The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Do we really want women in politics?

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday charged Nigerian women to contest for political positions in order to help effect the needed changes in the country at a women political aspirants’ summit in Abuja.

    While stating that he was in support of the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill now before the National Assembly and the implementation of 35 percent affirmative action, among others, the president said he is confident that women can make great leaders and move the nation forward.

    He also urged all political parties to create the enabling environment for free and fair playing field where women can contest elective positions and participate in our political process.

    I was particularly interested in the call on women not because what the president said was new, but because of a programme I participated in a day before the Abuja summit. Women have always been encouraged to take the bold step of vying for political positions at all levels and they have always done, but they don’t usually get the desired support they need when it matters most.

    The roundtable I spoke at on Wednesday was about curbing gender-based hate speech online organised by the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos in partnership with West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED) and funded by Peace Tech Lab.

    Among others, the objectives of the project is to change public perception and stereotypes about women positioning and functioning in society and to mitigate hate speech that hinders women participation in politics.

    Gender-based hate speech is indeed one of the major factors hindering women’s participation in politics.

    The definition of hate speech by Ulrick Neisser as communication (whether verbal, written, symbolic) that insults a racial, ethnic (gender) and political group, whether by suggesting that they are inferior in some respect or by indicating that they are despised or not welcome for any other reasons captures how our calls for women participation by especially men don’t match their actions.

    Consciously and unconsciously, many indulge in hate speech which includes threats and violence, celebration of gender-based violence, sexist rhetoric based on prejudice and stereotypes, morality/hierarchy policing.

    According to a report by the National Democratic Institute, an informal survey administered to some of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) observers in North East and South East in the post-election period suggested that gender-based hate speech was sometimes accompanied by other acts of gender-based violence, including threats of divorce, sexual violence, blackmail or destruction of property.

    More than ever before, the various online platforms have become veritable tools for gender-hate speech against women who speak up on some major issues or offer to contest for political positions.

    Instead of sticking to issues being raised or the qualifications of women for positions they are vying for, online commentaries are often snide remarks about their looks and personal lives. They are subjected to unfair criticisms which can be very hurting and discouraging in our kind of society.

    If we really want more women in politics, there’s need to avoid gender-based hate speech online and offline. Evidence abound like President Buhari acknowledged that Nigerian women are as capable as men to hold any political position in the country and worldwide.

    All that is required as discussants at the roundtable agreed is equity and not necessarily equality for women to have the chance to prove their mettle like men.

    Perhaps one other practical way to prove our sincerity about wanting women to participate actively in politics is for men to encourage their wives, sisters and daughters to join political parties, contest for positions and serve in any other capacity open to them.

  • Election violence: the Rivers State case in point

    I am for free, fair and credible elections in 2019 –Muhammadu Buhari assures Theresa May

    A two-day summit was organized mid-month last month (August) by the Political Party Leadership and Policy Development Centre of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) with support from the European Union Support for Democratic Governance, Nigeria (EU-SDGN).

    The summit; The 2018 Nigeria Political Parties Summit featured the signing of an undertaking by political parties to foster peace before, during and after the 2019 general elections. The parties also pledged to ensure that elections are devoid of violence, threats and intimidation.

    A record 53 political parties signed the undertaking, making me wonder- how many political parties are there? It turns out there are ninety-one (91) registered parties in Nigeria: why so?!

    However, what is of particular note is that both the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party PDP and the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress APC were conspicuously absent and, by implication non-signatories to the undertaking, entitled “Political parties and peaceful conduct of the 2019 election: our pledge”.

    Flip over to Saturday August 18, when several states conducted by-elections to fill vacant seats in affected states.

    Rivers was one of those states. The member representing Port Harcourt Constituency III in the Rivers State House of Assembly Victor Ihunwo (PDP) resigned, and consequently rendered the seat vacant.

    The August 18 by-election was slated to fill that seat. But the only thing Nigerians heard was an announcement by INEC that the election was called off. The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Rivers State, Mr. Obo Effanga made it known that the polls were marred by violence, and this was well documented in the media.

    The REC’s statement was, “As a result of widespread and wanton disruption of the electoral process, the elections have been suspended”.

    Sad to say, Rivers State has in recent times become notorious for election violence and thuggery. Bloody clashes involving the use of deadly weapons including guns are used during elections, and it has become recurrent.

    Innocent persons in the city of Port Harcourt, where the by-election took place were forced to raise their hands on the streets on Election Day by security men on duty, including soldiers and police.

    Behold, although several political parties took part in the election, accusations and counter accusations came from: members of the APC and the PDP, over the violence! Ironically, these are the same 2 parties that refused to be part of a peace pact by political parties in the conduct of elections.

    Having said that, it is now time for close look into the violence that led to the suspension of the Rivers State by – elections. Because the elections were only suspended: – they will still be rescheduled to another date: and with NOTHING DIFFERENT being done between now and the new date: then, all that would happen is that the perpetrators of election violence would also postpone their activities to the new date announced.

    It must be mentioned that while those in authority continue to play the ostrich over election violence in Nigeria especially in known violence-prone areas, the rest of the world is watching.

    And noting.

    It is one thing entirely for the President to simply assure the visiting British Prime Minister of free, fair and credible elections.

    Before he passed away, the world icon and African leader Madiba, Nelson Mandela had asked why elections in Nigeria were like wars.

    On Monday August 27th, INEC organized a programme in Port Harcourt to improve youth participation in elections.

    Mr. Ketil Karlson, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria was a participant; he also spoke at Government House, Port Harcourt after a meeting with Mr. Nyesom Nwike the Rivers State Governor.

    Said Mr. Ketil Karlson-

    “We have commended the work of INEC. They have taken an important step and stance on The Port Harcourt State Constituency III by-election.

    Measures should be taken so that we don’t see similar events in future elections coming up in February and March next year”.

    The Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria, Sean Hoy has also spoken in a similar vein.

    I would say: concrete measures need to be taken before the next scheduled election (the Osun State Guber, on September 22nd; exactly three weeks from today).

     

    YOUR RESPONSES

    Re NBA: President

    You have either elevated the unenviable art of sycophancy or you have a very poor knowledge of Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams.

    Charles.

     

    Re INEC: a Pass mark

    From the moment I hear it mentioned that Prof. XYZ has been appointed the new INEC Chairman, such news item evokes my pity.

    This is because it is crystal clear that he cannot escape blame trading from politicians across political divides, ranging from the electoral umpire “being partial and all manner of spurious claims.

    Given the rough and tumble undulating terrain of the electoral process and the burden often thrust on the shoulder of the electoral umpire, I subscribe to your awarding a pass mark to the commission.

    Adeniji Moshood, Kajola L.G.A, Oyo State.

    Thanks for your rating of INEC. It has done a great job on continuous voter’s registration. But INEC does not need to copy NIN because I am still waiting for years after registration.

    I agree with you that INEC can solve the problem of non-collection of PVC by issuing them on the same day of registration.

    As an American educated Nigerian, I know that states in America issue. State IDs and drivers’ licenses on the same day. Why can’t INEC, or NIN seek technical assistance from the U.S.?

    Benson Nnoli, Aba

    I write concerning your write up in your column, “The Princess Files” of Sunday August 19, 2018 and to thank you for the commendation of the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC particularly in the area of voter awareness, mobilization and sensitization on the Permanent Voters Card (PVC). You did, in your characteristic manner, exhibit a good understanding of the subject matter which was presented in simple lucid prose.

    You did however raise a poser concerning why the Commission does not make the PVCs available upon registration ‘such that the registration exercise is a one-day process’.

    Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, esq.

    (Responses to 07055547031)

  • Nigeria, China to sign $328 million agreement on ICT

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to join his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping to witness the signing of an agreement for US $328 million facility provided by the Chinese EXIM Bank.

    The agreement is on the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase 11 (NICTIB 11) between Galaxy Backbone Limited and Huawei Technologies Limited (HUAWEI).

    Buhari, who arrived Beijing on Saturday to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) holding September 3 – 4, 2018, is on 6-day official visit to the Asian country.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said “The bank facility is for the development of NICTIB 11 project which is consistent with the current administration’s commitment to incorporating the development of ICT into national strategic planning under the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

    “President Buhari and his Chinese host will also witness the signing of the MOU on One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR). It may be recalled that in 2013, the Chinese leader proposed the initiative of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, with a view to integrating the development strategies of partnering countries.

    Read Also: Illegal Nigerian migrants travel at own risks, says Buhari

    “During the High-Level Dialogue between Chinese and African Leaders and Business representatives on the margins of FOCAC, the Nigerian delegation is also expected to sign no fewer than 25 MOUs, including those proposed by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).” he added.

    On arrival at Capital International Airport, Beijing at about 9:04 am (Nigerian time), he said that the President was received by top Chinese government officials including the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Zhou Pingjian.

    He went on “Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed Jidda and his wife Zahra; the Deputy Chief of Mission, Ambassador Bakori Aliyu Usman; Consular-General of Nigeria, Guangzhou, Shairudeen Oloko; Consular-General of Nigeria, Shanghai, Anderson Madubuike; and Defence Attaché, Brig-Gen. Temitope Ademola were also among those who received the President.

    “President Buhari will tomorrow meet Nigerians living in China before the kick-off of FOCAC on Monday when he will join President Jinping and other African leaders for roundtable sessions which will essentially discuss the report of FOCAC since the 2015 Johannesburg Summit, including the implementation of the ‘‘ten cooperation plans’’ adopted at the last meeting.

    “The Summit is also expected to adopt the Beijing Declaration and the Action Plan for the development of China-Africa cooperation and fashion out new opportunities to grow Nigeria-China comprehensive strategic partnership from 2019 to 2021.”

     

  • Trump’s comment won’t keep other world leaders away from Buhari – Presidency

    The Presidency on Saturday said that the recent comment credited to the United States President, Donald Trump won’t keep other world leaders away from President Muhammadu Buhari.

    While the British Prime Minister, Theresa May visited Buhari in Abuja on Wednesday, the German Chancellor, Ms Angela Merkel did the same on Friday.

    Speaking with journalists on arrival in Beijing, China, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that there is a special attraction to Buhari and Nigeria.

    He said “You know that as a policy, we said that we are not going to answer the American President, however, the fact that the entire world and world leaders are cueing up to meet President Muhammadu Buhari, is an indication that there is something about President Buhari, there is something about the Nigeria he now leads, that the world likes.

    “I think that Nigerians themselves should better look at this from this positive point of view, is a major development.

    Read Also: 2019: Saraki declares for Presidency

    “We had situations in the country in the past where key world leaders didn’t want to meet our own leaders, all of that has changed in the last three years.” he stated

    On the expectation of Nigeria from President Buhari’s visit to China, he said “You know that from the last summit in South Africa, the Chinese financing of projects in Nigeria has more than doubled under President Muhammadu Buhari and so therefore, we expect that if the same momentum is maintained, we hope that going forward, all of the projects that are outstanding like the Kaduna-Kano rail project, the coastal rail scheme, Mambilla power project, the second phase of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport expansion project, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja/ Kano.

    “All of these projects, they will move more steadily and thankfully, we have virtually everyone who matters on our own side.

    “So, we hope that what ever is left, the dotted lines will be signed, and we are hoping that we will take back with us, quite a number of schemes that will take Nigeria forward.” he said

  • 2019: 35 years old to contest Oyo senatorial seat

    In the spirit of the not too young to run recently passed by President Muhammadu Buhari, a 35 year old professional technopreneur, Engineer Faozey Oladotun Nurudeen has joined the race to occupy the Oyo Central Senatorial District Seat of the National Assembly, come 2019 general  elections on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

    He hails from the Onilada, Pakoyi/Idode, Oyo West Local Government Area, Oyo town.

    Nurudeen who has business interests in telecommunications, mining and Information Communication Technologies (ICT) companies which he started after obtaining a degree from the electrical department, University of Ilorin said he decided to throw his hat into the ring to challenge the status quo ante of the older generation who has held sway the legislative seat since the advent of the present political dispensation.

    Citing the case of the banking sector, which reform was aided by the introduction of ICT tools driven by youths, Nurudeen said, the time has come for the youths with energy, passion, knowledge and ICT skills to contribute to the processes of policy making through legislative opportunities.

    While addressing thousands of his supporters who accompanied him to the Oke Ado, Ibadan, State secretariat of the party, Nurudeen who is a member of the Presidential Steering Committee of the United Nations-WSIS implementation in Nigeria said he has six focal points of action in the interest of young business starters and entrepreneurs in his senatorial district.

    Read Also: PVC: Oyo declares today work-free day

    Some of the focal areas he mentioned include, implementation of a workable and pragmatic template of legislative duties, setting a pace for collaborative development, facilitating and setting up an industrial free zone (IFZ) for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), setting g up a world-class business incubator and accelerator, setting up a 0-or-single digit interest rate for start up loan for new businesses and facilitating the establishment of international healthcare centre.

    While thanking the governor for creating what he described as the enabling environment for his likes to want to participate actively in the political space, Nurudeen urged other youths to join him in embracing politics and contribute their quota to the development of the state and improve the lives of the people.

    He was received at the party secretariat by members of the state executives, elders and leaders who commended him for his courage and vision to contest the elective position even at his young age, describing him as the youngest aspirant to do so in the present political dispensation.

  • Lagos PDP member commends Buhari, joins APC

    Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, formerly intending to be governor of Lagos State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has left the party for All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Olawale-Cole said his decision was informed by what he described as impressive performance of President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State.

    In an interview with our reporters on Saturday in Abuja, he said that he had formally joined APC and registered at ward `A’ Onigbongbo, Ikeja, Lagos State.

    He explained further that his defection was influenced by “infrastructural development, transparency in governance and accountability of Buhari and Ambode.’’

    “I have examined the way the country is going; and from my findings it appears to me that supporting Buhari is the best choice we have at the moment.

    “After being a member of PDP for years and running for the governorship ticket of the party in 2007 in Lagos state, it was evident that the APC is different.

    Read Also: 2019: It’s direct primaries for all polls — APC

    “From what the president is doing in the fight against corruption and the issue of transparency in governance via Treasury Single Account and others, he must be encouraged by men of goodwill.

    “I have been in government before as a Commissioner for Finance and later for Works and Transport, Lagos State, we can see what the APC is doing differently, this government has a chance in the area of probity and transparency’’.

    He, however, noted that “There are still some shady deals among government officials but once the leadership is upright, the followers will do same.’’

    Olawale-Cole said that the decision to pitch his tent with the APC took him two years, observing that the decision was taken after critical analyses of the situation of things in politics.

    “I find it difficult to find anyone with equal standing in integrity, honesty and probity with Buhari.

    “Of course, there are inadequacies, but with time, the president and his Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will give us a better tomorrow and protecting our common wealth’’ he said.

     

    NAN

  • Trump, lifelessness and Buhari phenomenon

    On August 27, The Financial Times of London (FT) published a story on the impending meeting between United States president Donald Trump and Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta. It was a fairly upbeat story describing the optimism of those the paper spoke with regarding a meeting they hoped would define Mr Trump’s perception of relationship with Kenya in particular and Africa in general. But the story contained what seemed like a cursory sentence, albeit unquoted, that summarised the US president’s view of the Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari who visited earlier on April 30. According to the writers of the story, Katrina Manson and David Pilling, Mr Trump was so dismayed by the Nigerian president’s political and bodily posture that he swore beneath his breath never again to meet someone so lifeless. The story then hoped Mr Kenyatta, when he visited, would represent Africa well and help change the impression Mr Trump had of African leaders, if not the continent entirely.

    The story resonated well with opponents of President Buhari, a politician they hope they could either persuade not to run for a second term — a forlorn hope if ever there was any — or dethrone should he choose to throw his hat into the ring. For the first time in many years, the president’s spokesmen were unsure how to respond or if there was any need to respond at all. Femi Adesina, one of the two spokesmen, said he had no comment; and Garba Shehu, the second spokesman, said the presidency would not react to such a comment. It was left to the presidency’s social media warriors to excoriate Mr Trump, describing him as an execrable character unfit to make any honest or valuable character assessment about anybody, let alone about the more morally upright and honourable Mr Buhari.

    Surprisingly, most of those who read the story or wrote commentaries on it assumed that Mr Trump was largely talking about the president’s fitness and health status. This is a terrible misinterpretation. President Buhari may not be as sprightly or gregarious as the feisty Mr Trump, but both of them are over 70 years of age, and the US president appears to be acutely aware that age imposes certain limitations on individuals, especially those in high office. Those who watched the live broadcast of the joint Buhari-Trump press conference on Al Jazeera could not but be struck by the realisation that the Nigerian president hugely underperformed. Mr Trump was therefore probably referring to the impression he formed of President Buhari from the private and public (press conference) meetings they held. The US president himself relies on bluster to wade through his press conferences both within and outside the US, in part to cover his failings and low intellectual endowments. He would be shocked to notice that his visitor had neither of the accoutrements that had enabled him to present a manageable and sometimes exultant facade before the American people.

    A day or two before the Buhari-Trump engagement, expectations were high — some of these expressed in Nigerian and foreign periodicals — that President Buhari would respond appropriately and adequately to Mr Trumps derogatory remarks about black people and Africa; and that he would make the continent proud. He disappointed everybody, including Americans themselves, many of whom, especially their reporters, find their president repulsive and intolerable. Indeed, a reporter pointedly asked how the Nigerian president would react to Mr Trump’s description of Nigeria and some other African countries as shitholes. President Buhari prevaricated and then incomprehensibly suggested that the American president might have been misunderstood. It was obvious throughout the press conference that the interviewees and the interviewers struggled through what turned out to be an excessively boring press conference.

    It is fair to say that President Buhari played safe throughout the press conference, saying nothing to upset his host, and refusing to stand up either for himself, his country, or his beliefs. He was safe, but he was not inspiring, nor bold, nor courageous, especially in view of the plenitude of issues he ought to have addressed publicly. Yes, he was not articulate, and will never be, but had he made up for such shortcomings with a display of untrammelled logic and ferocious patriotic and pan-Africanist ideals, he would have given the public a glimpse of his depth, not to say perhaps the recondite issues he raised with the US president in their private meeting. On several occasions, Mr Trump, who is himself not a man of profundity or logic, and who is often contemptuous of weak rivals, helped President Buhari to complete his thoughts and save him from embarrassment in the eyes of the world. The Nigerian president’s weaknesses were too glaring, and Mr Trump groaned beside him in pain and discomfort. When President Buhari’s aides returned to Nigeria and wrote glowing tributes to the performance of their boss, it was clear they hypocritically drew the wrong lessons from the visit and the press conference.

    The FT did not set out to humiliate the Nigerian president by paraphrasing President Trump’s disapproval of his performance during the US visit. The paper merely tried to juxtapose the Nigerian president’s visit with the hopes about President Kenyatta’s visit. They anticipated that the Kenyan leader would learn from the failings of the Nigerian leader, and more importantly recognise that he needed to stand up for Africa and represent the continent well, especially before the impatient and scurrilous American president. And by publishing the impression Mr Trump had of President Buhari, both the reporters and the American president’s aides indicated that everyone knew that the Nigerian president did not quite hold his own during his US visit. Nigerians also know their president very well. If the misinterpretation of the statement by Mr Trump is removed from the equation, it would be clear that the US president was referring not to President Buhari’s poor health status, but his lack of ideas, incomparable disinterestedness in things, and intellectual sparseness.

    It did not take all of the more than three years President Buhari has spent in office for Nigerians themselves to conclude that nothing profound on any topic, not even on the anti-corruption fight or on the battle against insecurity, would come from their president. They didn’t need Mr Trump to remind them that nothing deep and transcendental would come from Aso Villa under President Buhari. They have realised that he has frighteningly stunted ideas about democracy, rule of law, and indeed poor vision of where Nigeria should be in the next few decades and more. They dispute the accusation that they bought a pig in poke in 2015, insisting that they had hoped that on the four or so cardinal issues the president promised during the campaigns, he had a passable understanding of their wider ramifications and consequences upon the polity. Now they are not so sure anymore.

    It has perhaps taken Mr Trump to succinctly describe President Buhari’s failings — for whether Nigerians like it or not, leaders have the capacity to do adequate and fairly accurate peer review when they want to. Sadly, no one will confirm whether Mr Trump actually made that statement or not. In fact, asked whether the statement was true or not, American ambassadorial staff in Nigeria had urged reporters to redirect their questions to the FT reporters. Of course the FT reporters will stand by their story, and it is not clear anyway whether any Nigerian honestly disbelieved the Trumpian conclusion about President Buhari. And, to add to the misery, no one can ask Mr Trump whether he said what was attributed to him. He would ignore the question, for he is an unorthodox man, unfettered by diplomatese, logic, truth and empathy. President Buhari had one golden chance last April to win the confidence of the American president in order to gain certain advantages for Nigeria and make the continent proud. He flunked the test.

    It is pointless debating the veracity of the statement attributed to the US president. It also does not seem appropriate to ask President Buhari’s aides to imbue their principal with the lofty ideals and ideas the country had hoped to see in him when they elected him. At his age and given his background, that exercise will end up barren. What is most appropriate is to find ways of managing him before next year’s election, and to determine subsequently whether vis-a-vis other candidates in the coming presidential poll he should be managed for four more years or asked to take a deserved rest.

  • NIMASA hands over rescue copter to navy

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Friday handed over its 16-seater AW149 Search and Rescue helicopter to the Nigeria Navy (NN) for for better maritime domain security.

    The handover, according to NIMASA’s Executive Director Operations, Rotimi Fasakin, followed a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari that the helicopter which was acquired by NIMASA in 2007 be handed over to the NN.

    The Nation reports that the helicopter which was developed and produced principally by AgustaWesland, now Leonardo Helicopters, has twin engines and the capability to perform different roles such as Search and Rescue, VIP airlift, offshore transport, firefighting, maritime patrol, law enforcement, emergency medical service and disaster relief.

    Speaking at the Naval Air Base Ojo Friday evening, Fasakin noted that the aircraft, which could perform some military operations, had always been domiciled with the navy.

    He said although the navy always had operational control over it, with the presidential directive, all documents and other accessories of the helicopter would be handed over to the service.

    Fasakin said: “It has been a long journey. The helicopter was purchased by NIMASA in April 2007. Two years after its purchase, NIMASA entered into an MoU with the navy. Since then, both agencies have had strong partnership in safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain.

    “Ever since the aircraft was purchased, it has been under the operational management of the NN. The aircraft is also suited for a few military operations so, the president in his wisdom deemed it fit that NIMASA formally hands over to the navy and that is what we have done.

    Read Also: NIMASA to create ship chandling jobs

    “Since its acquisition, the RESCUE 1 has flown a total of 243 hours and 45 minutes. It has been successfully deployed for various operations.

    “The partnership with the NN has been very strong, effective, effectual and efficient. It has helped to give NIMASA the needed teeth to bite within the Nigeria maritime space. It has helped NIMASA carry out its constitutional mandates.”

    Receiving the helicopter on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Kadiri said the NN would ensure the aircraft continued to serve the purposes for which it was acquired.

    He said the essence of the handover was to ensure more effective use of the patrol craft, adding that both agencies were collaborating for better governance of the nation’s maritime space.

     

  • Sign electoral act, PIGB now, ADP asked Buhari

    The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately ascent to the amended Electoral Act without further delay too gives legal backing to the 2019 general elections.

    The party also asked the President to immediately sign the Petroleum industry Governance Bill, saying the delay in signing the both bills was rather unfortunate and against the national interest.

    In a resolution at the end of the National Executive Committee meeting of the party, the ADP also told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State was free, fair and credible.

    The ADP said it will not accept the charade that took place in Ekiti in the impending Osun Governorship election, adding that measures must be taken to tackle issues such as Vote-buying, ballot-box snatching and Violence.

    It said that the party shall neither condone nor accept elections that fall short of globally accepted standards, adding that INEC should embark on early preparations to ensure that acceptable elections are held in 2019

    It said “The federal Government must decisively tackle high unemployment and inflation rates which have become common features of our economy.

    “That ADP vehemently frowns at the pervasive insecurity in the Country and calls on Government to secure life and property which remains the primary responsibility of every government.

    Read Also: Why Buhari withheld assent to PIGB

    “It is regrettable that Mr. President has refused to ascent to the Petroleum industry Governance Bill”.

    Addressing the meeting earlier, National Chairman of the party, Engr. Yabagi Sani said that Nigeria is at cross roads and that the current leadership in the country is unprepared to steer the ship of state successfully.

    He said, “The economy is in the doldrums with inflation and unemployment rates hitting at the roofs. There is pervasive insecurity as Nigerians now live in perpetual fear.

    “The ADP is determined to change the narratives and navigate a better future for our people. Furthermore, the conflict between the National Assembly and the Executive is taking toll on the capacity of government to meet the aspirations of the people”.

  • ANEEJ urges Buhari to reconsider decision on Petroleum bill

    The Africa Network for Environment & Economic Justice, ANEEJ, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider his decision not to sign the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, PIGB, in the interest of Nigerians.

    The Presidency on Wednesday explained that assent to the PIGB was withheld on the grounds that what has been permitted as accruals to the petroleum commission has the tendency to reduce what then gets to the three tiers of government.

    In addition, there are concerns within the echelons of power that expanding the scope of petroleum equalization fund conflicts with provisions on independent petroleum equalization fund.

    “But these are tenuous reasons being adduced for Mr. President’s refusal to sign this bill,” ANEEJ stated in a statement by its executive director, Rev David Ugolor.

    Read Also: Buhari to May: 2019 polls will be free, fair, credible

    According to ANEEJ rather than dwell on the technicalities inherent in the bill, Mr. President needs to rise up to the occasion and do the needful by exploring other ways and means of resolving these technicalities than an outright dissent.

    “If the bill will effectively checkmate the three tiers of government from the habit of going cap hand to Abuja to pick up monthly handouts from the centre so be it.  In all of the 17 years wherein the bill has been with the Legislature, it has been so balkanized and scrutinized to the extent that it has nearly lost of all its substance and relevance.

    “The broad overview of the Petroleum Industry Bill was essentially to give the Nigerian people ownership of a key extractive sector of the Nigerian economy. The Bill also sought to take into consideration the interests of the local communities that have suffered despoliation, pollution and degradation because of the activities of multinational companies in Nigeria,” ANEEJ stated.