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Tag: challenges

  • Bode George: PDP ‘ll overcome its challenges

    Bode George: PDP ‘ll overcome its challenges

    Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU and MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE in Lagos on the crisis in the opposition party, the Edo primary and other partisan issues.

    Senator Sheriff has described the Edo governorship primary as illegal. What is your reaction?

    My reaction to that is that as my friend, I appeal to him because I have known him even before I came into politics. I was in the Navy, when I knew him. That kind of statement portends two areas of concern for the party. So, as a friend, I want to appeal to him that he should distance himself away from this political lunacy, because there is a subsisting legal directive that he should not parade himself as chairman of the party. So, what other authority does he want? He should have respect for the rule of law.

    There was a directive from a court that there should be no election into the office of chairman, secretary, and auditor. The party complied, and there was no election into those positions. According to our constitution, the convention has a right to set up a committee it deems fit. So, legally, the Ahmed Markafi Committee is constitutionally established and it has the right to manage the party until the next convention. Sheriff has ceased to be chairman of the party.

    This crisis has prevented the PDP from playing the role of a vibrant opposition…

    What he does not understand is that the PDP is not the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). The PDP is a formidable grassroots political party and we have an incredible resilience. Of course, it is affecting our focus because of the court injunctions; political parties are not run that way.

    I want to say also that we should take part of the blame, because when this judicial rascality came into the party, there is a section in the party’s constitution that forbids any individual from going to court without exhausting all the avenues within the party. So, most of these people who headed to court, thereby creating unnecessary diversion, should have been fired according to the party’s law.

    Everybody kept quiet because they didn’t want to offend anybody. So, if you don’t like heat, get out of the kitchen. This is a party that has rules and regulations which were conceived by the founding fathers.

    It is believed that the APC may have planted Sheriff in the PDP? What is your take on this?

    I do not have concrete facts, but if you look at the behavioural pattern, what would you conclude? He is playing dirty politics. If you don’t put up the real story, rumours would start flying. Whether it is true or not, I am advising him not to be a cannon fodder. He should not be used by others; what would be his benefit? Does he intend to decimate the PDP? He can’t achieve it. The PDP is deeply-rooted with the people. Yes, we made our mistakes, we have learned our lessons and we are ready to present new managers for the party. We must convince Nigerians that we are ready to manage them again.

    What is your position on the decision of the EFCC to freeze the bank account of Governor Fayose?

    I am going to be like an elder here. Ayo is my son, the first time he came to be a governor; it was impressive. Two wrongs cannot make a right. I read a presentation by a lawyer on the matter and I also read the EFCC version of the accusation leveled against him. My plea is this, as a concerned Nigerian; we still have the rule of law and everybody must subject himself to it. The EFCC cannot do anything to him because of Section of 308. They should be patient, because the law is no respecter of anybody. I have gone through my own experiences; the law is still there. They want to fight him because they said Ayo made certain comments against the First Lady. If it is proven that it is wrong, I know Ayo would be the first to jump up and apologise. But, two wrongs cannot make a right.

    The position of the EFCC was well stated in the newspaper, but how many people would read that? So, they should balance it.

    What is your reaction to the faceoff between the Senate and the Presidency?

    My take would be like a spectator, because I am not directly involved. I think this is the time for some senior Nigerians, former presidents, and elders to get involved. The government is a tripod; if one leg is wobbling, then there is instability; if two legs are wobbling, then the instability is increased. Now, of course, the judiciary won’t talk even if they are aggrieved.

    It does not matter whether it is party A or party B. Recently, the President had a meeting with the National Assembly members during his one year anniversary. I believe something should be done. If it were our government and our party, the Board of Trustees (BoT) would have waded in, because that’s one of their functions. I don’t know whether they have a BoT or not; if they don’t have, they have elders.

    When I listened to the language on the floor, I was a bit scared. Is it so bad? Where are the leaders of the party? If the Senate President and his deputy are being charged to court for alleged forgery, it gives me worry, and they should play it very gently.

    There is no problem in the PDP. Sheriff, who has just joined us, Wale Oladipo and the other young man, for auditor or whatever, should go home quietly. All the other zones are stable and we would do the elections and compete with vigour that God gave us and battle Edo to give Edo people brand new government.

    There is this impression that Southwest is backing Sheriff, because Buruji, Oladipo and others are angling to become eventual leaders in the region…

    The point is this: you cannot but find Buruji’s hand in all these. His tentacles are all over the place. He is an ardent supporter of Wale Oladipo and Adewole Adeyanju. Now, I want to talk to both of them to cast their minds back when they were being nominated to represent the Southwest. We had a meeting in my house in Abuja, they had so many other contenders. All the other zones had nominated their own exco members. When the elders met, they were there. We begged those competing with them to step down. We did not go to the field looking like an untutored and uncultured zone. That was what we did. Now, they are trying to use the old Akintola taku mentality; that is why they have refused to leave. They went there representing Yoruba people. A professor, Wale, a professor of some kind of physical or scientific nomenclature, I would expect him to have a deeper and more rational mind; a reflective mind that portrays what we in my part of the world call Omoluwabi.

  • Niger Delta: Challenges, prospects and future

    Niger Delta: Challenges, prospects and future

    The Federal Government in 2008 created the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to coordinate its efforts aimed at promoting infrastructural development, environment protection and youth empowerment in the region.

    The oil-rich region historically comprises Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers and they largely occupy the mangrove creeks around the River Niger tributaries towards the Atlantic Ocean coast line.

    But in 2000, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Edo, Imo and Ondo State became part of the region that has been the centre of international controversy over pollution and underdevelopment.

    In the light of this, from the onset of the establishment of the ministry, the Federal Government has insisted that the ministry is responsible for direct response to the myriad of challenges in the region.

    Concerned citizens, therefore, suggest that the ministry should urgently work towards the delivery of a virile development plan as prescribed by the Niger Delta Master Plan.

    They note that although the master plan has been applauded since its scripting in 2006, previous administrations have not met the expectations of the people in the region.

    They observe that amorphous militant groups, including the Niger Delta Avengers, have sprung up, destroying oil facilities because of the feelings among the people that their expectations have not been met.

    They also note that dreadful cult groups are rampart among the youth, posing a great threat to the peace and development of the region.

    They maintain that although Amnesty Programme and disarmament process on the militants, particularly among the members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta are commendable, they failed to address challenges of lack of empowerment and socio-economic underdevelopment of the region.

    This development, perhaps, informs the recent decision of the Federal Government to inaugurate the clean-up of Ogoniland as a lead up to tangible development of the region.

    The government expresses concern that the militants are creating worse environmental health disasters by the rate they destroy oil facilities in the region.

    Apart from this, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Usani Usani, has assured the people in the region that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will create an enduring partnership for the socio-economic and industrial development of the region.

    The minister said the ministry had not and would not abandon any of its ongoing projects in the nine oil producing states of the Niger Delta.

    Receiving the community leaders of the nine oil producing states who paid a courtesy visit on him recently in Abuja, the minister said that the ministry was eager to fast-track the development of the region.

    The minister said: “previous efforts created monsters that were bigger than the communities; the new efforts will cut down these monsters and cause them to submit to their communities.

    “Previous efforts were characterised by corruption and bribery of government officials, the new approach will bring all stakeholders into a transparent commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region.

    “Previous efforts paid more attention to mega projects like roads and huge buildings which were celebrated but not fully implemented, the new approach will pay considerable attention to projects that will truly empower the people by training, skill acquisition and ethical reorientation.’’

    The minister has also said that there were plans of the ministry to send 100 Niger Delta youths to abroad for training in various skills.

    He also said that the ministry had entered into many training agreements with various European and United Kingdom training institutions to train the youths in strategic areas.

    According to him, such partnerships involve Ministry of Niger Delta with S.T Georges and Ministry of Youth and Sports to train Niger Delta youths on a programme tagged “Train and Engage.’’

    He said the trainees would be absorbed and constructively engaged in existing oil and gas industries as soon as they finished their training.

    The minister said the Local Content Office of the Africa House in UK, Africa Business Forum and the Ministry of Niger Delta had also entered into a collaboration to engage Niger Delta youths on a special programme along the NVQ model design.

    He said the NVQ model “is designed to train the youths in oil and gas based on industry need basis.’’

    He also warned that the era of getting paid for what had not been done had gone, insisting that “those who take up jobs as contractors must deliver quality jobs to justify the tax payers money paid for such jobs.

    “Contractors who appear to have abandoned their projects are advised to go back to site to complete them.

    “If they have found themselves incompetent to deliver, government should be made to know on time in order to re-award the contract to a more competent company.’’

    The minister urged the people of the region against complicating the current environmental challenge of the region by engaging in vandalism of oil and gas pipelines which cause oil spillage and pollution.

    “The government will compel oil spilling organisations to do the necessary clean-up because the government is on the side of the people to checking oil spillage.

    “Already the Federal Government has taken the lead in this direction as it has inaugurated the clean-up of Ogoni-land,’’ he said.

    In spite of all these, observers insist that the plans and goals for the development of the region can only be possible or feasible in an atmosphere of peace.

    They note that it is necessary for all parties to maintain peace and work together for the rapid development of the region.

    “We can achieve much more under an atmosphere of peace and tranquility than in an environment of confusion and chaos,’’ they insist.

    • Makanjuola is of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

     

  • The 8th Senate and the challenges ahead

    On May 17, the 8th Senate under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki during a solemn session withdrew considerations for the Frivolous Petitions bill introduced months before by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah.

    The bill was not an ordinary one. Since its introduction, it has generated heated criticism and disapproval from the public who saw it as a way of clamping down on social media critics, a restriction of freedom of expression and curtailing human rights of the people. Following the heated opposition, the Senate mandated its Committee on Human Rights and Legal Matters to review the bill.

    The recommendation of David Umar, chairman of the committee was unambiguous: it requested that the bill be withdrawn. Following a voice vote, that was what the Senate did.

    It is one year of legislative activism by the National Assembly and the upper chamber has come into focus of Nigerians with many comparing the achievements of the 8th Senate against its predecessors, in terms of bills passed and interventions it has made to further economic and social development in the country.

    While it will be modest to say the Senate has its shoulder high, it has also introduced a major dimension into governance, one which is usually not associated with the Nigerian political class –bowing to the public will.

    In the 8th Senate, the people of Nigeria remain king. Unlike what obtained in the past where public officials flagrantly ignore and disrespect the masses, the Senate has been able to repose a sort of trust and confidence between the public and the legislators. Indeed in this Senate, the leadership has encouraged inputs from the private sector into legislation and has robustly courted the social media community, the youths and even its most fierce critics.

    But this is not the only milestone that would define the first year of the 8th Senate. There are what commentators have described as the passage or considerations of game-changing legislation which is designed to move Nigeria into the centre of the 21st century.

    The Senate has shown and consistently too, that it is on the same page with President Muhammadu Buhari on the anti-corruption fight and the recovery of stolen funds. Acting within its legislative border, the Senate initiated an investigation into the issues of suspicious waivers granted by past administrations. It will be recalled that Nigerian manufacturers, civil society movements and other stakeholders had called for a review of the waiver regime.

    This 8th Senate had the balls and the political will to do just that and the revelations were staggering. A total of N447.42billion fraud was exposed in the duty waiver and concessions scam involving rice and other imported foods and automobile by different organs of government from 2011 to 2015.

    According to Adamu Aliero, the chairman of an Senate ad-hoc committee, in 2011 alone the country lost N78,489,941,114.74 to questionable import waivers. Others followed similar pattern:  In 2012, the federal government lost N128,538,453,758.99. Similarly, in 2013, the Senate report claimed that N46,056,265,355.78. In 2014, N87,654,744,360.22 and in 2015 alone, a total sum of N106,711,892,098.14 was approved as concession, waivers and grants to companies.

    ”Customs duty waivers and concessions have been used by the Budget Office of the Federation to entrench a very destructive patronage system to our economy, whereby very few operators in the economy were singled out for favours resulting to unfair competition in the system”, Aliero said.

    Consequently, the Saraki-led Senate urged the government to recoup N10.3billion from six companies that enjoyed rice importation waiver in 2014. This money when recovered will go a long way in providing the much needed dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

    Easing the burden of doing business in the country has been a major concern for the 8th Senate with different motions and intervention leading to the change in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy which allowed small business owners access to foreign exchange. That is not the only focus on the economy by the Senate; a probe led to the strict implementation of the Treasury Savings Account (TAS) which today has saved Nigerian about N20billion.

    Perhaps one single act of nationalism which directly impacts all Nigerians is the abolition of fixed charges in electricity tariffs.  In the past, Nigerians have complained about the ‘inhuman’ monthly fixed charge on their electricity tariff. The situation is made worse for the millions of homes using the prepaid meter.

    Senator Sam Egwu who moved the motion said: “The high tariff being charged by DISCOS does not make provision for payment of only electricity that is consumed even though bills are dished out… I am also concerned that even those that have the prepaid meters are being billed a fixed rate of about N700 a month irrespective of whether or not the person consumes electricity.”

    Consequently, the Senate President, Saraki, ordered the National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) to abolish the fixed charges.

    It is instructive to note that in its first year, 167 bills have passed first reading, 39 are in second reading stage while six are in third reading. To show its commitment to economic recovery especially as it affects the ease of doing business, the Senate is also set to review 54 laws affecting ease of doing business in Nigeria. In all, 162 motions were considered and resolutions which affect ordinary Nigerians were passed. Some of these are: Ban on Nigeria Agricultural export products by the European Union, flood and erosion disaster and landslide in some parts of the country.

    With the speed with which the senate has attacked its legislative duties, it is expected to work even more assiduously as it enters the second legislative year. And of course the Senate must ensure that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) counts among its achievements at the celebration of its second year in May 2017.

     

    • Adenuga wrote in from Abuja.

  • How to deal with challenges of puberty

    Introduction

    Later, from 14-16 years upward, the voice may break and the “Adam Apple” becomes more prominent. At this stage, the boy is virtually ready hormonally (but not mentally nor physically until about 18-20), for one of the tasks before him: reproduction! If he is unguided, he is at great risk indeed, from sexual abuse and early fatherhood.

    Perplexed as to what is happening to him, the teenager asks questions or refrain from asking questions but may attempt to experiment or succumb to peers pressure. If his questions are not honestly answered and in a friendly manner or he takes the advice of his peers or experiments, he may begin to follow the wrong path in life!

    In all, dismayed as to the rapid change in him, the young man resents events around him, becomes angry and rebellious. He needs counselling at this stage.

    Age of 14- 18(Both Sexes) In general terms, no major changes occur here except that, the young woman and the now young man builds upon what they did until up to age of 14 years. Also, the body adjusts to these spectacular and rapid changes. In girls, the breast grows bigger, the menstruation regularises and the rapid growth slows down towards a permanent position. The ovaries become more active and ovulation synchronises with menstrual period.  Ovulation which is the release of egg from the ovaries in readiness for meeting the sperm from the male, is released 14 days or so from the start of the period. So, in 28 day cycle, the ovulation will take place about 14th day. This is the time that pregnancy is most likely to occur, though pregnancy occurrence can vary by 3-4 days before or after the ovulation. It is very rare that ovulation and menstrual period should occur at the same time though this is not impossible.

    In the young man, growth is still continuing at a rapid phase until about age 18 years when it stabilises. Night emission of sperms may now be more frequent. Early morning penis erection becomes a common event. He becomes “sensitive” and attracted to female pictures and other sexual appearances.

    In both sexes, there is increased awareness of the changes and transformation that has taken place in them, with the result that each now creates an identity to align their world views with mother/female or father/male and respective genders in larger society in line with their own identity. On the other hand, each of the boy or girl wants to be seen in association with the opposite gender of their age.

    All these changes that have taken place from 10 /11 years to 18 years is called puberty.

    Biological Implications of Puberty The main reason for the changes that occurs in puberty is simply for Productivity.  (a) These changes in boys and girls occur so that each individual can be ready for reproduction: that is be prepared to bear another person similar to the bearer (parent).  (b) The purpose of the changes is also to make each person, attractive and pleasant to the opposite gender so much that one would like to be in the presence of the opposite sex. The “icing on the cake” for this companionship is of course, sexual intercourse with sole aim of reproducing another person. This is biological productivity (c) Defence: The growth in all areas of the human body at puberty, the energy that came with the growth, the accompanying power of puberty, the increase in muscles (mainly in the male) and fat around the body (mainly in the female), the increase in mental capacity and capability are all meant to help in the defence against external attack. The aim of this defence is to

    secure the individuals and the couple and any children that the new couple may now have.  Thus, the new man (father), the new adult female (mother) and the new offspring of the man and his wife is called a family.

    Economic Implications of Puberty: Productivity. The individuals in ages of puberty and coming up to 20 years are immature yet they are very energetic. The growth in all areas, the energy, the accompanying power, the increase in muscles (mainly in the male) and fat around the body (mainly in the female), the increase in mental capacity and capability are meant to help them to be engage in economic productivity. The aim is to provide for the individuals and also for any children that the couple may have (family).  When one family joins with another and another and another, then a society is formed.

    The Legal Implications of Puberty While different countries will have different laws, in general, a child is by World Health Organisation definition is someone who is under 18 years. So, ideally, those that are under 18 are under the protection of their parents or guardian. The implication is that a child may not cause harm and thus escape legal punishment. That used to be the law, at least in Britain. How things have changed. We now know that 10-year olds can kill, how much more 17 and 18 years old! Therefore, in Britain, the age of legal criminal responsibility is 10years! The society and the law expect 10-year old not to commit crimes. If they do, they would be charged and could have criminal records or go to juvenile prison.

    Also, by law children are not allowed to be employed. The exception to this is if the law permits such employment under certain conditions, otherwise, it would amount to child abuse.

    We do know that child labour is a form of abuse.

    Similarly, the law expects individuals to be responsible for their actions. No mistakes. If a child gets a girl pregnant, even the without intention to do so, he now becomes a father. The law does not respect or accept mistakes. If you miscalculated, you will be held responsible.

    So, on the other hands, someone who is a child can not undertake certain responsibilities such as entering into a contract, standing as surety for another and so forth.  This is designed to protect the child whose mind is immature, from exploitation.  The law in general expects that every member of our society should behave to maintain peace and not cause harm to anyone.

  • How to tackle tourism challenges, by expert

    Nigerians have been urged not to leave the challenges of tourism to operators alone.

    A tourism consultant, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, said on Tuesday in Abuja,that the sector’s  challenges of lack of capital, poor government support, poor infrastructure, political instability and natural calamities hinder its  growth.

    “Lack of capital is normally a big challenge because any individual who wants to invest in this industry must have capital in terms of money as well as other resources such as land and labour. The government does not give enough support to this industry, especially in terms of allocation of funds as well as encouragement to potential investors in tourism,” Ndu said.

    He added that Nigeria has very poor roads that hinder access to areas rich in wildlife and this has resulted in further drawbacks in the industry. He also said political instability and insecurity in the country is an issue of concern to tourists and these have made international tourists to pause when they think of visiting the country.

    “Insecurity issues, tribal clashes, Boko Haram insurgents, herdsmen and farmers’ attacks have also posed a threat to the industry. Though, gratefully the present government is doing a great deal to ameliorate the situation, there is also a need to improve social services such as providing sporting and recreational facilities while also re-jigging and improving the health care delivery system,” he said.

    The tourism expert said most of the tourist sites are located in the remote areas of the country and since these facilities are usually lacking in such areas, they become unavailable to would-be visitors.

    Ndu also said low levels of technology and destruction of wildlife has also been a challenge. “In most cases, these tourist areas do not have telephone and Internet services and surely in this communication age, nobody wants to be so marooned from civilisation in such a way. For tourists from developed countries, these conditions are difficult to cope with and may make Nigeria unattractive to them,” he stated.

    He pointed out that there are also reports from the national parks and game reserves where poachers kill the animals for various reasons – most of them for commercial purposes. He attributed the deterioration of the industry to lack of education and skills because many Nigerians do not know the importance of wildlife and viewed them only as money-making opportunity.

    “All these problems cannot be left for one sector alone in Nigeria because tourism cuts across all sectors of the economy,’’ Ndu emphasised, calling on all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the private sector to join hands with the tourism and hospitality industry for the nation to access the huge benefits that abound in the sector.

  • Diamond Bank challenges teenagers

    Diamond Bank challenges teenagers

    Diamond Bank has thrown open an essay writing competition, challenging young people from early teens to visualize the future and creatively work to bring their aspirations to reality.

    Apart from inspiring creativity and productivity, the bank said in a release, that this year’s Diamond Cool-Teens Essay Competition also aims at helping teenagers build a healthy savings culture, prudent expenditure profile and rewarding investment character.

    Speaking on the importance of the essay writing competition in helping to drive financial inclusion among teenagers, the Head Corporate Communication, Ayona Aguele-Trimnell, said Diamond Bank is very passionate about the financial awareness and the financial future of teenagers, pointing that this year’s essay title: ‘how my Lenovo Tablet will help me achieve my dreams,’ was carefully chosen to enable participants align their thought flows with how they could use what they have to achieve their dreams in life.

    She said: “We are very passionate about young people, how they think about money and how to achieve their dreams in life. Knowing this, the Bank has created each product segment that would help bring out the best in them. As a highly techie Bank, we are very excited to inspire and reward our teenage customers and potential teenage customers with all the advantages that mobile technology has to offer in banking transactions”.

    The Diamond Cool-Teens Essay Competition is one of the ways the Bank inspire teenagers through the Diamond Cool-Teens Account.

    The Bank’s Head of Consumer Banking, Aisha Ahmad, stated that the reason for developing the product for teenagers is basically to enable them be among the banking community and know that they have a right to start early to chart healthy financial courses in life.

  • How to tackle tourism challenges, by expert

    Nigerians have been urged not to leave the challenges of tourism to operators alone.

    A tourism consultant, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, said on Tuesday in Abuja,that the sector’s  challenges of lack of capital, poor government support, poor infrastructure, political instability and natural calamities hinder its  growth.

    “Lack of capital is normally a big challenge because any individual who wants to invest in this industry must have capital in terms of money as well as other resources such as land and labour. The government does not give enough support to this industry, especially in terms of allocation of funds as well as encouragement to potential investors in tourism,” Ndu said.

    He added that Nigeria has very poor roads that hinder access to areas rich in wildlife and this has resulted in further drawbacks in the industry. He also said political instability and insecurity in the country is an issue of concern to tourists and these have made international tourists to pause when they think of visiting the country.

    “Insecurity issues, tribal clashes, Boko Haram insurgents, herdsmen and farmers’ attacks have also posed a threat to the industry. Though, gratefully the present government is doing a great deal to ameliorate the situation, there is also a need to improve social services such as providing sporting and recreational facilities while also re-jigging and improving the health care delivery system,” he said.

    The tourism expert said most of the tourist sites are located in the remote areas of the country and since these facilities are usually lacking in such areas, they become unavailable to would-be visitors.

    Ndu also said low levels of technology and destruction of wildlife has also been a challenge. “In most cases, these tourist areas do not have telephone and Internet services and surely in this communication age, nobody wants to be so marooned from civilisation in such a way. For tourists from developed countries, these conditions are difficult to cope with and may make Nigeria unattractive to them,” he stated.

    He pointed out that there are also reports from the national parks and game reserves where poachers kill the animals for various reasons – most of them for commercial purposes. He attributed the deterioration of the industry to lack of education and skills because many Nigerians do not know the importance of wildlife and viewed them only as money-making opportunity.

    “All these problems cannot be left for one sector alone in Nigeria because tourism cuts across all sectors of the economy,’’ Ndu emphasised, calling on all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the private sector to join hands with the tourism and hospitality industry for the nation to access the huge benefits that abound in the sector.

  • Between promises and challenges

    Between promises and challenges

    President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), have been under immense pressure to deliver on campaign promises. The expectation on Buhari has been high right from the day he was declared winner of the 2015 presidential poll. Many believe that Buhari’s leadership credential and his pedigree will do the magic of reversing the hardship in the country.

    Armed with the APC manifesto, which he coalesced into three broad based areas of tackling insecurity, fighting corruption and revival of the economy, Buhari set about the onerous task given to him by Nigerians.

    Public Affairs analyst Monday Ubani said the assessment of Buhari’s administration in isolation of the challenges of empty treasury and the economy that has virtually collapsed under the past administration would be inaccurate, imbalance and subjective.

    Ubani, former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Ikeja branch, recalled that the Buhari administration got the handover notes from its predecessor just four days before the inauguration. He added that this hampered the new government’s effort to have a clear understanding of the situation on the ground before taking the necessary measures to address it. The transition was not smooth, he reiterated.

    The Buhari administration, he said, had its first Appropriation Bill signed into law almost a year after its inauguration. It had all along been operating the budget of the immediate past government.

    “The programmes and projects President Buhari planned to execute in his first year in office are captured in the 2016 budget. It is unlawful and an impeachable offence to spend public fund not appropriated for by the National Assembly. Nigerians are right to demand quick and sustained action in addressing challenges besetting the country but it is important we put things in proper perspective for a better understanding”, the civil right activist posited.

    Ubani noted that Nigeria has never before witnessed transition from ruling party to the opposition. What the country has been accustomed to is transition from one government to another under the same ruling party. The implication of change of guard courtesy of last year’s presidential election is that this is a new learning curve, with its attendant hiccups, he added.

    Civil Rights activist Comrade Mashood Erubami agreed with Ubani. According to him, “in the course of reforming, repositioning and re-establishing the country, the Buhari administration has been confronted with huge challenges which slowed down the speed with which achievements would have been made”.

    Erubami, President, Nigeria Voters Assembly (VOTAS), said: “Evaluating Buhari as a personality, and his government in the last one year requires that we are dispassionate, fair, objective and patriotic. Buhari has started to run a new government of change with strong political will with which he is addressing multiple problems facing the country”.

     

    Tackling insecurity and

    fight against terrorism

     

    Shortly after Buhari’s inauguration, it was evident that tackling the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast was a major priority of his administration. He immediately ordered the relocation of the Nigerian Military Command Centre to Maiduguri, Borno State, the epicentre of insurgency. He made moves to seek help from outside, such as visiting West African neighbours, the G7 in Germany, the African Union during the summit in South Africa and he also visited the United States on invitation of President Barack Obama. All were aimed at restoring confidence in the country’s leadership with allies which had frayed under his predecessor.

    The result is the decision to deploy the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), headquarters in N’Djamena, Chad, on July 30, 2015 to pep up the fight against Boko Haram. This is the same force the past administration could not get off the ground in six years. The U.S. has also pledged  five million dollars assistance for the fight against Boko Haram.

    Veteran politician Dr Junaid Muhammed was full of praises for the Buhari administration in curtailing the Boko Haram insurgents, noting that the blood thirsty group has been decimated by the federal troops.

    “If not for Buhari, God knows, Boko Haram would have taken over some states in the Northeast. The situation was frightening under Jonathan’s regime because of his intransigence and non-commitment towards fighting Boko Haram. The diversion of money meant for purchase of arms to prosecute war against terrorists under Jonathan was inhuman.”

    Muhammed, a member of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic, noted that though the Boko Haram have not been fully eliminated but they have been incapacitated; they lack the strength to embark on full scale suicide mission of wreaking havoc on lives andproperty as they used to do before the advent of Buhari’s government.

    Ubani expressed similar view. He said: “Buhari had incapacitated the insurgents; they don’t have the strength of striking at will any more. Before the assumption of office by Buhari, Boko Haram had taken over some Local governments and hoisted their flags in Borno State. Thanks to Buhari for his military strategies, otherwise the insurgents would have taken over Borno, Yobe and Adamawa by now.”

    However, he observed that the upsurge of criminality in the Niger Delta is political. According to him, the criminals are sponsored to embarrass, distract and blackmail the Buhari administration. “The Federal Government should crack down on the criminals blowing up oil platforms and pipelines. They are saboteurs and should be treated like insurgents. The military should not wait for the President’s directive in dealing decisively with any form of insurgence or terrorism emanating from any part of the country. No section should hold the country into ransom. Hence forth, the military must secure all our vital assets including oil platforms, oil and gas pipelines 24 hours daily”.

    But a youth activist Mr Fidelis Osunbor wants the President to give the Fulani herdsmen invading communities and killing people the same treatment being meted out to the Boko Haram terrorists. He commended Buhari for restoring relative peace in the Northeast.

    The fight against corruption ranks very high on the list of the Buhari’s administration’s priorities. The President realised that without putting an end to the prodigious and sickening corruption in the country, he may not succeed in other areas. That explains why he keeps saying: “If Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria”. To minimise corruption in the management of public funds, Buhari ordered revenue generating agencies to close all illegal revenue accounts and introduced Treasury Single Account (TSA) for remittance of all generated funds. This is a momentous step considering that those multiple accounts were used to siphon public funds. Through painstaking efforts of this administration, it was discovered that out of N8.1 trillion earned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in three years, N3.8 trillion was not remitted to the Federation Account.

    The $2.1 billion meant for purchase of arms and ammunition to fight Boko Haram terrorists were allegedly diverted by the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki to finance the campaign expenses of former President Goodluck Jonathan; $115 million slush cash linked to the former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke meant to bribe election officials were unearthed by the Buhari administration.

    As one analyst put it, “the rot in the system inherited by the Buhari administration is sickening; the unfolding drama on daily basis is mind boggling. The President should be commended for working hard to plug all loopholes for siphoning public funds, in addition to recovering looted public funds.

    Muhammed lauded Buhari for appointing Mr Ibrahim Magu Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He said the choice of Magu has largely contributed to the success made so far in the anti-graft war.

    “Magu has been pro-active and made a clear difference since he took over the leadership of the EFCC. He has recovered more money and assets from looters than EFCC did in the past 16 years. This was made possible because Buhari gave the commission free hands to operate and deal with the corrupt elements in the society.

    “Since Buhari’s election on March 28, 2015, Nigeria has been moving fast to regain its deserve place in the comity of respected nations. Leaders who once shunned Nigerians have been inviting, in droves President Buhari to visit their countries”, the Kano born politician asserted.

    A PDP chieftain Alhaji Umar Kura said Nigerians irrespective of political leaning should support Buhari in his anti-graft war.

    “The on-going probe and the startling revelations on how the public funds were misappropriated are in the interest of this country. As a member of the PDP and like many other Nigerians, I couldn’t imagine the kind of financial recklessness that took place during the 2015 general elections. If the funds in question were spent on infrastructural development, we will not be where we are today.”

    Kura, a lawyer urged Buhari not to hesitate to launch a probe into campaign funds of the APC  so that the fight against corruption will not look sectional. He also advised the government to ensure diligent prosecution of the looters. If some of them are convicted, the Nigerian politicians that found themselves in power will sit up because they will realise that one day they will be held accountable for their deeds.”

    In Erubami’s estimation, “the promise made by Buhari is alredy yielding results. Corruption has been made to become an unpardonable offence in Nigeria and those saddled with the fight against corruption are now up and coming in their responsibilities. High calibres of offenders are being raked into detention and being queried on their stewardship and very soon will find themselves in jails where they belong”.

     

    On economy

     

    Despite the laudable achievements of the Buhari administration in fight against terrorism and corruption, Nigerians are not impressed with the non-challant attitude of the administration to the economic hardship they are passing through.

    Public Affairs commentator Dr Etok Bassey said the absence of a clear cut economic direction of the Buhari administration has aggravated the economic challenges in the country. Local and foreign investors are afraid of investing in the economy they are not sure of government’s policy on doing business; many entrepreneurs have closed shops because of high cost of production and laid off workers.

    According to him, “the 2015 World Bank report ranked Nigeria 169 out of 189 countries with ease of doing business. To ordinary Nigerians, the cost of living is unbearable as prices of essential commodities skyrocket on daily basis, yet the government could not provide palliative measures to cushion the effects of the economic hardship.  It took the APC-led Federal APC government almost a year to come out with a clear economic policy”.

    However, The Nation‘s Forum on the Economy held in April, this year provided a platform for  Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to unveil the much-awaited economic direction of the Buhari administration.

    Osinbajo disclosed that the Federal Government’s blueprint would be based on a strategic implementation plan for the 2016 budget under six thematic key areas adding that the plan would focus on about 33 priority actions. The key areas listed are: Lasting changes in the policy environment, national security and governance; Diversification of the economy by fast-tracking industrialisation, agriculture and agro-allied processing, attracting investment into the solid minerals, tourism and entertainment sectors. Others are Priority critical infrastructure, focused on increasing investment in power, rail and roads; restructuring of oil and gas sector and providing enabling environment for ease of doing business in Nigeria.

    Economic analyst Dr Fred Onyeabuchi agreed that the Buhari administration kept the international community waiting for long on its economic blue print. According to him the government inaction could scare genuine foreign investors. On the other hand, he said if the economic policy was released immediately Buhari was sworn-in, it will not make any difference because there was no budget to implement his programmes.

    “Buhari operated the 2015 budget prepared by the former administration till the day the 2016 appropriation bill was signed into law this month. His economic programmes were not captured in the 2015 budget. He has just got his own budget which he will use to implement all projects and programmes contained therein.

    “Nigerians should give the implementation of the budget a chance before criticising the Buhari’s economic policy. I believe if the budget was fully implemented, particularly the capital projects, it will improve the lots of the people. It is an ambitious budget that would transform the country if   implemented accordingly,” he added.

     

  • ‘I see challenges as stepping stones’

    ‘I see challenges as stepping stones’

    Mohammed Mojeed Akanni a businessman has his hands in different pies including oil and gas, automobile, hospitality sub-sector. In this interview with Taiwo Alimi he speaks on his career, management style among others. Excerpts:

    What prepared you for your foray in business?

    After leaving school, I started work in the northern part of the country, then briefly at Inland Container Nigeria Limited (ICNN) for almost three years, and then I was transferred to Lagos where I worked briefly for two years, before establishing my own company, Ammedin Ventures Nigeria Limited. The company was established for the purpose of clearing and forwarding business, and I was licensed by The Custom to clear goods from the Port. That is our basic work in that company then.

    From here, we moved into the importation of vehicles. I sell vehicles and those are my ideas of business before I moved into other businesses. I also tried my hands in the oil and gas business. I have a filling station.

    In 2003 I developed interest in hotel business and built my first hotel in 2006; Hotel de Celebrity, Osogbo. Because of the passion I have in the business, I built the second in 2009, which is named Hotel de Celebrity Phase 2. I recently commissioned the third one.

    Looking back now, I give glory to God. Though, in my first hotel, there were challenges, especially in gaining access to the place. That gave us a lot of setback because the road leading to the hotel was bad and the competition, with about five functioning hotels around, was high. About that time Leisure Spring Hotel was building and they took off before us and multiplied the business quickly because we had accessibility problem.

    It was because of that that we started the second phase, which has done better than phase one. But, thank God the road to phase one is under construction by Ogbeni Raufu Aregbesola. We give kudos to him and we need to encourage him more. The economy is tough now and for him to be doing all these roads is a big plus for his administration. And that is why I canvass to everyone to pay their taxes promptly. Without tax, government can do little. We have to sensitise ourselves on payment of taxes so that he can be encouraged to do even more.

    You’re building your third hotel in 10 years, so it has become a passion, how did it start?

    The story goes back to the late 70s. A father to one of my friends used to run a small hotel in Osogbo in those days and I do visit them regularly. I fell in love with the way they were running the hotel as a form of hospitality business. Since then I developed a passion for it and told myself that some day, I would love to own hotel and run it. It is not for profit margin, but for the love I have for it. That is the love to accommodate people and to meet people, which is a fundamental thing in having and running hotel. You meet many interesting people in hotel business. That made me to start and stay in it.

    Why did you site your hotels in Osun State, why not in Lagos State?

    The first thing was that it depends on the plan you have for the future. For me, I know I will never retire in Lagos because I did not like the hustling and bustling of Lagos to make ends meet. I settled my family in Lagos and I have been coming and going from Lagos to Osogbo for 25 years. I work Monday to Friday in Lagos and come back here on weekends.

    Then, when I retire, I would be able to have a consolidation of my investment in a single place, not that I would be going from one place to the other. I also know I would be settling down in Osogbo when I retire and then, I can easily look after my hotels and take time off in the evening to play tennis, which is a game I love very much too and do during my pastime. It’s what keeps me going.

    How do you encourage your staff to fully identify with your focus and ideas?

    We educate all members of our staff to know that customers must be treated well to have them coming back here. Customer is king here and all our staff know this. We try as much as possible to encourage them too with good salary and incentives and especially give them a sense of belief in the focus and idea we have of our hotels. We also have consultants, who come in to groom our staff in the proper courtesy and manner of doing things and talking when you are in this business.

    What is your management style?

    As you can see, I run an open door management style. I encourage my staff to come to me and I have offices in all my hotels. I keep an eye on everything and you can see my hands in everything. However, I have reliable people managing my investments, but I do spend quality time at my hotels to look at the books. I also communicate well with my staffs on phones and emails, so, whether I’m in Osogbo or not, I know what is happening at my hotels.

    However, we don’t create bureaucratic bottlenecks for ourselves.

    Talking about infrastructure, how has it affected hotel business in a country where there is incessant power failure and poor road network?

    Yes, like I said earlier, road affected my first hotel and power is a serious issue and problem in the country today. So to run an hotel is a serious issue. Sometimes you run into shortage because of the economic situation. Things are a bit tight now and return on investment is in not guaranteed. You have to provide many of the facilities. You have to sink a borehole because there is no government water. You have to have generator and run your power 24 hours.

    How has Osogbo as a tourism environment imparted positively on your business?

    I have to be frank with you, tourism in Osogbo is not well packaged. The people in the system of tourism are not the right people. They are not the right peg in round hole. Because, when you have passion for something you know how to develop it. Osun has a lot of tourist center but we are yet to package it well. Look at Osun Shrine here, we are yet to do it well to attract people all year round. We have to give it a standard and make people believe in what we are displaying. I have traveled wide to tourism centers and the key is for visitors to be vowed by what they see. It is believed that Osun river is inhabited by a river goddess, then we can create an artificial object that would enhance that belief. The place can be made more attractive and suitable for foreigners to come with their family and spend time there. They need to develop the place and ensure there is good road to access it. Erin Ijesha waterfall is there and what it lacks is packaging and development.

    A public/private initiative can be developed whereby businessmen in the private sector can be given a target with government support. Not that government should be expecting allocation at all time. And when allocation is not coming, nothing is done.

    We also have to advise the governor as well that he should dwell more on priority project. I’m saying that he should focus on project that would have significant benefit to the masses, projects that would touch the lives of the people and have multiplying effect.

    How is government policy affecting hotel business?

    Government need to do a lot in this area. When it comes to the issue of tax, we pay multiple taxes here. You pay tax for signboard, for tenement rate, for beverages, we know it is a policy but it can be streamlined so that it would not be difficult for people to pay. People tend to evade multiple taxes. On the long- run, government loses. Government must relax the policy that affects hotels.

    The forex policy that government is using now can also be of benefit to those in manufacturing line. You cannot be looking for forex to import toothpick or other junks. Nigeria has a large market, that would encourage investors to cite their factories here, and it would help hotel industries to grow. There would be more employment and general prosperity.

    How do you motivate your staff?

    Standard is key in our hotels and that standard must be maintained by staff and services provided. When you talk about affordability, you have to also talk about standard. In Nigeria of today, how many people are super rich? They are not many. Therefore, we have to create facility for medium and low class customers. Moreover, in all these facility, they still enjoy same basic standard that the super rich also enjoy. It is not how high your prices are, but the kind of standard you want to create for your hotel.

    With this in mind, we have to motivate our staff to be able to maintain this standard and when there is the need to sanction them, we do.

    What has been your toughest business decision?

    When I decided I was going to build my second hotel, it was not as if the first one was doing very well, but I still went ahead because customers were complaining about the location of the first one due to poor accessibility. That decision a tough decision but it ended up to be my best decision, because Hotel de Celebrity Phase 2 became the toast of many people within and outside the state.

  • Challenges ’ll give birth to a better Nigeria, says Tinubu

    Challenges ’ll give birth to a better Nigeria, says Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu said at the weekend that the challenges facing Nigeria will give birth to a better nation.

    He noted that the process of achieving the required result, though difficult, would lead the country to good fortunes, if undertaken.

    Tinubu explained that the challenges demanded that the country changed from dependent on oil or fall by the wayside, adding that there was no third option.

    The former Lagos State governor spoke in Abuja on Saturday at the dinner/award ceremony organised by the Ahmadu Bellow University Alumni Association.

    His words: “Our nation struggles mightily to give birth to its better self. This is a difficult but necessary process that we must undertake, if we are to find our true way and reach the good destiny that God has written for us.

    “The old model of an oil dependant political economy has shattered before our eyes. To feign blindness and act as if nothing has changed is to insist on failure that will mortgage our present and future.

    “Nigeria, our beloved Nigeria, is being called forth to define itself. Do we remain as we are or do we dare believe ourselves capable of something better, something more fecund and sublime?

    “That which we decide shall shape not only our lives, but will reverberate across the boundaries of space and time. What we decide shall affect the future of this nation for years to come, just as it will influence the trajectory of brethren African nations and the entire race of Black people. Our ancestors, they now watch, hoping we do that which is right. Our descendants too watch, praying the same thing.”

    He said Nigeria must teach its citizens quality education to revive the country.

    According to him, “to discard learning is to walk into the fog of stagnation and poverty”, adding that the part might be hard, but the choice was clear and laden with promises.

    Tinubu said: “Mastering the art of learning and education is the difficult task nations undertake when they commit themselves to progress. Barebones survival is all a nation can achieve when it disregards this principle. To esteem learning is to follow the gleaming light to prosperity.

    “To revive this nation, we must teach our people as never before done in terms of the scope and quality of the education they receive. That education cannot be of esoteric type that is only beauty in abstract but devoid of practical value in our quest to build and develop the foundations of a new political economy for this nation.

    “Let us honour and fulfill the challenge before us. Let us use the knowledge and experience that ABU and other fine schools have given us to innovate and create new ways to learn new things that will accelerate the development of this nation such that we bring forth an era of prosperity and hope from the challenges that now face us.”

    Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai said the demand for higher education was on the increase.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Barnabas Bala Bantex, called for increased capital development in the country to build Nigeria’s economy.

    “We need human capital development for socio-economic growth of Nigeria,” he said.

    The late President of Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, received a posthumous grand premier award. Other awardees included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (premier award), Hajiya Aisha Buhari (grand patron Award), former Defence Minister Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (Humanitarian Award), former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega (Career Service Award), among others.