The Nation Newspaper

Tag: abuse

  • Abuse of NYSC uniform

    SIR: A man is only called a priest when he wears the priestly garment; same is true for a lawyer – his wig identifies and defines him. Uniforms are of significance much more than we think.

    The abuse of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniform has sadly been on the increase. Oftentimes, I see young, out-of-school children, hawkers, drug addicts, mechanics and other categories of people putting on the NYSC uniform. If the needful is not done in good time to nip this ugly act in the bud, the love enjoyed by genuine youth corps members would grow into hatred especially, in the rural areas where the abuse of the uniform is rampant.

    It is a show of faith in a brand that a retired military officer will never contemplate, in the name of demonstration of charity, to give out his military uniform to his brother or any member of the society who has not passed through military training like it has become the norm in giving out of NYSC uniform to non-corps members by ex-corps members! In the guise of showing benevolence to the needy, ex-corps members give out their used NYSC uniform to non-corps members.

    It is absolutely necessary the governing body of the NYSC carry out a sensitization workshop to warn corps members who have a heart or who intend to demonstrate such charity to desist from it and also back up such sensitization with stringent laws to prosecute those found wanting even after the service year.

    If the military authorities can prevent civilians from putting on the military camouflage, it won’t be wrong if the NYSC scheme toes the same line.

     

    • Adebote Mayowa,

    Lagos.

  • Abuse of office

    This is a column that seeks to mould, shape societal values and protect the interests of consumers, citizens and touch other broader relevant topics. ‘TRUE VALUE 360’ is an interactive column as suggestions, complaints and day to day experiences are welcome.

    This week’s edition is ABUSE OF OFFICE

    I tried to run away from this topic, but I just found my thoughts coming back here. A man asked his neighbour, who is a member of staff of the University of Lagos to assist his 18-year-old daughter in securing admission into the same University of Lagos. But lo and behold, the 42-year-old man, a part time lecturer, Baruwa Afeez, raped the girl and later claimed after his arrest that the girl was willing; that the act was consensual. Lord have mercy, willing for what reason? I could have removed this man’s eyeballs if I would get away with it, but I know I would not. How low can our men get? Can this man for a moment imagine if this was done to his own daughter? He has brought shame to his family forever just because of his momentary madness. To me, only castration will be the right penalty if he is found guilty in the court of law. I have always detested men, who cannot grant a favour to the opposite sex unless they sleep with them. Why should women, especially young girls, be subjected to such treatment?

    Many people will wag their tongues at this man, who of course, is guilty in my court; people’s court and by God’s grace  with the right evidence, will be found guilty in the court of law. But so many men are guilty of ABUSE OF OFFICE.

    Abuse of Office is if and when a man sleeps with you before you get a contract, an admission, employment letter, higher grades for a course etc. This lack of value has been the norm for so long that it is almost accepted as the status quo. Almost all the men are guilty in various industries; women are seen as fringe benefits that come with an office. Imagine that!

    Many CEOs sleep with their secretaries or member of staff, though both know it will lead to nowhere. At least two male CEOs have confided in me that they had to sleep with all their secretaries to ensure their loyalty to their business so that a competitor or another friend would not get them and split their loyalty. This is gross abuse just like our UNILAG part time lecturer. Of course, they lost my respect after that. Many men abuse their wards and house girls, and see it as fringe benefits. A special law should be put in place for these men, especially when it concerns underage and helpless girls. Some lecturers threaten to fail their students if they don’t get their ways. Some female employees are threatened if they do not succumb. Men should remember that they were born by women and each family has a daughter or a niece. Will you wish this upon them?

    Where the women cannot get justice immediately, these men should be reported to their families as most of them are saints at home. Let us unmask the devil.

    Parents should beware, who they allow into their homes or who they allow their daughters to have access to. So many uncles are doing this without the parent’s knowledge. I have several examples

    A fresh female school certificate job seeker was handed over to a man, who happened to be her mother’s boss at a government agency to help get a job so the mother, who is a widow can have some reprieve in financial inflow for the family.

    The man was bold enough to tell the poor girl to go and wait for him in a short time hotel before she could be employed. The girl was afraid to tell her mum, but she called me. I simply told her I will go with her to the hotel; you need to see the stupid man’s face. Of course, she got the job without compromise.

    So many uncles, who come on vacation abuse their nieces and warn them not to say a word to anyone. Our girls are vulnerable. Let us be vigilant as so many unreported cases of rape abound. Parents, learn to be your children’s friend, let them feel free to tell you anything, absolutely anything so we can know when they are being abused or blackmailed.

    In this age of total access to the internet, there are many paedophiles lurking to abuse and even use children for rituals. Get your kid’s passwords and check what they are up to once in a while. If you cannot have access to their passwords, restrict their exposure or internet access. They do not know how cruel the world is until it happens to them.

     

    Reactions and contributions are welcome.

  • Abuse of the elderly

    SIR: All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights, and have the right to age with dignity, respected by their families and communities, free of neglect, abuse and violence – Ban Ki-moon

    In 2002, the World Health Organisation (WHO) brought international attention to the issue of elder abuse or elder mistreatment which it describes as a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. The core element to the harm of elder abuse is the ‘expectation of trust’ of the older person towards their abuser for example a spouse, partner, friend, family member or neighbor. Some forms of elder abuse are same as domestic violence.

    According to the United Nations, around four to six percent of elderly people have experienced some form of maltreatment at home, and UN states that the global population of people aged 60 years and above will increase from about 542 million in 1995 to about 1.2 billion in 2025. Elder abuse is a global social issue which affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community.

    Elder abuse involves physical, sexual, psychological, financial, domestic violence and of course neglect and self-neglect. Older persons that are abused deal with physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences and the incidence of the abuse in later life is predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing rapid ageing populations. However, irrespective of age, abused persons have shorter life expectancies than non-abused persons. The personal losses associated with abuse can be devastating and include the loss of independence, homes, life savings, health, dignity and security.

    Until recently, this serious social problem was hidden from the public view and considered mostly a private matter. In some societies, elder abuse continues to be a taboo, mostly ignored across the world. However, there is increasingly sufficient proof that elder abuse is an important public health and societal problem.

    In some traditional societies, older widows are subjected to forced marriages, while in others; isolated older women are accused of witchcraft. And in some Nigerian cultures, widows are unjustly accused of killing their spouse and coerced to drink the water used in bathing their dead spouse. Measures to define, detect and address elder abuse need to be placed culturally and also considered alongside specific risk factors.

    The Federal Government should fast-track the implementation of the Social Security Act so as to ameliorate the pain and agony of Nigerians – especially the elderly, who are out of job as a result of ill-health, feebleness or age. The Social Security Act which is a poverty safety net is meant to prevent Nigerians from falling below the poverty line, through payment of stipulated stipends to Nigerians who have no visible means of survival.

    Both primary health care and social service sectors need to be well equipped so as to identify and deal with the problem. Although the extent of elder abuse is unknown, its social and moral significance is obvious, and as such demands a global multi-faceted response which focusses on protecting the rights of older persons.

     

    • Anthony Ajegwu

    Lagos.

  • Report cases of abuse, teenage girls advised

    Report cases of abuse, teenage girls advised

    Female teenagers have been advised not to keep quiet should they be abused by their relatives or any other persons.They have also been warned to be wary of relatives who come to them with sweet tongues promising them Eldorado in foreign lands.

    “You must learn to be very cautions,” warned Blessing Ezeala, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Festac Area Command of Lagos Police.

    “Some of your relations would come to you promising big business opportunities if you travel with them overseas. Some of them even promise to sponsor your education all through the university. Always be careful and ponder on such proposition before you finally agree. Our findings have shown that, many of these unfortunate ladies, their parents or guardians are deceived because of the harsh economic condition at the home front, and they end up as prostitutes,”

    “Once that happens to you, the hope of a better life is gone”, she added.

    Ezeala addressed female teenagers in secondary schools who gathered for the ‘Femine Rapport’ for girl child and mothers at the Frankids Amusement Park Festac Lagos Friday. The event was courtesy of Youth Advancement Forum, an NGO in conjunction with Soul Mate Industries Limited.

    Though Africa is a male dominated society and its society frowns at women speaking up when abused owing to social stigma, Ezeala however inspired the girls that the 21 century world is fast changing and more powers are being placed on the women folk to fight for their freedom.

    “And that is why I told you earlier to speak up whenever you are abused,” Ezeala continued. “Your parents or relatives may also want to discourage you from speaking up for fear of social stigma, but I tell you the best thing is to let the world know if you go through such experience so that the culprit can be brought to book. Do not feel too shy or intimidated to report to us (police), we are here to help you,” she said.

    Ezeala also admonished parents especially the career ones to develop close relationship particularly with their female children. According to her, children are always willing to share their daily experience with their parents once a rapport has been established. This would ultimately forestall likely occurrence of one’s child being abused since information can be obtained first hand.

    Proprietress Quadrutullahi International School Abule Egba  Mrs Olabisi Odewale, urged  participants to aspire for the top so they can be beneficiaries of scholarships.

    Be it partial or full scholarships, Odewale believes all it takes is self confidence and optimism to get there.

    “Some of you think you need to have special brains to win scholarships; that is wrong. All it takes is to believe in yourself, study very hard and cultivating virtues such as honesty, integrity loyalty and accommodating others,” she noted.

    According to her, scholarships launch the awardee as well as her school into limelight, take off a lot of burden which would have probably be borne by the awardee or her parents and make the awardee a role model, a plus which Odewale believes could also be a window to further opportunities.

    Pastor Gloria Okorocha of New Exodus Ministry Agbara sought parents inclusion in subsequent edition of the event. Nonetheless, she told participants not to allow anybody tamper with God’s future plan for them.

    “God has a plan for you,” Okorocha said noting, “do not allow anybody to destroy it. Do not let it crash. You will definitely get there.”

    The founder of YAF Mrs Olayinka Oluremi Adebayo said the event was the 11th.

    Recalling how YAF started seven years ago, she said: “I attended an all girls school- Anglican Girls Grammar School, Surulere, and I fell in love with my alma mater because of the manner we were all treated then. Ever since, it has always been on my mind to have an NGO that would offer protection to young women. I usually feel bad when I see a young girl being traumatised.”

    Though funding has been her main challenge, she is however happy that the body has been able to impact positively on young female children despite the odds.

    Some of the schools in attendance include: Rock Ville Secondary School Ojo; Hopebay Schools Okoko, Auadruttallahi International School, Abule Egba, and Bamfem Group of Schools Ajangbadi. Others were: gracious Leadway College Ijanikin; Stokan College Iyana Ishasi; Ideal Comprehensive High School Ajangnbadi; Golden Foundation College Afromedia; and Ibuolu College Braacksothers.

  • Abuse of federal might

    Abuse of federal might

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponement of the February 14 and 28 elections as scheduled has drawn the ire of some lawyers and activists. To them, there is more to the postponement than meets the eye. If insecurity is the only reason for the shift, then the Service chiefs should go. The lawyers and activists hope the shift will not throw Nigeria into another constitutional crisis, writes Correspondent PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU.

    Throughout Saturday, Nigerians waited on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). They were eager to know whether INEC would postpone the February 14 and 28 elections as scheduled. When INEC postponed the elections late Saturday night citing security reasons for its action, their response seemed to be “here we go again, is this not June 12 all over again?” INEC Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega said the elections were postponed to March 28 (Presidential and National Assembly)  and April 11 (Governorship and House of Assembly).

    He denied that the commission was coerced to shift the polls, saying the postponement became inevitable because of the advice from security agencies. He said there was no way INEC could expose over 600,000 ad hoc staff and others to danger.

    He also denied acting any script on behalf of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the elections were postponed  because security attention would be on the Northeast during the period.

    “It should be noted that this rescheduling falls within the constitutional framework for the conduct of the elections, notably, Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2). See also Section 25 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).

    1909F01_Attahiru-Jega“For the avoidance of doubt, we will under no circumstances approve an arrangement that is not in line with the provisions of our laws,” Jega said.

    He continued: “Last Wednesday, which was a day before the Council of State meeting, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) wrote a letter to the Commission, drawing attention to developments in four Northeast states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe, experiencing the challenge of insurgency.

    “The letter stated that security could not be guaranteed during the proposed period in February for the general elections. This advisory was reinforced at the Council of State meeting on Thursday where the NSA and all the Armed Services and Intelligence Chiefs unanimously reiterated that the safety and security of our operations cannot be guaranteed, and that the Security Services needed at least six weeks within which to conclude a major military operation against the insurgency in the Northeast; and that during this operation, the military will be concentrating its attention in the theatre of operations such that they may not be able to provide the traditional support they render to the Police and other agencies during elections…”

    Some analysts said the postponement became inevitable the moment the NSA Sambo Dasuki first called for a shift, because of low distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    Those who questioned the postponement because of insecurity said if the military could not quell the insurgency that has ravaged the country unabated in the last six years, can it do so in six weeks?

    Many are not convinced that the NSA is not playing out the Presidency’s script. Speaking at the Chatham House in the United Kingdom (UK) on January 22, Dasuki said elections should be postponed because INEC needed more time to distribute the PVCs.

    After deliberations by the Council of State where INEC said it was ready to go on with the polls, the NSA brought up the issue of insecurity, seemingly tying INEC’s hands. It was no PVCs, but insecurity, according to the gospel of Dasuki. As NSA, is he just waking up to the issue of insecurity, which the nation even battled with in 2011 and yet elections were held then?

    Observers note that the Presidency, INEC,  parties and security agencies have been preparing for the polls since 2011 election, wondering why the NSA is suddenly realising that security could not be guaranteed for the exercise as scheduled.

    To them, there is more to the postponement than meets the eye because it remained doubtful what would happen in six weeks that could not have happened in the past six years.

    A source of concern is the confidence of voters in the electoral process. There are those who say the postponement became the last option after it became clear that President Goodluck Jonathan may not win re-election. What other plan do they have in store?

    Civil Society groups led by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room believe that the military chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police are no longer deserving of their posts for writing to INEC that their men would not be available for election duty until after at least six weeks.

    “The Situation Room calls for the resignation of the military chiefs and security heads, including the Police on account of their inability to exercise their constitutional responsibility to secure lives and property at all times including during the elections,” the coalition of civil society organisations said.

    Despite INEC’s explanation, analysts believe the commission was arm-twisted by the Presidency through the security chiefs to shift the elections. They described Jega’s new stance as compromising, adding that it indicated that INEC is not independent as claimed.

    Although the commission followed constitutional provisions by not extending the election dates to a period that will be less than 30 days to May 29 handover, some lawyers argue that INEC lacks the legal and moral rights to shift the presidential election.

    Constitutional lawyer Norrison Quakers (SAN) maintained that INEC’s power to cancel or postpone elections is only for National and Houses of Assembly elections, which do not have to do with the entire voting population of the country or a state.

    He said since election results are expected to be collated and announced at the same time for governorship and presidential elections, the commission cannot assume right on an issue where the Constitution is silent.

    He said:  ‘‘The only person empowered by the Constitution to postpone a general election (presidential) is the President and this power he cannot exercise in isolation. The Constitution clearly provides that when the territory of Nigeria is at war (not a section and not insurgency) and the president feels it will be practically impossible to conduct an election, he will write the National Assembly seeking an extension and the legislature upon approval, will postpone the election to a period of not more than six months.

    ‘‘Aside being morally wrong, what INEC has done by postponing the general elections is unconstitutional and not tenable.’’

    For activist lawyer Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), INEC exhibited its lack of independence and bowed to the rule of force in postponing the elections.

    ‘‘There was no reason elections should not hold as scheduled. All the political parties have made their plans, including campaigns, posters, finances and other necessary arrangements to suit the February date. Also, INEC has its plan laid out to that effect. The postponement will destabilise the polity and create uncertainty.

    ‘‘Is it within the next two months that they want to quell Boko Haram that they have been unable to do these past years? This action will demoralise voters, create more expenses. It just means that INEC has been influenced and no longer independent. Prof. Jega never said anything about postponement until the NSA did and was later joined by all the operatives of the PDP.

    ‘‘So, it is correct to say that INEC has collapsed under pressure. Everyone took the postponement rumour for granted until PDP loyalists started raising dust about it. This shows there is lack of independence and it will affect everyone’s disposition on the outcome of the election when it is eventually held since INEC can be pressurised into changing its mind,’’ said Sagay.

    Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) described the reason for the poll shift as “lame”.

    “The reason for the shift is lame. INEC was never independent. INEC has confirmed that it remained castrate in the present arrangement where it depends on the Federal Government for everything, including breath.

    “The Federal Government shenanigans in arriving at the ultimate postponement of the elections must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. What we have witnessed is Government Magic. They have just turned green to blue and electric to candle (apology to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti),” Akeredolu said.

    AjibadeDr Babatunde Ajibade (SAN), said the PDP-led government is playing a dangerous game that could precipitate a serious constitutional crisis.

    “While it is within the statutory powers of INEC to postpone elections, it is not expected that INEC’s decision should be compelled by advice received from agencies of the government in power, such as the security agencies that have so obviously and brazenly compelled this decision.  This derogates from the supposed independence of INEC and leaves it at the mercy of the government of the day.

    “There is no reason to believe that the reasons adduced for compelling this postponement, viz. the security situation in the Northeast of the country and a consequent shortage of military personnel will abate in six seeks, so what then?  A permanent postponement until the security situation abates?

    “If elections could be held in Afghanistan despite the long-running and still ongoing insurgency by the Taliban, it is incredulous for Nigerian security agencies to insist that elections cannot hold because of security challenges in the Northeast.

    “The (mis)handling of electoral contests have always been potential flash points in Nigeria’s history. We are skating on very thin ice now and must pray that commonsense will prevail and that history will not be allowed to repeat itself,” Ajibade said.

    George Oguntade (SAN) 2To George Oguntade (SAN), there is no doubt that INEC possesses the requisite constitutional powers to fix the dates for elections, which will include the power to postpone. The constitutional limitation to this, he said, is that the election must be held and concluded within a specified period before the expiration of the tenure of the existing Government.

    “However, in fixing the date or postponing from a fixed date, INEC is obliged to act reasonably and in the interest of the country. It is not to act whimsically or capriciously. The main question, therefore, is whether in reaching its decision to postpone the elections for a period of six weeks, INEC acted reasonably and in the best interest of the country.

    “The reason canvassed is that the security agencies have advised that they cannot guarantee the provision of the requisite security cover because of the military challenges they are confronted with in the Northeastern part of the country.

    “This decision will immediately appear to be a volte face on the part of INEC, which being aware of the security situation for some time, had always maintained that the elections will proceed as scheduled. What major calamity has therefore happened of late to warrant this sudden u-turn a week to the elections?

    “Furthermore, the security challenge that has been provided an excuse for the postponement  has been going on for the past five years or so. What is the likelihood that in six weeks time, the security situation will be different from what it is today?

    “Again, what is the numerical strength of the Nigerian Army and security agencies in Nigeria such that they cannot continue their military activities in the North as well as provide necessary cover for the elections? Is it that Nigerian Army is so weak and decimated that it cannot face offensives on the different fronts simultaneously? There are endless questions to be asked,” Oguntade said.

    He said without any clear evidence, it would be premature and presumptuous to accuse INEC of playing politics, moreso, when the decision to postpone is recognisable under the constitution.

    “What INEC needs to do is to ensure that on its part, PVCs are distributed nationwide as far as possible and that it is fully ready to proceed. It is equally necessary to engage continuously  with the security agencies and let them see that to avert any national crisis, the elections must go ahead in six weeks as re-scheduled, and that this being so, arrangements must be put in place to provide necessary security cover regardless of what is happening in the North,” he added.

    Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) said his understanding of grounds upon which elections may be postponed suggest that the decision to postpone an election must be that of INEC.

    “In other words, once INEC is satisfied that the circumstances which warrant the postponement of an election have occurred, it is entitled to postpone the election to another date within the time allowed under the Constitution and the Electoral Act for the conduct of the election.

    “In this instance, INEC has, through its Chairman, adduced some reasons for postponing the elections. Whether or not those reasons are compelling and verifiable cannot be questioned by public opinion.

    “What we should all do is to continue to have confidence in INEC and the electoral process.  In doing so, it behoves the political class and the political parties to manage the information that they feed their followers and members.

    “As pointed out by INEC, this postponement would also afford it opportunity to further train the engaged adhoc staff on the electoral and voting processes. I also believe that they will also use this opportunity to do more in terms of voter education and logistics simulations.

    “Thus, the postponement will not only enable the security agencies to mobilise for the elections but would also assist INEC in the overall discharge of its constitutional responsibility.

    “On the basis of the foregoing and the decision of INEC, I call on Nigerians to continue to support INEC in this critical and trying period of our nation building,” Nwobike said.

  • A push to stop forex abuse

    A push to stop forex abuse

    The use of foreign exchange (forex) to import commodities that could be produced locally and rising cases of forex speculation are giving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headache. Last week in Lagos, CBN met with banks’ helmsmen, forex operators and other captains of industry to address the matter. It also spelt out sanctions to defaulters, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

    The coming weeks will be tough for forex speculators and importers, who misuse dollar allocations from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to import commodities that could be produced locally. That was the verdict of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, when he met with stakeholders in Lagos last week.

    The urgent nature of the meeting  implied that activities of speculators and importers are hurting the naira, foreign exchange reserves and the economy.

    Giving the large dependence of Nigeria on oil and the level of importation of non-oil products, less dollar inflow from oil exports and high import bills have threatened external reserves with attendant impact on domestic currency.

    Emefiele was quick to point out that the correlation between the crude oil price, exchange rate and reserves and how forex abuse has made the CBN’s role in defending the naira difficult.

    He said between June 30 and December 31, last year, price of Bonny Light dropped by 50.7 per cent from $112.78 per barrel to $55.57 per barrel. It further recorded 15 per cent decline between December 31, last year and January 23, this year from $55.57 per barrel to $42.22 per barrel.

    Also, he said the foreign reserve dropped by 12.3 per cent from $39.07 billion in July last year to $34.26 billion on January 22, while the naira depreciated by eight per cent and 13 per cent at the official and Interbank Markets last year respectively. The naira also depreciated by 5.6 per cent at the interbank markets as at January 23, this year.

    These declines in macroeconomic indicators, he said, showed that as crude oil price rises, external reserves increase. It also proved that exchange rate appreciates with increase in external reserves and that external reserves dwindle as crude oil prices decline, which may lead to a depreciation of the naira.

    To save the naira, reserves and protect the economy, Emefiele insisted that abuse of the forex must stop and has therefore, taken some steps to achieve this objective.

     

    Steps taken

    Emefiele told the stakeholders at the meeting that the CBN would no longer allow rice importers to access forex from the CBN, if the pressure on the naira does not recede. He regretted that so much forex was being wasted on importation of products that could be produced locally.

    He stressed the need for local production of most of the commodities that are presently imported into the country, in order to strengthen the naira and develop the country.

    “In the course of time, we are not going to ban the importation of rice, but we are not going to provide foreign exchange if you are going to import rice into the country. So if you are interested in rice, I will advise that you go into the production of rice. If you want to use your dollar that you have kept somewhere, there is no problem but at some point we will not allocate foreign exchange for you to import rice. The same way, we will graduate it to other products,” Emefiele said.

    While dispelling fears of a further devaluation of the naira and the ability of the CBN to continue to defend the currency, he, however, gave the assurance that the apex bank would continue to provide foreign exchange for legitimate investors and businesses.

    The CBN boss insisted that Nigeria had survived an oil price crash with $10 billion in foreign reserves, adding that at $34.2 billion, Nigeria’s reserve is enough to scale through the present oil price crisis.

    “The important thing is that anyone who needs foreign exchange for legitimate purposes will get their forex. Even when the interbank is unable to meet the demands in the market, the CBN will, from time to time, step in. We will provide the foreign exchange that is needed to meet everybody’s legitimate demand,” the CBN boss said.

     

    Sanctions for defaulters

    Emefiele also threatened to withdraw the foreign exchange dealing licences of banks that engage in speculative demand for the dollar at the forex market. He said the speculative activities had led to artificial demand for the dollar and an unnecessary pressure on the naira.

    “We will not hesitate to suspend the dealing licences of banks speculating on the dollar. Companies caught involved in sharp practices under the guise of seeking dollars to import items into the country will lose their licences,” he said.

    Emefiele, who described currency speculative activities as sharp practices, said the CBN would not shy away from dealing with the unpatriotic behaviour because they could make the nation “plunder its external reserves and throw the country into crisis.”

    For the CBN boss, frontloading demand for forex and other speculative practices have made the CBN to come up with certain measures aimed at stabilising the forex markets.

    They include the review of banks’ foreign currency net open position, weekly forex sales to Bureau de Change operators, and increased scrutiny of items to been imported with the forex purchased from the banks. But, he insisted that local production of imported commodities remained the best way out of the quagmire.

    Emefiele said the demand pressure needed to stop and that people engaging in speculative activities would lose money.

     

    Stakeholders speak

    The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said his company was planning to be the major seller of foreign exchange after the CBN by 2018. He also disclosed that Nigerian would be the biggest exporter of urea and ammonia by 2017.

    He said: “Based on our plans we will be the highest foreign exchange seller in the market by the first quarter of 2018, and it’s not from just refinery alone”. Dangote will be investing about $9 billion to build a refinery expected to produce 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

    Dangote also said the country could not continue to import consumables and “things that we don’t even need.” He urged Nigerians to get involved in manufacturing not only for local consumption, but also for export.

    He advised the business community to support the government and the country by seeking to export commodities rather than import perpetually. “We need to set a foundation for the country’s revenue base. We need to become an exporting country after which we can then allow the naira to float without supporting it,” Dangote said.

    A former Chairman of Diamond Bank Plc, Pascal Dozie, said the current challenges in the economy presented the best time for wise investors. He, however, advised the government on the need to restructure the economy, while urging the CBN to encourage fiscal authorities to ensure that the economy was diversified and that unnecessary expenditures are curtailed. “If there is no corresponding action from the fiscal authorities, the CBN will continue to be under pressure,” he said.

    President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe said bureaux de change operators take issues bothering on the economy very seriously. He said his members would do everything needed to bring respite to the naira.

    He also praised Emefiele for raising the weekly dollar allocation to BDCs from $15,000 to $30,000, adding that such policy would help them remain in business and support the economy.

    Michael Okoro, a stockbroker based in Lagos, said the CBN has shown absolute commitment to dealing with dwindling fortune of the naira.

    The official devaluation of the naira, he said, allowed the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) to move within the range that straddles the interbank foreign exchange rate. “While the market reaction to the RDAS move in the near-term will be important, we think that these measures deal as comprehensively as possible with the challenges facing Nigeria.

    “While Nigeria cannot do much to influence the oil price, the combination of measures sends a powerful signal to all stakeholders on the CBN’s intent to do what it can to preserve macroeconomic stability,” he said.

     

    Regulation of BDCs

    The CBN has for long, been making changes in BDC subsector. On June 23, last year, the CBN, among other things, raised the minimum capital requirement of BDCs to N35 million from N10 million. It raised the mandatory caution deposit to N35 million from $10,000. Again, on July 7 last year, the apex bank extended the deadline from July 15 to July 31, in response to appeals and intervention of ABCON and both chambers of the National Assembly.

    CBN’s Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Kelvin Amugo, said interest would be paid on the mandatory caution deposit of N35 million, based on the savings account rate. The CBN, Amugo said, would, on expiration of the deadline, cease to fund any BDC that failed to comply with the fresh requirements.

    The CBN had recently given approval to additional 102 Bureau De Change (BDC) operators, bringing the total to 2,544 since the recapitalisation deadline lapsed in July last year.

    The apex bank last August, published a list of 2,442 licensed BDCs, which it said, had complied with its new capital requirements of N35 million as at July 31, last year.

    There were 3,208 registered BDCs before the expiration of the deadline. The CBN had in June, announced a new minimum capital requirement of N35 million for the operation of BDCs, up from the N10 million.

    To ensure that forex dealers comply with the new capital requirements, the CBN had extended the deadline to July 31, last year. The forex dealers were previously given a deadline of July 15, last year. The apex bank had also stated that interest would be paid on the mandatory cautionary deposit of N35 million, based on banking industry savings account rate.

    It, among other requirements, reviewed the mandatory cautionary deposit for BDCs upward to N35 million. The regulator had pointed out that on the expiration of the deadline on July 31, last year, that it would cease to fund any BDC that failed to comply with the new requirements, adding that “only BDCs that meet the new requirements would qualify to be engaged as agent by the licenced international money transfer operators for inward and outward transfer business in Nigeria.

    The CBN has also directed that all importations involving electronics, finished products, information technology, generators, telecommunication equipment, and invisible transactions would henceforth be funded from the interbank foreign exchange market only. The policy was to maintain the existing stability in forex market and strengthen the various policy measures, already initiated by the regulator.

     

  • Abuse of strike

    •Oil workers should stop punishing Nigerians over flimsy excuses

    For four days last week, the economy would again be thrown into avoidable spasms as a result of the strike embarked upon by the nation’s powerful oil industry unions – the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). It would, sadly again, be occasion to settle on their now familiar tradition of exploiting citizens’ vulnerability to the hilt; choosing a most opportunistic moment – the approach of the yuletide – to inflict pains on Nigerians.

    The fact that this has since become their stock-in-trade is what makes it both regrettable and sad.

    And what do these oil workers really want? It goes beyond the same old but familiar story expressed in the so-called failures to execute successful turnaround maintenance of the nation’s four refineries. Or even their new-found tales on the need for the Federal Government to evolve new strategies to combat pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft – a plague which, admittedly, the Jonathan administration has failed to contain.

    As stakeholders, it goes without saying that their rather novel demand for an alignment of pump prices of petrol in the wake of the slump in global prices of crude oil would seem nothing extraordinary. No one can deny that these demands have some merit.

    Again, like most Nigerians, the unions have the right to worry about the delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB); or even the high rate divestment in the industry and its job losses arising from the non-passage of the PIB; the non-implementation of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act; the appalling state of access roads to refineries and oil depots’ facilities and the general insecurity all over the country, which they point out, continues to claim the lives of their members.

    Protesting the casualisation of oil workers is not only within their prerogative as organised labour; it is also their right to challenge unfair labour practices by companies and government agencies.

    But then, are these the real issues? Even if they were, would they have sufficed to shut down an economy already under the throes of slump in global oil price? For all intents and purposes, the strike has merely revealed one fundamental problem with the unions that has been denied up till now – the belief that simply because they have the power, they can use it to force the hand of the government no matter how unrighteous their cause.

    It seems to us that the two unions have merely used the pretext of the transfer and termination of one of PENGASSAN zonal officers in Rivers State, Elo Victor, by the management of Total Oil Nigeria to punish the nation. It is wrong as it is immoral. Of course, only in the context of the weapon of blackmail that the instrument of strike has become in the hands of PENGASSAN and NUPENG can these be contemplated.

    As for the refineries, this newspaper has long argued that the Federal Government loses nothing by selling them. That position, if anything, remains as valid as it is compelling, even now. More than five years after the botched privatisation of the refineries in Port Harcourt and Kaduna, and with billions of naira thrown in for their Turn Around Maintenance with nothing to show for it, the position of NUPENG and PENGASSAN is not only inexplicable; it appears only the two unions still live in the illusion that the Federal Government can ever get the refineries to work optimally. The irony here is that both NUPENG and PENGASSAN which appear just as culpable as the Federal Government in foisting the current atmosphere in which the nation has found it nigh impossible to let the refineries go still think that the government should continue to pour money into the sink holes.

    Much as we concede to the right of the unions to stand up for the welfare of their members, these cannot be at the risk of plunging the larger economy into turmoil. We consider last week’s strike as unnecessary; if anything, it was an abuse of the strike weapon.

  • ‘Why rights abuse by police has reduced in Lagos’

    ‘Why rights abuse by police has reduced in Lagos’

    The Crime Victims Foundation Nigeria (CRIVIFON) has btrained 218 officers within the rank of Constable and Chief Supretendent on human rights, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA. 

    The Police, in the eyes of many, are human rights violators rather than protectors. But in a bid to change that perception, officers are undergoing courses on human rights, courtesy of a non-governmental organisation (NGO),  the Crime Victims Foundation Nigeria (CRIVIFON).

    Last week, 218 officers from the rank of Constables to Chief Supretendent of Police graduated from the court.

    They bring to 14,000 the number of officers so far trained within the last eight years.

    The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Onikan was represented at the ceremony by CSP Banji Lawal.

    The Executive Director, CRIVIFON, Gloria Egbuji said the police officers were trained on Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution, Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, Interpersonal Skills and Humanitarian Laws, Police Powers, among others.

    Egbuji said those trained were drawn from the various commands including Railways, Airport and Zone 2.

    “Our vision for the programme had been to develop and implement positive result oriented capacity building and human rights culture in Nigerian Police and to use that programme to eradicate the human rights abuses and corrupt practices among police officers and the public.”

    She added that through the  programme, “the abuse of  rights has dropped to minimal level in Lagos State. Lagos Police formations now have much higher standard in human rights observance than other states due to the benefits of the training and awareness created by the programme.”.

    According to Egbuji, virtually all the divisions in the state is now manned by trained human rights desk officers whoensure a better climate for crime control and people-friendly policing.

    She advised the public to take advantage of the programme and report all cases of human rights abuses.

    Egbuji disclosed that the police authority is  working  on making the human rights course compulsory at Police Colleges and other training institutions.

    The Senior Public Information Officer, United Nations Information Center (UNIC), Envera Selimovic urged the police to always respect the rights of the people in the course of discharging their duties.

    She said the police has a duty to protect the rights of the Nigerians and not to abuse it, adding that the United Nations (UN) has set aside a day to mark human rights day across the globe and  would expect the police to be part of it.

    The Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti said that the command has established functional human rights desks in all formations manned by trained officers.

    He said  this has led to reduced cases of alleged human rights abuses and helped to improve police’ image.

    The command, he said, is determined to eradicate all forms of rights abuses, adding that despite challenges, the force has continued to fashion out proactive measures to deliver on its constitutional mandate of safeguarding lives and property.

    Aderanti added that the training received by the officers over the years has resulted in the command’s improved human rights record.

    The national coordinator, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), Okechukwu Nwanguama, in a keynote address observed that the duties of the Police are a direct consequence of the powers conferred on it by laws which regulate its performance of duties  relating to arrest, detention and the use of force among others.

    Nwanguama, represented by Prince Apata Akinsemoy, said any exercise of power by the police which does not strictly conform to the prescriptions of the laws can have unpleasant consequences.

    Such laws, he said, include the Constitution, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, among others.

    The governor of the 20th batch of trainees, CSP Oluwole Paul, on behalf of his colleagues, pledged that they would propagate the ethics of human rights in all they do at their various duty posts.

    “Anything contrary to this will be tantamount to stirring up a hornet’s nest especially now that the public is getting more and more enlightened about their fundamental rights”.

    According to Oluwole, the consequences of several human rights abuses unconsciously committed against the public has made the police look like an anti-people organization.

     

     

     

  • Stopping social media abuse

    The phenomenal growth in digital technology and the rise of social media platforms, over the past few years, have revolutionised the way in which people communicate and share information. The emergence of new communication technology has impacted on the society positively and negatively. These technologies have affected the socio-cultural, political and economic structures of our contemporary society.

    Advancement in technology has eased and expanded the frontiers of information reception and dissemination among people. The Information and Communication Technology (ICT), particularly the internet, have impacted greatly on the society, increasing access to information and creating fresh challenges for the society.

    Social media are seen generally to include all the online creations – social networks, search engines, affiliate programmes, forums, blogs and message boards that can be used by the general public for interactions across distance, to mention a few. They are powerful communication tools that have significant impacts on organisational, professional and individual reputations.

    Also, social media includes a variety of web-based tools and services that are designed to promote community development through collaboration and information sharing. These tools provide opportunities for individual expressions, as well as interactions with other users. These technologies have brought together many diverse communities and societies around the world. In fact, the world is fast becoming a “global village” as a result of the new information and communication technology. Today, we are living in a very fast developing and globalising world.

    No doubt, scientific innovations and advancement in technology have eased communication processes. It has also made tasks less tedious in many professions like business, banking, entertainment, and so on.  Technology has transformed our lives in many positive ways. But the negative impacts of these innovations in our social and educational pursuits overweigh its positives. This is in line with the fact that there is hardly anything invented by man, no matter its level of perfection that is without some flaws.

    As a matter of fact, education is a very essential aspect of our lives. Education to a society is more important than anything. Advancement in technology has eased the processes of academic research. Findings also reveal that, today, students show very much interest in using social networks, which in turn affects education severely. As noted earlier, the negatives of social media on students and education, in general, supersedes the positives.

    The social media has grabbed the attention of students and diverted them toward non-educational, unethical and inappropriate actions, such as examination malpractices. It has made students so lazy that they hardly resort to extensive study before sitting for any examination. Instead of studying very hard to write and pass examinations, students now cultivate the habit of cheating through browsing on their mobile phones while in examination halls. Reading culture among students is on the verge of extinction.

    Concentration in the classroom during lecture periods is gradually becoming a thing of the past among students. While classes are being held, some students resort to chatting on social networks. This unwholesome practice has created one problem or the other in students’ educational pursuits and performances. That informs why communication skills have declined among students.

    The emergence of ICT has eased the processes of research thereby providing unlimited access to information on virtually all spheres of human endeavours. Looking at the quantity of information available on the internet, one can agree with the fact that most of the information accessed on social media is not accurate and factual. This is because anybody who has access to the internet can write and share information of all sorts, regardless of their quality.

    It is, therefore, in tune to state that the dependence of students on social media for the sourcing of materials for academic research has degraded the value of most academic works undertaken by students. Today, students are fond of plagiarism. They regard creativity as a waste of efforts.

    There are possible ways out of these challenges. Stakeholders in the education sector should encourage creativity among students. Creativity should be made competitive among students through scholarship and other educational grants to those who are creative, as this will motivate and boost the performances of others to be creative.

    The provision of standard research and practical facilities in schools can also help the situation. Where students lack adequate research facilities like books and other relevant and referencing materials in libraries, they tend to resort to the easy “copy and paste” method from the social media. Today, you will find out that students write and present final year project works without being able to defend what they claim to have written.

    Moreover, there should also be regulation in the education sector with regards to the use of social networks among students. Although, this task can be very tedious to achieve, but the provision of regulatory frameworks in this regard will reduce the challenges posed by social media on students’ performances. There should be strict rules prohibiting students’ use of mobile phones in classrooms.

     

    Ahmad, 300-Level Mass Comm., NSUK

  • Let’s stop the abuse of women

    The joy of living

    Breaks through the barriers of birth

    The sunlit sky

    Sunset at dusk

    The natural scent of musk

    And the pain of death

    The joy of living is like spring water

    Erupting from the depths of your soul

    Beyond the treasures of friendship

    Like a handshake at dawn…”

    The above poem was extracted from The Joy of Living, one of the Eugenia Abu’s collection titled: Don’t Look at Me Like That. The poem shows a divine gift, which a woman has been deprived in the history of mankind. But when will she live in peace?

    During the period of ignorance in the Arab world, which is termed Jahiliyyah by Islamic historians, there were indiscriminate killings of female children and lack of respect for women was rampant. This was seen as the most acceptable way of treating the womenfolk. The birth of a girl-child was considered shameful and seen as curse. The lucky ones grew up and were married off without their consent.

    As wives, they were regarded more as objects of carnal satisfaction rather than partners in marriage. The most degrading and demoralising part is lack of respect to women pride. In that epoch, women could be inherited just as a chattel. Even, women could be inherited by their sons, instead of being loved and cared for by relatives.

    But this was pre-civilisation epoch. In this era, the age-long abuse of women is yet to stop, despite our experience with civilisation.  Given the level of education in the present age, it is an irony that the highly literate generation is so ignorant of women’s rights or rather, it is aware but only chose to be cruel towards the gentle souls.

    As a daughter, a woman is a little angel. As a sister, she is a playmate; as a friend, she cares; as a wife, she is a great companion and lover, and as a mother- she perseveringly bear the pain of labour and always offer a strong shoulder to lean on anytime. I still wonder why a real man who was born of a woman will not value one.

    However, it is so sad that women are deprived the joy of living and shown so much resentment while growing up. They dare not voice their view on certain issues. Some still subject them to harsh life because they believe male child is better. The girl-child is maltreated and reduced to a mere slave in marriage.

    These various forms of discrimination and social torture are well pictured in the works of some writers in Nigerian literature. It is the woman that is relegated to the background and reduced to “baby machine” and housekeeper.

    Some believe women, despite their education, must not be allowed to hold key positions in the management of the nation. These and many more are the ways in which the world are depriving women of their joy, just as depicted in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Buchi Emecheta’s Joy of Motherhood and so on.

    Lately, women have begun to realise their value and have been proving to the world that they are capable of making impact in the society. Once again, literature as a tool for societal change has contributed immensely in promoting the value of women, not only by female writers but male writers, who are regarded as feminists.

    Women’s virtues have been promoted in books such as The Virtuous Woman by Zaynab Alkali, Sacred Apples by Abubakar Gimba and Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah. Apart from the literary impact of these great writers, even God in the Holy Scriptures mention women as companions and helpmates for men. God never said women are slaves and mere object to be inherited. Out of resentment and discrimination, the world seems to forget that nature created both gender each with its unique qualities which the other can’t possess.

    I like to conclude this piece by quoting the words of Marianne Williamson, who said: “In every community, there is work to be done; in every nation, there are wounds to heal, and in every heart, there is the power to do it.” We must say no to discrimination and promotes the rights of women.

    Halimah, 300-Level Law, UDUS