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Tag: funds

  • Witness: I handed N558.2m NAF funds to Badeh monthly

    A former Director of Finance and Accounts of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Aliyu Yishau (rtd), told a Federal High Court yesterday in Abuja that he handed the dollar equivalent of N558.2 million monthly to ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

    When asked yesterday whether he knew if Badeh was always in receipt of the money, Yishau declared that he always handed the money to Badeh in person. He, however, said he did not have personal records of the transaction, but that all records in relation to the money handed to Badeh, while he (the witness) was in office, were with NAF’s Finance Officer, Group Captain Sini.

    Yishau, who retired in December 2013, said Badeh benefited from the practice of setting aside N558.2 million monthly from the remnant of NAF staff salary funds for the use of the chief of Air Staff from October 2012 (when Badeh became chief of Air Staff) to December 2013 (when the witness retired from service).

    “I always collect the dollar equivalent of N558.2 million from Group Captain Sini and hand them to the 1st defendant (Badeh),” Yishau said, in response to a question from Badeh’s lawyer Akin Olujinmi (SAN), yesterday.

    Badeh and a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, are being tried at a Federal High Court in Abuja on a10-count charge of money laundering, in which the ex-chief of Defence Staff is accused of diverting N3.97 billion belonging to NAF, which he used in acquiring property, using the firm.

    Yishau, the first prosecution witness, earlier testified that he assisted Badeh to divert N558.2 million, which he always converted to dollar before handing same to Badeh at his official residence as COAS between September 2012 and December 2013.

    Yishau said the N558.2 million is what was left after salaries and allowances of permanent and temporary staff have been defrayed from the N4 billion received monthly by NAF in its Personnel and Emolument Account.

    He admitted assisting Badeh to acquire and develop landed property in Abuja with the N558.2 million taken monthly from the NAF Personnel Emolument Account.

    The witness told the court that before becoming the chief of Air Staff, Badeh served as director of Policy and Plans of the NAF, whose responsibilities include preparing NAF’s annual budgets.

    “In my statement to the EFCC, I said Air Marshal M.D. Umar (Badeh’s predecessor as chief of Air Staff) purchased a house in Kano at N250 million. I also said M. B. Umar purchased another house in Mabushi between N350 million to N450 million. I equally stated that he (Umar) bought a house in Kaduna worth N80 million and reconstructed it with N75 million, making N155 million. He (Umar) equally acquired another house in Maitama worth over N500 million.”

    On how he knew about these transactions, the witness said he was instructed by Air Marshal M.D. Umar to facilitate the purchase of those property.

    “The first house was not paid for by me. Payment for the second, third and fourth property were made by me,” he said.

    On how he paid the N558.2 million, he said it was always exchanged into dollars for transfer to Badeh.

    Yishau said: “During the period of Umar, it was Group Captain Bukar, who was involved in exchanging the N550.2 million into dollars. Group Captain Bukar is still in service. He was removed from the office, where he was involved in exchanging the currency because he was posted on foreign assignment.”

    He added that on his resumption as the chief of Air Staff, “the 1st defendant (Badeh) directed me to post Group Captain Sini to take over the office of Group Captain Bukar and that responsibility. Group Captain Sini has a junior officer by name, Squadron Leader Abu, who normally assists him in running the Finance Office at the Air Force headquarters”.

    On whether he knew how the money was exchanged, he said “mine was to give instructions to Command Finance Officer, who was reporting directly to me. Air Chief Marshal Badeh was not exchanging the money personally, but was given the dollar equivalent.”

    “I remember that the 1st defendant (Badeh) was appointed chief of Air Staff on October 4, 2012 and assumed office on October 8, 2012.”

    On whether he remembered the exact amount in dollars, he claimed he always handed to Badeh, the witness said he could not remember.

    He added: “My Command Finance Officer, Group Captain Simi has all the records of the money I have given to Air Chief Marshal Badeh. I was the one collecting the money to give to the chief of Air Staff. I was the one that gave the money to him (1st defendant).

    “I do not have any record that he received these monies from me which I gave him between October 2012 and December 2013,” the witness said.

    He said he could not remember when Group Captain Simi was brought to Command headquarters

    He said he brought the issue of N90 million, used for furnishing the house Badeh bought for his son (Alex Badeh Jr.), for the first time in court because he was not asked by the EFCC how much was used to furnish it.

    When asked whether he was compelled to make statements to the EFCC, Yishau said the statements he made to the EFCC were his and that he made them on his free will.

    At a point, Olujinmi gave the witness his statement dated February 4 and drew his (witness’) attention to pages 86 to 90 where he wrote that part of the dollars so exchanged were used to pay estacode of officers, for aircraft repairs and repairs of NAF health centres in some states.

    Based on what he wrote on those pages, Olujinmi asked him where he got the N558.2 million he claimed to be giving Badeh monthly when he wrote that the money used for the expenses he referred to in his statement was from what was left of salaries.

    Yishau explained that he meant the money left after payment of salaries, which the N558.2 million that was usually set aside for the Air Chief of Staff was also part of.

    On whether he knew how the NAF budget was computed, Yishau said “the budget office of the Air Force was under the director of Account and Finance, so I did not know what was going on at that time in respect of budgeting and budget collation.

    “The responsibility of budgeting for the Nigerian Air Force was under the director of Policy and Plans. And the 1st defendant, Air Chief Marshal Badeh, was in charge of that office from August 2010 to sometime in 2012, during the time of M.B. Umar.

    Justice Okon Abang adjourned to April 19 for further cross-examination of Yishau by the defence.

  • FG approves funds for takeoff Police recruitment

    FG approves funds for takeoff Police recruitment

    President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the government has approved funds for the takeoff of the 10,000 police personnel to be recruited in to the Nigeria Police Force.

    The President has also tasked the Force to put national interest first as it begins the recruitment exercise nationwide.

    The president noted that aside addressing the national challenge of youth unemployment, the recruitment will bridge the chronic manpower gap inherited by this regime in the Nigeria Police

    Buhari also highlighted community input in policing as part of ways to address the current national security challenges that has threatened national values and development strides.

    Buhari made these known in Abuja yesterday during the Ceremonial Parade to mark 11th Biennial Nigeria Police Week.

    The president who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd) said: “the Federal Government approved the recruitment of additional 10,000 police personnel and also approved funds for the take-off of the exercise.

    “Aside addressing the national challenge of youth unemployment, this initiative will bridge the chronic manpower gap inherited by this regime in the Nigeria Police.  In carrying out this exercise, I expect the Nigeria Police to put national interest in the forefront so that it will be in line with the reforms agenda being pursued under the Ministry of Interior.

    Buhari also revealed that the Federal Government has funded the procurement of over 1,000 Patrol Vehicles and other logistics to strengthen the operational capacity of the Safer Highway Patrol Scheme and support the deployment of police personnel towards security stabilization and restoration of civil authority in the North East.

    On the need for community input in policing, he said, “the need for a police system that is driven by community input in Nigeria has even become more imperative considering our current national security challenges in which Kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, transnational crimes, terrorism and other organized crimes have evolved to threaten our national values and developmental strides.”

    Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase vowed to redeem the image of the Nigeria Police Force and also deal with criminal elements who threaten the existence of the Force.

    According to him, “We are determined to take the criminal battle to the footsteps of elements that continue to threaten our peace and security and remind the nation that with their support, the new police Force vows to defeat the threat of terror and other internal security threats.

    “We are passing a clear message to the criminal community that the wind of change is now blowing through the Police, a cultural reorientation that is premised on adoption of international best policing practices is emerging, and a new Police Force that will display team spirit, loyalty, zeal, courage, civility and renewed commitment towards confronting criminal elements, hand-in-hand with the citizens is evolving.”

    Arase who reassured the Federal Government of its commitment to restore its lost primacy also assured the citizens of its determination to live the true meaning of the common saying ‘Police is your friend’.

    According to him, “In my capacity as the IGP, I wish to use this occasion to reassure the president of the loyalty of officers and men of the -Force and our firm determination-to advance ­the vision of a professional, community-driven police Force that will remain civil to the citizens, but potent enough to respond to any threat to our internal security and national cohesion.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Cleric to Buhari: recover all stolen funds

    The Bishop of Owo Diocese, Methodist Church Nigeria, Rev Solomon Adegbite, has urged the Federal Government to fulfill its pledge of recovering  stolen funds from public office holders and other influential Nigerians.

    Besides, the cleric advocated that those returning their stolen funds freely should be granted amnesty, while others caught by the law should be prosecuted.

    The bishop, who spoke while delivering his address at the 28th Synod of the Diocese held at Methodist Church, Nigeria, Oke-Owo, Ondo State, said administration of justice should also be targeted toward curative/transformative rather than punitive.

    Adegbite also called for quick dispensation of justice, adding that the case of suspects awaiting trials for years was not a good development.

    The church leader lauded the efforts of the Federal Government in diversifying the economy, stressing that the moves should be followed up with cogent action rather than theoretical.

    He praised the Federal Government for granting bailout funds to states, describing it as laudable, but urged benefiting states to ensure the money is used judiciously.

    Adegbite condemned the increase spate of herdsmen attacks. He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sustain the on-going anti-corruption crusade devoid of witch-hunting perceived political opponents.

    The Bishop urged the present administration to ensure equity and fairness in all its dealings, adding that the nation’s secular nature should be respected.

  • Pensioners reject plan to spend N5.14tr funds on infrastsructure

    Pensioners have rejected Federal Government’s move to deploy part of the N5.14 trillion pension fund into development of infrastructure in the country.

    The pensioners, acting under the aegis of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) say they do not trust the government, adding that they cannot therefore entrust it with their future savings.

    Its National President, A. Afolayanin in a statement said though the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administartion could be trusted,  subsequent governments may not enjoy the pensioners’ trust.

    He said: “The attention of the national headquarters of our union has been drawn to a newspaper publication credited to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola that the government would use the N5.2 trillion contributory pension savings for infrastructural development.

  • Federal Govt, NLC set for showdown over N5.14tr pension funds

    Federal Govt, NLC set for showdown over N5.14tr pension funds

    Federal agencies are considering all options to dance around dwindling oil revenues triggered by tumbling prices of crude at the international market. One of such options is a request by the Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the minister of Housing, Works and Power, to access the N5.14 trillion pension fund to finance critical infrastructure. But, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the proposal, reports OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO

    Going by the words of Finance Minister Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, the Federal Government is in talks for concessionary loans worth $3.5 billion from the World Bank and African Development Bank the (AfDB) to finance this year’s budget.

    But, the minister says no formal request has been made to the two international financial institutions ($2.5 billion from World Bank and $1 billion from AfDB). She said the government will tie the facilities to specific capital projects after the approval of the National Assembly.

    With the budget estimate still undergoing scrutiny, the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has hinted of a plan to access the N5.14 trillion pension funds to develop critical infrastructure.

    The hint came on the heels of a presentation by the Director-General of the fund’s custodian – the National Pension Commission (PenCom) – Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu at the Villa during a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and all the 36 governors.

    She told the chief executives that as at September, last year, about N4 trillion was available for infrastructure development out of theN5.1 trillion pension fund. According to her, the fund remains an untapped potential.

    A World Bank report has said that Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit requires a yearly investment of $15 billion (about N2 trillion) for the next decade in critical areas like housing, transport and power sectors.

    In times past, pension funds were invested in equities and bonds and the chunk held in government bonds as against  the real sectors such as roads, bridges, hospitals, rail, airports, fee paying universities and prisons, among others.

    In other climes, the economic strength of funds from contributory pension schemes play pivotal roles, especially in helping many countries like Canada, Japan, Australia and South Africa, among others, to aid economic growth and development.

    Within a decade, pension fund witnessed phenomenal growth from a deficit of more than N2 trillion (about $12.9 billion) in liabilities in 2004 to over N5.14 trillion in total assets as at October last year.

    The dilemma has been the inability of the Federal Government to access the funds owing to the strict regulation guiding Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to avoid bad management, corruption and policy inconsistency that characterised such schemes in the past.

    But, the dilemma has been compounded by the Nigerian Labour Congress’ (NLC’s) rejection of any further involvement in the application and management of pension funds. The organised labour has threatened a showdown should the government tamper with the scheme.

    Managers of the funds, including PenCom, the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodian (PFCs), have insisted on the creation of investable vehicles like infrastructural bonds and equity with low risk and the formulation of the right policy to provide a conducive ground rules.

    Such measures, when taken, will enable the government to harness the exponential growth in the funds and channel it to achieve laudable infrastructural and structural transformation.

    The question is how does the Federal Government meet these conditions to access the funds for the common good?

    The pension funds are the proceeds of eight per cent deductions from employees’ salary and 10 per cent of employee’s total monthly emolument contributed by the employer, based on the requirement of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004 as repealed by PRA 2014.

    Experts argue that investing the funds in infrastructure development will yield more returns on contributors’ individual savings.

     

    Fed Govt’s call for funds

    The Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr.Babatunde Fashola has suggested that releasing the funds for investment in critical areas of the economy will be more beneficial.

    Fashola, who made the suggestion in a keynote address he delivered at a retreat on “Nigerian Pension Industry Strategy Implementation Roadmap”, said he had foreseen a future for Africa, led by Nigeria, using the resources of the people to build a future for the people.

    His words: “For over three decades, we have mouthed the need to diversify our economy in order to open up more sectors for productive activities, income, economic growth and jobs. But, we failed to follow through because of oil resources. It was quick and bountiful income even though there were boom and burst cycles.

    “But today’s reality is that we are in another cycle of burst. Oil prices have crashed from over $100 per barrel, and is now hovering around $30 per barrel and there is a real chance that it will fall lower.

    “Put very simply, our main source of revenue has taken a big blow. This household has lost its bread winner. However, it is not without options; it has assets; it can raise money; it has savings, such as the private money belonging to pensioners, but it cannot be used like oil money. Whatever is used must return. This calls for a new attitude. There is no free money.

    “After three decades of prevaricating about diversification, diversification has walked into the front door of the Nigerian household. We must either embrace it with a new attitude or idle in agony and anguish, until when hopefully the price of oil will rise again, as it will surely do.

    “The pension funds, which are under the management of PFAs, will not go into roads, rail, housing, hospitals or universities unless we change our attitude. Perhaps the appropriate starting point will be to acknowledge that pension reforms are just beginning to gain foothold across Africa in jurisdictions like Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana, Kenya and Uganda – to mention a few.

    “But perhaps, the biggest and most advanced of the pension funds, especially in sub-saharan Africa, is the South African pension fund. While the sizes of these funds are happily growing, and the number of contributors is increasing, the impact in the quality of life on the continent is not yet anywhere near minimum globally acceptable standards.

    “The reason is not far-fetched once we take a look at where the funds are being invested. The funds are largely invested in equities and bonds, and in the case of Nigeria, so much of it is held in government bonds.

    “But, while these funds are not serving the real sector, it is tempting therefore to argue that although the pension funds contain contributions of the working class, they do not as yet penetrate enough into giving value to the lives of the contributors.

    “Across Africa, there is a visible infrastructure deficit. No country-to-country rail service across most parts. The highways that connect most of the countries such as in the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) region are in very poor shape and these are roads that can easily be built, and tolled to earn income to secure the return of pension funds invested in building them. Air travel is no better. Airports are not of the quality of design and construction or efficiency that is obvious in Europe. These are places where pension funds can be impactful.

    “It must be mentioned of course that the attitudes that once mired pension funds management in scandals and lack of transparency, had led to very stringent legislative interventions that limited the scope of activities that pension funds could participate in.

    “For example, until recently, the Nigerian pension fund law limited the contributor from using part of his pension to secure a mortgage. How, one may ask, is a person supposed to finance or part finance ownership of a home if he cannot use his own savings?

    “In contrast to the mismanagement that used to be the story of our own pension funds, the most prolific of the pension funds in Africa, which is the South African Public Investment Corporation (PIC), has over $150 billion assets under management.

    In Nigeria alone, they have $289 million in Dangote Cement , $98 million approved but yet-to-be drawn for Notore Fertilizer, $230 million in MTN Nigeria, $270 million in Erin Energy (formerly CAMAC) and $150 million in Mainstream Energy Solutions (in the power sector of Nigeria).

    “By contrast, the question to ask is what is the ‘home based’ pension fund doing? If as I have shown, the visiting pension fund from South Africa has a total of $897 million in our economy.

    “The answer is obvious, that is why we are here, that is why my host in their invitation spoke of ‘…suitable investible vehicles with low risk profiles and sufficient comfort…; as the reason that ‘…continues to hamper the drive to make visible economic impact’ in the letter to me. But, I can say that those investible vehicles exist.”

    The minister said such funds should be invested in roads that can be tolled, housing, the Fourth Mainland Bridge, coastal road linking several states from Lagos to Bayelsa; the new seaport in Lekki and Badagry, the refinery by Dangote, Ajaokuta Steel, a petrochemical plant in the Niger Delta; the broken textile mills in the North and South of Nigeria that require new equipments and disciplined fiscal, technical and organisational management.

    “Such funds”, he went on “could also be used to upgrade prisons in each of the six geopolitical zones that can help strengthen our justice system and decongest the colonial prisons we have kept as relics of our own sense of justice; in hostels for students in the universities, embedded power plants in the universities, most of which have teaching hospitals and provide an opportunity to power education and healthcare and the list is endless.

    “It is as long as we can imagine and the time for it is now. This is the biggest opportunity to act towards diversification rather than sloganise about it. This is the time to show that our country and our national economy is bigger than the challenges posed by the dwindling oil prices.

    This is the time to diversify and change the face of our economy once and for all. But, the risks that stand in the way are caused by us and they must be changed by us. My recommendations which I concede may not be exhaustive, but which I believe will begin our journey of change that will reduce the risk and increase the appetite of our local pension fund administrators to get their feet wet and test the waters in the place we call home.”

     

    NLC beats the drum of war

    Following the minister’s proposal to PenCom and other operators to release the funds to develop infrastructure, the NLC has rejected the deployment of the pension funds for infrastructure. It has threatened a showdown.

    In a statement issued by Secretary-General, National Union of Railway Workers (NUR), Mr. Segun Esan, who spoke for  NLC President  Joe Ajaero titled: “Pension Fund for Infrastructure Development: A Recipe for Crisis”, the president stated the passage of the comprehensive Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004 was heralded by many as a watershed in the nation’s pension administration.

    It reads: “All over the world, pension funds are shielded from the vagaries of the market and the political arena. Its deployment is rather towards activities that would not compromise its value both qualitatively and quantitatively.

    “This is borne on the premise that anything that compromises its value puts into jeopardy the lives of many Nigerians that retire daily from active work life and have placed enormous hope on the proceeds collectable from the fund which they have toiled day and night to contribute to since their active working days. The capacity of the fund to deliver on workers expectations at all times and in all situations must be assured and held sacrosanct by all especially policy makers.

    “It is on this foundation that the NLC views with utmost anxiety the proposal by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola that pension funds should be used for infrastructural development.

    “This proposal is not only unfortunate but also constitutes a threat to the future of Nigeria workers. We have not seen the details of that proposal and we hope that the minister was just flying a kite or testing the waters and he is therefore not serious about pursuing it. Nevertheless, we make haste to say that this is a very dangerous proposal that exposes and threatens the security and future of Nigerian workers.

     

    •To be continued

  • Corruption, others hinder funds’ flow

    Corruption, policy inconsistency and lack of appropriate investible products have been the bane of full deployment of N5.1 trillion pension funds to nation building, the Managing Director, Zenith Pensions Custodian Limited, Mrs. Nkem Oni-Egboma,” has said.

    Oni-Egboma made this known during a paper presentation on “Security and Strategic Deployment of Pension Funds in Nigeria for Nation Building” at the Nigeria Pension Consumer Symposium held in Lagos.

    For Nigeria to harness the exponential growth in pension asset and channel it to achieve laudable infrastructural and structural transformation, there is need for creation of suitable investable vehicles like infrastructural bonds and equity with low risk.

    She stated that there is also need for the right policy formulation that will provide conducive ground rules for its deployment.

    According to the World Bank report, Nigeria infrastructural deficit requires investment of $15 billion  about N2 trillion per annum for a decade in critical areas such as housing, transport and power sectors.

  • ‘Looters should return looted funds’

    ‘Looters should return looted funds’

    Former Deputy Senate Minority Leader Olorunnimbe Mamora is excited by the anti-graft war of President Muhammadu Buhari. In this interview with LEKE SALAUDEEN, he speaks on the renewed anti-corruption battle, the performance of the National Assembly, the Biafra agitation and national security.

    Are you surprised by the revelations from the investigation of $2.1 billion arms cash?

    I am not surprised but only surprised with the magnitude of the revelations, it is mind boggling. The President Goodluck Jonathan administration appeared not to have put anyone in doubt as to the level of impunity under it; it was an administration riddled with impunity. I am sure the Dasukigate is just a tip of an ice berg. Definitely, there are more other gates that are yet to open. Let’s see how many gates President Buhari will open. Buhari made it clear that fight against corruption is one of the cardinal programmes of his administration and it is being pursued relentlessly.

    Do you think the beneficiaries should be pardoned, if they refund the money?

    One is tempted to sympathise with them because they don’t know the source of the money, particularly those of them who are hitherto men of respect in the eyes of the public. But lawyers will say ignorance is not an excuse in law. In that case, the suspects will still have to explain themselves before the court of law, if it gets to that stage to exonerate themselves. Even where some of them had the foreknowledge of the source of the money, they would still take it because it was an era of impunity.

    The most important thing is that those who benefitted from the sharing of $2.1 billion arms cash should return the money. We need the money to prosecute government programmes. Pardon will have to come under the prerogative of mercy of Mr President. If he’s convinced that certain individuals collected the money in error, he will not hesitate to pardon them. However, each case should be taken on its merit; it should not be a blanket cover in granting pardon.

    Are you impressed that the Senate passed only one Bill and none by the House of Representatives in six months?

    We should take a kind of holistic approach in assessing the National Assembly’s performance, especially the Senate where I served as the Deputy Minority Leader. I have always argued on the need of the people out there, especially members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm (the press) to educate the public on the functions of the National Assembly. Passage of Bills is just one out of the numerous functions of the Assembly. There are other responsibilities like oversight function, legitimising role, confirmation of appointments, consensus building, policy incubation etc. So, we should not base their performance on law making alone.

    It is only fair to assess the 8th National Assembly on the basis of its shaky start, especially on how the leadership emerged. It was a long drawn battle. The delay in finding its feet; it took time to smooth rough edges and to stabilise the foundation. You can’t build an edifice on faulty foundation. We should bear with this Assembly. Let’s give it time to put its act together with a view to perform its functions.

    I will expect the National Assembly to know that it constitutes the ears and eyes of the people. It is expected to give effect to the yearnings of the people. The National Assembly is the first hope of the common man. I had expected the Senate would ask for the portfolios of ministerial nominees so that the nominee will be asked relevant questions about the ministry he or she was nominated to serve.

    I consider the establishment of 55 committees in a Senate of 109 members wieldy. It will definitely task the efficiency of the Senate. Nine members of the House of Representatives have sued the Speaker on the rules of the House.  It is an indication that all is not well with the House. There is need for members to resolve their differences amicably in the interest of the country at large. A house that is divided against itself cannot stand. Such a situation will be sending wrong signals as to the stability of the House.

    If you look at the present National Assembly, less than 20 per cent are old members. It will take new members time to learn the rope of legislating.

    The federal troops have technically defeated Boko Haram, but we are still faced with suicide bomb attacks. What else can the Federal Government do?

    President Muhammadu Buhari is doing his best to rout the Boko Haram insurgents. Yes, Boko Haram has been technically defeated because their capacity or ability to wreak havoc or disaster in a similar way they used to do has been drastically reduced. I want to commend members of our Armed Forces for what they have been doing so far. Every day, they play to us the captured depots where Boko Haram manufactures their weapons and those of them apprehended. That is not to say it is all over.

    There was a time the Federal troops could not penetrate Sambisa forest. Cross border activities is now possible unlike before when Boko Haram ran over communities and hoist their flags. Boko Haram is an insurgency war, it is a global war, it is a war of attrition and a guerrilla war. They won’t give up immediately. That is why they now go to Internally Displaced People (IDP) centres, Churches, Mosques and motor parks to wreak havoc.

    Over time, they will be completely routed. Government should continue to give support to the fighting soldiers in terms of provision of arms and ammunition and boost their morale.

    Do you think the Biafra agitators are pursuing their goal in the right channel?

    Any move that attempt to undermine the sovereignty of Nigeria is not patriotic. Biafra agitation is not patriotic. It is largely political. Some powerful interest groups are behind the agitation, using the youths as cannon fodder. Anyone who has witnessed war will not pray it should happen again. If you have a goal that is not rightly being pursued, you will lose. The agitators may just be seeking attention. It should be done in a right way not through violence that threatens the peace of the land.

    I am happy to say that I have not seen any major Igbo group associating with these separatist groups like MASOB and IPOB. Rather they have come out to condemn their action. No governor in the South-east has come out to support the agitators. I want to plead that the Federal Government should listen to them. If people rightly or wrongly felt a sense of marginalisation, the best thing is to reach out to them to have a dialogue, constructive engagement, explaining issues to create a sense of belonging. We should not apply sledge hammer over their agitation.

    If the Federal Government extend olive branch to them, they will reason to come to the round table to discuss issues involved. There is strength in number. Nigeria is referred to as giant of Africa because of our population.  Our capacity, diversity and resources are derived from the strength of our population. We can maximise them if we manage them appropriately. Sometime, people act in ignorance but through dialogue they will know the truth.

    Are the Niger Delta militants vandalising the oil and gas pipelines doing this country good?

    The militancy of Niger Delta which started sometime ago should be seen as one of the ills of our society. Happily, the Yar’Adua administration introduced the amnesty programme for the Niger Delta militants. It was continued by the Jonathan government. Happily too, the Buhari administration did not stop it. That is to show to the whole world that the government of Buhari means well. It has brought a better management as shown by re-engineering the management of Amnesty Programme.

    The ex-militant should not over reach themselves but should co-operate with the government as some ex-militant leaders have called for co-operation and support for President Buhari.

  • Court grants firm access to funds

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted Honeywell Flour Mills Plc  access to its funds in all banks in Nigeria.

    The judge said it would be unfair to deny it access to funds since the case is yet to be determined.

    The court had, following an ex-parte application by Ecobank Nigeria Limited, through its lawyer Mr Kunle Ogunba (SAN), restrained chairman of Honeywell Group, Dr Oba Otukedo, the company’s directors and others from withdrawing from any bank or financial institution.

    It is over a debt allegedly owed the bank by Honeywell.

    But Honeywell, through its counsel Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) sought to discharge the order, contending that it was an abuse of court process.

    In its counter-affidavit, the company said: “Sometime in 2013, the applicant along with its sister companies, Anchorage Leisures Ltd and Siloam Global Ltd under the auspices of their parent company, Honeywell Group Ltd, commenced discussions with the respondent with a view to a global and complete settlement of their outstanding liabilities towards which parties agreed for a total full and final payment…”

    Ruling, Justice Yunusa said he was inclined to vary the orders to enable Honeywell Group meet its financial obligations.

    He held that the company could withdraw up to N60million in a month from its accounts pending when the suit is heard and determined.

    Justice Yunusa adjourned till January 13 for hearing.

  • World AIDS Day: As funds trickle down

    World AIDS Day: As funds trickle down

    As Nigeria joins the rest of the World to observe this year’s World AIDS Day this Tuesday, Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha writes on how about three million Nigerians living with HIV and face a bleak future because the federal government is yet to take ownership of HIV/AIDS funding.

    It is no longer in doubt that major donor countries such as the United States of America (USA) may withdraw funds to tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country by next year. This development may also render about 1.4million HIV positive people who are estimated to be in dire need of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs helpless.

    According to the Director General National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Prof John Idoko while commenting on this year’s preparation his organisation to observe this year’s World AIDS Day (WAD), with the theme:  “Getting to Zero”- Zero new HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination. Zero AIDS Related Deaths, providing antiretroviral treatment for all people living with HIV doesn’t only benefit those already living with HIV, it also dramatically reduces the chance of onwards HIV transmission to others. In a country like Nigeria where there are so many people not on treatment, it is hard to tackle the HIV epidemic. Considerable commitment, funding and resources need to be mobilised to expand access to treatment as a prevention method.

    Nigeria is an enormous country, and so it has a very high number of people living with HIV despite a relatively low HIV prevalence. According to Idoko, the current estimates of people living with HIV in the country is three million, approximately 750, 000 are on treatment, 55 percent (1, 237, 500) of this number are women, 50 percent of HIV positive women possibly have HIV Negative partners approximately 618, 750, and PrEP (ProphylaxyExposure) needs for sero-discordant couple are approximately 618, 750.

    He said the new World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation is to test and treat, hence about 2.25 million HIV positive people are expected to be placed on treatment, so total need for Antiretroviral by next year is 2, 868, 750. This is not adding PrEP needs for men sleeping with men (MSM) and other MARPs, which the anti-homosexuality bill has driven into hiding.

    When reading the major statistics all together the situation is stark: Nine percent of all people living with HIV globally are in Nigeria, 14 percent of the global deaths from HIV-related illness are in Nigeria, only 20 percent of people living with HIV are on treatment, and only 27 percent of pregnant women are receiving treatment for PMTCT.

    Self sufficient

    But, Nigeria can afford to cater for its citizens living positively. It is a matter of political will/commitment. Nigeria is not poor. The starting point can be to unlock vast domestic resources than continuing to wait for donors to finance the direct delivery of social services.

    Following the country’s recent 90 percent GDP adjustment, Nigeria is now a solidly middle-income country. With an income per capita of $2,700, it now stands alongside countries like the Philippines and Morocco. Not exactly a rich country per se, but with a GDP of roughly $500 billion, it’s far from an impoverished one in terms of national resources. With donors providing $2 billion a year in aid to Nigeria, this raises the natural question: If Nigeria is significantly wealthier than previously thought, then should we still be expecting large-scale assistance from them?

    Idoko put it more in perspective, “The Government should not feel threatened, but the action should spur the federal government to take up full funding of the treatment, as smaller, less endowed countries were already footing over 50 percent of their treatment bills. We are the largest economy in Africa according to re-basing statistics, there are many other African countries that I can count, like South Africa, Boswana even Benin Republic which are responsible for 50 percent or more of their support, so why should Nigeria be different, this is the way the donor countries are looking at the issue”

    Why are they withdrawing? According to Prof Idoko the economic climate in those countries is also becoming bad; also, the rebasing of the economy highlights that Nigeria is not poor.

    He said, “The looming financial constraints in tackling the epidemic, called for concerted efforts by federal, states and local governments to device new funding approaches, particularly reviewing their tax policies or the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).”

    He added that the country cannot afford to relapse on the successes recorded in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but rather should be sustained, “There has been steady decline in the prevalence from 2001. There has been 54 percent reduction in HIV incidence from 2003 to 2013, just as new HIV infections are decreasing. ART is working in Nigeria. Significant progress in the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV has been achieved.”

    Winning the war against AIDS in the country is no rocket science, even in the face of declining donor funding. According to Prof Idoko, pragmatic basic steps can be taken, such as increasing domestic funding to achieve a fully funded AIDS response at all levels, fully operationalise 90-90-90 strategy to eliminate progression to AIDS, premature deaths and HIV transmission, ensure combination prevention for all populations, expand HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT), Antiretroviral treatment (ART) and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission services, pursue a policy of local manufacture of essential commodities (antiretroviral drugs, test kits and condoms) and equally address barriers to access to HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment.

    The new WHO treatment guidelines now recommend that all people living with HIV start treatment regardless of CD4 count, which is likely to impact significantly upon the future cost of the global HIV response. This, coupled with the stagnation of donor funding is demanding that interventions embarked on by recipients are cost-effective and efficient. As domestic funding for HIV has now overtaken international assistance, there is greater emphasis on affected countries to implement these types of strategies.

    Should the donations/funding stop, the country cannot stand akimbo, as the African Union’s ‘Roadmap on Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for AIDS, TB and Malaria in Africa’ emphasises country ownership, efficiency and sustainable financing of the HIV response. It is one example reflecting increasing political commitment to these principals. Likewise, the ‘Arab Strategic Framework for the Response to HIV and AIDS (2014-2020)’ aims to increase reliance on domestic sources for the HIV response in all Arab countries by 80 percent by 2020.

    The government must be proactive because antiretroviral treatment (ART) provision in the country is extremely low, with only 21 percent of adults living with HIV receiving treatment in 2013, and 12 percent of children. Only 19 percent of women who are living with HIV and breastfeeding are taking ART.

    Although the number of antiretroviral treatment (ART) sites increased between 2012 and 2013, it is still not enough. With only 820 sites in the whole of the country, it is not surprising that people living with HIV are struggling to access clinics where they can get treatment. ART administration is being decentralised from hospitals to primary health centres, and from doctors to nurses and community health workers, although there is still a huge demand for more healthcare professionals.

    Certain weaknesses in the system exist, which means many people who receive a positive HIV diagnosis are not referred for treatment, or not retained in treatment for very long. Even when ART can be accessed, drug supplies are known to run out and lead to stock-outs.

  • Elders: probe ‘plot to divert NDDC funds’

    Elders: probe ‘plot to divert NDDC funds’

    Elders and politicians in the Southsouth yesterday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the alleged plot to divert N1 billion fund belonging to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the December 5 Bayelsa State poll.

    The elders, consisting of monarchs and politicians, under the auspices of Voice of Southsouth (VSS), said they sent a protest letter to the EFCC.

    They alleged that some politicians  were mounting pressure on some senior management workers of the NDDC to illegally release the money for the poll.

    The VSS, in a letter by its Bayelsa State Chairman, Mr. Alex Dumbo, said a preliminary investigation showed that the plot was real.

    The letter reads: “Though we are not against members of the party raising money for the election, the forceful attempt to illegally deduct from funds provided for agencies and corporations for development is criminal and should be investigated.

    “By this letter, we are calling on the EFCC to investigate the plot by summoning the management workers of the NDDC for questioning.

    “We believe that in line with the anti-corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari, such cases of fund diversion and illegal funding of election with state or government money should be investigated and those behind it prosecuted.”

    The elders described as empty President Buhari’s pronouncement that electoral offenders would be prosecuted by the Federal Government.

    They said it was targeted at prosecuting select and perceived political opponents.

    “We consider the declaration of President Buhari during the swearing-in of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmud Yakubu, as another declaration made without sincerity and goodwill.

    “The declaration of the President is viewed from the premise that the ongoing attempt by the present administration to implement its anti-corruption agenda has been turned into a political witch-hunt targeted at perceived opposition party members as well as those sympathetic to their cause.”