The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Civil

  • Civil unrest as anathema to foreign direct investments

    Civil unrest as anathema to foreign direct investments

    • By Olufemi Adedamola Oyedele

    Civil unrest is fighting between different groups of people or causing of mayhem by people living in the same community. Civil unrest includes violent protests. Losses caused by this fighting are usually not covered by insurance. Destructive protests are usually classified as civil unrest as protests are not meant to be destructive but peaceful. The constitutions of all civilised nations provide for the right of the people to peaceful protest. The right to peaceful protest is enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Section 40 of the constitution provides that: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons and he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests”. The only restriction on and derogation from peaceful assembly of people is in section 45 of the constitution.

    Section 45 of the 1999 constitution states that: (1) “Nothing in sections 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 of this constitution shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society;  (i) in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health;…”

    This shows that the right of the citizens to protest ends where the rights of other citizens to defence of their lives and properties, safety, orderliness in the society, public morality or public health begin. Since the criminal law of the nation proscribed arson, it will not be in the line of peaceful protest for anybody to set properties (private or public) like buildings, roads, bridges and vehicles on fire during protest. The acts of clamping down an economy or destroying properties are features of war and not peaceful protest which the constitution provides for. The constitution did not have looting of assets in mind during protests.

    Protests are statements or actions expressing disapproval of, disagreement with or objection to something or development in the society other than to democratically elected government which the constitution (written or unwritten) states can only be rejected in the polls. A feature of civil unrest is running down of economic activities through clamping down of the economy. So, when protesters are blocking the roads with the aim of stopping people from carrying out their ‘day-to-day’ activities or pulling down structures or putting buildings on fire and taking law into their hands, they are in war and not protesting. On May 2, 45 people were arrested after protesters and police clashed during a protest in southeast London (Peckham) over the planned transfer of asylum seekers to the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset, according to BBC News. Normal people do not resort to assault while protesting.

    The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police known for its long record of abuse against Nigerian citizens, especially the youths before October 11, 2020. It was on October 10, 2020, that the youths started a protest to end the oppression, extortion and victimisation of the citizens by SARS operatives. On October 11, 2020, Muhammed Adamu, then Inspector General of Police (IGP), announced that the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other tactical squads have been stopped from carrying out their operations including traffic checks “with immediate effect”. During the End-SARS protest of October 2020, there was economic losses amounting to over N200 billion (USD486.40 million) due to physical damage according to reports. Supermarkets were torched, shops looted, Lekki Toll Gate and part of Television Continental (TVC) were burnt and about 150 Lagos State buses which were used for public transport were burnt down. Over N400 billion (USD972.80 million) were lost due to economic clampdown for 10 days.

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    Foreign businesses like Shoprite where groceries are sold and Samsung and Games, where electronics are sold, were mainly the targets of looters and miscreants. The Circle Mall, Osapa at the Fifth Roundabout, Lekki, Lagos, accommodating the biggest Shoprite in Lagos, experienced serious vandalism and arson and has not been rehabilitated up till today. Nigerian growing economy depends more on foreign direct investment (FDI) for survival. Foreign investors have apathy for civil unrest in that they are always at a loss when this unrest occurs and their investments are affected. During one of the mayhem in Lagos State in 2023, a lorry full of yams was looted by ‘area boys’. Only God knows the condition of the owner of the yams today. Foreign investors carry out risk analysis before they establish business in any nation apart from measuring the purchasing power parity of the people of the country. At times they engage risk assessors to carry out the risk under PESTLES analysis.

    PESTLES analysis is the assessment of the political, economic, social, technology, environmental, and security risks of the nation. Where a nation is under incessant civil unrest, the security risk will be high as the products of the foreign investors, either in stores, warehouses and in transit, can be looted or torched. Insurance premium for loss of goods and loss of income in countries with high security threats will be high and profit low. In a situation where there are alternative countries that the investors can invest in, the high security risk nations will lose the investment.

    Nigerians, as citizens of an oil producing country is supposed to have high purchasing power parity if not for the high rate of corruption in the country and high rate of unemployment. Nigeria should be attractive to foreign investors except for the high security risks. All hands must be on deck to prevent violent protests in the country to attract foreign investors into our business environment.

    • Oyedele, an estate surveyor and valuer, writes from Lagos.

  • Can exams test true competence of civil servants?

    Can exams test true competence of civil servants?

    The recurring failures recorded by civil servants during promotional exams at the different tiers of government have further raised questions about the competence and performance of the personnel in the public service with some discerning Nigerians suggesting a different modus operandi of assessment, reports Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

    Ordinarily workers in the public sector desire incentives, especially as they progress along the way because their new status often comes with enhanced packages, perks of offices to mention just a few.

    Of course, for most workers in the civil service to progress within the cadre they usually have to take some form of examination including written, orally and competence tests as the case may be.

    The irony, however, is that this simple task has become the albatross of most civil servants, most of whom have the misfortune of failing their exams.

    The fire this time

    It may be recalled that no fewer than 61 directors failed the written examination for the appointment of new permanent secretaries in the federal civil service which was held on Monday, November 6, 2023.

    A total of 85 directors were initially shortlisted for the examination out of which four were absent.

    It was gathered that only 20 directors passed the exam and were invited for the next stage which is the ICT proficiency stage.

    According to a memo dated November 7, 2023 obtained from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation which was dated, the 61 directors who failed the examination scored below 50 per cent, which disqualified them from the race.

    In a circular dated September 25, 2023, which was released by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, there was a memo about a planned recruitment process for new permanent secretaries by the Federal Government scheduled to commence by October 9, 2023.

    The process is expected to end towards the end of November and will comprise three stages, namely: written examination on public service and policy issues, information and communications technology proficiency and an oral interview.

    Earlier in August, the OHCSF had made a call for directors on Grade Level 17 to apply to fill new and existing vacancies for the position of permanent secretaries.

    The memo, dated August 21, 2023, was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; all ministers and ministers of state; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Independent and Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission; the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; Accountant-General of the Federation among others.

    Signed by the Head of Service, Folashade Yemi-Esan, it stated that the recruitment process commenced following the approval by the President, Bola Tinubu.

    Civil servants fight back

    Expectedly, senior civil servants in the Federal Civil Service have faulted the outcome of the result of the promotion exam conducted for directors, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cancel it.

    They urged the president to use his discretion to appoint permanent secretaries through a transparent and judicious process that places emphasises on seniority, experience and qualification among other credible criteria used in the past

    The senior civil servants also faulted the comment attributed to the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Mrs Folasade Yemi-Esan, that only 20 directors out of 85 initially invited to sit for promotion exam to the rank of Permanent Secretary scaled the hurdle.

    Top senior civil servants who spoke on condition of anonymity said her posture did not do justice to the directors’ invaluable experience garnered over the decades.

    The officers who pleaded anonymity said: “It is distasteful, disgraceful, dishonourable and dishonest for Dr Yemi-Esan who also rose through the public service to denigrate our directors over a discredited examination that has been questioned for favouring cronies.

    “Unfortunately, while the position of a permanent secretary is a political appointment that should reflect federal character principle, some states including Bauchi and Ebonyi do not have a representation as they claimed that their directors failed the exams.

    “Apart from gender imbalance in the so-called exam that denied adequate female representation who sat for the exam, there are other controversies that are now coming to light,” they said.

    To buttress their points, the senior civil servants quoted some sections of the Constitution, which gave the president powers to directly appoint Permanent Secretaries.

    “Section 171(1)(2)(d) gives Mr. President the constitutional powers to directly appoint Permanent Secretaries without the fraudulent exam conducted by the office of the Head of Civil Service.”

    “We wish to therefore urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cancel the exam and use his discretion to appoint permanent secretaries through a transparent and judicious process that emphasises seniority, experience, and qualification among other credible criteria used in the past.”

    The civil servants didn’t just stop there. They had alleged that some of the applicants were compelled to pay N250,000 (per head) for a one-week training programme from October 23 to 28, 2023.

    The total sum, estimated to be N23,000,000, was not remitted to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) amid plans to also manipulate the posting of the permanent secretaries and give “juicy ministries” to the HOCSF’s inner circle.

    Charm offensive by OHCSF

    Contacted over the allegations, the Director of Communication at the Office of the Head of Federal Civil Service, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed denied the allegation of nepotism and irregularities in the process.

    Ahmed said the recruitment followed rigorous and transparent processes involving relevant institutions and agencies.

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    “You should be aware that various levels of assessment to test the candidates’ competence were undertaken, including verification and screening of credentials which involved security and Anti-Corruption agencies.

    “Similarly, other stages are written examinations on public service and policy issues, information and communications technology proficiency and oral interviews which were conducted in the most transparent manner.

    “As the Head of Service had said, the emphasis is on meritocracy and integrity of the selection process and the quality of the candidates.

    In her reaction, Dr. Yemi-Esan explained that out of the 85 candidates, four of them did not show up for the examination due to what she suspected was fear of failure.

    Yemi-Esan said there was the need to emphasise meritocracy and integrity in the selection process for permanent secretaries.

    “It should not be about the number of successful candidates but the quality of the candidates,” she argued.

    Exam failure at public service a recurring decimal

    Just as it is the case with the latest public servants, failure rates of the civil servants is deep-rooted as the same thing played out few years ago even during the immediate past administration.

    Checks by The Nation revealed that under the erstwhile Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF) Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, many high-ranking civil servants who were next in line for promotion to the Permanent Secretary position also failed during the examination exercise conducted for them.

    For instance, of the over 290 deputy directors who sat for the 2015-2017, just only about 140 were successful.

    Giving hindsight on the exercise at the time, an upbeat Oyo-Ita lamented “Over 290 deputy directors sat for the exams, out of which about 140 were successful.  With this achievement, I am certain that going forward, the Civil Service will ventilate itself and officers will be rewarded for hard-work. With this, we now have a solution to the issue of dearth of Directors of Admin in MDAs,” she said.

    Oyo-Ita who acknowledged the direct support of President Muhammadu Buhari in resolving the issues said departments which were hitherto manned by officers in acting capacity would now be manned by substantive directors.

    She commended the Permanent Secretary Service Welfare Office for initiating the programme aimed at engendering improved relationship between government and labour and to prevent the escalation of labour related issues.

    “This meeting also affords the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation the opportunity to appraise labour about on-going programmes and activities, particularly as it relates to welfare of workers. The Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office has alerted me about some of the concerns of Labour which would be discussed at this forum.

    “A number of these issues are already receiving the attention of my office. Very dear to my heart is the issue of a conducive work environment for staff, to achieve this, I have recently set up a Committee on Office Allocation and Expansion with focus on maintenance, rehabilitation and expansion of office allocations to MDAs,” she said.

    She assured that all issues agreed at the separate meetings of the National Public Service Negotiating Councils I, II and II and the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council meeting would be presented to the National Council on Establishment (NCE) which would meet shortly.

    She also said that the issue of the new minimum wage would soon be resolved as the government is committed to the welfare of workers and Nigerians.

    On the technology advancement for civil servants, Oyo-Ita said the new secretariat cadres (secretaries) were not accessed on IT proficiency but that this should be given a priority due to the changing world of the work force that requires modern technological expertise and experiences.

    Divergent views over promotional exams for civil servants

    Expectedly, the Centre for Public Accountability has also called for the cancellation and review of the recently concluded promotion exams from Directorship cadre to Permanent Secretary in the country.

    The CPA in a statement in Abuja by its convener, Femi Lawson, after an executive meeting, said, “It was reliably gathered that long before this exercise, there had been complaints about the composition of the examiners, as most of them are stooges of the Head of Service under whose authority this exam was conducted with a hidden agenda to influence the outcome from inception.

    “Most of the qualified directors have expressed their lack of confidence, bias, non-transparency no trust in the said examiner committee because it was opined that, the Head of Service has interest in who would pass the said exam, but despite this, the exam was still conducted under serious controversy of lack of independence of the examiners body set up by the Head of Service.

    “As a result of this long-time controversy and lack of trust in the exercise, four of the qualified directors refused to show up, nor write the said exam. Just as observed, out of the total number of 85 that eventually sat for the test, only 20 were listed to have passed the so-called exam with 50% above while the rest were said to have failed.

    “As a watchdog of the society, ensuring that the nation gets it right from the inception of this regime we thus call for total cancellation of the whole exercise and if to be re-conducted, a consulting firm should be made to set and supervise the entire exam process. By doing so, there will be transparency and trust in the said process and the nation will be the one to benefit.”

    A statement by the Director of Public Governance Monitoring CPA, Nuhu Adams, alleged that the process was marred with huge controversies.

    The statement reads in part: “The Centre for Public Accountability in her quest to ensure that all strata of the states are performing optimally and devoid of corrupt practices usually witnessed with the Civil Service that is being maintained by taxpayers’ fund.

    “We followed the recently concluded Promotion Exams from Directorship cadre to Permanent Secretary cadre and discovered it was marred with huge controversies that call for total cancellation and review of the entire process.

    “It will be recalled that 85 Directors from five states of the federation and two geo-political zones, namely Northcentral and Northeast zones sat for promotion exams on the 6th of November, 2023, with results released on the 7th of November, 2023.

    “It was reliably gathered that long before this exercise, there had been complaints about the composition of the Examination Committee.

    “As a result of this controversy and lack of trust in the exercise, four of the qualified Directors refused to show up to write the said exam despite initially registering for it. This is aside from the Directors that declined to register for the exams due to lack of confidence in the selection process that would end up producing permanent secretaries already predetermined by the Head of Service.”

  • ‘Civil, commercial cases shouldn’t exceed two years’

    ‘Civil, commercial cases shouldn’t exceed two years’

    Civil and commercial cases should not last beyond two years, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), has said.

    He wondered why the urgency accorded election petitions should not apply to other cases critical the economy. Pedro plans to convene a  summit to work out how to shorten the time for determining civil and commercial cases.

    “We hope to have cases decided in 24 months. Landlord and tenant matters should be decided in six months,” he said.

     Pedro spoke at a reception in his honour, with SANs,  his predecessors, Olasupo Shasore (SAN), Ade Ipaye and Adeniyi Kazeem, present.

     The SAN said a situation where litigants have no idea when cases will be determined will discourage investments.

     “Election petitions are determined quickly, but how about people who have committed a lot of money to investments?

     “How will the employment situation be improved if industries are not thriving?

     “The only way businesses will thrive is when we have a efficient justice system that guarantees when a litigant will exit the court system.

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     “I cannot do it alone. I have the commitment of the bar association, and working with the Judiciary, we should be able to ensure cases no longer last more than two years,” he said.

    He promised he would ensure effective law enforcement.

    “Laws must be enforced and judgments obeyed,” he said.

     Among his agenda is decongestion of prisons through non-custodial sentencing so people who commit trivial offences are not sent to jail on conviction.

     Pedro got some advice from his predecessors.

     Ipaye said an attorney-general could get sucked into cases the state is involved in and take his eyes off welfare and capacity building.

     “The training of counsel must be taken serious. I ensured everyone had computer, table, and library,” he said.

     Ipaye, who called for speedy issuance of the director of public prosecution’s (DPP’s) advice, said he set up a task force to monitor cases.

     “The next most important person to the governor is the attoney general. Everyone turns to him,” Ipaye said.

     Kazeem described Pedro as the “ultimate insider”, but stressed despite being familiar with the ministry, the role of an attorney-general differs from solicitor-general.

     He urged Pedro to choose the right team, adding he must interface with Judiciary while fighting for workers welfare.

     Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary, Dele Adesina (SAN), urged Pedro to work with his colleagues in other states to push for a constitutional amendment to limit cases that go on appeal.

    Incumbent NBA General Secretary, Adesina Adegbite,  said Pedro will excel in the new role.

      “The legacies of Pedro as director of Civil Litigation and permanent secretary/solicitor general underscore the fact now he has opportunity to serve, he will do better,’’ he said.

    “He cannot do it alone. We all need to support him so that he will leave the office better than he met it. He mentioned his plan to revamp the administration of the civil justice system in Lagos State.

     “What we have now is a situation where you file a case today and you’re in court for 10 or 15 years. That is unacceptable. This is partly due to the high number of cases being filed in Lagos and the limited number of judges.

    “We have a peculiar situation, so there should be a peculiar approach to make the justice delivery system faster, simpler and cheaper and this is why we must all support Mr Pedro’s reform agenda.

     “It is only when we have an efficient justice system that we can have an economy that is prosperous and attractive to foreign investors.”

  • Civil Society for conference

    Civil Society for conference

    One hundred activists, and development partners are set for West Africa Civil Society Week (WACSW23) in Lagos.

     The conference, organised by West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), in collaboration  with West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), will delve into the role of civil society in safeguarding democratic values, consolidating regional development and navigating the complex contemporary landscape.

     It will start tomorrow, and end on August 31.

     The conference will involve discussions, interactive panels, breakout sessions, and plenary sessions designed to delve into shared obstacles confronting CSOs, proffering solutions to enhance their effectiveness.

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     It will be a meeting point of  diverse civil society stakeholders, including grassroots organisations, national and regional CSOs, youth networks, women’s groups, international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), and others.

    tities,

    the donor community, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union, and United Nations representatives, as well as the media.

  • ‘Appoint aides from civil service’

    ‘Appoint aides from civil service’

    Commissioners and other appointees of the Lagos State government have been directed to henceforth appoint their personal assistants and other aides from within the civil service.

    A circular by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said: “Appointments of personal assistants from outside the State public service by commissioners and special advisers (cabinet and non-cabinet rank) in the discharge of their day-to-day functions is not in line with the structure in the public service, as they will not be allowed any privileges or permitted to view official documents. 

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    “However, while noting that personal assistants play crucial role in supporting political appointees towards effective service delivery, this all important support staff can be internally sourced from Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) by ensuring that qualified and competent officers are assigned to them, so as not to increase government’s wage bill.”

  • Labour, civil society kick against electricity tariff hike

    Labour, civil society kick against electricity tariff hike

    The civil society and the organised labour have vowed to engage the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over plans to increase electricity tariff by over 61 per cent.

    Speaking after a rally in Lagos, leader of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR), Comrade Toluwani Adebiyi, said the move was unacceptable.

    Adebiyi said the increment is totally unaffordable, considering the biting economic hardship assailing the already impoverished masses.

    The human rights activist recalled that the electricity distribution companies (Discos) were yet to honour the agreements they signed with the Federal Government in November 2013 to issue prepaid metres to all Nigeria consumers within 18 months.

    “It will amount to a rude disrespect to the rule of law to talk of increment now when the matter that touches so much on tariff increment is still pending in court,” he said.

    Adebiyi observed that it has been incessant power tariff increments without commensurate improvement, saying Nigerians have been paying for gross darkness with no value in return for the exorbitant bill paid by consumers.

    He urged NERC to optimise its generating capacity by ensuring that the electricity generating companies (GENCOs) generate enough power for the DisCos.

    He advised the Federal Government to revoke private companies license and take over the sector if the private companies cannot stabilise and improve power in Nigeria after four years of privatisation.

    “The Nigeria power sector for long has been taking undue advantage of and exploiting Nigerian electricity consumers. Until the labour group and civil society organisations decided to take up and challenge their inordinate trade practices, he added.

  • As Obaseki begins civil service reforms

    When the Edo State Civil Secretariat buildings were first inaugurated during the military administration of late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, they were a cynosure of beauty.  Located along Sapele Road in Benin City, the secretariat buildings were the second high rise building in the country after the Cocoa House built by late Obafemi Awolowo.

    The buildings were supposed to housed all government ministries and agencies in the defunct Bendel State. As at the time of inauguration of the buildings, three out of the five buildings were completed. Those completed were the Palm House which consisted of 12 floors, the secretariat building (eight floors) and the two storey Civil Service Commission building. The buildings especially the Palm House was tagged the Pride of Bendel.

    Two other buildings tagged Block C and Block D which are eight floors each were yet to be completed. In 2008, the Block D was awarded and completed but government officials did not move in until while the uncompleted Block C served as a place of abode for some policemen until 2010 after a report was published about the living place of policemen in Edo State.

    Today, the completed secretariat buildings are an eye sore. State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Ohue Marshall aptly captured the rot and decay in the buildings in his May Day address to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    He said, “We expect government to pay attention to its buildings and offices to make work environment conducive. A first time visitor will wonder the kind of people we are given the nature of our infrastructural decay.

    “Our offices as at today are not qualified to be called offices but simply put “Abandoned kitchen”. This is as a result of complete neglect of various work places by past government over the years. The environment is hostile and all elements for effective and efficient working system are completely abandoned.”

    The 9th and 10th floor of the Palm House that was gutted by fire in 2003 are yet to be  renovated. The only lift operational in the building is always faulty that people preferred to use the stairs. Many of the offices except the part recently renovated by Edo SEEFOR are an eyesore. Files are scattered in many of the offices and many of the furniture are old. In fact, for the past 40 years that the buildings were erected, no major renovation work has been done.

    When Obaseki paid a working visit to the secretariat, his verdict was that “You do not expect people to work in this condition and get results”.

    Obaseki went on: “This complex was designed and most of it constructed, almost 40 years ago. So, the decay started quite a while ago.

    “We need a total overhaul, not only cleaning, but the entire process. You could see squatters, you could see traders all over the place, and that in itself creates insecurity for people working here. So, we are going to look at the entire gamut; from ensuring that this place is properly fenced to having a power system.

    “Rather than each ministry having a generating set, we need to have an efficient system that powers the secretariat and the entire complex, ensure that they have water, ensure that the place is properly cleaned and ensure that you have control in terms of access of who comes here and that government documents that are kept here are safe.”

    During the presentation of the 2017 budget, Obaseki said his policy focused on six key areas which include Economic Revolution, Infrastructural Expansion, Institutional Reform, Social Welfare Enhancement, Culture and Tourism and Environmental Sustainability.

    In carrying out institutional reform, Obaseki said he would put required facilities in place so that civil servants could work in a safe and efficient environment.

    He commenced the renovation of the secretariat buildings. A visit to the secretariat showed that work has commenced in the building housing the Local Government Service Commission, Law Review Commission and Civil Service Commission.

    The floor tiles in the top floor were being removed while many of the doors and furniture were removed from many of the offices.

    Chief Press Secretary to Governor Obaseki, Mr. John Mayaki, said the renovation  was systematic fulfillment of electoral promises.

    He said: “In his first week after assuming office, he was clear on the condition of workers, welfare, environment, safety and general infrastructure. He inspected Palm House, Secretariat building, Block D, Benin Technical College among others to ascertain their conditions and how to put them in befitting order for workers’ optimum productivity. He left nobody in doubt that he would match words with action.

    “What is clear here is that Mr. Governor is not distancing himself from his campaign promises. He is not your type of politician who will say what he does not mean, knowing fully well that voters choose one politician over another because of campaign promises and personality.

    “It is disingenuous to get the votes of the electorate based on specific promises but turn back on those promises once elected. The governor is a man of integrity and must be regarded as making genuine efforts to fulfill his campaign promises.”

  • Civil society groups seek ‘strict’ budget implementation

    Civil society groups seek ‘strict’ budget implementation

    Some civil society organisa-tions have urged the Plateau State government to implement its budget in a manner that will guarantee good governance, transparency, accountability and alleviate poverty.

    The civil society groups sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said the measure is to ensure that citizens of the state feel the impact of their government through provisions of basic social amenities as stipulated in government’s annual budget for the overall good of the populace.

    The Simon Lalong administration has tabled the state 2016 budget worth N154 billion before the state House of Assembly for deliberation.

    The four CSOs are Search For Common Ground(SFCG), West African Youth Network (WAYN), Community Action for Popular Participation(CAPP) and Leadership Initiative for Good Governance in Africa (LIGGA)

    Programme Manager of Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP) Mr. Nelson Ananze who revealed their project in a town hall meeting held at Carbinet Office at Plateau state secretariat Jos said, “The project is one of the ways civil society organizations influence government policies so as to enhance good governance in the state.

    Mr. Amanze said, “Four civil society organisations sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), are currently undertaking a project on good governance in the country, particularly in Bauchi, Plateau and River states, respectively. We have the mandate to work in the various states in different thematic areas towards a positive impact on the lives and livelihood of the people as well the general development of a state.

    “These areas of concern are education, human right, conflict management and peace building, environment, health, gender, youth, persons living with disability, excluded and marginalized groups, accountability and transparency.

    The Plateau State Head of Service Mr. Izang Azi who spoke on behalf of government, said, “The current economic reality has placed so much responsibility of budget implementation on citizens as well as government because government has to rely on tax paid by citizens to provide social amenities. If people pay their tax responsibly, government will use the same tax to provide all that is needed to make life meaningful to its citizens in a transparent manner.

    “This administration has commenced sensitisation of the general public on tax payment and government has also promised to be transparent in the application of what ever that is collected through tax. But at the end of the day, if citizens refuse to pay tax, government’s aim of providing social amenities will be defeated.”

  • Improving civil-military relations

    Improving civil-military relations

    •The bloody conflict between the Nigerian Army and the Shi’ite Islamic group in Zaria makes regular dialogue between the military and civil groups imperative

    The bloody battle between the Shi’ite Islamic group led by Sheikh Ibrahim ElZakzaky and the Nigerian Army is most regrettable. The monumental loss of lives and property should provoke indignation by all Nigerians. We are pained that some Nigerians could confront the military armed and trained with public funds in the manner it happened in Zaria and at such a great cost. But, the question to ask is what caused the showdown and what should be done to avoid a repeat?

    We note that this is not the first time such confrontation and casualties would be recorded. As the military explained even with video evidence, the Shi’ite group had blocked a federal highway, thus preventing motorists from pursuing their legitimate businesses. Many plying the road were made to park by the roadside by men of the Elzakzaky Islamic Movement who insisted that it was their anniversary and that had conferred on them the right to effect a blockage.

    This was wrong. The highway belongs to all. Not even the federal or state government has the right to block it without acceptable reason and due notice.

    Although Nigerians have the right to protest or hold rallies, this should be done with due caution. Each person’s or group’s right should be exercised with due attention paid to the rights of others. The Islamic group had no right superior to those of other citizens who had cause to ply the road on the fateful day. The freedom of movement enshrined in the 1999 Constitution is basic and available to all and could not be denied anyone except as allowed by law. It should be noted that the Nigerian Army thus had the right of way on the day.

    It is unfortunate that the Islamic group, emboldened by previous similarly illegal moves, sought to deny the Chief of Army Staff and his entourage of passage on the way to paying courtesy call on the Emir of Zaria. It was a needles and costly affront. No group of Nigerians has the right to take the laws into its own hands. We commend the army for engaging the group in a discussion with a view to freeing the highway. We find it difficult to blame the military for responding to the heaving of missiles at the senior military officers sent to discuss with leaders of the group. They acted under provocation and, as the military authorities have pointed out, they responded within the rules of engagement in such circumstances.

    Nigerians must realise that these are no normal times. The security breach in many parts of the country, especially the Boko Haram war in the North has made the military a target of attacks by groups. It is therefore foolhardy to challenge the soldiers to a battle without consideration of the consequences. The military represents the Nigerian state and no group can be allowed to feel superior to the state.

    However, if it is true that the army went back to the site the following day to level the abode of the group’s leader and unleash terror on the people, this is hard to justify. All security forces ought to realise that the best available to them for use in resolving such conflict is minimum force.

    We call on the military authorities to look into the matter with a view to drawing useful lessons for the future. Training in civil-military relations should be stepped up to avoid unnecessary blood-shed. The leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs also owes a responsibility to the Nigerian nation to institute programmes to douse tension in the land and educate their members on the need for peaceful coexistence.

    Groups such as Elzakzaky’s should be tutored on the limits of their rights and how to relate with institutions and symbols of state. We note in this connection that such rifts are decades old and this makes regular orientation courses and programmes among and between religious bodies, and in conjunction with security agencies, necessary.

  • Building new civil society mindset for advocacy

    The STAR – System for Transformation and Result – methodology of measuring impact is a change process and a tool suite that seeks to promote sustainable organizational development. It also seeks to address elements of the complex environments in which Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) do their work. It is a programme developed by Root Change. Judging from lessons learnt from two decades of how CSOs do their work, the programme is what SACE – Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement – project uses to assess the impact of NGOs and CSOs in bringing about transparency, accountability and good governance. Central to achieving transparency and good governance is the question of the ability of CSOs to interrogate policy makers and ask hard but sensible questions. Are civil society groups better equipped now to deal with the civilian government now than they were in the days of the military? If not what then seems to be the impediment in constructively engaging our civilian government and what impedes their ability to help with formulating policies that are people-friendly? Why is it that civil society groups seem to be working at cross purposes with the media and the civilian government? How should CSOs build capacity, network and form alliances that put them at the front burner of national discourse. Are CSOs sharing their knowledge, or are they tiny clusters of islands with ideas that are marooned in a sea of opportunity? Twenty years from whence CSOs began to be the 5th Estate of the realm in Nigerian politics, what impact have they really made?

    These were some of the questions that were to engage the minds of a distinguished audience put together at the Barcelona Hotel, Abuja on December 14. Under the Strengthening Advocacy and Civil Engagement, SACE, a project being implemented for the USAID by Chemonics, participants at an evening of discussion and conversation were to listen to three civil society icons well established in the fine art of civil engagement and advocacy:  Clement Nwankwo, founding member of the Civil Liberties Organisation CLO, now executive director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC, Hajia Saudatu Mahdi of Women’s’ Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative, WRAPA, and Hon Igariwey Enwo, lawyer and politician and civil society advocate.

    That evening, Clement Nwankwo told us that the CLO of 1987 was set up with only one motive – to drive the military from power, and install a civilian government. The tactics and the ground rules favoured the use of linguistics and brashness of trench warfare: ‘they’ were there at the other side and we were here on this other side. We threw verbal bombs at them and they replied and charged at us like rhinoceroses, picked up and jailed our leaders. At the extreme, they would have killed our leaders just the same way General Abacha did Ogoni leader Kenule Saro-Wiwa and thereby provoke an international outrage. At that time as well, those at the forefront of the call for the military to leave were lawyers. Their argument then was that leadership as proffered by the military was antediluvian and an anathema to the concept of transparency and good governance. It’s a merry crowd now, and the merriment is apparent with the crowd of CSOs in the fray. But soon after the military were out of the system, several issues began to crop up. Corruption became rife – rifer than what we had with the military. Some of us wonder if indeed some of the monies said to be stolen actually exist. In a Citizens Score Card report published by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ and Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment, LITE-Africa a few days ago in Benin City, more than 84 projects that were supposed to have been executed by the Niger Delta Institutions – DESOPADEC, EDSOGPADEC, Niger Delta Development Commission, the Ministry of the Niger Delta, OSOPADEC have been abandoned. Even the anti-corruption agencies set up to fight the massive cases of graft and corruption have been taken hostage by judicial, the executive and legislative shenanigans. Under the civilian governments from 1999, impunity, gross human rights abuses, poverty and underdevelopment have been institutionalized. And the questions were: what is to be the mode of engagement and advocacy for transparency and good governance in the Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria in general? Should CLOs continue as if we are still under the gulag of the military irrespective of the flowing agbadas and babanrigas?

    The one person who seemed to have developed an effective advocacy strategy and tactics in that hall that evening was Hajia Saudatu Mahdi coordinator, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative, (WRAPA). Mahdi has helped to develop a national law on violence against women – the legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence against Women, passed in 2015. To achieve this, Mahdi said she developed her own set of rules. The first thing she did was understand the context of what she was fighting for – a fight on behalf of very vulnerable persons – teenagers being married off to very wealthy senators and politicians. Two she interacted with, and formed a strong alliance with three key stakeholders – the media, the policy makers and took in the counsel of very knowledgeable persons. She carried everybody along, not minding if it was a big NGO or a small one. ‘I had a woman problem but the key persons who helped in the fight were men’, she said. Mahdi also spent some money to ‘make noise’ – underscoring the fact that if you have courage and conviction, you were not to consider the policy makers as enemies. You would see them together with the media, as partners in progress.

    But it was Otiveh Igbuzoh, executive director of African Centre for Leadership who nailed it at the end. He said that many CSOs still carry the mindset that the military is still in power. In trying to promote transparency, accountability, many CSOs are still in the trenches, hurling bombs and grenades at the civilian government. To strengthen the supply and demand chain, forge partnerships, sustain the dialogue, Otiveh believes that CSOs must collaborate with government as frenemies instead of seeing them as enemies.

    Coming from the standpoint that we cannot still be doing things the same old-fashioned way, I had an axe to grind with the WRAPA coordinator. In today’s world, we no longer talk of gender empowerment. People are talking of gender mainstreaming – a situation where you fight for the rights of both sexes instead of focusing on feminine issues. Focusing only on fighting for the girl child or fighting women issues effectively checkmates whatever chances that the boy-child – the Almajiri or the boy-child in eastern Nigeria would ever have in a dynamic country like Nigeria. I also believe that had Clement Nwankwo known that the civilians who would take over from the military would be this less than accountable and transparent, perhaps we would not be where we are today.

    Etemiku is of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Benin City