The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. The association has also disclosed plan to convoke a Summit on Peace and Security in Nigeria to address the insecurity in the nation. NBA said it was embarrassed that the apex bank had not been able to offer any sensible answer to the fears raised by Nigerians over the plan to introduce N5, 000 note. Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, at the Summit on the future of the NBA with the theme “The Nigerian Bar Association: The Past, Present and the Future”, Its President, Okey Wali (SAN) expressed surprise that Sanusi could insult former President Olusegun Obasanjo for holding a contrary view. Amazed by the growing obsession for power under the president’s watch, the association charged him to initiate the process that will lead to removal of Sanusi. He said: “It may well be that the CBN has a case, but the problem is that they are not giving any sensible answer to the fears expressed by Nigerians, aside from such pedestrian reason as, it will make Nigerians to hold Naira instead of Dollar. “We are supposed to be in a democracy and since Nigerians have rejected the policy, even their elected representatives in the House of Representatives and the Senate on Tuesday 18th of September, 2012 condemned the plan. Rather than listen to Nigerians, the CBN is engrossed in distribution of insults and name calling to anybody who dared express a contrary view. To my utter consternation, I watched on National Television as an elder statesman and former President of this country was being called names and ridiculed for daring to hold a contrary view. That is a big shame. “Since all indices show that Nigerians do not want the N5,000 note, even if the leadership of the CBN is right, we believe that they are bound by the wishes of the people or they should take the honorable part of resignation, rather than exhibiting such unbridled high level of arrogance and rudeness.
Category: News Update
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Boko Haram is after Nigerian government – U.S
The United State Government on Thursday said it has not designated Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation because the insurgency is principally targeted at portraying the Nigerian government as ineffective.
The Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the U.S Department of State, Ambassador Jonnie Carson, disclosed this during a continent-wide teleconference.
Mr. Carson said Boko Haram is not a homogenous organisation and therefore does not qualify to be labeled a terrorist group.
“Boko Haram is an organisation trying to discredit the Nigerian government and trying to show the government as ineffective in protecting its citizens,” he said.
He, however, conceded that the U.S “constantly keep it (Boko Haram) under review” and that is why it has declared three Boko Haram leaders as terrorists.
In late June, the U.S Government placed Abubakar Shekau, Abubakar Adam Kambar, and Khalid al-Barnawi on its list of global terror.
“These three leaders were declared as terrorists because we believe they have established contacts and broader network with foreign terrorist organisations. They have sought funding and materials,” he said.
In the build up to the November 6 U.S Presidential Election, Mr. Carson spoke extensively on U.S affairs in Africa.
According to him, the U.S’s predominant activities are targeted at helping “Africa deal with its ongoing security challenges” because crises take away resources meant for development. But he said the country’s larger aim is to help Africa grow its economy, especially agriculture.
On the recent attacks by Islamists on U.S Embassies and diplomats in some African countries, Mr. Carson’s comments suggested
that the “provocative video” was only a means for the attackers to show their interest, which is not necessarily religious bu
t to force U.S government out of those countries. -
Agitation for regional autonomy not for disintegration – Ekwueme
Second Republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, has told Nigerian leaders not to misinterpret agitation for regional autonomy by some ethnic nationalities for a call for disintegration of the country.
Ekweume attributed the agitation for self determination by the various groups to failure on the part of the leadership over the years to balance the complex development visions of the various ethnic groups in the country.
In an address delivered on his behalf by his younger brother, Laz Ekwueme at a public presentation of Blueprint Newspapers in Abuja, on Thursday, the former Vice President warned the leadership against neglecting issues that promote multi-cultural harmony in the country.
“Amidst economic and political challenges that confront the nation, Nigerians have at one time or the other been inundated with calls from ethnic groups for self determination.
“While it is the dream of every Nigerian to have transparent governance that would place premium on the common good of the majority, Nigerian leaders should not misinterpret the present rancour for a call to disintegration.
“Like every nation with a multi-cultural setting, Nigeria is daily faced with the complex task of balancing its development vision among its diverse ethnic groups.
“While it is a fact that our multi-cultural colouration may serve as a platform for strength; it may turn the country into a nightmare of crises if our nation’s leaders continue to neglect issues that promote multi-cultural harmony among Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities.
“Sincerity of purpose and political will by government, coupled with the determination to create a symphony of mutual trust among out ethnic groups, remain the means of triumphing over our present challenges,” the former vice president stated.
Ekwueme sounded the warning that the emergence of groupings with ethnic affiliations signaled a nation in dire straits. -
Governors’ meeting over Excess Crude Account deadlock
Attempts to seek out of court settlement on the disagreement between the federal and state governments over the excess crude account has failed, it was leant on Thursday.
The account is reported to be in the region of $8billion.
The 36 states governors who met under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum took the decision to head back to court to enforce the federal government’s adherence to the constitution on the issue at the end of their meeting late Wednesday night.
Some of the Governors at the meeting include, Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai of Taraba, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Sulivan Chime of Enugu and Abdulfatai Ahmed of Kwara.
The Chairman of the NGF, Governor Amaechi, who made the disclosure at the end of their meeting, said the essence was to stop the illegal deduction from the revenue.
This may also endanger the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) set up by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to replace the account.
SWF like the one before it is also facing some challenges as the governors are still uncertain about its methods of operations.
The account was created by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration in 2004 to act as a buffer during crash of crude oil price.
The account was to save monies in excess of the budgeted benchmark price of crude oil.
The states had argued that the account is illegal and that the federal government did not seek their input in the first place before establishing it, to receive funds in excess of estimated prices of crude oil.
But the federal government on its part claimed that the account is being kept as a stabilization fund to protect the country against global economic crisis as witnessed between 2008-2009 global meltdown.
However, the governors do not want to be part of it, describing the process as illegal.
Besides, the governors also decried the process whereby it is only the federal government that has control over the use of the fund.
The acrimony between the federal and state governments has been on since 2007.
The governors had approached the Supreme Court, asking for a refund of their shares of the federation revenue which have been used to fund the subsidy regime among other things. -
Senate wants Jonathan to implement BPE report
The Senate on Thursday appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to implement the resolutions it adopted following its investigations of the privatisation of companies from 1999 to 2011.
The Senate made the appeal while debating a bill for an Act to amend the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) Act 2004 to provide for inclusion of host communities in sales of shares.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the BPE report was laid on the floor of the Senate in November 2011.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over plenary, noted that the Senate reached the resolutions after painstaking session.
“We know that our resolutions are not binding but you see the decisions we take in this Senate, especially regarding resolutions are well thought out and well researched.
“It is the amalgamation or views of very responsible Nigerians, and to that extent it is very persuasive.
“Any person who is ignoring the resolutions of this Senate is doing so at the expense of good governance,” he said.
The sponsor of the Bill, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, said the Bill sought to ensure better accountability and amend the functions of the National Council on Privatization, to remove all forms of contradictions.
“The Amendment of the Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act is to provide further legislative frame work for improved accountability, provide appropriately for host communities and staff of public enterprises in the sales of shares of such public enterprises,” he stated.
According to him, the amendment being proposed in the bill is in line with the resolutions of the Senate concerning the investigation it carried out on the privatisation of companies.
“Section 5 (3) of the Act proposed for amendment to provide for the inclusion of host communities. The amendment provides for not less than five per cent of the shares to be offered to Nigerians, to be reserved for the host communities of the public enterprises to be privatised.”
Okowa said the import of the amendment was to enhance the security of the public enterprise to enable the staff of the enterprise and the host communities buy into the process of privatisation.
“The local economy will also be stimulated and the gains made would help to transform our communities.
“The challenges of local content and employment within such enterprises are more likely to be addressed by the communities as co owners,’’ the Senator explained.
Okowa said the amendment being sought to section 1(3) of the act would ensure that the National Assembly’s powers, as enshrined in the constitution to make laws were not infringed upon. -
Nigeria will tackle Cameroun over flooding – Mark
Senate president David Mark has assured victims of flood disasters in the country that the Federal Government has put in place measures that would compel cameroun not to release excess water from Lagdo dam or Lake Nyios.
Speaking with journalist after monitoring settlements affected by floods in Makurdi, Benue State,Senator Mark,who was in company of the former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Barnabas Gemade and Minster of Interior,Comrade Abba Moro, said the government would address the challenges of flooding in the country.
He noted that since the creation of Benue State,this year’s flood is the most devastating and pledged the assistance of the senate in bringing succour to the victims who are scattered in various camps in the state capital.
The senate president donated N4 million naira to the victims,while Morro and Gemade coughed out N2million and N1 million respectively.
Governor Gabriel Suswam on his part said the state and federal government are working out modalities to compensate the victims of the disaster and appealed for calm.
Meanwhile, residents of several communities in Udaba, Osomhegbe, Ofukpo and Agbazi in Anegbette and Udochi in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State have been sacked following overflow of the River Niger occassioned by heavy rainfall.
The affected persons struggled to move to dry land even as many relocated to their relatives in neighbouring villages.
Farm lands, houses and property worth millions of naira were washed off.
The lawmaker representing Estako Central at the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Johnson Oghuma, raised the alarm during plenary session on Thursday.
Oghuma, who drew attention of his colleagues to the plight of the affected communities said his people were in dire need of aids.
Other lawmakers who spoke on the matter urged relevant agencies to provide relief materials for the affected communities.
Edo State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. Osikhena-Boih Donald, who hails from the area also visited some of the affected villages for an on-the-spot assessment of the damages done by flooding. -
DANA Air assures victims’ families on compensation payments
The management of Dana Air on Thursday said that its insurers would pay all the compensation
due to the families of the victims of the June 3 plane crash in Lagos.
All the 153 passengers and crew members died in the crash.
The spokesman for the airline, Mr. Tony Usidamen, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that none of the families of those who lost their lives in the crash would be left out unpaid.
He said that the airline was “fully aware” of the mandatory requirement by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for benefits to be paid to the families of the victims within a reasonable time.
“Our insurers are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that full compensation is paid to all families in accordance with the law,’’ he said.
Usidamen said that the airline had contacted most of the families who had yet to come forward with the necessary documentation for the claims.
“This is to enable us to promptly fulfil our obligation to them,” he said.
Usidemen also said that the airline would resume flight operations “very soon” after certification by the NCAA following the lifting of its suspension by t
he Federal Government on September 5. -
Scholarships: 74 students to study in Russia, China
A total of 74 Nigerian students will be travelling to Russia, China and Cuba for post-graduate and first degree studies in different fields.
The students bagged the scholarships under the Bilateral Educational Agreement between Nigeria and 21 other foreign countries.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, who disclosed this at the orientation programme for the scholars in Abuja, said a total of 210 slots were given to Nigeria by the development partners for the 2012/2013 session.
Rufa’i said the students were drawn from each of the six geo-political zones of the federation, using an online application aptitude test.
“Despite the global economic downturn, the number of our development partners has increased significantly, with the list ranging from Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, Ukraine, Cuba, Romania, Serbia, Greece and India among others.
“A total of 210 offers were given by our development partners for 2012/2013 session, but permit me to state here that to whom much is given, much is expected, as you will be required to sign the rules governing this awards,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minister as saying during the programme.
The Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, Mrs. Hindatu Abdullahi, said Nigeria would have lost about 153 slots to the keen contest by other competing countries, but for the timely intervention of the Federal Government.
Abdullahi said for the 2012 fiscal year, N968, 146,476 was approved by Government to service the scheme both at home and abroad.
She explained that under the agreement, the host countries would bear the cost of tuition and accommodation as well as provide a “little” stipend for the students, while Nigeria would provide warm clothing and monthly allowances, pay the travel and administrative expenses and feeding costs.
She noted that the scheme was meant for brilliant and indigent Nigerians whose parents could not afford to sponsor them to study abroad. -
Jonathan to address UN General Assembly
President Goodluck Jonathan has been listed among first 38 Heads of State that will speak at the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly commencing on September 25.
In a provisional list of speakers for the General Assembly 67th session obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in New York on Wednesday, the president would address the session in the afternoon.
According to the list, Jonathan is on number 16 out of 23 speakers.
The heads of states to speak along with the president were those from Rwanda, Switzerland, Argentina, Senegal, Finland, South Africa Panama, Jordan, Hungary and Pakistan.
Others are: El Salvador, Turkey, Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Slovakia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Czech Republic and Afghanistan, Uganda’s Vice President, and Spain Head of Government.
Also 15 countries, which their heads of state had been listed in the morning session of the same day , were Brazil, United States, Serbia, Morocco, Benin, Cyprus, Qatar, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Georgia, Dominican Republic, France, Lithuania, Honduras and Namibia.
On Tuesday, the General Assembly opened the session with an urgent call for cooperation to tackle the economic and political uncertainties being experienced in many parts of the world.
The new President of the 193-member body, Vuk Jeremic of Serbia, had said that “Peace and security is a prerequisite for the stability needed for global eco
nomic growth, sustainable development and social progress.” -
Actress sues over U.S ‘anti-Islam film’
A United States actress who appeared in an amateur anti-Islam video that sparked protests across the Muslim world is suing the film’s suspected director.
Cindy Lee Garcia accused Nakoula Basseley Nakoula of duping her into a “hateful” film that she was led to believe was a desert adventure movie.
BBC report that she is also asking a judge to order YouTube to remove the film.
A clip dubbed into Arabic provoked widespread anger for its mocking portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad.
The film, Innocence of Muslims, which was made in the U.S, has sparked protests across the Middle East, North Africa and as far away as Sri Lanka, with some demonstrations turning into destructive and violent riots.
Four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stephens, were killed during an attack on the U.S consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
According to Ms. Garcia, the script she received had made no mention of the Prophet Muhammad or made references to religion.
She claims she has received death threats since the video was posted to YouTube, and says her association with the film has harmed her reputation.
In a court filing lodged with Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, Ms Garcia alleged fraud, slander and intentional infliction of emotional distress.