident.

“And she could not provide details, such as the tenant’s name or GSM number,” Chinaka stated.

She warned the public against entrusting underage children in the care of unfamiliar persons.

She also urged the public to be vigilant, particularly when they come across minors in the company of adults.

“Endeavour to interview both the child and adult person, if unsatisfied with the explanations, involve the police for necessary action,” she further advised.

She, therefore, urged anyone with useful information regarding the missing children to report to the nearest police station or contact her via 07059951536.

December 19, 2023
10 nabbed over illegal mining

Kogi State Government has arrested not fewer than 10 persons over illegal mining, according to Mr Bashiru Gegu, solid and natural resources commissioner.

He told reporters yesterday in Lokoja that the Special Task Force on Smuggling and Related Crimes, which made the arrests, also impounded 50 trucks carrying coal.

Gegu added that the arrest and seizures followed Governor Yahaya Bello’s recent order banning illegal mining in the state.

“The defaulters shall be prosecuted accordingly. The action taken today is to send a message to defaulters that ‘Operation Stop Illegal Mining In Kogi’ is on course.

“We are working with the support of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Department of State Services, (DSS), and local vigilantes.”

“Over the years, we have asked miners in the state, who are approved by the Federal Government, to register with the state ministry of solid minerals and natural resources, but they always refused.

“All directives fell on deaf ears with people brazenly destroying our communities. Illegal mining is totally prohibited in Kogi.

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“We hereby warn all illegal mining companies and individuals to stop their activities forthwith, or the long hands of the law will catch up with them,” he warned

Gegu appealed to residents of Kogi to be vigilant and to report any one found engaging in illegal mining.

Elder Friday Makama, Chairman of the special task force, in a remark, declared that it would no longer be business as usual for illegal miners in the state.

“It is unfortunate that some set of individuals are milking Kogi of its natural resources. That is why Gov. Yahaya Bello, who wants the best for the People of Kogi, put a stop to illegal mining in the state.

“All miners in Kogi must operate within the ambit of the law; my duty is to ensure the enforcement of the directive given by our governor,” he said . (NAN)

December 19, 2023
Zero bank robbery in four years: Sanwo-Olu scores high on security
- By Oluwaseyi Martins
Financial Institutions, especially banks operating in the nation’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos State can relate better with the unprecedented gains in security of bank assets and personnel in the last four years under the watch of Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

Few years ago, bankers and customers lived in trepidation of what men of the underworld, particularly during the end of the year festivities. Daring robbers sent fears down the spine of the people as they attacked banks in daredevil operations.

The government of Lagos State set up Lagos State Security Trust Funds, under the dynamic administration of former governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. The banks and other notable corporate entities are the major donors. The monies were used to strengthen the existing security architecture provided by the Federal Government and also to improve the general welfare of police and other security agencies serving in Lagos.

The audacious move by the government increased the morale of the personnel as they were more dedicated to duty and ready to go the extra miles in securing Lagos. However, it was not eldorado until the incident commander of Lagos, Mr Sanwo-Olu got into the saddle.

He built on the gains of his predecessors by significantly scaling investments in security assets and architecture. More vehicles were procured to aid fight against crime and locals were actively integrated into the existing security to combat crime. 228 Police constable officers who are indigenes of Lagos State resumed duties in January 2023 to boost community policing efforts, in addition to the unrelenting, gallant efforts of the Lagos State Security Safety Corps.

In view of the unprecedented feat in bank security, the governor at the 17th Town Hall Meeting on security organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund held at the Eko Hotels Suites, Victoria Island celebrated the state for recording zero bank robbery in four years adding that it was the longest period over the past 20 years.

He said that “Celebrating a milestone in security as Lagos achieves four consecutive years of zero bank robberies, marking a significant improvement in safety across the state.

“Our relentless efforts in enhancing security have yielded results. At the 17th Town Hall meeting on security, we discussed the progress made and strategies to further fortify safety in Lagos State”.

Governor Sanwo-Olu revealed that the State, through LSSTF, had consistently funded operations of security agencies across communities to ensure quick response to threats and crimes, noting that the State Government had provided operational vehicles and equipment towards enhancing the capacity of security operatives.

The intervention, Sanwo-Olu said, had raised the frequency of crime-busting responses, which, he added, resulted in the unprecedented record of progress in the history of policing in the State.

“We convene here today to discuss and evaluate the trajectory of our collective effort to bolster security in Lagos. Our discussion centres around the convergence of security strategies, which is an integral component of our THEMES+ agenda. Our administration recognises security as a multifaceted challenge and we promise to continue to pursue policies and actions that will foster the well-being of all Lagosians, while we keep faith with our pledge to building a secure, and inclusive community.

“LSSTF, fueled by voluntary donations, has significantly strengthened our security architecture, providing essential vehicles and equipment. While challenges still persist, our State’s security landscape is notably more stable than many other parts of the country. We have equipped and strengthened cooperation among various safety and security agencies; our collaboration with armed security agencies through the Lagos State Security Council remains crucial in acknowledging the sacrifices made by officers and men to ensure our safety.”

“Celebrating a milestone in security as Lagos achieves four consecutive years of zero bank robberies, marking a significant improvement in safety across the state”, the governor submitted at the event.

Meanwhile, a gamut of activities and chain of thoughtful policy direction made the feat possible. Job creation and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive are major enablers of security. The Lagos State Government under the leadership of the hard working governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has created many opportunities for youths in the tech sector in particular and other critical sectors of the economy. Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, LSSTF, provided cheap capital and training opportunities for youth to be gainfully employed or start and nurture their businesses into profitable going concerns.

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Skills acquisitions and job placement schemes also aided many young folks who were hitherto unemployed in shaping their career path and growth. These are the massive social investment and policy directions that facilitated a safe and secure working environment for banks and other business interests in Lagos State.

Many of the youth could have been recruited in their numbers for nefarious criminal activities, are largely busy with economic activities either through direct employment or leveraging the healthy business environment government has enabled to create wealth. In other words, the investments in other areas like social safety nets, support systems for the needy among others all contribute to the security of critical infrastructure in Lagos State.

The government of Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has demonstrated great capacity in managing the affairs of Lagos State. A mega city and the 5th largest economy in Africa and a mega city that is projected to be among leading economies.

It is good news to Lagosians and investors who are planning to harness great economic opportunities in Lagos. Governor Sanwo-Olu has set an enviable pace in security and other areas.

• Martins writes from Lagos
December 19, 2023
The Senate’s ‘most dependable, distinctive’ presiding officer

The phrase with the inverted comma in the headline was borrowed from the statement issued by former US President, George W. Bush, in his statement on the death of former US Secretary of State and National Security Adviser, Prof. Henry Kissinger, at the age of 100 late last month.

The phrase aptly describes the rating of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who turned 61 today in the history of Nigeria’s Senate. In the four action-filled years that Saraki spent as the President of the Eighth Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he appears to have set such a high standard that his predecessors and successors are judged by the achievements that his leadership recorded between 2015 and 2019.

The period of the 8th Senate continues to evoke mixed feelings among two groups of Nigerians. The first is the Buharists who still feel aggrieved that Saraki prevented their group from exercising limitless, absolute, and uninhibited control. For this group, Saraki is loathed, undesirable, and intolerable.

The second group are the ordinary Nigerians who yearn for a true democracy with the presidential system being practiced in its truest form. This latter group sees Saraki as a symbol of the real separation of powers as canvassed by Baron de Montesquieu in his book, Espirit de Lois (The Spirit of Laws), with the three branches – legislature, executive, and judiciary functioning as independent, but cooperating, arms of government whose individual focus is to better serve the electorate and the generality of the people.

Saraki knew that in the manner he emerged as Senate President, he had no option but to pitch his tent with the latter group. It was clear to him that the establishment would continue to assail him and plot his fall from the top legislative chair. It was also clear to him that what could retain him in the seat was his close relationship with his colleagues with whom he could drive a legislative agenda that would serve the interests of the people. He was determined to convince the people that the legislature was the most representative of the people among the three arms of government.

As Senate President, Saraki, in his trademark style of leaving any place he got to better than he met it, was convinced that the people were unnecessarily too distanced or detached from the legislature. He theorized that this gap must have been created because, among all the three arms of government, the legislature is the one with the least number of years of existence in our polity.

With every military intervention in the nation’s political leadership, the legislature was suspended while the military governed with just the executive and judiciary arms of government. Thus, the legislature is often misunderstood. The people seem to have grown not only far from the institution, but they have become accustomed to being suspicious of all moves made by the law-making body and its members.

Saraki’s strategy then was to introduce innovative ideas, interventions, and positive exchanges which constantly created avenues for engagement with the people. The 8th Senate in its Legislative Agenda chose to focus on three broad areas: Improving Livelihood, Improving Governance, and, Improving Business. Thus, the 8th Senate became the first to hold public hearings on the passage of the budget and held Roundtable dialogues on pressing national issues like security, drug abuse, illegal migration, and education reforms. These engagements were held outside the legislative complex. For example, the one on drug abuse was held in Kano while that on the issue of illegal migration was held in Benin, as well as that on security which was held at the Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre, Abuja.

In the same way, the Senate under Saraki held meetings with stakeholders on education, youth unemployment, and health. Also, the Senate repositioned and restructured its committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions such that it became a veritable mediator between members of the public whose rights were breached by government ministries, departments, and agencies as well as other private sector establishments. Most of the affected individuals who resorted to the Senate committee could not afford the cost and time needed for litigation in courts. The 8th Senate made sure its committee on the public petition was in a position to help such people seek redress and get justice. Till today, the 8th Senate under Saraki treated, investigated, and completed work on the highest number of petitions ever in the history of the Nigerian Senate.

The 8th Senate also had passed landmark bills some of which were direct responses to the yearning of the people. Two instances that demonstrated how the Senate responded promptly with appropriate legislation to address issues plaguing the people were the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Act and Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions Act. These two laws were a direct response to immediate situations that reflected ugly trends in society. Also, the passage of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Act which was aimed at rebuilding, reconstructing, and rehabilitating the insurgency-ravaged zone of the country as the war waged on the people and their environment by the Boko Haram was creating refugees or displaced people in its wake.

To further strengthen the security system in the country, the 8th Senate initiated the Police Trust Fund Act which was to help fund the activities of the police and equip the personnel. Also, the Police Reforms Bill was introduced to remove impediments in the way of creating modern policing system in the country.

The Senate also tackled corruption through the passage of Bills like the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency Act to separate the former NFIU from the EFCC in compliance with international best practices, the Federal Audit Services Commission Act, the Whistleblowers Protection Bill, and the Witness Protection Programmes Bill.

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Specific Bills were also passed to help the recovery of the national economy. The same rejuvenation was done to the constitution which witnessed the lowering of age qualification for key public offices. That new provision was nicknamed the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ law. It was a law that excited the youth who now constitute a critical segment of the populace. Another constitutional amendment introduced by the 8th Senate granted Financial Autonomy to State Houses of Assembly and local government councils.

The Buhari presidency refused to give assent to many of the bills. To the government, depriving their so-called ‘enemy’ of the credits for bringing about these lofty initiatives outweighed the benefits that the country could have gained from these laws.

Yet, Saraki was able to rally his colleagues to work hard and get Nigerians to see the potential of having a strong legislative institution. The 8th Senate was one in which transparency, accountability, and openness were consciously promoted by the leadership. The details of the budget of the National Assembly became public during that era. Plenary proceedings were streamed live for the public. Key major confirmation hearings for nominees of the executive were aired live on television.

It is for these and many reasons that the performance of Senate Presidents who came after Saraki has been measured with and against that of the 2015-2019 era. Also, that is why Saraki’s name featured in the run-up to the election of the two senate presidents after him. It is also the reason why serving senators and House of Representatives elected on the platform of different political parties continue to throng Saraki’s homes in Abuja and Lagos to consult and show solidarity with him. It is also the reason why he was one of the key speakers selected to share his experiences with the members of the 10th Senate at their recent retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

You can now see why this 61-year-old Waziri of Ilorin, a grandfather and medical doctor is “the most dependable, distinctive”, distinguished, discerning, devoted, decisive, dogged, daring, disciplined, dedicated, and dazzling Senate President that our country has ever produced.

Happy birthday, sir, as you turn 61 today. Many happy returns.

•Olaniyonu is head of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office, Abuja

December 19, 2023
Boosting electricity supply through independent power plant

The recently inaugurated 3.6-megawatt Ekiti Independent Power Project (IPP), established through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), emerges as a transformative force in liberating the state from the throes of erratic power supply, reports RASAQ IBRAHIM

In Nigeria, the quest for reliable electricity supply has been an enduring challenge, plaguing both households and industrial operations. Despite the concerted efforts of successive administrations to enhance energy accessibility in Africa’s most populous nation, the issue of electricity supply remains a persistent and widespread problem.

Amid high expectations, the administration of Goodluck Jonathan embarked on a significant initiative in 2014 by privatising the power sector. This move involved the sale of a 60 per cent stake in the power distribution sector to private companies.

Nigeria boasts an installed capacity to generate up to 14,000 megawatts of electricity, as reported by the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC). This capacity primarily emanates from hydro and gas-fired thermal plants, with a predominant reliance on fossil fuels, particularly gas, constituting 86 per cent of the total installed capacity. Despite this potential, challenges persist in translating this capacity into consistent and reliable electricity supply for the Nigerian populace.

Despite having the capacity to generate up to 14,000 megawatts of electricity, Nigeria consistently faces challenges in fully utilising this potential. On many days, the country struggles to dispatch more than 5,000 megawatts, significantly falling short of the demand in a nation with over 200 million people and an estimated energy requirement exceeding 120,000 megawatts. The disparity between capacity and actual dispatch underscores the persistent issues in the electricity sector.

Despite the privatisation of the power sector, successive governments have consistently provided financial interventions in an effort to improve the electricity situation. These interventions include budgetary allocations, direct efforts by the Federal Government, and funding from international financiers like the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AFDB). Despite these combined efforts, the delivery of electricity remains significantly below expectations, indicating persistent challenges in the sector.

The privatisation of the distribution aspects of the power sector in 2013 has seen successive administrations inject over N1.7 trillion into the energy sector. Unfortunately, this significant financial commitment has not translated into tangible improvements, and Nigerians continue to experience daily power outages. This chronic electricity shortage has severely impacted businesses across the country, including in Ekiti State, where small and medium enterprises struggle to survive amid the power supply challenges.

In 2021, the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti State sought a solution to the persistent power supply shortage by partnering with Fen-Church Power Nigeria Limited to establish a 3.6 Mega Watt Independent Power Plant (IPP). The aim was to supplement the electricity supply from the national grid and alleviate the challenges faced by residents and businesses in the state. Despite Governor Fayemi’s inability to complete the IPP project before the end of his tenure in 2022, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who succeeded him, demonstrated unwavering commitment and renewed vigour in continuing the initiative. This decision signalled a dedication to addressing the long-standing power supply issues in Ekiti State and fostering sustainable development.

On November 24, 2023, Ekiti State marked a historic milestone with the inauguration of its Independent Power Plant (IPP), situated on Bank Road, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. This momentous event marked the second IPP in the Southwest, following Lagos State’s initiative. Just a month prior, Governor Biodun Oyebanji had already inaugurated power projects in various communities across four local government areas, which had been without electricity for over a decade.

The 3.6MW power plant stands as a significant power source, equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure. It features an 11-kilometer underground distribution network, multiple sub-stations, and Ring Main Units (RMUs). The strategic location of the IPP allows it to power essential government facilities and infrastructure, including Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ekiti State University, the state secretariat, the Government House, and the Governor’s Office. Furthermore, it ensures uninterrupted lighting for crucial streets in Ado-Ekiti, contributing to the overall development and well-being of the state.

During the inauguration of the plant, Governor Oyebanji emphasised the transformative impact the project would have on addressing power challenges faced by residents and the local business community. The governor highlighted the potential for the IPP to stimulate economic activities, drive industrialisation, and enhance the overall quality of life for the people of Ekiti State. Characterising the IPP as a game-changer, he underscored its significance as a testament to his administration’s unwavering commitment to achieving energy self-sufficiency.

Governor Oyebanji outlined the pivotal role the IPP would play in propelling rapid industrial development, fostering economic growth, and creating employment opportunities that contribute to the state’s progress.

Governor Oyebanji highlighted several key interventions his government has undertaken to enhance the energy infrastructure and address power challenges in Ekiti State. Among these initiatives, the rehabilitation and reconnection of the Gbonyin/Aiyekire and Ekiti-East 33KV line to the national grid were emphasised, demonstrating a commitment to strengthening the state’s connection to the broader energy network. The governor also mentioned the successful evacuation of energy from the 30MVA transformer at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) facility at Omisanjana to critical areas such as the Industrial and Tourism zone of Erijiyan and Ikogosi.

Governor Oyebanji also pointed to the rehabilitation of the 33KV network from Ilumoba to Ikole-Ekiti, a critical step in improving the distribution network. In terms of improving the state capital’s commercial hours, the governor outlined the transition from conventional streetlight lamps to solar lamps, a move aimed at boosting economic activities in Ado-Ekiti. He expressed his administration’s commitment to replicating similar improvements across all local government areas, underscoring the comprehensive approach to addressing energy-related challenges and fostering sustainable development.

Governor Oyebanji expressed appreciation to Fenchurch Power Limited for the timely delivery of the Independent Power Plant project, underscoring the importance of private sector participation in the power sector. He specifically called on investors in the power sector to explore opportunities in Ekiti, emphasising the electricity law that facilitates independent meter vendors supplying to willing customers.

Besides, Governor Oyebanji urged residents to take ownership of electrical facilities in their communities and protect them from vandalism. This call not only emphasises the importance of community involvement in maintaining critical infrastructure but also highlights the need for collective responsibility in ensuring the sustainability of energy projects.

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“It is my pleasure to be here today to inaugurate the first Independent Power Project (IPP) in Ekiti State. Today’s event is another testimony to our unstoppable race to greatness as a people and a homage to our determination to succeed in the face of daunting challenges. This project is a major pointer to the fact that we are on course. And we will not rest until energy, which is the bedrock of industrialisation, is in abundant supply to support the productive energy of our people. I also wish to urge our people to see all electrical facilities in our communities as our properties and to jealously guard and protect them from vandalism. This way, the ongoing investment in the power sector will bring the desired shared prosperity result to our people. For us, we are irrevocably committed to the rapid industrial development of Ekiti for employment and growth,” the governor said.

The Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatubosun, said the project was one in a series of interventions to address inherent challenges in electricity supply to the state. Olatunbosun stressed that the IPP is currently guaranteeing uninterrupted power supply to the Governor’s Office, Government House, State Secretariat Complex, House of Assembly Complex, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, (EKSUTH), Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti and streetlights in the metropolis, among others.

The Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, said the project was an indication that the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji administration fully recognises that electricity is a major game-changer for industrialisation and economic development. Prof. Aluko explained that the independent power project is the only utility-scale generation facility in the state capable of boosting the state’s energy availability by at least two megawatts with a potential of increasing from five to 10 megawatts.

As industries and businesses benefit from more consistent power, the ripple effect extends to the local economy, promoting growth, and potentially attracting further investments. The positive response from residents underscores the significance of reliable electricity in fostering economic development and enhancing the overall quality of life. The success of the power plant in positively impacting the community serves as a testament to the effectiveness of strategic infrastructure investments in addressing critical issues and driving positive change at the grassroots level.

This project is a major pointer to the fact that we are on course. And we will not rest until energy, which is the bedrock of industrialisation, is in abundant supply to support the productive energy of our people. I also wish to urge our people to see all electrical facilities in our communities as our properties and to jealously guard and protect them from vandalism. This way, the ongoing investment in the power sector will bring the desired shared prosperity result to our people

December 19, 2023
Olubunmi Kuku: A new dawn in FAAN?
- By Mercy Abeke Ejibunu
Sir: The appointment of Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku as the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has spurred a new dawn in the agency. For Kuku, the appointment is a testament to her preparation and professionalism.

In the last 25 years, Kuku has held executive roles that require transformational leadership in achieving its growth objectives while delivering enterprise value and returns to industry key stakeholders.

Kuku’s job at FAAN is simple yet daunting. Her emergence as the new boss in FAAN has continued to gather accolades from industry stakeholders, who are aware of Kuku’s professional experience over the last 25 years.

From George Uriesi to Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu and Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has had a number of MDs.

However Kuku’s emergence is said to be one of the writings on the wall for a new dawn, change and global practices.

She has a strong track record of professional achievement in the public and private sectors in Nigeria and across Africa. She joins a growing list of accomplished female professionals whose hands are on deck to turn Nigeria around.

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She’s neither new to the agency she has found herself nor the sector where she currently has the job of managing Nigerian owned airports across the states.

For four years, between 2011 and 2014, Kuku took her time to understudy the aviation industry as a Special Adviser to the Minister of Aviation at that time.

Her experience in the public sector also saw Kuku working at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) as the General Manager, Business Development and Investment. In the four years she worked at NAMA, she was tasked with increasing the revenue base for NAMA from both Aeronautical and Non-Aeronautical sources, developing and implementing strategic plans to enhance NAMA’s business development efforts, aligning actions with the agency’s overall objectives while analysing market trends, identifying emerging opportunities, and formulating strategies to capitalize on them.

There is no doubt that she understands and knows the Nigerian aviation sector like the back of her palm. She understands the industry and is well aware of the agency’s challenges, as well as opportunities.

•Mercy Abeke Ejibunu,

Lagos.
December 19, 2023
Year of Renewed Hope
- By Fredrick Nwabufo
Sir: The road has not been without a few bumps, but the journey is as exhilarating as the promise of a propitious destination. 2023 has been the year of Renewed Hope. 2024 will even be a greater year of Renewed Hope, with some of the plans and programmes of the administration coming to fruition. Already, initiatives and polices such as the Renewed Hope Grants for Poor and Vulnerable Persons; the Presidential Conditional Grant Programme; the Presidential Palliative Loan Programme; The 3MTT programme and other digital economy programmes; the food security scheme, tax reforms, CBN reforms, and many others have come on stream – and still maturing. But 2024 will be a greater year of renewed and manifest hope.

In this year of Renewed Hope, Nigeria decoupled from the ponderous yoke of petrol subsidy.

In this year of Renewed Hope, Nigeria’s credit rating improved, with global financial services firms forecasting a reinvigorated economy in the coming months.

In this year of Renewed Hope, insurgency and terrorism in the southeast and in the northeast receded.

In this year of Renewed Hope, Nigeria received pledges of investments worth over $14 billion from a single event – the G20 Summit in India.

In this year of Renewed Hope, Nigeria saved over N1 trillion in just two months of removing petrol subsidy.

In this year of Renewed Hope, the federal government approved 50 percent input subsidy for wheat farmers for dry-season farming to boost productivity.

In this year of Renewed Hope, the Tinubu administration launched the food security plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmland across the country to produce essential grains such as rice, maize, wheat, as well as other crops.

In this year of Renewed Hope, the Tinubu administration embarked on a diligent reform of Nigeria’s tax system, setting up the Tax and Fiscal Reforms Committee to drive reforms, streamline tax administration, improve and expand collection, and revitalise the economy.

In this year of Renewed Hope, the CBN introduced effective monetary policies, clearing a significant amount of foreign exchange forwards backlog, and initiating the ongoing unification of foreign exchange rates.

In this year of Renewed Hope, the federal government addressed some of the critical concerns of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

In this year of Renewed Hope, Nigeria launched a well-defined and articulate foreign policy, anchored on Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora (4Ds).

In this year of Renewed Hope, the foundation upon which the triumph of subsequent years rests stands firmly ensconced.

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2024 comes with great expectations and promises, especially as the Budget of Renewed Hope will begin running its course in the New Year. An understated element of the proposed budget is the allocation to health and social welfare — N1.33 trillion – a clear prioritisation of the nation’s engine.

The administration is strengthening Nigeria’s health sector through targeted and robust investments. To mitigate the cost of healthcare, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is redesigning the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to boost access to essential healthcare services as outlined in the National Health Act (2014). Also, a constituent of a more muscular health agenda is to increase the number of functional primary healthcare centres (PHCs) from 8,809 to 17,618 by 2027 across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The prices of some pharmaceuticals are spiralling, and the government is raptly attentive to the concerns of Nigerians. Professor Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, recently announced that the government would establish a mechanism for the pooled procurement of critical pharmaceuticals in 2024. This initiative, he said, aims to mitigate costs and guarantee quality, making essential medications more affordable for Nigerians.

”In the medium term, Mr. President’s initiative to unlock the healthcare value chain will see Nigeria manufacturing increasing share of its generic drugs, medical devices, and associated content, such as vaccines over time. This will reduce our dependency on those only keen to exploit our markets,” he said.

2023 is the year of Renewed Hope. 2024 will be a greater year of manifest hope.

•Fredrick Nwabufo,

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement,

Abuja.
December 19, 2023
Renewed hope for offenders at correctional service
- By Chief Henry Udutchay
Sir: In the words of late Nelson Mandela, “No one truly knows a nation until it has been in its jails”. This famous quote of former president of South Africa who himself spent a greater part of his youthful life incarcerated succinctly captures the reality of most correctional centres all over the world and the below average condition of most inmates and how they struggle to navigate life daily inside the walls of the correctional facilities.

Which begs the question if truly the centres are correctional or it’s just semantics. Because an offender is expected to serve term in custody, go through various stages of development so that when he or she regains freedom, reintegration into the society will be seamless and the returning offender would have acquired adequate correction and become a better citizen.

Even in cases where an offender is spending the rest of their lives in confinement, one of the UN international human and prisoners’ rights promulgated in 1990 states that “All prisoners shall be treated with the respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings.”

Another of the rights as promulgated also stated that “Conditions shal be created enabling prisoners to undertake meaningful remunerated employment which will facilitate their reintegration into the country’s labour market and permit them to contribute to their own financial support and to that of their families.”

The submission above clearly explains the need to recognize that though the correctional centres are to serve as punishment to offenders, it has a duty to accord human dignity and respect on all inmates regardless of what they are there for. It is on that premise that most correctional centres are being charged to revisit issues of offenders’ welfare and ensure that the right practices are being done.

Since the establishment of Nigeria Prisons, now Nigerian Correctional Service, in 1872 by the British, the Service has gone through various reforms, the last being 2019 that led to the name changed to Nigerian Correctional Service. Many issues have been raised concerning the Custodial Centres, such as state of the physical structure, staff welfare, inter agency collaborations for intelligence purposes, decongestion etc.…but not much has been achieved, until recently, in the area of offenders welfare.

For every time offenders welfare has been brought to the fore, somehow it never seemed to get the needed support as expected, therefore efforts to revive the living condition of inmates has always fallen short of expectation. The administration of current Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa is however moving in the right direction with regards to welfare for offenders and it is commendable.

Over the course of the last years, efforts were taken to improve the all-round training and welfare measures of inmates as well as basic infrastructure and facilities. The service strengthened the Adult and Remedial Education Programmes, Vocational Training and Skills Acquisition as well as Human Rights/Welfare of Prisoners. Also, inmates who were students before imprisonment can now continue their academic pursuit concurrently while serving their jail-terms. This enabling environment for educational programmes was provided across all custodial facilities.

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The Service has also improved medical care for offenders in recent time through the provision of drugs, treatment of sick inmates and upgrade of the medical facilities across the Custodial Centres.

Apart from the aforementioned, another issue that has refused to go away and requires urgent attention is that of daily allowance for the offenders. Information available still have it that inmates are only entitled to about N750 for feeding, which translates to N250 per meal thrice a day. This is very poor going by current state of inflation and cost of living in Nigeria of today. This is why stories about the very poor and unhealthy meals being served to offenders in the prisons will not go away.

The Honourable Minister of interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is hereby called upon to look into the budget of the Nigeria Correctional Service and see how this can be improved to enable inmates have a befitting meal experience. Looking at how high the cost of living is as at today, it will not be out of place to suggest anything within the region of 1500 to 2500 naira per day.

Already, the Honourable Minister’s strides have been felt in the Correctional Service in the prompt release of over 4000 inmates in November, through his intervention. This is highly commendable and it shows that the minister is truly committed to serve. More of this support is however required in all other areas, including those highlighted above for a smooth running of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

•Chief Henry Udutchay,

Abuja.
December 19, 2023