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Tag: agitations

  • Agitations in Niger Delta should be directed at govt, not oil companies —House of Reps-elect Ereyitomi

    Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, a traditional tittle holder in Warri Kingdom in Delta State, is the House of Representatives member-elect, for Warri Federal Constituency. Few days to the inauguration of the National Assembly, the Akatigbi-Ayeola of Warri Kingdom and Chairman, Tomba Resources Limited, a key player in the downstream sector of the oil industry, granted an interview to select journalists, speaking on his election and his plans for his constituency, a major economic hub, among other issues. PAUL UKPABIO was there.

    You have been elected to represent your people in Warri Federal Constituency. How do you feel about your victory at the polls?

    I received my election with joy and excitement because it is a call to serve my people, and the overwhelming majority of votes that I got in the election is a clear indication that the people wanted me to represent them this time around. But I have a message for them. They should all come together and stand solidly behind me so that whatever happens in Abuja, I will be relating with them regularly. That unity of purpose is what is going to transform Warri Federal Constituency.

    If we are not united, we will not move forward. So we should all come together as one Warri Federal Constituency irrespective of our ethnic differences and work for the development of our area.  On my part, I am going to relate with them and ensure that their inputs are taken into consideration in whatever we do at the Federal House of Representatives.

    What is going to be your focus in the National Assembly?

    When I get to Abuja, the first action plan I have is to ensure that we have constructive engagement with our people, because I am going there to truly represent them. So when I engage with them, I am going to take their needs and inputs to Abuja. We have a lot of abandoned projects in the Warri Federal Constituency either from NDDC, DESOPADEC or the Federal Government. In my own little way, I will ensure that these projects are given the needed attention. For example, the Koko/Ogheye Road is a project that is very key to the Itsekiris and the Ijaws. The Omadino/Escravos Road is also key to our people. These are ongoing projects that are not adequately funded. So it is crucial that these projects are adequately funded so that our areas can be opened. When these two roads are completed, our areas will be opened up. These are key projects that I will ensure are completed under my tenure.

    I will also ensure that we have a standard Constituency office here in Warri, where our people can access me, because it is not everybody that can go to Abuja. When we have a functional constituency office, people don’t need to come to Abuja before they can relate with me. Above all, we are going to have regular town hall meetings with all the ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal  Constituency because we have the Itsekiris, Ijaws, Urhobos ethnic nationalities and other residents in this place, and we need to get in touch with them regularly so that they too can participate in what we are doing in Abuja. These are some of the changes we are going to bring into the system.

    Using Warri Federal Constituency as a case study, are you satisfied with the living conditions of your people?

    I am not satisfied, but that does not mean that a lot has not been done. In life, everybody wants to get the best, but the best cannot come all the time. However, we will continue to improve on what we have on ground to strengthen various government agencies that we have around and ensure that the much needed development in this area is achieved.

    If you look at it properly, one of the major problems is the absence of multinational oil companies in Warri. They all left this place. Economic activities here have slowed down drastically because of these internal crises that we have amongst ourselves. These are key issues we need to address. One of the things we also want to do is to ensure that this environment is peaceful because it is only when the environment is peaceful that investors will come around and these companies will return to this area. But if investors do not come here to invest, then we will continue to stay like this. We need to create a peaceful environment in this area.

    Are you likely to interface with some of these companies that fled Warri to persuade them to come back?

    These are some of the things we are talking about. We are going to interface with them. Take for example, Chevron Nigeria Limited, most of their activities here are slow and they are not doing much here. Their major operations are done in Lagos and Escravos and it is not everybody that has the opportunity to go to Lagos or Escravos. Escravos is operating a close network and even the people in Escravos cannot even access the facility. So to do business becomes very difficult and it is affecting Warri and so we need that engagement with Chevron.

    Shell still has small operations here, and even NPDC cannot have these investments here and they are operating in Benin. It does not make sense because the idea was for them to occupy all these places, but they are not doing that. So this is why we need to have an engagement with them to see how they can come back to Warri fully. Because if they operate here, the environment will be better for everybody.

    You are a key player in the Niger Delta region. Are you impressed with the performance of the NDDC so far?

    No. In our area, NDDC has not done anything. Our people have not felt the impact of NDDC and these are the things we need to take up, because the idea was that these agencies are to develop the oil producing communities in the Niger Delta region. I will give you an example. There is this shore protection contract in Ugborodo long ago that they have awarded several times. Today, the contractor has abandoned the project because he has not been paid. That is the only tangible project embarked upon by NDDC that the Ugborodo people can see, yet that it has been abandoned.

    Apart from this project, if you go round our areas, you will not see any other NDDC project here. And when you look at Delta State, the Itsekiris are the highest producers of oil and gas, followed by the Ijaws, the Urhobos and the rest. All these agitations you are seeing all over the place would not have been if NDDC was doing its work. Oil companies are being attacked because they are the only ones they are seeing. So NDDC has not done anything in our area and we are going to engage them to let them know that they must be alive to their duties. This is one of the issues I am going to take up because the only way we are going to have peace in this area is for NDDC to do what they are supposed to do. The pressure should not go to the oil companies because the oil companies are contributing to the NDDC. If there is too much pressure on the oil companies, they will have no choice but to relocate to a more peaceful area where they can work effectively. And you know the outcome when these oil companies go? There will be extreme poverty in the area.

    The federal government through the supervisory ministry should be able to compel NDDC to do what they are supposed to do. They also have to look at what NDDC is doing with the funds they are releasing to them. They also need to ask the NDDC where they are doing these projects. Has NDDC supervisors ever gone round these communities to find out if the projects are actually being executed? These are the things we are supposed to do, and for us to do these, we need people who have the interest of the Niger Delta at heart to take charge of these intervention agencies. The problem we have here is lack of development. You cannot go to Abuja and come back here and be happy.

    With all these agitations here and there, what is your advice to these youths spearheading the Niger Delta struggle?

    My advice to our youths is that they need to be careful and find other means of managing these problems so that there can be peace. Because if they continue to mount pressure on these companies and they leave, we are going to suffer the consequences. More of these agitations are supposed to go to the government because NDDC, for example, is an agency under the government. DESOPADEC is an agency of the state government. So, more of these agitations are supposed to go to the government.

    The oil companies are doing their part, they are paying their tax, royalties and others, and they are also in partnership with the federal government on these projects, including funding the NDDC and other interventionist agencies. So it is the government that will develop the regions and not the oil companies. We can continue to agitate, but the focus of our agitation should be directed to government and not the oil companies.

    So you feel the oil companies on their own part are doing enough?

    I think the major area the oil companies have failed our people is the area of employment. Our people need to be employed into these companies, and I think they should look into this area. Apart from this, oil companies, for instance, Chevron is trying in terms of corporate social responsibilities, because Chevron is funding the Global Memorandum of Understanding on yearly basis. The projects on ground in the various communities are basically what Chevron has done under the GMoU.

    Let me give you an example: the GMoU that Chevron has with about 23 communities, if you go to the communities, it is those projects initiated under the initiative that are seen in the communities. I am glad to note that Shell is trying to borrow a leaf from that. But like an Oliver Twist, we are always asking for more.

  • Agitations for Senate President, Speaker hot up

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and stakeholders from Oyo State and the Northeast are lobbying for House of Representatives’ and Senate President’s positions in the Ninth National Assembly.

    Oyo State’s moves to produce the Speaker may have received the backing of some members of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC).

    A member of the party’s NEC from Northeast stated this after a meeting of stakeholders in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The party chieftain, who craved anonymity, said they are mobilising stakeholders from other zones to ensure Oyo get the position of Speaker.

    “Obviously, Oyo State has ranking members of the National Assembly that are qualified to compete for any key position and that is why we are moving round to mobilise party stakeholders to support our agitation,” the party chieftain said.

    APC Deputy National Youth Leader Bolaji Repete, who also confirmed the meeting in Ibadan, said  the Southwest would leave no stone unturned to secure the Speakership position for Oyo State.

    Repete noted that a larger meeting of some of the APC National Executive Committee members has been fixed for Wednesday in Abuja.

    Also, a group of concerned stakeholders under the aegis of Southwest Youth Ambassadors has called on APC stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s national leadership to consider Segun Odebunmi for House of Representatives’ Speaker.

    The group, in a statement issued by its coordinator, Sanjo Saka and secretary  Ezekiel Akinborode as well as the group’s Publicity Secretary, Segun Aremu, said Odebunmi, who is a third-term federal lawmaker, has the political dexterity, administrative acumen and inter-personal skills to lead the House.

    Appreciating Tinubu’s efforts in ensuring victory for the party across the country, the group expressed confidence in the capacity of Odebunmi to drive the affairs of the Green Chamber.

    It added that the legislator would complement President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts in building a prosperous nation.

    “Having been a local government chairman, commissioner and now a member of the House of Representatives, Odebunmi is qualified for the position of Speaker. We are confident that the federal lawmaker will not disappoint the party and Nigerians in general,” the statement stated.

    The group urged the Southwest members of the Green Chamber to reach out to their colleagues in other zones to achieve Odebunmi’s aspiration and pray for their success.

    But, the Northeast  is also demanding that the slot of the Senate President should be zoned to the area.

    The agitation thickened at the weekend when the North East Advocacy Group (NEAG), a socio-political organisation,  said at a news conference that the zone has been marginalised for too long.

    The NEAG, in a statement by 11 key stakeholders from the zone, said: “It’s  now our turn; we have been marginalised for too long.”

    The group is agitating on the premise  that the Northeastern zone voted massively for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential poll.

    Some of the stakeholders include: Mohammed Kumalia, Ibrahim Zailani, Senator Bashir Marafa, Adamu Modibbo, Abubakar Muazu, Titsi Ganama and Ammuna Ibrahim Khadi.

    Others are Emmanuel Bello, Barma Shettima, Mrs. Bless Hungushi and Bala Bello Tinka.

    “The Senate Presidency should be zoned to the Northeast, as the North Central and Southeast zones have produced Senate Presidents in the recent past.

    “Micro zoning to a state or individual should be avoided as it negatively affects the executive/legislative harmony and negatively affects the smooth running of government business.

    “The will of the distinguished senators should be respected and upheld to avoid conflicts and skirmishes between the Executive and the Legislative arms,” the NEAG advised.

    The group called on APC leaders to quickly announce the zoning formula for the principal officers of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

    NEAG said announcing the zoning formula for the principal officers would “avert a situation where the zoning is done after candidates have started campaigning, causing a feeling that the zoning is targeted to favour particular individuals”.

    “The Northeast has never produced the Senate President. The position had always been zoned to other zones, especially the North Central and South East Zones since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

    “Therefore, we humbly request the ruling APC to zone the position of Senate President to the Northeast, foster a harmonious working relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government.

    “We also wish to call on the APC and the executive arm of government to allow the senators exercise their constitutional right to choose a Senate President of their choice.”

    It added: “In the last 20 years, these zones had  occupied the position for 12 years; David Mark (eight years) and Bukola Saraki (four years). The zone had earlier produced two Senate Presidents in the persons of  Ameh Ebute and Iyorchia Ayu.

    “The Southeast produced the late Evans Enwerem, the late Chuba Okadigbo, Anyim Pius Anyim and Ken Nnamani, who cumulatively occupied the position for  eight years.

    “In the 2019 General elections, the Northeast voted massively for President Muhammadu Buhari, becoming the zone that contributed the  second highest number of votes for the president’s reelection.

    “It is only just and fair that the Northeast is considered for the third highest position in the country, considering the electoral contribution of the zone at the polls.”

  • Jonathan to Buhari: revisit 2014 Confab report on killings, agitations 

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led federal government to revisit the 2014 national conference’ report.

    He said the report of the conference, which he convened as a President, remained the panacea to the myriads of agitations, protests, killings, provocations and clamour for reforms in the country. Jonathan spoke yesterday at the mega rally tagged ‘Restructuring the Nigerian Federation’ organised by leaders of Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere and Middle Belt forum under the aegis of Mass Alliance for Inclusive Nigeria (MAIN) Front.

    The former President insisted at the mega rally, which was held at the Ox- Bow Lake Pavilion, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital, that the implementation of the Confab report was the only way out for Nigeria.

    Jonathan, whose address was read by Senator Nimi Barigha Amange said: Nigerians had to dialogue to avoid the opposite action which could bring about destruction to lives and property and the very thing that holds us together as members of the Nigeria federation.”The former said he took a decision to convene the 2014 national conference as a response to the yearnings of Nigerians for reforms to make the Nigeria federation work. He said:  “In convening the national conference, I had my mind trained on establishing polity that would work for our people and further unite our country, the one that would close the gaps along tribal, ethnic and religious lines.

    “Until Nigeria comes up with an acceptable way of running the country there is every likelihood our nation would continue to witness agitations and protests from groups and ethnic nationalities that believe rightly or wrongly that they have been handed the short end of the stick.

    ”The goal of the 500 member conference made up of young and old; diverse people from all walks of life as true representatives, of different interest groups in our country was thoroughly and fully discussed and agreed on every issue that has for long agitated the minds of Nigerians on how best to run the federation.

    “This they did to the best of the abilities and to the satisfaction of most stakeholders as decisions were uniquely reached by consensus. Recent agitations, clamour and proffer of solutions have not radically departed from those findings.

    “To me it is a confirmation that the 2014 Confab report needs to be looked into by the authorities. I believe the Confab report contains recommendations that provide answers to most of those questions that agitate the minds of Nigerians today.”

    Governor Seriake Dickson insisted person calling for the restructuring of Nigeria are the true lovers of the country, adding that all over Nigeria there are cries for justice.

    Other speakers at the event organised by the PANDEF Leader, Chief Edwin Clark,  such as President- General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo (Jnr) and a chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo commended Dickson for hosting the rally.

    They declared readiness to rescue Nigeria from collapse saying that nothing short of restructuring of Nigeria was acceptable.

     

  • Nigeria must restructure to address agitations -Dickson

    Nigeria must restructure to address agitations -Dickson

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, speaks on why Nigeria must restructure; his concerns about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other knotty issues in the country and Bayelsa State. Mike Odiegwu, was there.

    How do you view the recent clamour across the country for restructuring?

    I keep saying I am not a politician of convenience whose positions will change according to changes in the weather. I am a politician of conviction and my views on this are essentially what have informed my politics, since the dawn of this democratic era from 1998 till now. I have been part of the struggles of my people. Whereas, I believe that this struggle should be pursued, through non-violent and political means, I believe that, these issues should be raised from time to time. And, therefore, my views on restructuring are very well known.

    I believe that, if we want a balanced, stable and united Nigeria that will stand the test of time; we have got no option than to review the structure of the country. We have to build consensus, put our cards on the table, our fears as well as the complaints and then find a way around it. The present attitude of the Federal Government and the President to the issue of restructuring is something that I disagree with. And, unlike other politicians, I stand with my people. And, I am in politics not for myself, but for my people.

    As a Bayelsan, as governor of this state, as an Ijaw man, a Nigerian from the Niger Delta, I believe that this country has to have a meeting and discuss how we can make Nigeria more stable, prosperous, and therefore, a Nigeria that can last. We love Nigeria. Those of us talking about restructuring are the true lovers of this country. There are those who feel they have advantages they want to protect, so they want a status quo maintained.  In that case, you are either talking of an individual that has interest or you are talking of regional interest or an ethnic interest. You are not talking of Nigerian interest.

    Agitations are normal by the way, so all this heck about agitations from South-South, South-East, I do not understand. Every country is an artificial creation. It is the duty and responsibility of leaders to rise to the occasion and rise to the responsibility of fears, so that even if those fears are imaginary, unreasonable, you explain and you engage. Up till now, our own colonial masters are still dealing with their issues of restructuring, devolution of powers to Scotland to Wales, to Northern Ireland. And last year, the Scottish had a referendum on whether they should be an independent nation or not. Heavens did not fall. Because you engage and create a platform for people to ventilate, I do not believe that you have majority of people in any part of this country that will today decide to break up this country.

    As I have always said, Nigerian unity is desirable. But, do not tell me it is not negotiable. We want to be in a big prosperous strong country. But, we have to stop this issue of every year and every time people are agitating and people are dying and running away and creating unnecessary tension in the country. That is inimical to the growth of the Nigeria we love. So, when we say restructuring in Bayelsa, in the Ijaw nation, in the Niger Delta, we mean that we sit with our brothers and sisters to discuss issues of how we control our resources, what kind of federation do we have to run? This is a unitary state and that is why you have all these conflicts.

    We want to be in a truly federal Nigeria and so the federal government should discuss modalities of organising not a talk shop, but I have said there should be multi-party or a bi-partisan committee, made up of officials of the Federal Government, National Assembly, because in the end, you are going to talk about a constitutional review. All these talk about true federalism will end in the National Assembly. So, the leadership of the National Assembly, state governors, speakers representing the various state parliaments, the leaderships of the major political parties and other selected interest groups will meet behind closed doors and agree on the issues we need to address now. You do not need to address everything.

    Do you foresee the PDP relaunch itself as a force to reckon with at the national level?

    After our governorship election, because of what we went through in the hands of the party at the centre, I was very serious about rebuilding the party to take over power at the centre and everyone knows what I did. I did everything to build consensus. But, there are forces within the PDP that are against a cohesive and strong PDP that can take power at the centre but these forces are surmountable if party leaders eschew selfishness and bitterness and work for the interest of PDP. I pray that the party overcomes or realizes the need to overcome these forces within the PDP that are placing selfish ambition and ego above the need to build a strong party.

    I pray that, the party survives these internal forces. I have always believed that this country needs two strong parties, a strong cohesive party in government, which incidentally the APC is not, but we should also pray for the APC to get their acts together. But the tragedy of our democracy today is that we neither have a strong party in government nor a strong party in opposition. Clearly Nigeria needs a strong party in opposition and I agree with what the former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, said few days ago, when he said that, the PDP has disappointed because it has not proven to be a strong party in opposition. That is very sad, because I am essentially an opposition man and I am very comfortable being in opposition. There are not many governors who can survive the type of election I survived in this state. I believe that my party has a lot of work to do, we should pray for it, so that the country can have a real taste of two strong parties. That is all I can say.

    People have expressed concerns about military operations in Nigeria. What is your take on the ongoing Operation Crocodile Smile II in the Niger Delta region?

    I would not speak for the military authorities who are organising that exercise. That is a military exercise. The state government is not involved in it, but as the governor of the state, the commanders have come to explain a few things to me. Once the military want to do anything in this state, I tell them to brief me and I ask them to be as professional as they can be. This state has been very peaceful as a result of the collaboration and the hard work of all the security forces. The security services and the military have been a component of that success story and I give all of them credit for it.

    In my view, the military have their job to do and if in their judgment they think that an operation helps them train themselves and prepare for situations, real or imagined; for me, I think that an exercise, which involved going round creeks in a show of force, has the advantage of scaring away the bad guys and limiting the movements of these people who do not care about the lives and property of the people. I recall that some weeks ago, there were cases of piracy in some local government areas. So, professionally conducted exercises like this, in my view, has a way of impacting directly on the safety and security ratings of the state. I have listened to the military officers and the exercise in this respect has my support and I call on all in Bayelsa to also support them.

    Your administration has been talking about civil service reform, what does it really mean and what have you achieved with it?

    This is one key area that we have been doing a lot of work since 2012. You are all aware of how we have worked so hard to reduce the wage bill, blocking the leakages and wastage because in this state we need every kobo to be put into development. After paying salaries, we barely have N5m left and we have a very low IGR base, which we have raised from between N60million and 70million to about N500million and N600million. But that is nothing compared to what other states are receiving. States around us are raking in N10billion monthly and some about N6billion, but our IGR is nothing to write home about, because the companies are not here and our people do not pay tax except those in the public service.

    Therefore, this state needs to be very prudent, which is what we are doing. Some people may misunderstand it, but we are in need of development and I need every kobo that comes into this state to go into development and it is in the same line that we are asking for support, in terms of further solving the challenges of leakages and wastages in the salary system in our state. Currently, we have been able to bring down our wage bill to about N3.8bn every month, but we think that is still too high; that is why I want to commend genuine civil servants, who are going to work and are doing very well; teachers, especially the secondary school teachers, who have done so well. That is why, our rating now in all national examinations is improving, but there are still some black legs in the public service and we want to fish them out.

    Look at the sacrifices our primary school teachers are making, a number of them in some local governments have not been paid for several months. The ones affected most are in Ogbia Local Government and we have checked and we now know what has happened. People have just been putting names of fake people, non-academic staff, teachers, who do not go to work. In all our primary schools, we have very pathetic situations, not only because of the delays in payments of salary.  All these have to stop. After this reform, one of the areas that I will put a stop to is the issue of non-payment or delay in payment of salaries of primary school teachers.

    That nonsense has to stop in this state this year. That situation is so, because in almost all the schools you have one headmaster, few teachers and then you have over 40 non-academic staff getting paid for doing nothing, for not even going to work.  The money that ought to have been used for the payment of genuine teachers’ salary is being used to service other people, so teachers end up being short changed. That has to stop. We are formulating a policy which, I will announce in no distant time.

  • Agitations: Buhari disappointed at leaders of communities

    Agitations: Buhari disappointed at leaders of communities

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed disappointment at leaders of communities where agitations have sprout in the country in recent times.

    The President made this known on Sunday in his Independence Day message to the nation.

    According to him, those who are agitating for a re-run were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of the civil conflict which the country went through.

    The message reads in full:

    My dear Nigerians,

    October 1st remains a special date for all Nigerians as this marks the day when we attained one of the most precious of human desires — freedom.

    Over the years the country has gone through trials and tribulations, but October 1st is always a day for celebrations.

    It is a day for thanks giving, reflection and re-dedication.

    It is also a day for remembrance. We should remind ourselves of the recent journey from 1999 – 2015, when our country happily returned to democratic rule.

    However, in spite of oil prices being an average of $100 per barrel and about 2.1m barrels a day, that great piece of luck was squandered and the country’s social and physical infrastructure neglected.

    We were left with no savings and huge infrastructure deficit.

    The APC Government’s Campaign rallying cry to restore security, re-balance the economy and fight corruption was not all rhetoric.

    The country must first be secured. The economy must be re-balanced so that we do not depend on oil alone. We must fight corruption which is Nigeria’s Number One Enemy. Our Administration is tackling these tasks in earnest.

    In the past two years, Nigeria has recorded appreciable gains in political freedom. A political Party at the Centre losing elections of State Governor, National Assembly seat and even State Assemblies to the opposition parties is new to Nigeria. Added to these are complete freedom to associate, to hold and disseminate opinions. Such developments clearly attest to the country’s growing political development. But like all freedoms, this is open to abuse.

    Recent calls on re-structuring, quite proper in a legitimate debate, has let in highly irresponsible groups to call for dismemberment of the country. We can not and we will not allow such advocacy.

    As a young Army Officer, I took part from the beginning to the end in our tragic civil war costing about 2million lives, resulting in fearful destruction and untold suffering. Those who are agitating for a re-run were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of the civil conflict which we went through.

    I am very disappointed that responsible leaders of these communities do not warn their hot-headed youths what the country went through. Those who were there should tell those who were not there, the consequences of such folly.

    At all events, proper dialogue and any desired constitutional changes should take place in a rational manner, at the National and State Assemblies. These are the proper and legal fora for National debate, not some lop-sided, un-democratic body with pre-determined set of objectives.

    Government is keeping up the momentum of dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger Delta to keep the peace. We intend to address genuine grievances of the communities.

    Government is grateful to the responsible leadership of those communities and will pursue lasting peace in the Niger Delta.

    SECURITY

    On security, Nigerians must be grateful to our gallant Armed Forces for rolling back the frontiers of Boko Haram’s terrorism, defeating them and reducing them to cowardly attacks on soft and vulnerable targets.

    Nigeria is grateful to its neighbours and the international community for the collective efforts to defeat this world-wide menace of terrorism.

    Not even the most organized and most equipped police and security forces in the world can escape the menace of modern day terrorism, as we have seen in recent years in Europe and other parts of the world.

    But we are not letting up. Our Armed Forces in an effort to enhance the operational capability of troops of OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE have established Mobile Strike Teams in the North East. These will ensure the final push to wipe out the remnants of Boko Haram.

    In addition, through targeted air strikes most of the leadership and identified logistics bases and routes of the insurgents have been neutralized. The Armed Forces have established a Naval presence in the Lake Chad Basin as part of the coordinated military efforts to curtail the movements or re-emergence of the sect in the area.

    Government is working round the clock to ensure release of the remaining Chibok girls, as well as other persons in Boko Haram captivity. Government will continue to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies to fight not only terrorism, but kidnapping, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers violence and to ensure peace, stability and security in our country.

    ECONOMY

    With respect to the economy, the Government has remained pro-active in its diversification policy. The Federal Government’s agricultural Anchor Borrowers Programme, which I launched in November 2015, has been an outstanding success with:

    · N43.92 billion released through the CBN and 13 participating institutions,

    · 200,000 small holder farmers from 29 states of the federation benefitting,

    · 233,000 hectares of farmland cultivating eight commodities, namely Rice, Wheat, Maize, Cotton, soya-beans, Poultry, Cassava and Groundnuts, in addition to fish farming.

    These initiatives have been undertaken in close collaboration with the states. I wish to commend the efforts of the Governors of Kebbi, Lagos, Ebonyi and Jigawa States for their support to the rice and fertilizer revolutions.

    Equally commendable are contributions of the Governors of Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Cross River, Benue, Ogun, Kaduna and Plateau States for their support for the Presidential initiative for palm oil, rubber, cashew, cassava, potatoes and other crops.

    With the abundance of rainfall last year and this year, agriculture has enjoyed Divine intervention.

    Since December last year, this Administration has produced over 7 million 50Kg bags of fertilizer. Eleven blending plants with a capacity of 2.1 million metric tons have been reactivated. We have saved $150 million in foreign exchange and N60 billion in subsidy. Fertilizer prices have dropped from N13,000 per 50Kg bag to N5,500.

    Furthermore, a new presidential initiative is starting with each state of the Federation creating a minimum of 10,000 jobs for unemployed youths, again with the aid of CBN’s development finance initiatives.

    Power remains a huge problem. As of September 12th, production of power reached an all — time high of 7,001 Megawatts. Government is increasing its investment, clearing up the operational and financial log jam bedeviling the industry. We hope to reach 10,000 Megawatts by 2020.

    Key priorities include better energy mix through solar and Hydro technologies. I am glad to say that after many years of limbo, Mambilla Power Project has taken off.

    Elsewhere in the economy the special window created for manufacturers, investors and exporters, foreign exchange requirements has proved very effective. Since April, about $7 billion has come through this window alone. The main effect of these policies is improved confidence in the economy and better investment sentiments.

    The country has recorded 7 consecutive months of lower inflation, Naira rate is beginning to stabilize, appreciating from N525 per $1 in February this year to N360 today. Broad-based economic growth is leading us out of recession.

    Furthermore, in order to stabilize the polity, the Federal Government gave additional support to states in the form of:

    · State Excess Crude Account loans,

    · Budget Support Facility,

    · Stabilization Fund Release

    to states and local governments as follows:

    · N200 billion in 2015

    · N441 billion in 2016

    · N1 trillion in 2017

    Altogether totaling N1.642 trillion.

    This was done to enable states to pay outstanding salaries, pensions and small business suppliers who had been all but crippled over the years.

    In addition, the Government’s current N500 billion Special Intervention Programme is targeting groups through;

    · Home Grown School Feeding Programme,

    · N-Power Job creation to provide loans to small-scale traders and artisans,

    · Conditional Cash Transfer,

    · Family Homes Fund and

    · Social Housing Scheme.

    CORRUPTION

    Fellow Nigerians,

    We are fully aware that fighting corruption was never going to be a straightforward task. We expected corrupt elements to use any weapon to fight back, mainly judicial obstruction and political diversion. But we are determined to eradicate corruption from our body politic.

    In this fight, the Government has:

    · Empowered teams of prosecutors,

    · Assembled detailed databases,

    · Accelerated the recovery of stolen funds.

    The Administration’s new institutional reforms include:

    · Enforcing Treasury Single Account,

    · Whistle-Blowers Policy,

    · Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System.

    We have signed multi-lateral cooperation agreements on criminal matters with friendly countries. There are signs of increasing cooperation from the Judiciary. Recently the Chief Justice of Nigeria directed Heads of all our Courts of first instance and Appeal to accelerate hearings of corruption cases and dismiss any judicial officers found to have been compromised.

    Justice Salami has just been appointed to chair the Judiciary’s anti-graft committee. Government expects a lot from this Committee.

    I commend the National Assembly for refocusing on its oversight committees. They should, in addition, ensure swift passage of enabling corruption laws. But fighting corruption is a bottom to top operation. I call on all Nigerians to combat corruption at every turn. By not asking for and refusing to accept a bribe, by reporting unethical practices or by blowing a whistle, together we can beat corruption. The government for its part will work for accountability at all levels – Federal, State and Local Governments. CHANGE will then be real.

    As we enter the second half of our term of office, we intend to accelerate progress and intensify our resolve to fix the country’s challenges and problems.

    Thank you and a happy holiday to all of you.

    God bless our country

  • Adamu Ciroma Nothing new about these agitations

    Adamu Ciroma Nothing new about these agitations

    There is nothing new about the clamour for restructuring. It is normal for Nigerians to want to live together in peace. This is my objective, to assist Nigerians to live in peace and to know how to adjust to one another.

    All these things are part of the normal process of resettling issues and ensuring that things are conducted properly and ensuring that people understand each other. So, it is normal.

  • Agitations caused by failure of leadership, says Peter Obi

    Agitations caused by failure of leadership, says Peter Obi

    • Says Nigeria a failed country

    The immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday labelled Nigeria a failed country.

    He said this is the reason there are so many agitations in the land today, and he feared more  agitations are coming  except what he called  the leadership challenges facing  the country   are urgently addressed.

    Obi spoke as guest lecturer at a public forum organised by the Ebonyi State government in Abakaliki, to mark Nigeria’s 57th Independence Anniversary.

    “Whenever they talk about Nigeria at 57, I refuse to talk,” he said.

    “My opinion is that Nigeria is a failed country, period. And that is why you are seeing so many agitations you are seeing today. The agitation is not ending, it’s just begging.”

    Continuing, Obi said: “It is a cumulative effect of leadership failure over the several years of this country and you can’t stop it because you now have millions of young people in their productive age doing nothing. You can call them anything.”

    “For me the country has failed, if anybody tells you that Nigeria is doing well, tell them it is a lie. They said that we are out of recession but almost all Nigerians are still feeling greatly the impact of recession.”

    He stressed the need for massive job creation as a solution to further agitations and terrorism.

    “If you don’t have a job and you have not eaten food in the morning, afternoon and night, tomorrow you are a potential terrorist. Quote me anywhere,” he said.

    He added: “The only way to stop that is to give them jobs. We are moving from baggage economy to knowledge economy. So, the country should stop dwelling on solid minerals because it is a baggage economy and nobody lives with it.

    “This is what Nigeria is doing and we are still talking about oil which is already destined to finish one day.”

    He also made a case for the Sustainable Development Goals to be mainstreamed in the country’s development agenda.

    His words:”Nigeria should queue into Sustainable Development Goals(SDG), not in signature. The country is there in signature and it is the only country that got involved in Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and did not  achieve one goal because as soon as we signed the signature, we threw it away and came here and started doing things wrongly.

    “China put MDGs in their developmental agenda, they mainstreamed it in their developmental agenda and they are targeting to lift 16million people out of poverty. I don’t know how many people Nigeria will lift in the next 10 years because there is no such measurable goals. Everything is done in confusion.

    “Our reserve is weak today and we are not talking about saving.Rather we are borrowing more. In 2007, all our debts were written off and we didn’t owe anybody.

    “But in 2017, we have accumulated a debt of $69billion and nobody is thinking how do we get over this because what we are doing is based on nothing. We just borrow money and share.”

    A former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, yesterday made a fresh case for the restructuring of the country.

    The Second Republic External Affairs Minister said in a statement on the occasion of Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary that  while we deserve to celebrate the day ,we ” must resolve to deal effectively with the challenges, some of which are existential, facing the country.”

    He said: “the undeniable reality of the current state of affairs in Nigeria is that the country since the civil war has never been as divided as it is now in the face of armed insurgency in the North East, a threat of secession by some elements  in the South East, rampaging Fulani herdsmen wreaking havoc in parts of the country, militancy in the Niger Delta, an economy just recovering from recession and incalculable damage being done to the country’s development by massive corruption.

    “To effectively tackle these challenges and put our diverse country on the road to political stability and its deserved development, we must move from our present nominal to a true federalism, in other words, we must restructure the country’s present governance architecture.”

  • FG should address genuine agitations, says group

    A group under the auspice of Federalist Movement of Nigeria, has urged the Federal Government to do everything possible to address genuine concerns being expressed by those using the appropriate channels to demand for restructuring.

    Convener of the group, Dr. Emmanuel Ogah, said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Dr. Ogah, also urged the government to immediately bring the weight of the law to bear on criminal elements that are hiding under marginalization to breach the constitution and the extant laws of Nigeria.

    “This call became necessary following observation that many members of the terrorist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) have started migrating to other separatist groups that are becoming virulent and could soon continue acts of aggression from where IPoB stopped before the court ordered that it is a terror group.

    “The Biafra Zionists Federation (BZF) led by one Benjamin Igwe Onwuka, having been swelled in membership by defecting IPoB members, is now ramping up its purveyance of hate speech and incitement to violence in the fashion of the terrorist group.

    “Onwuka, speaking as BZF leader, is calling for attacks on the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) – Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai and the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, including threatening them with trial at the International Criminal Court on a shallow basis.

    “Onwuka, who clearly forgot that only those who have wronged the people will go to prison, must be reminded that history would acknowledge Alhaji Lai Mohammed and General Buratai as heroes especially in the way they discharged their sacred responsibility of upholding good governance in Nigeria and by extension in Africa.

    “Much as Onwuka’s BZF and other miscreants are angry that the Nigerian Army has tamed them and prevented them from continuing to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens or to continue their regime of criminality, they must realize that no country gives free passes to terrorists, extremists, secessionists and separatists to oppress the law-abiding populations.

    “Onwuka, BZF, and other separatists have the penchant for pegging their ill-conceived demand on the notion that they can get other nations to interfere in the affairs of Nigeria.

    “This rabble must therefore be schooled to understand that responsible leaders deal head on with criminality irrespective of the barrage of propaganda and sponsored outcry by criminals and their backers.

    “The United States under President Donald Trump banned nationals of eight countries from gaining access to that country; on September 27, 2017 eleven people were arrested across England and Wales as part of investigation United Kingdom’s banned extreme right-wing group, National Action, which is just one of the many banned groups in that country.

    “We recommend the words of Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Snowden, the head of counter-terrorism policing in North East England, to the Federal Government, Biafra separatists and terrorists alike. Snwoden said of the arrests: “Those who promote extreme views are looking to divide our communities and spread hatred. This will not be tolerated and those who do so must be brought to justice.

    “The government of Nigerian and its military must therefore pay no heed to the shallow threats from misguided elements that think agitation for restructuring or secession confers immunity for breaking the law. Only those that make their case for restructuring through constitutionally sanctioned channels and processes must be given attention while law breakers should be dealt with as prescribed by law,” the statement said.

  • Agitations over PMB’s medical leave

    Sir: The medical leave of President Muhammadu Buhari in the United Kingdom has continued to elicit reactions from within and outside the country.  While several efforts have been made by the federal government to justify his absence, many critics are of the opinion that the inability of the President to personally direct the affairs of the nation has been a great problem and setback for Nigeria. At the forefront of recent agitations are the group, ‘Concerned Nigerians’ led by the former Director, Social Media, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Deji  Adeyanju and the ‘Our Mumu Don Do’ movement led by popular musician, Charles Oputa (Charly Boy).

    The protests have led to confrontation with law enforcement agents while some persons have allegedly been injured in the process.  As this was going on, another pro-Buhari group, the ‘Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative’, has emerged in support of the President.

    Under the democratic setting, the law allows for freedom of association, assembly and expression. Therefore, the action of the agitators is within their rights. On the other hand, the continued absence of the President from the country does not amount to violation of any legislation. For the umpteenth time, it is pertinent to remind the protesters that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) already provided for such a development under Section 145, through which power devolves to the Vice President as the Acting President, in his absence. Already, these provisions have duly been complied with. By virtue of Section 145, it can be clearly be said that the needful had been done in ensuring that no lacuna was created in governance on the account of the President’s absence from office, as all duties of the President are now being fully and duly performed by the acting President. Relevant performance indicators seem to suggest that since assumption in office of the acting President, the Professor of Law appears to have done very well without giving Nigerians any tangible reasons – unlike what the agitators are claiming – for concern in steering the affairs of the nation.

    Rather than prolonging unnecessary protests against President Buhari, to either ‘resume or resign’, the managers of the President’s information should ensure that Nigerians are briefed on a regular basis on his true health conditions, bearing in mind that no human being is insulated from falling sick. They should avoid making utterances that suggest that the President is a private person, who should not be asked questions. Rather, by virtue of his position as President, he has assumed the status of a public person and has ceased to be referred to as a private person. They should not be seen and perceived as taking the people for a ride by keeping vital information from the public domain.

    The government should not fail to accord the agitators their due respect, liberty and honour while the protest lasts. While wishing the President a safe return back to the country as soon as possible, openness and timely disclosure of information should not be taken for granted at this crucial time, to avoid a situation whereby the agitations would spread beyond control. This task of laying the cards before the public should be pursued with vigour such that the basis for the ‘resume or resign’ campaign would no longer exist and fizzle out.

     

    • Adewale Kupoluyi,

    Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

  • Pensioners condemn agitations for breakup

    The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has asked those agitating for the country’s break up to stop and join hands with the government to promote unity.

    The union appealed to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for the payment of the outstanding 18 months of 33  per cent pension arrears, following the signing of the budget.

    In a statement by its General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal, the union praised the Federal Government for this month’s prompt payment of pensions to pensioners.

    The statement said: “We appreciate the Federal Government for listening to the voice of the Union by acting fast to ensure that our people have a very happy sallah celebration.

    “The Union wishes to appreciate the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), especially the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, for her effort at ensuring that this payment scaled through.  The prayer of all pensioners will abide with her.

    “The Union thanked Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the Registrar of Trade Unions and all government agencies involved in the monthly payments of pension.

    “The NUP joins her voice to call for the unity of Nigeria and condemns all those who are encouraging hate speeches to desist and let us build together a virile country.

    “Finally, the Union requests the Acting President to use his good offices to ensure payment of outstanding 18 months of 33 per cent pension arrears and other pension arrears now that the budget has been signed into law.”