The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • El-Rufai’s hypocrisy, betrayal: A shameless attack on Tinubu, APC

    El-Rufai’s hypocrisy, betrayal: A shameless attack on Tinubu, APC

    By Adewale Oloruntoba

    Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has once again demonstrated his trademark opportunism, launching an unwarranted attack on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC)—the very party that elevated him to enviable national prominence, after he was humiliated by the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In his characteristic manner, El-Rufai has chosen to bite the hand that fed him, turning against the party that gave him an unprecedented eight-year platform to govern Kaduna and play a pivotal role in national mainstream politics.

    This latest outburst is not only hypocritical but also reeks of desperation, self-preservation, and entitlement. If anyone embodies the culture of political backstabbing in Nigeria, it is El-Rufai, who has a well-documented history of betraying those who have helped him climb the political ladder. His recent criticism of the APC and its leadership, after benefiting immensely from the party’s goodwill, exposes his lack of principles and insatiable hunger for power.

    It is laughable that El-Rufai now claims the APC is failing, that its leadership recruitment process is flawed, and that the party no longer represents the ideals it was created to uphold. If the party is indeed in disarray, then El-Rufai himself must take a significant portion of the blame, as he was a key architect of the party’s policies and governance structure.

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    Has he suddenly forgotten that it was the APC that made him a two-term governor of Kaduna State? Has he also forgotten that it was President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which was an APC-led government, that made him a central figure in national policymaking?

    El-Rufai would do well to remember that before the APC, he had been politically irrelevant after serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under President Olusegun Obasanjo. He spent years wandering in the political wilderness and seeking relevance. It was APC’s emergence in 2013 that rescued his political career, offering him a fresh start. Yet today, rather than show gratitude, he is busy trying to discredit the very structure that sustained him. The political goodwill of the APC robbed off his family, as one of the children rode to the Federal House of Representatives, chairing a juicy housing committee on Banking regulations.

    El-Rufai’s political career is a testament to the generosity of the APC and its leaders. Without APC, El-Rufai would never have won the governorship election in Kaduna. The party’s strong structure and Buhari’s influence delivered victory to him. He should be thanking APC for his eight-year reign rather than attempting to discredit it.

    As a governor, he was given immense influence over national policy matters. He served as the chairman of several high-profile APC committees, including those on restructuring and governance. He was one of the most vocal defenders of the APC-led federal government during Buhari’s tenure.

    Likewise, being an APC governor afforded him access to federal resources, security, and the political shield he needed to operate freely. He was shielded from opposition attacks from other quarters

    El-Rufai’s betrayal of APC is hardly surprising. He has a long history of turning against his benefactors when it suits his personal self-serving agenda.

    The betrayal of former President Olusegun Obasanjo readily comes to mind. After serving as FCT Minister, he turned against Obasanjo, publicly criticizing the same government that had made him relevant in the first place.

    Enter former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Once an ally of Atiku, he later became one of his fiercest critics, abandoning their political relationship when it was no longer convenient.  Strangely, he is reportedly romancing the same Atiku for political gain after he has lost relevance in national politics.

    What of immediate past  President Muhammadu Buhari? After benefiting immensely from Buhari’s goodwill and support, he distanced himself when it became politically expedient.

    Now, he has displayed the same  betrayal of APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Despite benefiting from the APC platform for years, he is now painting a picture of a failed party and an incompetent leadership.

    The pattern is clear. El-Rufai has a habit of using people and platforms to advance his political ambitions before discarding them when they no longer serve his interests.

    El-Rufai’s claim that APC’s leadership recruitment process is dominated by “illiterates and cunning people” is not only insulting but also hypocritical. If the party’s leadership selection process is flawed, then he must take responsibility, as he was one of the key figures shaping that process.

    He conveniently ignores the fact that he himself was a product of that very system he now condemns. Did he complain when APC’s system favored him in Kaduna? Was the party’s delegate system flawed when he emerged as the governorship candidate in 2015? His sudden realization of APC’s so-called failures now that he is out of government is nothing more than a desperate attempt to remain politically relevant.

    El-Rufai’s attack on President Tinubu and the APC is nothing short of a desperate act by a man who sees his influence diminishing. His criticism is not born out of genuine concern for democracy or good governance, but rather out of frustration that he is no longer at the center of political power.

    If he truly believes APC has lost its way, he should take responsibility for his own role in shaping the party over the past decade. He should acknowledge that he is a product of the very system he now condemns.

    Rather than launching baseless attacks, El-Rufai should reflect on his own failures as a leader. His eight years as Kaduna governor were marked by insecurity, division, and controversy. He failed to unite Kaduna, and his governance style alienated many.

    If El-Rufai has any integrity left, he should focus on contributing positively to national development instead of trying to sabotage the party that gave him everything. Nigeria has moved beyond his brand of politics—one based on self-interest, betrayal, and deception. The APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will move forward with or without him.

    •Oloruntoba writes from Abuja

  • Limits of currency abuse

    Limits of currency abuse

    Katsina State First Lady Fatima Dikko-Radda recently showed how you could stretch thin the law against currency abuse without running afoul of it. You could stomp on grey areas and blind spots of the law, yet stay clear of crossing the red line of express prohibition that would amount to a violation. It is a masterful act in artful dodging that leaves legal puritans scratching their heads on what to make of it.

    Her Excellency was captured in a video that went viral, dancing at a party and spraying what seemed like United States dollar bills while a musician sang her praises. Reports said the video was shot at the wedding of Hajiya Fatima’s sister in Katsina on Saturday, 26th January. “Fatima Dikko, Fati-Radda,” the Hausa songster serenaded as the first lady and her friends dished out what seemed like dollar bills.

    The display elicited outrage from netizens who assumed the wife of Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda indulged in lavish show of affluence. Some critics argued that the act was a slap in the face of people of Katsina, where poverty rate is high and insecurity hobbles the populace. Analysts also saw a contradiction between the first lady’s actions and realities that confront many people in Katsina. “At a time when the state is grappling with severe economic hardship and security challenges, such public displays of wealth are not only inappropriate but offensive,” one analyst was reported saying.

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    But the bills sprayed at the event were dummies and not real currency after all. That much was made known by Hajiya Fatima herself, who clarified that the bills were not genuine US dollars. In a post on her social media handle, she explained that the notes were novelty bills designed specifically for the event – that is, simulation dollars that bore the images of the bride and groom along with the inscription ‘Abduljabar weds Bilkisu,’ and was intended purely as memorabilia just to add flair to the occasion. The first lady assured the public that the bills were fake, and urged that allegations of her involvement in spraying real dollars be disregarded.

    Strictly speaking, the governor’s wife broke no law. Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2007 that prohibits currency abuse in Nigeria is specific about the naira. Even if genuine dollar bills were involved, it is debatable that same law applies, other than that US dollars are not a lawful means of open transaction in Nigeria. Matters got more dicey because simulation bills were at issue, as there is no law forbidding printing bills as vanity memorabilia not intended for use as means of transaction. And so, Her Excellency broke no law. But the money that must have gone on printing the vanity memorabilia was an obscene application of resources. Even if not expressly prohibited by law, it wasn’t a good example to set.

  • Trump and the global automotive industry

    Trump and the global automotive industry

    Sir: Donald Trump is here again and already making waves as America’s 47th President. As a controversial president, his campaign promises and initial policy decisions have started sending shockwaves throughout many sectors with the automotive industry being included. And this has made many analysts and experts to predict its impacts on the global automotive industry.

    During his campaign, he vowed to renegotiate or withdraw from the existing trade agreements, for instance the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). He also proposed imposing tariffs on imported goods, which could raise production costs for European automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. And these companies, without doubt, have significant investments in the US and rely heavily on imports of parts and components.

    The proposed tariffs will definitely have major impacts on the global supply chain. Reason being that many automotive components are sourced from countries like China, Japan, and South Korea and these countries would most likely be subjected to tariffs too. A deeper look at this means that it would lead to increased costs and potential disruptions to production. Automakers may also be forced to reassess their supply chains and consider sourcing components from countries that are not subject to tariffs.

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    With Elon Musk (an electric car producer) as one of his right men, Trump’s stance on electric vehicles (EVs) is also a concern for the industry. During his campaign, Trump expressed scepticism about the viability of EVs and even proposed to rescind unspent funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. This will certainly have an effect on the EV cars like Tesla in the US and in the world at large. And many European auto-companies like Volkswagen and BMW which have invested heavily in EV technology and are counting on the US market to drive sales would be greatly affected.

    Well, developing nations developing nations like Nigeria with local automakers may benefit from this tariff-based policy, since they’ll want to respond by also slamming high tariffs on cars and other products that would be imported from America, and as a result, encourage their citizens to patronize locally-made cars.

    It is worthy to note however, that as an influential world leader, the implications of his presidency extend beyond the US. European automakers, especially those with significant investments in the US, could face significant challenges. The UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), has called on the government to work with the Trump administration to find a solution that supports sector jobs. The SMMT has also warned that a “hard Brexit” could exacerbate the challenges faced by the industry.

    •Babatunde Yusuf,Canada.

  • Forex: A new era of transparency

    Forex: A new era of transparency

    Sir: The launch of the Nigeria Foreign Exchange Code (FX Code) marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards a more transparent and accountable foreign exchange market. This landmark initiative is a testament to the collective efforts of stakeholders to promote ethical conduct, fairness, and efficiency in the market.

    The FX Code is built on six core principles: Ethics, Governance, Execution, Information Sharing, Risk Management and Compliance, and Confirmation and Settlement Processes. These principles align with international standards while addressing Nigeria’s unique challenges, providing a foundation for a resilient and transparent market that inspires confidence among domestic and international participants.

    The importance of this initiative cannot be overstated. Nigeria’s foreign exchange market has faced numerous challenges in the past, including multiple exchange rates, unethical practices, and a lack of transparency. These issues have undermined market integrity, contributed to inflation, and eroded public confidence.

    However, with the FX Code, Nigeria is signaling its commitment to a new era of transparency and accountability. The code is not just a set of recommendations; it is an enforceable framework that will be backed by penalties and administrative actions for non-compliance.

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    The impact of this initiative is already being felt. The introduction of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS) in December 2024 has improved market transparency and efficiency, with the naira appreciating significantly since its launch. Additionally, Nigeria’s external reserves have grown by 12.74%, reaching US$40.68 billion at the end of 2024.

    The success of the FX Code will depend on the collective efforts of all stakeholders. Market participants must recognize that adherence to the code’s principles is not merely about compliance but about restoring public trust in the financial system.

    Leaders in the industry must lead by example, embedding the code’s standards within their organizations. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has already taken steps to ensure the code’s effectiveness, including the introduction of revised guidelines for the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) in November 2024.

    As Nigeria continues to navigate the complexities of the global economy, the FX Code will be a vital tool in shaping the country’s economic future. With its comprehensive framework and enforceable provisions, the FX Code is poised to restore public trust in the financial system and promote a more transparent and accountable foreign exchange market.

    In addition to the FX Code, the federal government has also taken steps to improve the country’s infrastructure, including the approval of $45.3 million for an in-depth feasibility study and engineering design for a new transportation route alignment serving the four Western seaports.

    Furthermore, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved several key road projects across the country, including the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Phase 2, Section 1) and the construction of the Kuje-Gwagwalada dual carriageway project.

    These initiatives demonstrate the government’s commitment to promoting economic growth and development through infrastructure development and foreign exchange market reforms.

    As Nigeria continues to navigate the complexities of the global economy, the FX Code will be a vital tool in shaping the country’s economic future. With the government’s commitment to promoting economic growth and development through infrastructure development and foreign exchange market reforms, Nigeria is well on its way to achieving a more transparent and accountable foreign exchange market.

    •Isah Aliyu Chiroma,<aliyuisahchiroma29@gmail.com>

  • Improving aviation safety in Nigeria

    Improving aviation safety in Nigeria

    Sir: Nigeria’s aviation sector has experienced significant growth in recent years. However, persistent safety challenges continue to hinder its full development. Despite regulatory efforts by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and commitments from industry stakeholders, concerns over air traffic safety, aircraft maintenance, and regulatory compliance remain major issues.

    Although the NCAA has implemented safety regulations, gaps in oversight, inconsistent enforcement, and accountability issues continue to weaken Nigeria’s aviation safety framework. While the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has established stringent safety standards, Nigeria still struggles with inadequate safety audits and regulatory enforcement.

    It is important to note that recent NCAA enforcement actions have been primarily focused on consumer protection-related infractions rather than addressing core aviation safety concerns.

    One of the most crucial factors affecting aviation safety is the competence of personnel. Many accidents and incidents are linked to inadequate training for pilots, air traffic controllers, and aircraft maintenance engineers. Without consistent investment in workforce development, Nigeria will continue to face challenges in ensuring operational safety and emergency preparedness.

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    Many Nigerian airlines operate aging fleets, increasing the likelihood of technical failures. According to ICAO safety audit reports, maintenance-related issues are among the leading causes of flight delays and emergency landings in Nigeria. Implementing predictive maintenance technologies and enforcing stricter aircraft lifecycle regulations can significantly improve safety outcomes.

    Nigeria’s airspace is becoming increasingly congested, yet air traffic control (ATC) systems and airport infrastructure remain outdated. Frequent delays, near-misses, and runway incursions stem from insufficient modernized navigation aids, inadequate radar coverage, and poorly managed airport facilities. Upgrading these infrastructure elements is essential for accommodating the country’s growing air travel demands.

    To enhance aviation safety in Nigeria, regulatory agencies must move beyond reactive enforcement and adopt a proactive approach to safety compliance. Strengthening oversight mechanisms, conducting frequent audits, and enforcing stricter penalties for non-compliance will foster a more accountable and safety-conscious aviation industry.

    Aviation safety is directly linked to the competence of personnel. Investing in continuous training for pilots, air traffic controllers, and maintenance crews is essential. Additionally, leveraging predictive maintenance technologies, AI-driven risk assessments, and real-time safety monitoring can prevent mechanical failures before they occur.

    Nigeria must modernize its air traffic control systems, airports, and navigation facilities. Implementing advanced radar systems, upgrading airport runways, and improving communication between ATC and pilots will enhance operational efficiency and reduce airspace congestion.

    Safety should not be viewed merely as a regulatory requirement but as a fundamental operational priority. Airlines must adopt a robust safety culture that prioritizes pre-emptive risk assessments, continuous process improvements, and adherence to ICAO best practices.

    Enhancing aviation safety goes beyond accident prevention—it has significant economic benefits.

    A safer aviation sector boosts investor confidence, attracting foreign investments and fostering global airline partnerships. Compliance with ICAO safety standards enhances Nigeria’s international reputation, strengthening its position in the global aviation industry.

    Improved safety measures encourage more airlines to operate in Nigeria, leading to increased passenger and cargo traffic.

    To align with global best practices, Nigeria must leverage emerging aviation technologies. Artificial Intelligence-driven risk prediction allows safety monitoring systems to detect operational risks before they escalate into major incidents. Automation in ATC systems will help manage increasing air traffic volumes more efficiently.

    Utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and data analytics enables airlines to monitor aircraft health in real time, reducing the risk of in-flight failures.

    With strategic investments, commitment, and collaboration, we can transform Nigeria into a leader in African aviation safety. By prioritizing regulatory oversight, workforce development, and technological advancements, we can build a safer, more efficient aviation sector that supports economic growth and passenger confidence.

    As Nigeria continues its journey toward aviation excellence, industry leaders must ensure that safety remains at the forefront of progress.

    •Ayegba D. Haruna,Lokoja, Kpgi State.

  • EFCC and auctioneers

    EFCC and auctioneers

    Ironically, a whiff of corruption marred the auctioning of 891 vehicles forfeited to the Federal Government. The cars, which included luxury vehicles, were recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of investigations into various financial crimes, including corruption, money laundering, and cybercrime. The anti-graft agency explained that the auction was in line with the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery & Management) Act, 2022.

    EFCC appointed the auctioneers. The public auction was conducted online, between January 20 and 27, at various locations across the country, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano.

    The outcome was embarrassing to the EFCC, which has announced a planned probe of the auction. There were public complaints on social media alleging fraud and lack of transparency. Initially, EFCC’s spokesperson Dele Oyewale tried to distance the commission from the damaging allegations. He was reported saying, “It is between the auctioneers and the bidding public, it has nothing to do with us. We did not interfere in any of the processes at all.” 

    The agency’s subsequent decision to investigate “the processes” is reassuring and good for its image. The agency needs to demonstrate that it was not part of the alleged corruption.   

    Some striking complaints by bidders on social media pointed the finger at EFCC. For instance, one Daniel Momoh on X.com addressed EFCC, saying, “It is a pity that you and your auctioneers cheated us out of a legitimate process we engaged in… where I won four different vehicles, namely: Toyota Venza – 2,670,000; Lexus ES350 – 2,000,000; Lexus IS250 – 2,520,000 and Toyota – Camry – 1,500,000.

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    “I woke up this morning to see that my name has been replaced with another name, which blocked me from assessing the website via the account I opened before the bidding.”

    Another person, Baron El’Sama, said: “The auction you conducted… was a sham! In a bid to rig the system, the incompetent auctioneers you engaged allowed a bid of N350,000,000,000 for a Lexus RX 350 Jeep. It’s not a glitch. It’s a deliberate attempt to gate-keep others from bidding.”

    Also, a user on X.com said, “I’ve just seen magic happen right before my eyes. A C300 with lot number ADC/BEN/AU/98 that I bid on and won at N5,570,001 just vanished from the auction site. EFCC, una well done.”

    EFCC should investigate these allegations and others without delay; and also ensure that auctioneers found to have been involved in manipulation and fraudulent practices are punished.

  • Dictatorship at Nasarawa varsity

    Dictatorship at Nasarawa varsity

    Sir: At the instance of the vice chancellor and the entire management of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, the hammer is slamming down hard and fast on the students of the school for doing nothing other than organize, make demands of the management and seek clarification.

    The university took the extraordinary step of rusticating about 37 students for forming and joining a WhatsApp group with the aim of organizing a protest against the introduction of fees for a third semester.

    Following an election into the school’s Student’s Union Government, the management alleged irregularities and violence before suspending the exercise.

    It also took the extraordinary measure of proscribing the familiar student union government, before replacing it with a dubiously described student representative council. Curiously, the management also stipulated that ascension into the body shall be based on academic performance.

    The university management may argue that it has taken these extremely shortsighted measures to forestall a breakdown of law and order on campus. But since it is clear that the students are becoming restive, it would be prudent to inquire into what cause of the restiveness in the first place. Are the students suddenly giving in to dangerous mischief, or are the insensitive decisions of the management making life unbearable for the students?

    Nigeria’s democracy owes a blood debt to student unionism in Nigerian universities. In the heydays of military rule, even when the country was under the most brutal dictatorships, students spread across Nigerian universities formed a battering bulwark against dictatorship. That some men and women who have gone on to play key roles in Nigerian politics and government started as student unionists is testament to the key roles student unionism has played in the history of the country.

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    So, why is the management university led by Professor Saadatu Liman intent, even desperate, on destroying what is a cradle of Nigeria’s democracy? The answer lies in the increasing intolerance underpinning the subtle dictatorship sweeping through the country.

    The management of the university should immediately rescind the rustication handed down to the students. In the circumstances, rusticating the students amount to killing a fly with a sledgehammer. The university should also discard the utterly ridiculous idea of a Student Representatives Council in favour of Student Union Government and students should be allowed to peacefully mobilize and form their government. That is where democracy begins.

    If mistakes are made by the students, it should be corrected with reasonable measures and not wild attempts to suppress the voice of the students. Student unionism has shown its ageless value to democracy in Nigeria from the days of Nigeria’s independence struggle. This value must be preferred to the misplaced distaste and disgust of ultra-political and dictatorial university administrators, many of whom want to drive students and staff with an iron fist.

    •Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

  • Trump’s sledgehammer on immigrants

    Trump’s sledgehammer on immigrants

     Sir: These days, it’s almost impossible to scroll through social media without coming across videos of United States’ law enforcement officials chasing suspected undocumented immigrants, arresting them, or escorting them to the airport for deportation. It’s like a scene straight out of a Hollywood thriller—people abandoning their cars at the sight of law enforcement officers and sprinting for their lives, while American police give chase with relentless determination. Those who get caught are swiftly detained, while the ones who escape are left for another day. 

    Seeing grown men and women who left their countries in search of greener pastures being bundled into waiting police vans and driven straight to the airport for deportation feels like watching a dream shatter in real time. It’s a harsh reminder that for many, the American dream has become a nightmare—one where years of struggle, sacrifice, and hope are erased in an instant, replaced by the cold reality of forced return to the very circumstances they sought to escape.

    This is precisely why Trump’s detractors are condemning his deportation strategies, pointing out that they could usher in an era of human rights violations as well as large-scale trauma which could affect families and communities more likely to be targeted by mass deportations. I personally struggle to imagine the kind of horrors that many potential deportees, especially those who have lived in the U.S. for years, will now be forced to contend with.

    Do people not remember that Biden carried out deportations as well, with about 271,000 immigrants being flown out to approximately 192 countries in just 2024? As a matter of fact, Biden deported a total of 1.5 million illegal immigrants during his four years as the 46th President. The Biden-led administration’s deportation numbers are surprisingly at par with the numbers Trump pulled in his initial term, but shockingly, both of them pale in comparison to the sheer scale of deportations carried out under Barack Obama’s first term—a staggering estimate of 2.9 million people.

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    Nigerians have a term for the burst of aggressiveness that Trump is infusing into the first few weeks of his fresh presidency—initial gra-gra. This term usually refers to instances where someone or something performs at high capacity at the beginning, only to falter, recede or even quit in due time. The Trump administration is unlikely to successfully enforce the scale of mass deportations it impressed upon Republican voters during its election campaigns. There have been legitimate concerns that the United States might not be able to fully fund that level of determination.

    This crisis our compatriots currently face in America further reinforces my belief that Nigeria is all we have.  For the average Nigerian facing the daily struggles of living in this country, this may be hard to believe—until they find themselves caught in the web of a Donald Trump deportation order.

    World War 2 and following the Cold War, the United States of America has been tasked with maintaining world order through military might while also setting the pace for global trade and commerce. This role seemed like it would be a longstanding tradition. The United States would lead, and others would follow. But now, in the aftermath of costly adventurism and economic decline, it appears that Trump’s America is looking to upend this order by favouring a more self-centred, insular and transactional approach towards how it relates with the rest of the world.

    Could we be witnessing the start of a new era where US influence and dominance would recede, enabling the rise of a rival economy such as China?

    Would America really begin to put itself first? Or would the world be treated to an endless tussle where policies established by a conservative and Republican administration inevitably get upturned by a liberal and Democratic government? How long does this back-and-forth need to go on before the rest of the world either weans itself off American support, or steps up to renounce this epileptic world order?

    I just hope that during the course of the next few years or so, Nigeria in particular will not only reconsider its precarious position in the world order, but move progressively towards a more dignified and exalted state. We cannot allow ourselves to be comfortable with the idea of being yet another immigrant nation.

    Nigeria is one African nation that can step up to not only restore its deserved image as a leading centre of great potential, talent, resources and innovation, we can find the requisite strength to lead this blessed continent and finally place “Africa First!”

    •Zayd Ibn Isah,lawcadet1@gmail.com

  • Misplaced priorities and wasteful spending by MDAs

    Misplaced priorities and wasteful spending by MDAs

    Sir: Successive administrations have always complained of paucity of funds for critical projects and their maintenance. Yet, in the midst of the said “scarcity of funds”, there has been a disheartening trend of avoidable wastage of funds by many MDAs resulting mainly from lack of focus on their primary mandates and duties.

    Lately, the Nigeria Police Force has been dissipating a lot of energy on the enforcement of third party insurance for vehicles. This is happening at a time that the same Nigeria Police Force is complaining of inadequate manpower to address the worrisome high rate of insecurity. Vehicle insurance, driver’s licence, and vehicle licence are part of what confirms the road worthiness of a vehicle which the police should leave in the hands of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) and the State Traffic Management Agencies who have the legal and up to date mandate to handle the responsibilities of ensuring the road worthiness of vehicles while the Nigeria Police focus on security which is their primary mandate.

    Sometime last year, I saw boreholes constructed and donated to communities by the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI). When and how did this become their responsibility or mandate? Why are they spending scarce resources on constructing, commissioning and donating boreholes to communities when roads and houses are suffering substandard construction and misuse nationwide with no loud voice and actions to put right the wrongs? What has become of the prototypes of cheap housing units and construction equipment designed by NBRRI?  Have they gotten tired of their primary mandates that donation of boreholes have now become their preferred duties in a country with ignoble record of bad roads and housing deficits?

    I also discovered that the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has also deviated from promoting hospitality and tourism into the supply and installation of solar street lights for communities.

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    Some African nations like Kenya, Zambia and Morocco that don’t even have tourism potentials like Nigeria are reaping billions of dollars annually from tourism while the agency with the mandate of promoting hospitality and tourism is idling away and installing solar street lights in communities without tourist potentials. For example, what stops NIHOTOUR from promoting the establishment of a tourist centre and a five-star hotel between Ondo and Ekiti states to explore the tourism potentials of the Ikogosi Warm Spring (where hot and cold water meet), the Erin Ijesa Water Falls and Idanre Hill? These three potential international tourist attractions are within 50km to each other.

    There are so many other tourism potentials in other parts of the country that NIHOTOUR can source investors for or encourage governments and private sector organisations to invest in, but they derive more pleasure in donating and installing solar street lights which is not their primary mandate.

    There are many other federal and state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that have deviated from their primary mandate into other areas thereby wasting government revenues, collecting salaries and allowances for doing implementing wrong mandates.

    Why should the National Assembly charged with the responsibility of oversight approve budgets for such misplaced priorities?

    There is a need for the federal and state governments to set up committees to carry out objective and intensive assessment of all the MDAs to prune and reshape them to be more productively focused towards result-oriented and sustainable operations. This is the only step that can prevent further unjustifiable drain on the country’s financial and other resources.

    •Jide Owatunmise, Lagos.

  • Illegal mining as national security issue

    Illegal mining as national security issue

    • By Kene Obiezu

    Sir: Illegal mining to continues across Nigeria, with no signs of stopping any time soon. If anything, it is picking up in ferocity and atrocity.  In parts of Nigeria where minerals have been discovered in commercial quantities, miners, many of them expatriates, working with locals, have descended like locusts, determined to gather as much as they can. They are as ruthless as they are ruinous. But what is even more alarming is the fact that in their bid to get to Nigeria’s minerals, they are often prepared to get anyone or anything out of the way.

    Entire families have been slaughtered with entire communities displaced. Their modus is to start and stoke conflicts. They follow a pattern around the world that exposes the ruthless underbelly of the resource curse as has been seen in countries like DR Congo and Sudan. With blood money flowing in, they fire up conflicts so that in the chaos they can have unfettered access to mineral resources.

    In Nigeria, traditional rulers, government officials, security personnel, foreigners, and many others who have no compunction whatsoever about participating in criminal enterprises have all been accused of participating in illegal mining and benefiting from its blood money. Locals have hardly benefitted from illegal mining. Instead, in many cases, they have become pawns in a ruthless game of greet and gain.

    In a country vulnerable on all sides, one in which a jarring lack of transparency provides many a hiding place for criminals and the proceeds of their crimes, terrorists also participate in illegal mining to fund their operations.

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    Money realized from illegal mining also goes into rigging elections and all manner of illicit schemes.

    It is disheartening that despite the clear and present dangers posed by illegal mining, the Nigerian government is not doing enough to curb the menace. The country is losing revenue in billions; the environment is being degraded and insecurity is festering all at the instance of the illegal miners, yet the government is not doing enough.

    There are laws regulating the solid minerals sector and mining in the court. These illegal miners are clearly and illegally operating outside the bounds of these laws. They ought to be punished in accordance with law.

    Mining operations ought to be regulated by law. It is the only way criminals who convert Nigeria’s minerals into blood minerals and blood money can be checked.

    •Kene Obiezu,

    keneobiezu@gmail.com