The Nation Newspaper

Tag: issues

  • The issues about Kanu

    The issues about Kanu

    Before he ventured to relocate to Nigeria late last year to , according to him, arouse the indigenous people of Biafra to the need to agitate for freedom now, Nnamdi Kanu was simply known as a political activist based in the United Kingdom. He has always been a visible member of pro-Biafra organizations. Later, he became identified as the leading member of a new organization, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the director of London-based radio station Radio Biafra.

    He was arrested in Lagos State, Nigeria on October 17 by the Department of State Services (DSS).This generated mass protests across parts of Delta State, Enugu State, Rivers State, Cross River State, Abia State, Akwa Ibom State and Anambra State. Kanu’s arrest was also condemned by world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

    On 20 October 2015, the DSS announced that Kanu had been released on bail. However, it was soon found out that he is still in detention as he was unable to meet his bail conditions. Members of his group and his legal team called the bail “controversial” and claimed the DSS announced the bail only “to calm the angry people of Biafra”.

    Mr Kanu’s lawyer, Vincent Obetta, called the continued detention of the activist “a clash between judiciary and executive” in a democratic Nigeria. According to Mr Obetta, “I have not seen or heard any place where a court grants bail and the person is not released. Under UN and Africa charter, it is enshrined that once bail is granted, you release the person upon meeting the bail conditions. We are sliding to days of Decree 2 and 4 of 1984. This is pure dictatorship.”

    But The Nation learnt that Kanu is in detention because he is unable to get sureties as requested in his bail condition. According to reliable sources, Kanu, was charged with alleged misdemeanor offenses: Criminal Conspiracy, Managing& Belonging to Unlawful Society and Criminal Intimidation contrary to Sections 97, 97b and 397 of the Penal Code.

    The IPOB leader was granted bail with stringent conditions including getting a civil servant of Grade Level 16 that has a landed property within Abuja metropolis and in the sum of N10million as his bail surety. The matter was adjourned to 18th of November 2015 for trial. Our sources insisted that no civil servant has come forward to stand as surety for the detained activist.

     

     

     

     

  • SEC approves N53.65b new issues

    SEC approves N53.65b new issues

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved new issues worth N53.65 billion between January and September.

    According to its statistics, 10 firms indicated interest to access the primary market segment of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

    A breakdown of the new issues indicated that the new issues dropped when compared with over N400 billion raised in the corresponding period of 2014.

    NAN reports that the firms that applied for the new issues during the period under review were Union Homes Savings and Loans, Notore Chemical Industries and Fortis Microfinance Bank.

    Others are Champion Breweries, Golden Capital, Jaiz Bank, Bankers Warehouse, Afrik Parmaciticulars, Stanbic IBTC Holdings and Riggs Venture West Africa.

    It was also reported that the approvals were for rights issue, special and private placements and Initial Public Offer (IPO).

    An analysis of the data showed that Union Homes, during the period was given an approval for a special placement of 781.25 million shares worth N5 billion at N6.40 per share.

    Fortis Microfinance Bank applied for private placement of 788 million shares valued N1.18 billion at N1.50 per share and Notore Chemical IPO of 371.59 million shares worth N19.59 billion at N52.72 per share.

    Champion Breweries applied for private placement of 629.49 million shares worth N1.16 billion at N1.85, while Jaiz Bank was given approval for rights issue of 2.96 billion shares at N1.30 per share, among others.

    Commenting on the new issues, Malam Garba Kurfi, Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Ltd., who lauded the development, said the new issues were encouraging considering challenges in the economy.

  • Varsity dons to discuss security issues

    Professor John Idiodi, of University of Benin, Prof. Douglas Anele, of University of Lagos and Dr. Hussaini, Abdu are among the scholars billed to address a conference with the theme  National Security for a Better World and Need for National Re-orientation for Sustainable Development, scheduled to hold today at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

    The symposium, which is at the instance of Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, Lagos zone, is one of the activities lined up for its Annual Celebration of Virtues and commemoration of the Building of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, built over 3367 years ago.

    Prof. Isaac Alaba, a renowned consultant on culture and languages, will moderate the event that is expected to attract a cream of other scholars from different parts of the country.

  • Fuel crisis looms in Lagos, Delta, Rivers …as NUPENG issues fresh strike notice

    Fuel crisis looms in Lagos, Delta, Rivers …as NUPENG issues fresh strike notice

    Anxiety over the availability of petroleum products has heightened in some states in the southern part of the country as members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) commence indefinite solidarity strike.

    NUPENG members from Warri, Lagos and Port Harcourt zones agreed at a rally in Warri, Delta State yesterday to commence a solidarity strike in protest against alleged infringements on the rights of their members working for Chevron, an oil company in Warri, Delta State.

    Addressing members of the union drawn from Chevron and other oil servicing companies, the Chairman of the Warri Zone of NUPENG, Comrade Cogent Ojobor, said the solidarity strike would last until the oil giant addresses all alleged injustices.

    Among the demands of the workers are the reinstatement of one of their members, Comrade Ada, payment of 2013 leave allowances, payment of end of contract allowance, job classification and full payment of shift allowance.

    The union also frowned against alleged creation of parallel unions for workers by the oil company, vowing to resist any attempt at dividing NUPENG.

    The union’s leader in the Warri Zone said that NUPENG had written several letters and had held series of meetings with the management of Chevron over time, noting that the company was aware of the newly called strike action.

    He, however, charged members of the union to defend their dignity as they continue to demand fair treatment from the oil company.

    Other leaders of the union who spoke at the rally, which was held at the entrance of Chevron on NPA Road, expressed displeasure at the company’s retirement policy and appealed to NUPENG leadership to address the issue head on.

    Philanthropist names centre after Aisha Buhari Ahmed Rufa’I, Dutse

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State yesterday commissioned and handed over an Islamic centre he constructed and named after President Muhammadu Buhari’s wife, Aisha.

    The Islamic centre, built by Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Dano, is located in Ruru village, Dutse Local Government Area of the state.

    The centre, which comprises a Juma’at mosque and school, was commissioned by the Jigawa State Deputy Governor, Barrister Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia. It is designed to accommodate 300 worshippers and also has four classrooms.

    Speaking at the event, Dano, an ex-officio of the APC in the Northwest, said he had to rebuild the mosque which was built by his father 45 years ago because it had become dilapidated.

    Dano said apart from the centre, he also planned to build a maternity clinic for the village.

    He said he named the centre after Aisha Buhari because of her commitment to women and child development issues.

    The Emir of Dutse, Dr. Nuhu Muhammadu Sunusi, who was named the father of the occasion, called on the people of Ruru village to seize the opportunity of the school to send their children there, adding that it was mandatory for the villagers to send their children to both Islamic and western schools in order to become useful members of the society.

  • INEC issues Certificates of Return to Ekwunife, Oduah, Uba, others in Anambra

    The three senators-elect in Anambra State were yesterday issued Certificates of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    They are Senator Andy Uba, Anambra South; Princess Stella Oduah, Anambra North and Hon. Uche Ekwunife, Anambra Central.

    Nine House of Representatives candidates who were declared winners by INEC after the election also received their certificates from INEC, with the exception of Orumba North, South, Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia federal constituencies.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Edwin Nwatalari, said the Orumba North and South federal constituency had an issue in court, while the winner from Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia federal constituency, Okey Ezeh was absent.

    While handing over the certificates to the winners yesterday at INEC office in Awka, the Zonal Commissioner of INEC in the area, Lawrence Nwuruku, said anybody with grievances should channel his or case through the tribunal.

    According to him, “power comes from God, If God says yes, nobody can say no. If you lose election, try again, I have never gone to court before. But I have lost election, I’m not discouraging anybody from going to the tribunal.”

    The REC said his phone line has been bombarded with calls by politicians after the elections in the state, adding that the only person that had not called him was God.

    “I will never disobey court orders if given. As far as I am concerned in this office, every decision taken by any court will be adhered to,” the REC said.

    Members of the House of Representatives who received their Certificates of Return yesterday were Peter Madubueze (Anambra East and West), Emeka Idu (Onitsha North and South), Anayo Nebe (Awka North and South), Emeka Anohu (Ihiala).

    Others were Chuchu Onyema (Ogbaru), Eucharia Azodo (Aguata), Gabriel Onyenwife (Ayamelum and Oyi), Obinna Chidoka (Idemili North and South) and Chris Azubogu (Nnewi North, South, Ekwusigo).

    Two former speakers of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Anayo Nnebe and Eucharia Azodo were elected to the National Assembly.

    Speaking on behalf of others, Senator Andy Uba thanked INEC for a job well done, and called on those who lost during the elections to close ranks for a better Anambra State.

    Ekwunife called on Chief Victor Umeh and others to forget what happened during the election and come together.

  • 2015 Campaigns: The issues, excesses, violations

    2015 Campaigns: The issues, excesses, violations

    Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports on the campaign issues of President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari, including the excesses and electoral violations of their political parties; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Political parties and politicians participating in the ongoing general elections that kicked off across the country yesterday found and used several methods to reach out to the electorate during the many weeks of electioneering campaigns that saw political campaign trains crisscrossing the lent and breadth of the various constituencies.

    Aside from pasting posters and erecting billboards, vote seeking groups and individuals mounted podiums and organised programmes all in their quest to have the people consider them or their candidates worthy of being entrusted with the peoples’ mandate during the general election.

    They also found the social, print and electronic media as useful platforms to get closer to the people, especially voters. And all the parties, especially the two leading ones, made extensive use of these platforms so much so that the electorates themselves were treated with what many analysts described as political campaign war.

    The ‘war’ came in various shades; some interesting, some gory, some peaceful, some violent, some good to hear and see, some unsavory. In and out of the expected and the unexpected, politicians and their political parties meandered as they curry the votes of Nigerians desperately.

    Issues

    On his part, President Goodluck Jonathan said as the President of Nigeria in the outgoing tenure, he concentrated much of his efforts at rebuilding the physical infrastructure that could galvanize national industrial development.  He said much has been achieved in his quest to transform the country.

    Consequently, as a presidential aspirant in the 2015 elections, he focused on the development of the human capital. According to him, “a nation is as developed as its human capital. Education, women, and youth development are the indicators of a nation’s development. Having laid the foundations for industrial take off, I want you to vote for me to make good these areas of our national life.”

    Women: The Goodluck second tenure will embark on large scale women empowerment programme as well as increase number of women that occupy public offices. We have developed a road map to integrate women into the nation’s development processes. I will fully implement the Affirmative Action of at least 35 percent positions for women in appointive positions. I will do more to promote increased girl-child education in the northern parts of Nigeria. The G-WIN Initiative will be the plank to economically empower women and girls. The reduction in maternal and child mortality will be aggressively pursued through already existing programmatic platforms. Nigeria women must be fully engaged to contribute to national development. We are committed to making work and effort of women to count in National Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Youth: Youths are the heartbeat of the nation. The Goodluck second term administration will give greater attention to the task of lifting up the Nigerian youth to a higher level of attainment. We work to harness the energies and potentials of the youth for national development through specialised programmes; including support for youths in ICT; Youth in Sports; Youth in Agriculture and Youth entrepreneurship.

    The Elderly: The Goodluck Jonathan Administration will ensure that pensioners and the elderly are protected, supported and provided for so that they can continue to enjoy good health and longevity. Special attention will be given to the elderly in our society.

    All through his own campaign, Buhari affirmed that he would do things differently from the PDP presidents if elected, and outlined a nine-point agenda to achieve this, namely:

    *Protection of lives and property.

    *Pursuing economic policies for shared prosperity and immediate attention on youth employment.

    *Quality education for development, modernity and social mobility.

    *Agricultural productivity for taking millions out of poverty and ensuring food security.

    *Reviving industries to generate employment and “make things” not just to remain hawkers of other peoples’ goods.

    *Developing solid minerals exploitation, which will substantially attract employment and revenue for government.

    *Restoring honour and integrity to public service by keeping the best and attracting the best.

    *Tackling corruption which has become blatant and widespread. The rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption. Nigeria is a country where stealing is not corruption.

    *Respecting the constitutional separation of powers among the executive, legislature and judiciary and respecting the rights of citizens.

    The candidates and their parties strived vigorously to send the messages into the hearts of the people. The people listened to it all. And more than ever before, the 2015 campaigns were indeed issues-based as the people strived to hear more from the political gladiators.

    Hate campaigns

    The electioneering contest, at some point, also degenerated into a string of hate campaigns leading to allegations and counter allegations between the two frontline political parties and their candidates.

    At the peak of the highly condemned hate campaign, a serving state governor ran a series of newspaper adverts that insinuated that the APC presidential candidate may not have much years left to spend on earth.

    The governor, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, however appeared unperturbed by the knocks he received for sponsoring the obscene advertorial. Rather, he insisted that he is entitled to express how he feels about Buhari and any other candidate in the presidential race.

    The advert placed on selected newspapers, has the pictures of past Nigerian leaders who died in office; Murtala Muhammed, Sani Abacha, Umaru Yar’Adua with the picture of Buhari placed beside the pictures of the late leaders and a huge question mark over it.

    It was accompanied by excerpt from the Bible book of Deuteronomy 30 verse 19, asked its readers: “Will you allow history to repeat itself? Enough of State burials.” “Nigerians be warned! Nigeria…I have set before thee Life and death. Therefore, choose life that both thee and thy seed may live,” it said.

    This advertisement was widely condemned by both supporters of Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan, with many people asking the president to dissociate himself from it.

    Ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, while reacting to the advertisement, said “Ayo Fayose mocked the death of our great past heroes. This is too much of politics to play. I hope Nigerians now know the right camp to vote. Ayo Fayose is nothing but a celebrated hooligan. His offensive advert should provoke and strengthen Nigerians to vote for change.”

    Earlier, the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation had alleged that the APC, in a video advert, was inciting the military to take over the affairs of government and also planned to assassinate key government officials. But the inability of the camp to substantiate its claim with evidences, robbed it of any political mileage it may have intended in raising the alarm.

    And the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) was to introduce another dimension into the matter when it said it has evidence that a top management staff of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is behind the dirty campaigns of hate against the presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu and their families aired in the documentaries by AIT and NTA.

    The APCPCO’s Director of Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said the campaign office has confirmed that the agency was indeed the sponsor of all the dirty campaigns against the APC presidential candidate on AIT, NTA and several other media platforms. The party noted that the Buhari documentary, apart from being fabricated and planted, the broadcasts were a complete negation of the recent noble violence-free election accord.

    The petition read in part: “Campaign of hate, particularly when based on twisted facts and ill intentions, is a constructive incitement to violence. Campaign of hate is not only dehumanizing, it is against the spirit of our constitution and unwholesome to national interest. The electorate have right to base their evaluation of every election candidate on true facts, not deceptive and cooked manipulations.”

    APC also condemned the Africa Independent Television (AIT) and the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) for what it called “offensive documentary” against the person of the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju BolaTinubu. The documentary, which was entitled: The Lion of Bourdillon, alleged that Tinubu was corrupt and treating Yorubaland as his personal estate, among other allegations.

    The Publicity Secretary of Ekiti APC Elders’ Forum, Dr. Bayo Orire, described the documentary as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) evil propaganda against the person of Tinubu, whom he said the ruling party is afraid of.

    However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), denied the allegation and accused the APC of paranoia and desperation in its futile attempt to claim power.

    Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, said, “It is now clear that the APC has nothing else to tell Nigerians, who have made up their minds to return President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP. Ask them, how much is Nigeria’s budget? They should talk on issues and stop this propaganda.”

    Online

    The online campaign was not less competitive.  Candidates and political camps went all out to engage the over six million Nigerian Facebook users and about a million users each of messaging services such as Twitter, BlackBerry Messenger and WhatsApp.

    Sites and accounts of various contestant and party sprung up on these messaging services, leading to a fierce online war between the APC and the PDP. Other political parties were not left out as the platforms proved to be veritable area where candidates and parties with less financial muscles competed with their more endowed counterparts easily.

    Cosmas Chikelu, a social media analyst, and Chief Executive Officer of CyberScenes, a social media service outfit, commended the improved utilisation of the global trend by Nigerian politicians ahead of the 2015 general election.

    “The social media allows faster communication and reach citizens in a more direct manner. It is relatively cheaper and of course more effective than the conventional media. The better use Nigerian politicians put the platforms to this time around is commendable.

    “The arguments, reactions, feedback, conversations and debates generated online over the weeks have been very useful in helping the electorate to decide which direction to go. It has also reduced the tension usually associated with electioneering campaign in Nigeria because through the social media, many questions were asked and answered,” he said.

    First to hit the waves was President Goodluck Jonathan, who, with nearly two million Facebook followers, is the first Nigerian President to use social media to reach out to the people. Every Facebook post of the President attracted several likes and comments from both friends and foes alike.

    The PDP, now with about 80,000 followers on the Facebook and about 32,000 Twitter attentions, also made good use of the online platforms to disseminate information to the people and promote the candidacy of its flag-bearers. The party also engaged the use of the online services in promoting the various support groups that sprung up for its candidates across the country.

    Likewise, the APC and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) took the campaign for voters’ support to the social media. As we speak, Buhari has over 90,000 followers on Twitter in addition to the 200,000 Facebook friends he now boasts of. It is instructive to note that before his emergence as APC presidential hopeful, the retired general was not really a fan of the social media.

    But his entrant unto the social media scene witnessed prompt accreditation for him by many Nigerians on the services. And he has been very consistent in using the platforms to reach out to supporters and opponents alike.

    All in all, the APC appears to have won the online campaign war. The APC now has about 100,000 Twitter followers having tweeted about 9,000 times. On its part, the PDP has just about 2,000 tweets.

    Violations

    In the course of the electioneering campaigns, the political gladiators went beyond stipulated and acceptable norms and practices in some of their actions and inactions. Chief amongst this is in the area of campaign expenditure as established by concerned bodies.

    A report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ); a non-governmental organisation, revealed that both the PDP and the APC violated the electoral law on campaign funding. The report titled “Second Campaign Finance and Use of State Administrative Resources Report in the 2015 Presidential Election” was presented to journalists recently.

    Lead Director of the centre, Barrister Eze Onyekpere, who presented the report, said the essence of making it public was to show Nigerians how politicians and their political parties were dipping their hands into state coffers and using public funds for their private uses.

    The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a pro-Jonathan Campaign Organisation, was specifically mentioned in the report as violating the electoral law by contributing far above the N1million ceiling as donation from individuals or groups to any candidate.

    It also highlighted the issues of allegation of bribery to pastors, visits to traditional rulers where undisclosed huge sums of money were allegedly doled out, inducement of socio-cultural organisations, sale of PVCs, cost of hate campaigns, renting of crowd and use of government agencies as conduits to siphon funds among others.

    According to the report, all persons, associations and organisations who have sought to induce voters with money and materials should be prosecuted in accordance with S. 124 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). This should include the candidates and their agents through which the corrupt acts were perpetrated.

    The report also called on security agencies to investigate the allegations and counter allegations of bribery against Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and its members. It also called for the investigation of the allegations of sale of PVCs and its demand as collateral to be deposited with a company that offers loans to the poor. It urged the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission to intervene to stop hate campaigns in the electronic media.

    Also, that INEC should demand that all abuse of state resources and the diversion of public goods and materials for partisan purposes should henceforth be stopped. It called for those who have participated in the act to be brought to book. It recommended that those in charge of the MDGs, NEMA and ATA, who allowed state resources to be used to the advantage of the incumbent, should be made to resign their appointments among others.

    As the results of this weekend’s presidential election begins to trickle in, observers will compare it with the campaign efforts of the candidates and their promises as Nigerians are concerned with what the new leader will bring to the table.

  • Miscellany of issues

    Miscellany of issues

    Conscience is an open wound”; only the truth can heal it”. Usman Dan Fodio, 1754-1817

    Preamble

    With a neighbour like Chad no country should look for a foe. For now, this West African former colony of France may be seen as doing a marvelous job by confronting Boko Haram insurgents on behalf of Nigeria. But very soon the motive will come to the open. Here is a country that was very much involved in the complicity of Boko Haram conundrum as well as a secret deal with Nigerian government on the puzzling insecurity in the north-eastern Nigeria. She is suspected to be the main haven of for that deadly insurgency group. Sometime late last year, President Goodluck Jonathan, in company of  former Bornu State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, paid a secret visit to the Chadian President Idris Deby. No official reason was disclosed for that visit but the general impression was that it had to do with the ongoing insurgency in the areas of Nigeria that border Chad.

    The visit was first denied but when a photograph of the trio at the Chadian Presidential Palace was displayed on the internet, some Nigerian government cronies began to rationalise it as a way of curbing insurgency. Thereafter, Chad, in league with Mali and Niger Republic as well as some few other West African countries came up with the idea of rescuing Nigeria from the crushing claw of Boko Haram.

    And, right now, the mission is on course.

     

    Neighbourhood assistance

    It is jolly well for a country to assist its neighbour to overcome any difficulty like that of Boko Haram insurgency. But in international diplomacy such adventure is never engaged for free. The common diplomatic cliché that ‘there is no free tea in London’ succinctly attests to that. What is the cost of Chad’s military engagement in Nigeria? What are the terms of that engagement? And what does Nigeria stand to benefit from such venture in the short and long runs?

    As citizens, Nigerians need to know the details of the secret pact that brought Chadian soldiers to Nigerian war arena. It can be recalled that a similar secret pact between Nigerian and Cameroonian governments in the late 1960s eventually led to the Bakassi episode that pitched both countries against each other at the International Court of Justice at a colossal loss for Nigeria. Unfortunately, the generation that engendered that pact had left the stage. Now, the zeal with which Chad is executing the Boko Haram war in the north-eastern Nigeria is suspicious and cannot be without a cost. What is the cost?

     

    Hall of shame

    A couple of months ago, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan muted a new political idea that has come to enrich the country’s political vocabulary. He called it ‘HALL OF SHAME’, which he promised to establish as a ‘harem’ for public office holders who might be caught in criminal acts as well as other notorious Nigerians who are qualified for official blacklisting.

    If implemented, the idea which is a direct opposite of the well known prestigious ‘HALL OF FAME’ will qualify President Jonathan for a whole chapter in the famous ‘Guinness Book of Records’. We have heard of Hall of Fame into which great men and women of honour are admitted in many countries. But typical of Nigeria where figure 16 is officially acknowledged to be greater than figure 19 and colour white is often recognised and called colour black, something new must come up if only as a way of demonising political opponents. After all, Nigerian government is never in want of words when it comes to preventing real or imaginary enemies from shinning.

     

    Qualifications for entry

    Ordinarily, ‘HALL OF SHAME’ should be a welcome idea if it does not entail a sinister motive. But where will its inmates come from when most of the people who are presumably qualified to be its inmates have been granted official pardon? We can recall the case of a governor who once travelled out of the country as a man but had to come back in the wrapper of a woman to escape the dragnet of law. He was alleged to have illegally trafficked in foreign currency which was part of his loot in government. He was tried and sentenced to a prison term while he remained a wanted man in some foreign countries, including Britain.

    But now, having been granted a questionable state pardon by Nigeria’s Federal Government, he is walking the streets a free citizen qualified to hold another public office.

    We also remember the case of a notable political gladiator who was sentenced to two years in prison for looting the public treasury via port related office. He was also tried and sentenced to a prison term which he served with hard labour as criminal that he was. But after serving his term, a jamboree reception was organised for him, which some government officials attended with fanfare. He is now a frontline campaigner for his political party in anticipation of a questionable state pardon and another public office.

    There was also the case of a woman minister who illegally spent hundreds of millions of naira to purchase three bulletproof cars for herself. She was forced by public opinion to resign from office with ignominy. She is now being shamelessly prompted by a political party to become a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Her fellow female minister still in government also dipped her hands into the national treasury and spent about N10 billion  on chartered aircraft for the private use of her family even as she is neck deep in controversial $20 billion allegedly missing. Now, she remains a frontline minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria despite the public outcry and call for official sanction against her.

    There are still hundreds of such men and women of notoriety in Nigerian government who believe that neither rain nor sunshine can touch them as long as they hide under a political ‘umbrella’. If all these are not inmates in the proposed ‘Hall of Shame’, where will the inmates come from? Food for thought!

     

    Democracy as war

    Nigerians are in fear. This is not much as a result of insurgency that has consumed thousands of lives but due to the political restiveness in the land which shows no sign of abating. There is democracy in every country that claims to be a republic. And that is the only hope that seems to bring succour to citizens who cherish freedom and justice. But the case of Nigeria is different. In this so-called giant of Africa governance seems to be a matter of matter of cash and carry rather than that of enhancing the well-being of the citizens. Here is a country where everything is shrouded in secrecy and the operating officers behave like cultists.

    Is it not strange that for almost one and a half decade of democracy in the country’s Fourth Republic Nigerians are yet to know how much of their revenue is paid as salaries and allowances to those governing them? Until recently when the social media revealed the details of the salaries and allowances of our legislators it was a stringent secret not to be discussed in public. Most people have wondered why politics is so hot in Nigeria. The secrecy surrounding the salaries and allowances of those in government is a confirmation of the extent of corruption entrenchment in Nigeria.

     

    In the cooler

    People had been kept on the speculation ladder for years in respect of the salaries of our legislators, our judicial staff as well as that of the men and women in the executive arm of government. By such secrecy, the government has left a big room for rumours. Thus, if the government refuses to disclose the salaries and allowances of official functionaries, the unofficial sources on the internet will surely become legitimate. With the amazing revelations on the internet the reason becomes clear why politicians are ready to kill or be killed to become legislators or ministers. The only difference is that of the judiciary which consists mostly of professionals who are less conspicuous. Below is the list of salaries and allowances of Nigerian senators and parliamentarians as quoted from The Economist through the Internet:

    Basic Salary (B.S) – N2 484 245.50

    Hardship Allowance (50 per cent of B.S) – N1 242 122.70

    Constituency Allowance (200 per cent of B.S) – N4 968 509.00

    Newspapers Allowance (50 per cent of B.S) – N1 242 122.70

    Wardrobe Allowance (25 per cent of B.S) – N621 061.37

    Recess Allowance (10 per cent of B.S) – N 248 424.55

    Accommodation (200 per cent of B.S) – N4 968 509.00

    Utilities (30 per cent of B.S) – N828 081.83

    Domestic Staff (70 per cent of B.S) – N1 863 184.12

    Entertainment (30 per cent of B.S) – N828 081.83

    Personal Assistants (25 per cent of B.S) – N621 061.12

    Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (75 per cent of B.S) – N1 863 184.12

    Leave Allowance (10 per cent of B.S) – N248 424.55

    Severance Gratuity (300 per cent of B.S) – N7 452 736.50

    Car Allowance (400 per cent of B.S) – N 9 936 982.00

    Total monthly salary = N29 479 749.00 ($181 974.00)

    Total annual salary = N29 479 749.00 x 12

    = N353 756 988.00 ($2 183 685.00)

    •Source: The Economist

     

    Other countries

    As at Friday, December 5, 2014 when the above figures were published the rate of exchange was $1=N162. Compared to those figures in Nigeria, please, read below the list of legislators’ pay in some other countries of the world:

    Britain $105 400; United States $174 000; France $85 900; South Africa $104 000; Kenya $74 500; Saudi Arabia $64 000; Brazil $157 600; Ghana $46 500; Indonesia $65 800; Thailand  $43 800; India $11 200; Italy $182 000; Bangladesh $4,000; Israel $114 800; Hong Kong $130 700; Japan $149 700; Singapore $154 000; Canada $154 000; New Zealand $112 500; Germany $119 500; Ireland  $120 400; Pakistan $3 500; Malaysia $25 300; Sweden $99 300; Sri Lanka $5 100; Spain  $43 900; Norway$138 000.

    • The reported figures above are annual payment

     

    Comment

    Given the above jumbo pay to our legislators compared to the minimum national wage of N18000, it will take an average Nigerian worker 1,638 years to earn the annual salary of a Nigerian Senator. And we live in the same country and purchase in the same markets.

    Nigeria is a country that was born in aberration and lives in aberration. And from all indications, she may end up in aberration.

    Going through the above quoted figures thoroughly once again, an intelligent person will discover that something is conspicuously missing: CONSCIENCE! Wherever it is missing, a nation or society is said to be lost. Who will find Nigeria?

  • ‘SMEs should spend time on strategic issues’

    ‘SMEs should spend time on strategic issues’

    The Vice President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and founder of Toki Mabogunje and Co. (TMC), Mrs Toki Mabogunje, is a business-development consultant who is interested in the management and growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on the African continent. Over the last 26 years, Mabogunje has been involved in commercial and business enterprise from both a public and private sector perspective. In this interview with Evelyn Osagie, she speaks on the problems bedevilling the sector. Excerpts: 

    You are an entrepreneur and business consultant with over 26 years of experience in consulting, helping small and medium businesses to thrive. Tell us how it all began.

    What happened was that I started my career in law, working for the government; and then left it to go and start a broadcast entity, Minaj Media Group. But I was working as a Company Secretary (Legal Adviser). After some time in Minaj, I decided I wanted to understand the business of broadcasting. So, I went to Stanford University and did some Executive Management programmes. I was then appointed to head Minaj’s operations in the United States. I now had the opportunity to start from the scratch a broadcast entity in the U.S.A. And that, for me, was a very motivating and captivating job. When I saw how much support one gets from the US when you want to start a business, I decided to come back to Nigeria and help Nigerian businessmen and women achieve the same level of success. So I left Minaj to start my consulting firm.

    How many of these SMEs have you worked with so far?

    Although I can’t count, TMC is 15 years now in the business. Honestly, I haven’t really counted, but it could be close to 2,000 enterprises. I am sure of this because we used to produce some newsletters that we were circulating to 1,000 enterprises which were our readership at a time. And that was years ago when we were still printing newsletters, but had to go online because of cost. And in those 15 years, we’ve also worked on major SMEs projects for international and local brands, such as World Bank and so on.

    The high turnover of SMEs or slow growth has been linked to the non-availability of loan and government support. What do you think are some of the gaps and weaknesses that hamper the growth of SMEs?

    One of their weaknesses is their lack of putting value to the services of the professionals who can help take their businesses to the next level. They have gap in managerial capacity. That is part of the reason they can’t access loans. They often assume because they’ve gone to school, they can be everything – from security man, accountant to human resources manager and legal adviser. Another is their lack of value in themselves, that is to say, they don’t invest in themselves. So, it is the knowledge they came out with from school that they still have 20 years later – no upgrading, no up-scaling, nothing! The third is their attitude to the business. I think because we are faced with so many challenges, such as power outage, many SMEs do not spend enough time on strategic issues. By strategic issues, I mean training and empowerment of their staff to run the business while they are looking for the money, and deciding which market to go into, or what new packaging to put on their product. They need to understand that they are supposed to be thinking strategy and empowering their staff that are foot soldiers to run the business.

    Do you think the government is doing enough for SMEs?

    The government is not doing enough, but I think they’ve done some things. There are certain funds available, and even though Nigeria is a big country with 170million people, much more needs to be done. The president started a YOUWIN! programme to encourage young people, which is nice. And although they did 1200 for three years, i.e. about 3600, it is like a tiny drop in a very large ocean. And I think they feel bad when people speak against them as if they are doing nothing. We all recognise they are doing something, but what we are saying is that it is not enough. They have to do a lot more.

    Like what?

    One: whether we like it or not, we have to get the issue of power right. Small businesses cannot carry the burden upon their shoulders. Government is not doing enough: the basic infrastructure is not there. Today, every small business is a local government: they do their own light; they do their own water and so on. It is not done like that in any society that wants to grow. Sometime in 2003, I went for an SME Policy programme by ILO with only two of us from Africa out 25 of us. During the project presentation at the end of the three-week programme, involving projects we intended to implement in our country when we returned, while presenting mine, I started with I will buy generator and the whole crowd started laughing, amazed. And they said: “But that’s not possible, it is your government responsibility to provide water.” And I said “Yes, in every other country, but Nigeria.” I said a businessman who has not taken care of power, water, road and a few other things on the side is not yet serious about doing business. And this is why Nigerian products are not being competitive enough because we are competing with people who are producing in a country where the basic infrastructures are in place. Two, credit needs to be released because all around the world, businesses thrive on credit. Our financial market is shallow; we don’t have long-term funds to encourage production, that is why almost every Nigerian is a trader. People are trading more than they’re producing. I dislike how warehouses and shops, and not factories, are growing in Lagos because it shows that we are consumers, and not producers. More of our products should be sold outside the country. I want to walk the streets of China and see made-in-Nigeria goods, the way I see made-in-China here in our streets. And the banks cannot borrow for too long because we don’t have long-term funds.

    Some experts are calling for a review of some policies on finance and industry, especially to include SMEs in unclassified sectors

    It is a global practice. Around the world, governments are amending and passing new legislations that would include SMEs. And that is because there is the growing realisation that SMEs are the foundation of any economy.  And we need such review in Nigeria. It would create business opportunities for SMEs, and by extension it would develop the economy. And government interventions should border on policy shift. There is need for some actual implementation of frameworks that are being released. I am amazed that with all the difficulties we have here, Nigerians are still managing to survive and make money. It should be commended! So, they have my empathy… my clients have my empathy all the time. So, in doing my job, I spend a lot of time counselling, directing and motivating them not to give up. SMEs need motivation because it can be very demoralising.

    Apart from encouraging young SMEs, what else does your consulting firm do?

    We work on four platforms: one is what we call training and capacity building. We do training and capacity building for all level of companies; large, small, medium and associations. I started getting involved with associations, like Lagos Chambers of Commerce, so that I can meet people in associations and to talk about capacity building of larger groups. We also do business and legal advisory services. I deal with their legal documents. If they have to sign a contract, I look at it. Some Nigerians tend to feel disadvantaged when they are dealing with a foreigner; and don’t often check their contract properly to find out later they’ve signed a contract they shouldn’t have. We are finalising an online shopping platform. We are also into publishing, such as workbooks on past training programmes. Next, we are into special projects, such as for nine years while Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) was in Lagos, we were the ones that did the due diligence of their employees. In the World Bank project on SMEs that I spoke about, we worked with close to 1,500 SMEs over the span of three years. And as member of associations, we’ve decided that we want to affect policy; so, since 2009, we’ve been running an all-round table on things that affect SMEs, involving 50 strong stakeholders – Central Bank, Bank of Industry, World Bank, the PMOs, Parcima, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Trade and Investment and so on. We would call the stakeholders made up of with arrowheads and directors into a room and pick a particular topic with the mind that you have spoken with 49 top people in the sector who have the power to affect the sector and are able to implement programmes discussed. We’ve had about four till date.

    As Vice President, how has the organisation been able to affect the lives of small and medium businesses?

    The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry is not a good example, because they’ve been around for very a long time and are not doing badly. They have got a little bit of deep pocket because they run the Lagos International Trade Fair. And they have properties in Lagos, and due to other events earn some income which they spend towards delivering service to members. But there are many associations in Nigeria that are not in that position. So they are really struggling to positively affect the sector. I am even involved in programmes by International Development Partners as consultant to build the capacity of associations to deliver service to their members. We are trying to encourage associations to have more of interventions that would impact on the business growth of members. However, the Lagos Chamber is trying to increase their membership, i.e. encourage more businesses to join; and have a platform for them to engage with other businesses from other places. It is constantly battling with Lagos State, and sometimes, the federal government on their policies. For instance, after setting up the advertising board, businesses that had their names plastered on their vans were asked huge amount, calling it adverts. We had to fight it off, insisting that there should be a difference between labelling one’s van and the actual advertisement. It was a long battle and now we’ve won.

    What type of leader does the business sector need now?

    It needs a leader who is focused on business and interested in the growth of the economy; one that is ready to pay serious attention to the issue of security – security of life, property and investment. Also, we need a leader that is serious about creating an enabling business environment which touches on infrastructure, such as power, good roads, access to water, houses and now our human capital. The ordinary man on the street is entitled to the best of education.

  • Of propaganda, issues and candidates

    Of propaganda, issues and candidates

    It was Abraham Lincoln, former President of the United States, who famously said: “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

    The first time I read an advertorial in a newspaper, ‘advising’ the electorate not to vote for a particular presidential candidate, I was appalled at the extent to which some Nigerians had gone just to ‘sell’ their choice candidate in any political party they support.

    Many groups have sprung up to publicly support their preferred candidates and convince people to vote for them. They have been spending large amount of money daily to place adverts in national newspapers, all with the aim of ‘bringing down’ the opponent of their candidates. In the words of Dennis Adonis, voting is a method used to determine which politician was able to brainwash you the most.

    It is popularly said that desperate times require desperate measure. Some Nigerians are literally taking desperate actions in the bid to stop ‘unwanted’ candidates. Notable among these actions is a recently-published advertorial sponsored by Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, which has been described by Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) top official, Lolu Akinwunmi, as “unconventional, shocking, and controversial”. According to the National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, the advert “reflected the desperation of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

    Leadership is about service. Every candidate should banish thoughts of personal gain, pride and desire to stop opponents and begin to focus on the main issue of delivering the dividends of democracy and proffering solutions to the myriads of challenges plaguing the nation.

    Talking about dividends of democracy, necessity is upon politicians to provide them because the electorate they claim to represent is so desperately for the reward of voting in them party of their choice. Politicians must not resort to mudslinging; this insults the sensibilities of the people.

    So far, prominent issues being reported in the media are propaganda messages and insulting adverts against candidates vying for public offices. We hear such irrelevant words, such as stomach infrastructure, fake certificate, age and suchlike. But in the wake of all of these events and scandals that have trailed the electoral campaign period, the major thrust of the forthcoming elections remains that the welfare of Nigeria and its citizens in the next four years should not be relegated to the background, because it is the most important issue that must be brought to the fore.

    Nigeria is faced with challenges of insecurity, unemployment, corruption and mismanagement, among others things that need to be addressed. Whoever emerges leader should go into office with the interest of Nigerians at heart.

    Candidates and their supporters should desist from the bad attitude of casting aspersions on their opponents. They should start to reflect deeply on the battered state of the country and maybe when they have done that, they can begin to think up ways in which they can help to heal this already bruised nation.

    The electorate must also be careful in order not to be swayed by bogus campaign adverts and empty promises some politicians have employed to get their votes. The fate of the country in the next four years lies in the hands of the electorate. We should insist on voting the candidate that possesses the capability to deliver on his electoral promises. The best man in our opinion regardless of party or who is more powerful to churn out mendacities against another in campaigning, should win the race.

    If we elect a wrong leader, we will be left with no choice but to sit on our blisters.

    May the best man win!

     

    Joanna Olisa, 400-Level Mass Comm., UNILAG

  • Cleric urges politicians to focus on issues

    Cleric urges politicians to focus on issues

    The Bishop of the Bible Life Church, Prof. Leonard Umunna, has urged politicians to focus on issue-based campaigns, instead of attacking personalities. “Politics should be based on issues,” he said.

    Umunna faulted the attacks on the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari ,over his certificates and age.

    He recalled that the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe contested for the Presidency in their old age.

    “Let us deal with issues so that Nigeria is not consumed,” he said.

    Umunna said campaigns based on ethnic sentiments must also be avoided. He said: “Sentiments and ethnic politics have not led us anywhere but backward.”

    The priest, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, rejected the call for the postponement of the general elections, saying that it is unnecessary.

    He blamed the country’s economic woes on inept leadership. According to him, Nigerians will have an opportunity to choose a leader who would make a difference next month.

    Urging voters to make a wise choice, he said: “We’re suffering from inept leadership. We do not select the right people. A good leader brings honour to his people and there is no loser in a winning team.”

    On the collection of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), Umunna said the cards should be used along with the temporary voter cards inorder not to disenfranchise those who are yet to collect theirs.

    “In other countries, people are allowed to vote with their national identity cards. I have a temporary voter card, which nobody has said is deficient. Those who do not have PVCs should be allowed to vote with their temporary voter cards,”he said.

    Umunna added: “Not having a PVC should not stop a person from voting. There are many people who registered, but were told that their PVCs were not ready or available due to no fault of their own.

    “My church was used as a registration point, yet many of those who registered there had gone to the PVC collection centre without finding theirs.

    “Till now, I don’t have a PVC ,even though this church was a registration point. Some have gone to the local government, but who is giving you?”

    Umunna said Nigeria cannot develop, until a truly people’s constitution is enacted. “Nigerians should give themselves a godly constitution,” he added.

    The cleric predicted that the elections will not be marred by violence, adding: “There will be peace in the country. There shall be no bloodbath.”

    He also dismissed rumours that Nigeria could be Islamised or turned to a Sharia state, if Gen. Buhari is elected.

    Umunna said: “Our constitution does not allow for the Islamisation of the country.”

    He urged the six geo-political zones to rise up against insurgency in the Northeast. The priest said: “Those in the South should wake up and speak up against insurgency. Let us look at the root causes.”

    The bishop urged the Federal Government to take proactive measures to protect Nigerians abroad from being convicted and executed for crimes without fair hearing.

    Speaking against the background of Nigerians said to have been executed in Indonesia, Umunna said: “Let our government be proactive to ensure that our citizens get a fair hearing before being convicted.”