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Tag: Funding

  • NIMR inaugurates advisory board on research funding

    The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, has inaugurated a Research Advisory Board.

    The 14-member, whose tenure is five years, are Prof of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Ighovwerha Ofotokun, Prof Alash’le Abimiku of the Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, former NIMR Director-General (DG), Prof Oni Emmanuel;  Professor of Paediatrics and Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Calabar, Prof Martin Madu Meremikwu; Prof of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, UCL Institute for Global Health; and National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) DG, Dr Sani Aliyu.

    Others are Director at the Postgraduate Institute for Medical research (MRAT), College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof Ayo Oduola; Consultant Obstetrics/Gynaecology and Director, Centre for Population and Reproductive Health, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof Oladosu Ojenegbede; Professor of Psychiatry and Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neuroscience, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, University of Ibadan, Prof Oyewusi Gureje, former Gombe State Governor, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, and Lagos State Health Commis-sioner, Dr Olajide Idris.

    National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Executive Director, Dr Echezona Edozie Ezeanolue; West African College of Surgeons Fellow, American College of Surgeons and International College of Surgeons, Prof Stanley N.C. Anyanwu; and a community Development and Innovations Diffusion Specialist, Prof Mohammed Shittu.

    According to the NIMR DG, Prof Babatunde Salako, the collection of these experts is principal to assisting NIMR to attract patronage, from individuals or organisations  they are credible people who have made their marks in the profession.

    Salako said: “They are chosen with a clear and simple mandate which is to assist the institute as a research organisation attracts funding from both local and international communities, so it can develop its ability and capability to deliver on its mandate on improving on the healthcare system in Nigeria. We have some countries that have also done like this.”

    Salako said: “The number of those on the Board is representative that we do not need too many people but quality hands that can move the plow and deliver on record time. It is guaranteed that they will use their network, contacts, and connections in Nigerian and around the world to assist the institute to attract grants.”

    Idigbe said: “Having realised that there is no way we, as researchers, could obtain results that could impact life of masses without serious funding. The advisory board was put in place, basically to help attract funding so that donors and others funding agencies will have trust in where they are putting their money into, based on the credibility of the personalities of the members of the NIMR advisory board.

    ‘’We hope to expand on human capacity, infrastructure and researched based programmes. With focus on human health problems, public health and another focus is to attract joint research grant with dragnet of providing answers to health challenges in West coast and internationally. I call on all and sundry to join NIMR to achieve these laudable giant strides.”

    Idris said the plan was to grow the institute to get to where it should be because a nation without a proper research capability could make a progressive solution-based advances.

  • NIMR inaugurates advisory board on research funding

    The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, has inaugurated a Research Advisory Board.

    The 14-member, whose tenure is five years, are Prof of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Ighovwerha Ofotokun, Prof Alash’le Abimiku of the Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, former NIMR Director-General (DG), Prof Oni Emmanuel;  Professor of Paediatrics and Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Calabar, Prof Martin Madu Meremikwu; Prof of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, UCL Institute for Global Health; and National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) DG, Dr Sani Aliyu.

    Others are Director at the Postgraduate Institute for Medical research (MRAT), College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof Ayo Oduola; Consultant Obstetrics/Gynaecology and Director, Centre for Population and Reproductive Health, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof Oladosu Ojenegbede; Professor of Psychiatry and Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neuroscience, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, University of Ibadan, Prof Oyewusi Gureje, former Gombe State Governor, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, and Lagos State Health Commis-sioner, Dr Olajide Idris.

    National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Executive Director, Dr Echezona Edozie Ezeanolue; West African College of Surgeons Fellow, American College of Surgeons and International College of Surgeons, Prof Stanley N.C. Anyanwu; and a community Development and Innovations Diffusion Specialist, Prof Mohammed Shittu.

    According to the NIMR DG, Prof Babatunde Salako, the collection of these experts is principal to assisting NIMR to attract patronage, from individuals or organisations  they are credible people who have made their marks in the profession.

    Salako said: “They are chosen with a clear and simple mandate which is to assist the institute as a research organisation attracts funding from both local and international communities, so it can develop its ability and capability to deliver on its mandate on improving on the healthcare system in Nigeria. We have some countries that have also done like this.”

    Salako said: “The number of those on the Board is representative that we do not need too many people but quality hands that can move the plow and deliver on record time. It is guaranteed that they will use their network, contacts, and connections in Nigerian and around the world to assist the institute to attract grants.”

    Idigbe said: “Having realised that there is no way we, as researchers, could obtain results that could impact life of masses without serious funding. The advisory board was put in place, basically to help attract funding so that donors and others funding agencies will have trust in where they are putting their money into, based on the credibility of the personalities of the members of the NIMR advisory board.

    ‘’We hope to expand on human capacity, infrastructure and researched based programmes. With focus on human health problems, public health and another focus is to attract joint research grant with dragnet of providing answers to health challenges in West coast and internationally. I call on all and sundry to join NIMR to achieve these laudable giant strides.”

    Idris said the plan was to grow the institute to get to where it should be because a nation without a proper research capability could make a progressive solution-based advances.

  • House queries funding of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge

    House queries funding of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge

    The House of Representatives is worried about the stalling of work on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project.

    After a debate, the lawmakers demanded a full explanation from the Executive on how the project will be funded.

    The lawmakers also expressed misgiving about the pace of work and funding of the Second Niger Bridge linking the West to the East.

    They wanted to know whether the projects are to be fully-funded by the Federal Government or to be executed under a concession agreement with private firms.

    The House Committee on Works was mandated to investigate the nature of the contracts and concession arrangement and report back in four weeks for further parliamentary action.

    But the discussion did not make reference to the pending virement request by the Executive on the 2017 budget.

    The virement is meant to take back the money removed from the Lagos –Ibadan project to service constituency projects by the lawmakers.

    The resolution of the House followed the passage of a motion by Solomon Maren with the title: “Need to investigate nature of the contract or concession arrangement on Second Niger Bridge and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.”

    Moving the motion, Maren said the projects had not followed the established pattern of project execution and that the Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, recently warned on the possibility of both projects ending up as “white elephant” .

    Allocation for the projects in the 2017 budget were not adequate and they are not under concession agreement.

    He said: “Contracts for the construction of the Second Niger Bridge and reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Express Road have continued to feature in the annual budgets without any seeming signal of their completion or the amount required to do so.”

    Maren, in response to a remark by the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun said though two contractors were handling the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Federal Government is yet to make up its mind on the funding arrangement for the two projects.

    Lasun, against the tradition of not debating infrastructure motions, gave the floor to the Chairman,  Committee on Works, Tobey Okechukwu, to speak on the issue.

    Okechuwku, who supported the motion, said it had become imperative for government to come up with a framework for the completion of the projects, adding that this stemmed from the observation of his committee that while the Lagos-Ibadan Road is “supposed to have alternative funding”,  the Federal Government had not made a clear-cut decision on the funding plan for the Second Niger Bridge.

    The lawmaker said the “piece-meal procurement” funding method hitherto employed by the government should be dropped.

    Mohammed Sani-Abdul, who also supported the motion, said despite litigation on the Lagos-Ibadan Road, work was still ongoing.

    He said the situation of the Second Niger-Bridge project is of great concern.

    The non-utilisation of the N14 billion 2016 budget allocation and the N10 billion allocated in 2017 for the Second Niger Bridge was worrisome based on the fact that the concession agreement for the project was between Federal Government and an international investment company, which later sub-contracted the project to Julius Berger Plc.

    With no contract between the Federal Government and Julius Berger, the construction firm cannot be directly funded through budgetary allocations for the project, Sani-Abdul’s said.

  • Funding Nigerian, German businesses with $2b trade lines

    Funding Nigerian, German businesses with $2b trade lines

    Access Bank Plc is ready to boost trade relations between Nigeria and Germany. To achieve this, the Tier-1 lender is collaborating with DEG – Deutsche Investitions – und Entwicklungsgesellschaft and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria (AHK Nigeria) to make over $2 billion trade lines available to small enterprises that will drive trade volumes between both countries. The German Business Desk Nigeria –Financial Support and Solutions, opened in Lagos in October which will operate in partnership with Access Bank will at the centre of the ongoing business integration and partnership. COLLINS NWEZE who covered the event, reports.

    journey by air from Nigeria to Germany will last for over seven hours non-stop. The two countries are determined to bridge this long-distance by building formidable trade relations to stimulate both economies and create wealth for their people.

    At the centre of this partnership is Access Bank Plc, which has collaborated with DEG – Deutsche Investitions – und Entwicklungsgesellschaft and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria (AHK Nigeria) to deepen trade relations between Nigeria and Germany.

    The initiative is borne out of the partnership between Access Bank and DEG to support German business and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. It is supported by Executive Management in DEG and Access Bank Plc.

    The German Business Desk Nigeria –Financial Support and Solutions was opened last month in Lagos to drive the new trade relations. The desk was created to facilitate financial advisory and support services make $2 billion correspondent trade line support available to German and Nigerian SMEs.

    Speaking at the event, Access Bank Group Managing Director/CEO, Herbert Wigwe, said that Nigeria remains a big market with enterprising people. He said the bank is at peace with credible partnership and determined to alter the narrative about German-Nigeria trade.

    He said that Access Bank will be providing tailor-made financial solutions for German exporters and Nigerian importers. The lender is expected to translate and balance commercial and financial supply and demand. It will also provide specialised financial packages to facilitate trade.

    Wigwe said that trade financing is just one part of the project, adding that the bank will in partnership with the stakeholders support Nigerian businesses. “The relationship between countries starts with relationship between individuals. It will translate to greater relationship between Nigeria and Germany. Nigeria will benefit especially since we are just coming out of recession. Growth and economic opportunities do not happen by chance, but by strategic partnership,” he said. He said the partnership will help support German firms that want to do business in Nigeria.

    Wigwe said: “At Access Bank, we are constantly searching for innovative ways to provide solutions to meet our customers’ needs. This collaboration with a first rate partner like DEG – Deutsche Investitions – und Entwicklungsgesellschaft leveraging on their global investment footprint and our local industry expertise in setting up a German Desk is the first of such initiatives in the country.

    “This desk which will be bi-lingual will provide customised long term and cost effective financial solutions to our clients available to conduct business with German corporates.”

    Also speaking, the bank’s Group Deputy Managing Director, Roosevelt Ogbonna, said Access Bank Plc, with N480 billion shareholders’ fund is the third largest bank in Nigeria. He said the bank currently has eight million customers and 385 branches, which has remained a critical milestone in getting the lender great rating by Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors, S&P and Agusto & Co. He said Access Bank of Nigeria is determined to be number one bank in Nigeria in the next five years.

    Ogbonna disclosed that out of more than $10 billion in German investments on the African continent each year, 90 per cent is with just three countries – South Africa, Nigeria and Algeria.

    “Nigeria is Germany’s second most important trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa (after South Africa). The volume of bilateral trade between Germany was about 5.4 billion Euros in 2014 and 2.9 billion Euros in 2015. This has provided increased benefits to the Nigerian economy in terms of job creation, revenue generation, growth in Gross Domestic Product, technical and management capacity development and cutting-edge technology,” he said.

    He noted the “German Desk – Financial Support and Solutions” will benefit from the support of the German Consulate in Lagos.

    Ogbonna said that the partnership will also help to boost Nigeria’s perception by German companies. “We want to improve image and fast tract trade relations between Nigeria and Germany. There will be market entry-support for German companies,” he stated.

     

    The German Business Desk Nigeria

    Senior Banking Advisor, German Desk, Daniela Grunert said the German Desk will provide financial services, such as setting up accounts, providing short to medium-term credit lines, services for financing trade and transaction banking.

    This also includes financing solutions for local companies wishing to acquire German equipment or services, because German companies often start establishing business ties with local companies via their export business before they invest in emerging markets such as Nigeria. To do so, they need to obtain suitable financing solutions for their local clients.

    Grunert is not only fluent in German and English but is experienced in working with banks and German companies. She is a networker: contact to Nigerian and German business community and fully knows both cultures.

    She said the desk will help facilitate engagement with Nigerian businesses, German owned enterprises on trade opportunities and also create customised solution unique to each business needs.

    “Jointly with our customer Access Bank DEG wishes to support German companies and their trading partners. Within the scope of the “German Desk – Financial Support and Solutions” we offer innovative financing solutions tailored to the needs of German companies and their local partners. They can get information about financial services from a single source and make direct use of the partners’ network on location,” said Bruno Wenn, chairman of DEG’s Management Board.

    According to the representative of AHK Nigeria, Marc Lucassen, the German Desk would help to fill the gap that has been in existence in the Nigerian-German business relations.

    “We are very much in favour of this landmark partnership which provides the required solutions to recent demand for additional financial support mechanism for the Nigerian-German business relations. Our role is to connect the Nigerian-German business partners to the German desk in Access Bank in terms of financial solutions.”

    The German “AHK” and delegation network is the international backbone of Germany‘s economy. DEG has close partnerships with more than 200 financial institutions worldwide: are specialists in their local markets with a strong focus on the SME sector. Access Bank has a close relationship with  local businesses and can provide customised financial solutions.

    Key Focus will be expanding the opportunity for Trade Volume growth and collaboration between German and Nigerian SMEs. German Desk shall facilitate financing of German Companies via long-term cost effective finance for German affiliated business. German Desk shall provide an agency relationship between DEG and German clients.

    The firm offers financial solutions such as structured trade; project and structured finance among others. Global Footprint and extensive presence across all trade centres in Nigeria Sub-Saharan Africa, China, India, UAE and United Kingdom that enable us provide solutions to our clients.

    In-depth Experience, robust balance sheet and full spectrum of financial products in consummating deals promptly. We are the industry’s leading Treasury house, trading the largest volumes across all Treasury product offerings.

    Director German Corporates, The German Desk Initiative, Klaus Helsper, said customers are offered appropriate long-term financing. “We provide individual advice in order to shape investments and businesses more professionally, efficiently and sustainably. With our promotional programmes we co-finance feasibility studies, pilot projects and various Business Support Services,” he said.

    He said the team will develop financing solutions for infrastructure projects that are viable for the long term and can be flexibly structured. “We arrange large volumes and involve additional investors. Project developers benefit from in-depth advisory services based on our extensive sector and industry know-how.  We have an extensive network in emerging and developing countries,” he said.

    Continuing, he said that as an anchor investor, DEG is there right from the start, to strengthen the capital base and mobilise further investors. “We are an experienced and well networked partner. We provide advice based on our funds and structuring expertise and our comprehensive country and regional know-how. We provide long-term support even during challenging phases. Banks receive financing as needed. We have in-depth knowledge on the financial sector. Banks benefit from our advisory programme on sustainable ways of expanding their SME business. By means of our Business Support Services, we provide assistance with risk or liquidity management, or with implementation of environmental and social management systems,” he said.

    He disclosed that for 55 years, DEG has been providing German corporates with reliable support, advice and financing for the entire duration of their involvement abroad. ‘’We offer country and industry know-how, along with market experience and essential contacts on the ground. Our customers benefit from promotional programmes designed for feasibility studies or pilot projects. With our “German Desks” in selected countries, we offer German companies and their trading partners a one-stop service at local banks.

    “Successful private enterprises are key drivers of economic development. Markets, enterprises and the local population benefit from DEG’s work. Many of the co-financed enterprises take on social responsibility by, for instance, paying above-average wages, offering pensions or health insurance and operating health centres, nurseries and schools,” he stated.

     

    Nigeria/German trade relations deepened

    Nigeria is a hub for West Africa and the economic powerhouse in the region. Bilateral Nigerian-German trade volumes exceed $2.9 billion (2015). Main exports from Germany to Nigeria include high quality machinery and automotive parts. Intelligent trade finance solution could strongly foster the bilateral trade.

    The German Desk can rely on three strategic partners with a strong footprint in Nigeria: Access Bank offering a wide range of financial products and services, AHK being the first point of contact for German companies entering the market & DEG in the region since 2008.

    As part of the cooperation, DEG puts its network at the disposal of the respective local partner bank and, where necessary, provides it with additional long-term capital, allowing them to offer financing for local customers of German companies. Neighbouring markets are also to be covered with the partner banks’ networks.

    The desk will help in building up a strong portfolio and provide quality customer service. It will also be spreading the word in Germany with local business associations, political representatives and potential customers.

  • Babalakin seeks better funding for varsities

    Babalakin seeks better funding for varsities

    Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Lagos (UNILAG) Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) has appealed for better funding for universities to enable them provide quality education.

    He said it is sad that no Nigerian university is among the first 800 universities in the world.

    Babalakin spoke at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Alumni Awards, which was held at the weekend at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos. The event was to celebrate UNILAG’s 55th anniversary.

    The lawyer and businessman, who chaired the event, said: “In its 55 years of existence, UNILAG has contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria. This assertion does not require an elaborate justification. The quality of its alumni association is a direct testimony to its remarkable contribution.

    “The Nigerian educational system is now at a crossroad. The very promising start has slowed down significantly. It is a poor reflection on the Nigerian educational system that no Nigerian university is rated among the first 800 universities in the world. Education provides stimulus for development. Good education definitely enhances the velocity of development.

    “A situation where our universities cannot compete favourably with other tertiary institutions in the world places our citizens on a relatively weaker footing in the struggle for the emancipation of our country. We have to change the structure of our universities to give them the impetus to do far better than where we are today.”

    Babalakin hailed the Federal Government for granting substantial autonomy to universities, thereby empowering them to choose the best candidates as officers.

    Calling for better funding of universities, the lawyer said: “A principal challenge today is the funding of these universities. According to the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), the estimated average cost of training an undergraduate to full accreditation status as at 2010 was $3,364 per annum, exclusive of living expenses. Without allowing for inflation over the last seven years, this is N1.2 million per undergraduate. With UNILAG’s student population of about 16,000 full time students and about 34,000 other students, UNILAG will require about N61 billion per annum to run a good university.

    “There are 40 federal universities in Nigeria of various sizes. The cumulative amount that would be required per annum for university education alone will not be less than N1.5 trillion per annum. It is clear that government, no matter how willing it is, cannot provide all the money required for this exercise. It cannot spend all its resources on a single item. Health, Education, Defence and Infrastructure are also the responsibility government, which it has to provide for.

    “We have to find a creative way of funding education.”

    Babalakin said UNILAG’s Alumni is an assembly of egg heads, who are capable of proffering solutions to societal problems. He urged the association to be determined to remove every stumbling block in the way of attaining quality education.

  • Nuclear agency workers seek funding from oil money

    The Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) workers have urged the Federal Government to earmark two per cent of crude oil proceeds for the funding of the activities of the authority.

    Its chapter of the Petroleum and Natural Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Chairman, Ifreke Udeme, made this request during the second Triennial Branch Conference in Abuja which had: NNRA: Regulatory Responsibilities for Increased Performance viz-a-vis Safety, Security and Safeguards for Radioactive Substances as its theme.

    He explained that although the activities of the authority are mainly in the oil and gas industry, yet it has been underfunded from inception.

    Udeme said the National Assembly, the governing board of NNRA, PENGASSAN and the National Union of Petroleum and Gas (NUPENG) workers can jointly work towards earmarking two per cent of oil and gas proceeds for the funding of the authority’s activities.

    He said: “The activities of the NNRA, 90per cent of it is in the oil and gas industry. We license the sources and we conduct well logging and this cuts across the oil and gas industry. So, the proceeds from there, a percentage of it with legislation, should be used to fund NNRA’s activities.

    “One per cent or two per cent of the proceeds can fund the activities of the NNRA vis and vis the directive of government that we should exit the federation appropriation by 2020.

  • Don: increase funding for cancer research, development

    Don: increase funding for cancer research, development

    •Academy of Pharmacy inducts six new fellows

    How can the rise in cancer cases be halted?

    It is by providing quality treatment, affordable  drugs and proper funding of research and development (R&D) into indigenous local herbs for treating cancer,  Isa Marte Hussaini, a professor of Pharmacology at the University of Maiduguri, has said.

    He also said inadequate funding, lack of constant power supply and non-availability of reagents from United States and United Kingdom remained challenges.

    “We need more research grants; it is not about the personnel but the tools to work with. All over the world, there are Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in the field of medicine,’’ Hussaini said.

    Hussaini spoke at the investiture of six fellows by the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAP).

    They were Director-General, Nigerian Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Prof. Karniyus Gamaniel, former deputy provost, University of Lagos, Prof. Herbert Coker; former national pharmaceutical advisor, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Ogori Taylor; first African woman to bag the fellowship of American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) in the United States Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye; Pharmacy Residency Director, Mercer University College at Atlanta Medical Center, Dr. Teresa Pounds and Communications Management consultant and Chief Executive Officer, XLR8, Calixthus Okoruwa.

    Hussaini sought government’s   assistance to research funding, saying it would lead to the quick eradication of the epidemic.

    Hussaini, whose cancer research is on the use of local herbs for cancer treatment, said: “Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, the first being cardiovascular diseases with 8.2 million deaths reported worldwide as at 2012. Sadly, a lot of the research grants in Nigeria are focused on deaths arising from preventable diseases like malaria, TB when we should really be funding ground breaking research on cancer. We have seen fruitful evidence of the use of local herbs in the management of cancer in Nigeria.”

    NAP President, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, said the inductees have a strong passion for  research. They are professionals who appreciate the value of research in fast-tracking the social and economic progress of societies, he said.

    He described pharmacy as the bedrock of effective healthcare delivery, the best healthcare provider and force behind the discovery of new drugs.

    Adelusi-Adeluyi  said pharmacy is the key that unlocks medical knowledge.

    Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) President, Ahmed Yakasai, said the body was committed to making Nigeria the hub of pharmaceutical production and research on the continent.

    “Through a well-tailored plan, which we have broken down to short, medium and long-term plan, we are looking to promoting pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria and examining the possibilities of producing about 70 percent  of what the industry needs, especially the active pharmaceutical ingredients while importing the remaining 30 percent,” Yakassa stated.

    Yakassai announced the launch of the PSN Foundation, in Abuja on October 17.

    He said the 90th celebration of the PSN had been billed for Umuahia.

    The event was attended by the PCN’s Registrar, Elijah Mohammed, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, General Secretary of the Academy, Prof. Fola Tayo, Vice President, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, Chairman, Merit Pharmaceuticals, Dr Lolu Ojo, Nnamdi Obi.

    Others were former managing director, Neimeth Pharmaceuticals, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa;  founder, Alpha Pharmacy, Sir Ike Onyechi, Prof. Kemi Odukoya, former dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos (UNILAG); Prof. Mbang Femi-Oyewo, former dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) and Prof. Cecelia Igwillo of the University of Lagos.

  • Fayose has link with IPOB funding, says Ekiti APC

    Fayose has link with IPOB funding, says Ekiti APC

    The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ayo Fayose of giving financial and logistics support to Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The party urged the nation’s security agencies and the International Police (INTERPOL) to investigate the governor’s alleged support for IPOB, which the Nigerian military high command just declared a terrorist organisation following the seizure of weapons by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) suspected to belong to the group.

    In a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, Ekiti APC said Fayose “demonstrated the seriousness of his support for the collapse of Nigeria” when the governor released his telephone number and email address on April 27 to those interested in the Biafra cause to contact him.

    According to Olatunbosun, the telephone number and the email address Fayose released to the public for identifying with the Biafra struggle are: 070300000393 and email: mystory2006@yahoo.com.

    He described the governor’s action as a “treasonable act”.

    The party’s spokesman said the governor’s lawyer’s statement at the weekend calling for dialogue to resolve the Biafran crisis is an afterthought.

    He said the Army was only performing its constitutional role of preserving the nation’s unity and bringing secessionists and their backers to justice.

    Olatunbosun said: “On April 26 and as published by The Nigerian Tribune and its Tribuneonline publication on April 27, Fayose said he was working in conjunction with Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu to raise funds for Kanu, stressing that he was taking his support for Kanu beyond showing solidarity in court by raising funds that would be deposited in an account opened in Kanu’s name.”

    He said: “He led a campaign to the Chinese Embassy in Abuja and later to Beijing, the Chinese capital, to urge the Chinese government not to help Nigeria out of recession.

    “Relentlessly, he led hate campaigns against the symbol of the Nigerian authority, President Muhammadu Buhari, wishing him dead, including hounding and haunting the President across the world, on his sick bed and threatening to expose the President on a life-support machine. All these were in spite of (Fayose) swearing to uphold the Constitution of Nigeria and to be loyal to the Nigerian state and its President.

    “As reported in the media on May 25, he said: ‘Ekiti State is now part of Biafra’, which drew the ire of several Yoruba groups…”

    Olatunbosun also quoted Fayose as saying: “We are just driving the cause. As soon as we receive his account details, we will be made available. People have the right to agitate for independence. Even in traditional institution, people agitate for autonomy.

    “As many as lawyers willing to fight the oppression should join the struggle for liberation from the oppression.”

    He added: “All the Southeast governors, including Ekweremadu, have opposed Kanu in his secessionist activities while Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has warned him and IPOB to stay away from Rivers. But Fayose declared Ekiti State as part of Biafra. This has confirmed the report that he is part of Biafra’s financiers as he had publicly declared to the media.

    “No wonder, just four months after Fayose started mobilising funds for Biafra, thousands of deadly weapons, including military assault rifles, were smuggled into the country but were intercepted by Customs. It was also discovered that uniformed Biafran militants already have military training camps where they are planning deadly assaults on Nigeria after threatening its leaders.

    “We had earlier alerted security agencies to the presence of armed gangs and stockpiling of arms in the Ekiti State Government House. Fayose’s present activities at raising funds for Kanu confirm that he is part of a rebellion against the Nigerian state.

    “We have always insisted that Fayose is a threat to Nigeria’s unity and the economic survival of its people.”

    Olatunbosun added: “His support for Kanu in funds mobilisation for his treasonable act and the activities of Fayose’s media men in promoting the Biafran cause only point to one agenda to destabilise Nigeria. That has proved us right that Fayose has no agenda than the destabilisation of Nigeria to enable him escape all illegal and criminal activities linked to him.”

    But Fayose dismissed the allegation of funding IPOB and its leader Nnamdi Kanu.

    Reacting last night while featuring on his monthly radio and television media chat: Meet Your Governor, he said: “The APC is hallucinating” by accusing him of giving financial and logistics support to the separatist group.

    The governor wondered why the state’s opposition was accusing him of sponsoring IPOB while he condemned the alleged killing of its members during what he called a military crackdown and occupation of the Southeast.

    Fayose said: “We cannot all be cowed. The militarisation of Nigeria, being witnessed now, can only be likened to 1984 when Buhari was military Head of State.

    “Killing people in the Southeast just because some people are agitating is wrong. I wonder why none of our so-called human rights activists is talking.

  • Senate to consider direct funding for police

    The Senate will consider a Bill to push for direct funding for the police when it resumes, it was learnt yesterday.

    The police special forces deployed to tame armed robbery and kidnapping on Kaduna-Abuja highway have been advised  to take the fight to the criminals’ camps in the forests.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs Senator Abu Ibrahim spoke yesterday during an assessment tour of Police deployment on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

    The senator, who was guided on the tour by Commissioner of Police Agyole Abeh, lamented what he described as low funding of police operations.

    He, therefore, vowed that his committee will push for the adoption of a bill that will ensure that at least one per cent of the federal allocation is set aside for security operations of the police.

    Ibrahim said a situation where police use funds meant for purchasing of equipment and welfare of its personnel for special operations is unacceptable.

    Addressing officers and men of the force at the Katari Divisional Police Headquarters, which is being used as the operational base of Operation Absolute Sanity, the senator said welfare of officers and men of the force will become a paramount issue to be discussed in the upper chamber when it resumes.

    He added that his committee will soon take a tour of six states of Nassarawa, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, Zamfara and Katsina to solicit the states commitment to the security operations around their state, by providing funds to assist the operations.

    Abeh said the officers and men of the special forces are the best brains in the Police Force because of the series of trainings they have undergone.

    He, therefore, assured that with proper equipment and welfare, they will comb the forests and rid Kaduna-Abuja highway of kidnappers.

  • BSN canvasses more support, funding

    BSN canvasses more support, funding

    General Secretary of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Rev Dar Ajiboye, has called on church leaders to empower the organisations to deliver more on its mandates.

    He lamented many of them have been indifferent to the operations of the organisation, saying the situation must change.

    “Many of them see no use for a Bible society. Yet they are what they are today because they use the Bible,” he said.

    Recalling what the 50-year-old society faced in the course of fundraising, Ajiboye said some churches would not even accept their request to come and worship with their congregations, let alone solicit for funds.

    He however commended a handful of the churches that have been of help to the organisation.

    On achievements of BSN, he said: “We have been able to create Bible stories in sign language,’” adding that the BSN is the first member of the United Bible Society in 200 countries around the word to do that.

    “Our translation centre is now in Ibadan—run by our trained staff. We used to go to Kenya to meet the translation consultant before,” he added.

    He said no fewer than 10 translation projects are on-going now and a transaction project gulps about N40 million, not reckoning with other expenses.