The Nation Newspaper

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  • A new way to fly

    A new way to fly

    • Minister Keyamo’s relocation order is best news at MMIA in a long time

    Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo caused a stir as a marker of his new job when he ordered that all operations be relocated to the new terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). According to the order, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria should comply with this with all airlines by Independence Day, October 1.

    By the instruction, the old terminal will cease to operate completely pending its rehabilitation. The old terminal started operation in 1979.

    “The new terminal that is underutilised, we spent a lot of money building it and we have to use it. The old terminal is a total eye-sore. Since I came into office, I have heard complaints upon complaints. The central air condition is not working, the carousels are not working, they broke down quite often and the approach into the airport is smelly, it is totally unwelcoming to people coming into Nigeria and that is the gateway to Nigeria,” he said while inspecting the airport.

    The new facilities of the new terminal like the airside, runways, international terminals, including terminals, stand out with bells and whistles. Yet, airlines have not revved into action. Nigeria owes billions of Naira in Chinese loans to the new edifice.

    The old terminal has been described as leaky, decrepit, smelly and out of fashion. One of the triggers for the change was a fire outbreak, which shows the old facility can endanger lives of passengers and staff. Apart from its ominous safety concerns, it could imperil passenger movement. Passenger check-in points, a critical part of air travel process, are 60 in the new terminal, none of them in use.

    Read Also: ’10 MDAs, companies, individuals owe FG N5.2tr’

    The order has raised two concerns. One, it may lead to haste and stumbles. Two, the new terminal designers did not envision big airline carriers. The minister has therefore set up a task force, made up of persons with expertise in the field, to shepherd the relocation. The mandate is to manage passenger concerns, including safety, to minimise discomfort and ensure effective public communication.

    We commend the minister for his ruthless decision and short deadline. This will rouse the FAAN and airlines from lethargy. We urge the task force to avoid rash decisions, since passenger comfort and safety are too delicate to be treated with impulse.

    We wonder, like the minister, why the new terminal was built without sizing up the big airlines. Hear Kayamo: “The problem with the new terminal was that they did not take into consideration the big airplanes that will come in and anchor with the avio-bridges that will take passengers into arrival. The space is not enough, and I have said that why the space is not enough is because there are private hangars there that cannot allow the planes to come in and that is why we are not enjoying our new terminal.

    “And the question I have asked is, why did somebody approve such a project? Why will somebody approve such a project without approving the total reconstruction of the place where the big body planes will anchor and disembark passengers So, as a stop gap measure, we have said, just like it is done in so many countries, we are going to get buses, do some emergency procurement so that we can, in an orderly manner, board passengers and disembark passengers and also bring them to arrival and through departure to the aircraft. That is what we want to do for now as a temporary measure,” he said.

    In the process, he has also ordered that unserviceable aircraft be removed within three months, so as to give room for easy services and aircraft that are of use.

    We expect that the minister lives up to his threats and rework air travel at MMIA that has been an embarrassment for the country for too long.

  • Atiku’s visit to U.S. an attempt to score cheap political point -APC UK

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) United Kingdom Chapter, says Abubakar Atiku’s visit to the United States would not change Nigerians perception about him.

    Mr Ade Omole, Leader, APC UK chapter stated this while reacting to the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja.

    Atiku’s visit to the U.S was the first in 12 years, following an alleged corruption case.

    Mr Paul Ibe, his media adviser, in a statement said Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, left Nigeria on Thursday for the U.S.

    He was accompanied by the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation and President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki.

    Ibe claimed that Atiku in the course of his trip would hold meetings with U.S officials, the business community and the Nigerian community.

    But Omole faulted the claim, describing the visit as a kangaroo trip meant to score cheap political gain, adding that Nigerians are wise enough to read between the lines and could not be hoodwinked by such untoward arrangement.

    “Abubakar Atiku certainly has reasons for not visiting the U.S in the past years, especially because of corruption allegation against him,” he said.

    Read Also: FG to Atiku: you have questions to answer over collapse of Bank PHB

    He recalled that records at the U.S congress had it that Atiku engaged in money laundering through his wife who was resident in the country.

    Omole maintained that Atiku’s entry into the U.S. is a mockery of President Bush’s Presidential Proclamation 7750 which affirmed denial of entry VISA to foreign officials involved in corrupt practices by the congress.

    He, however, said that Atiku’s visit to America would not absolve him of the corruption allegation which had been hanging on him.

    Omole stressed that he does not object to Atiku or any Nigerian gaining entry into the U.S., especially when he meets the entry VISA requirements.

    He, however, maintained that the visit of the former Vice President, more or less made a mockery of him and the PDP.

    “Whether he visits U.S., or outer space, it doesn’t change anything in Nigeria, the electorate have already made up their minds to re-elect President Buhari for a second term come Feb. 16,” Omole said.

    He added that the questionable character of an individual no matter how highly placed he may be, does not evaporate by a mere visit to America.

    Omole said an individual with questionable character remains so no matter where he visited at any given time, especially if such visit is to score political point.

    He noted that while Atiku is busy trying to prove himself clean from corruption allegations with his U.S visit, Buhari is busy campaigning to Nigerians on why he should be re-elected.

    He added that the APC had continued to use its scorecard and achievements in all sectors to campaign to Nigerians on why Buhari deserves a second term in office to consolidate on his achievements.

  • In search of new Nigeria

    It is very worrisome that after over five decades of nationhood, our nation isn’t really fulfilling the aspirations of its founding fathers. It is disheartening to see that currently, our beloved country seems perpetually bedeviled with a myriad of problems that suggest a nation on the brink of collapse or extinction. There are a lot of insecurity issues, economic woes, political instability, belligerent youth restiveness, indiscipline and many others. Surely our beloved nation has seen turbulent times that leaves you wondering how we got into this quagmire.

    There is a precarious air of volatility currently pervading the country. It suffices to state that not everyone, not even adults can boast of possessing the needed acumen that can sustain them into securing an enviable pedestal either now or in the immediate future because life is just so unpredictable in our dear country where you will agree that anything can happen anytime. It is the youth especially that suffer so much from this uncertain state as their future hang in the balance. Their thirst and lust for money brought about by the present harsh economic quagmire has blindfolded some of them, thereby making them ready to do anything just to make money.

    It will definitely not be out of place to opine that the state of giddiness being experienced now in spite of all the lamentations about our situation is brought about by the levity with which each successive government has tackled and is still tackling corruption which I see as a bane to our present predicament. Nigerians have been described as special species as many wonder how they continue to cope with innumerable daunting challenges. They are daily surrounded with embroiled corruption going on around them coupled with shameful acts of impunity and retribution inflicted on their psyche by the elite. Ours is a country where trillions of hard and local currencies are looted and stashed in homes and unexpected places while those found culpable are only tried in the media. Hence the big question, how do we tackle a dreadful national malady as corruption?

    Corruption has become a grave blight of our nation, to the extent that the few who have access to the country’s collective wealth continue to get richer while majority wallows in abject poverty. Gone are the days when we had the upper, middle and lower classes. We have become a laughing stock; serious investors shun our nation for the fear of corruption. Unfortunately, in the midst of all these, our culture of wastage lingers on as scarce national resources are filtered away in unproductive ventures when they could have been committed to better use.

    There is a need therefore for government to do more than it is doing presently. Sincerely, stiffer penalties and stringent measures like international travel ban, circulate their names to embassies for possible blacklisting, enforcement of repatriations for those who might have managed to get away, newspaper disclaimer listing, amendment of existing relevant laws that will ameliorate the ease of enforcement and so on, should be meted out on whoever is found culpable no matter whose ox is gored. We should actually borrow experiences from other countries like China, Egypt and so on, on how they were able to solve their corruption issues.

    Indiscipline is another major bane of our nation and it cuts across all sectors. When Nigerians go abroad, they adhere strictly to the laws, rules and regulations of their host countries. They are fascinated about how things work, how it is possible to trade and do business seamlessly and how it is possible to use your details to apprehend you whenever you run afoul of the law. However, whenever this same people return home, they frustrate every laudable effort to do things right. How sad!

    The business environment isn’t really getting better either. As it is usually with us, we want everyone to go into one business enterprise or the other, enticing them with one loan or the other. While this is not really a bad idea, it has to be emphasized that most of those who access such loans have little or no expertise in the business area they want to venture into. Of course, the consequence of a failed business is usually more devastating on the economy and on the morale of the individual involved.

    In as much as it is good to encourage local business enterprise, we need to start thinking about developing potentially viable areas such as ICT, sports, arts, tourism etc. Lots of opportunities abound, especially for the youths, in these core areas as they represent new globally recognized money-spinning ventures.  Therefore, all tiers of governments and other stakeholders must have a rethink and make efforts at developing these promising areas if only for their job creation potentials.

    In as much as things are not going really well in the country, it needs to be stressed, however, that there is nothing about our current situation that is insurmountable. Several countries around the world have had similar or same experiences. The only difference is that while others identify their challenges and frontally work on them, for example Japan and Switzerland with limited territories but amongst the strongest economies of the world, we seem to cover up ours and keep on living with the pretext that they never exist. Unfortunately, countries that attain valid nationhood are those that demonstrate sufficient resolve to solve their problems.

    Over time, human beings have proven their resiliency by demonstrating that great things are possible and man is capable of incredible successes in spite of monumental odds. Nigerians must not be an exception but remain hopeful. I wonder if it will make any difference to this generation if government at this time can re-introduce back into our schools at all levels our past History, Civics and Government, Health and Social Studies, books, literature, films and all forms of records to show our past and present history. Hopefully this will help us most especially the youths to have a rethink and chart a way forward for themselves that will secure and safeguard their future.

    While directing our energy towards a search for a new Nigeria, we must necessarily change our attitude to life and work pattern, respect the laws and regulations of our country, shun bribery and corruption, be more proactive, productive and invest more in our nation. Most importantly, we must as a matter of urgency stop recycling the political elite in order to save our beloved country.

    We cannot afford to remain too docile as a people. We must speak out and allow our voices to be heard. We must not despair but keep doing the right things to save our country from this tempestuous period by doing all we can to escape the condemnation and damnation of history and posterity. We cannot be the people and the generation that gave up even as others fought to save their own countries. Nigeria is our beloved country; we must work to salvage it together.

     

    • Olowu-Adekoya is of Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning & Budget, Alausa, Ikeja.   
  • Willie XO gears up for new song

    Willie XO gears up for new song

    Afrobeats artiste, Josie Obi Okwazi, aka Willie XO, has given a hint of what is to come from his latest single titled Kraze, which he revealed will hit the music shelves soon.

    The 6ft6 hunk, who takes delight in staying in great shape, also seized the opportunity to show off one of his latest acquisitions, a Range Rover Vogue, while dropping feelers to what the new track promises.

    Despite having recently signed a multi-million dollar deal, Willie XO maintained that his focus is intact despite the sudden change in financial circumstances.

    “I bought the Range cos I liked it. Saw it, wanted it, so I copped it. It feels good to be able to pay for things that you want. However cars and material stuff are not a distraction for me at all. I’m always 100 percent focused on my music, don’t get it twisted,” he said.

    Willie XO who was introduced to the Nigerian scene by The Goretti Company, sometime this year has also shown keen interest in helping the less privileged.

    During a recent trip to Nigeria, he took time out to visit some of the most notorious slums in Lagos against the advice of his management and label who feared for his safety. He ended up giving away large sums of money to the needy.

    He also embarked on community support projects where he financially helped student struggling with tuition fees and new businesses in need of startup funds.

    “I don’t really like talking too much about my deeds, when I give back to the community it’s straight up from the heart and any pics you see is merely to motivate others to do the same,” he was quoted to have said.

  • New roads to travel in Edo 

    New roads to travel in Edo 

    Confucius – that renowned Chinese sage of many catchphrases – was, no doubt, high as a kite when he said: “Roads were made for journeys, not destinations”. The idea here is not that he snuck and took some opiate to heighten his creativity, or that he went and indulged in the fruit of the vine.

    The idea is that he was, of imagination, on an intellectually elevated pedestal and was seeing things that were as sound in concept as they were poetic in expression.

    In Edo State, the appositely lauded technocrat governor, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, leaves no one in doubt of his unfeigned understanding of the importance of roads to the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people of Edo State. If the road is unduly rough, the governor understands, the journey surely will be unpleasant, and the desire for the destination may wane.

    It explains why Governor Obaseki reiterates his unambiguous commitment to the development of road infrastructure in the state. During his recent commissioning of the newly constructed 500km Nevis Street Road, which links four major roads in Benin City, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to make certain that within the four years of his first term in office he completes 3000km of roads.

    To be sure, all of these roads will not only enrich the development of infrastructure and make life more meaningful for the people in the state, they will equally generate decent jobs for all categories of people especially youths who will be given requisite training in road designs and constructions using concrete technology.

    One of the things that will stand out the roads to be constructed across the state under this administration is the use of concrete technology. The newly reconstructed Nevis Street Road is the first road to be reconstructed in the state using concrete materials.

    Constructing roads with concrete rather than asphalt will facilitate durability. Road construction experts have maintained again and again that rigid concrete is more durable than asphalt; it has a lifespan of between 20 and 40 years. Such roads are less likely to have potholes. The surface of concrete is also better at preventing automobile skidding, it ensures the safety of people and in that connection helps reduce the frequent spate of accidents necessitated by poorly constructed roads.

    Besides, concrete roads do not drain the coffers like asphalt roads when it comes to maintenance. Asphalts are money guzzlers when maintenance is considered. If heavy spending on road maintenance is out of the way, money will be available for other equally important programmes. With concrete pavement, it is a win-win for both government and the people. Already in many advanced societies of the world, concrete roads are more increasingly in vogue. The reason for this inheres in the great benefits it offers.

    Of the significance of constructing roads with concrete, Mr. Ashif Juma, the Managing Director of AG-Dangote, the company contracted to refurbish the Nevis Street Road with concrete, noted further that, “Concrete has always made most sense in the long run. No other paving materials match concrete’s strength and durability in standing up to heavy usage and truck traffic. Concrete lasts longer without the need for resurfacing, patching or surface sealing. Concrete delivers structurally, financially and environmentally.”

    He added that the road was constructed in compliance with Governor Obaseki’s directive that the materials must be sourced locally, noting that what the governor’s directive enabled his company to prove is the fact that concrete roads could be built within a short period.

    Doubtlessly, it is the habit of leaders who are prudent and are irresolute in their commitment to the progress of their people to make sure that they maximise resources and achieve the best with what is available. Governor Obaseki demonstrated that he belongs in the fold of such uncommon leaders when he noted that given the success recorded in the use of concrete technology, about 45 roads that have been awarded for construction and reconstruction would be done solely with the use of concrete. The roads would be constructed, he observed, with raw materials sourced from within the state.

    In his view, Edo State does not need to depend on foreign exchange for road construction as all materials and human capital could be sourced locally. It is to this end that the governor encouraged youths in the state to take advantage of the opportunity for employment available in the Edo Jobs Initiative by registering for it. As he emphasised at the referred road commissioning ceremony, there would be a beneficial, enduring road infrastructure revolution in Edo State, for among other things, he has “come to change the face of politics in Nigeria.”

    In other words, he has come to change the narrative of road infrastructure in the country setting his state up as a model. And this is no mere sweet talk. Hear him: “The construction of this Nevis Street within seven weeks showed that this government can make promises and fulfil them. This is a revolution in our road construction. We will design our roads, and we will train our youths on roads design and construction without waiting for foreign exchange. We have all the raw materials here.”

    As of now across different areas in Benin City about 29 roads are in different stages of reconstruction and rehabilitation, with some being remodelled with concrete technology.

    For Edo residents, the revolution springing up in road infrastructure in the city centre in the state is no fluke. It is in view of this unmediated reality that some of them have expressed their heartfelt delight and satisfaction. The summary of their experience in this regard is that life is surely getting easier. They feel really happy that their socioeconomic undertakings will be greatly enhanced by the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads. Indeed, the journeys for which the roads are made will be more pleasurable, even as their desire to achieve the goals of their varied activities become more boosted.

    Reporter who went round the state capital last Friday on a tour of some ongoing projects coordinated by the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Godwin Obaseki captured the infectious gladness of the people in response to the vast improvement taking place in road infrastructure.

    A resident and fabricator working along Wire Road, Iyoyin Shekiri, expressed joy over the development, saying that Obaseki had started following the developmental footsteps of his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiohmole, in ensuring that Edo people have access to good roads.

    He said Wire road had never had it good in terms of access to good roads until Governor Obaseki assumed office “to redeem the people from the road that had suffered years of abandonment” and had become a death trap.

    The situation at Nevis Street was not different as residents came out in their large numbers to applaud the Governor Obaseki on his determination to improve the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people through massive road construction and rehabilitation across the state.

    Daniel Ohenhen, who was among the residents that spoke to reporters at Wire Road, thanked the governor for doing a good job, and appealed that more of those works be replicated across the state.

    The Director of Construction in the state Ministry of Works, Mr John Obanor, explained that from the total 29 roads of over 50km earmarked for rehabilitation, 15 have been completed with either flexible pavement or rigid pavement.

    At Ikpokpan Road in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Obanor said rigid pavement with concrete was used on the road to check areas susceptible to erosion. According to him, lkpokpan Road, which was about 60 to 70 metres of rigid pavement, was expected to stand the test of time for a minimum of 25 years.

    Other roads include Oba Eweka/Ogbetuo Oni Road, Osabuihien Close GRA, Wire Road, Nekpenekpen, Nevis Road, Ugbor, Nekpenekpe, Oni Street, and Jemide/Akhiobare.

    Explaining the technique behind the constructions, Obanor said: “We have done quite well as regards reconstruction and rehabilitation of the roads. In fact, we are sure of completing all these roads before the rains set in proper.

    “As you may have noticed, we adopted quite a number of measures to ensure these roads last longer. These measures are the combination of rigid pavement and flexible pavement. For areas that are prone to environmental condition, we used rigid pavement while we used flexible pavement for the areas that are not prone to flooding.”

    In Governor Obaseki, Edo has got itself another bright mind willing to modernise the state for the overall good of a greater number of the people. The rising tide of road infrastructure, among other laudable programmes, is an eloquent proof of this.

    • Osadolor writes from Benin City.
  • New dawn at AAUA

    New dawn at AAUA

    Students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State have elected their leaders via electronic voting. The exercise was described as rancour-free.  report.

    Coming out of internal wrangling, which led to the impeachment of some union leaders, students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State, last Thursday, went to the poll to elect their leaders.

    The election came months after it was abruptly postponed by the school management to prevent mayhem on the campus, following the impeachment of the union’s erstwhile president and treasurer.

    The election was historic, as it was the first time students would elect their leaders through a rancour-free electronic voting method. The voters were required to register online weeks before the election, after which secret codes were generated and sent to the students through their mobile phones on election day.

    A big screen was erected at the Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall to display the results as the election was drawing to a conclusion.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that this was done to ensure transparency in the process and douse tension among camps of the candidates.

    A few minutes after the election began, students rose in protest against the disappearance of some candidates’ pictures on the voting platform, which negated the electoral guideline. In response, the Students’ Union Electoral Committee (SUEC) officials refreshed the electronic platform to correct the error. Voting started after the pictures of all candidates were uploaded on the platform.

    Three hours later, the election ended. Olawale Ijanusi, a 400-Level Philosophy student was elected the president with 1,516 votes, defeating his closest rival, Isaac Ayeni of Public Administration, who garnered 667 votes.

    Olawale’s victory was followed by wild jubilation by students. He was driven round the campus in an open-roof saloon vehicle, acknowledging cheers from his supporters across departments.

    He said: “I want all students to know that I will never betray the trust reposed in me. I will abide by the promise I made . As I said during campaign, iyanu a sele (wonders will happen). I reiterate the promise that wonders will happen. God bless AAUA.”

    Some students, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, hailed the e-voting method, saying it gave them the opportunity to choose their leaders without interference from the management.

    Ugboaja Osita, a 200-Level Plant Science and Biotechnology student, said: “The election was free, fair and transparent. This is the first rancour-free process we have had in the last four years.”

    Another student, Mercy Adekola, a 300-Level student, said the process was a departure from previous elections, hailing the management for supporting the innovation.

    He said: “The election was transparently conducted. This was why the outcome did not generate controversies, unlike the previous elections we have had. School management deserves commendation for coming up with this brilliant initiative.”

    The e-voting process needs to be strengthened and deployed for the conduct of national election, says Chinedu Onele, a 400-Level Law student. He said the manner the election was conducted made students who initially criticised e-voting to accept the outcome.

    He said: “This is the second time electronic voting would be employed to conduct the union election; the success recorded in this process far outweighed the previous version. Despite that there was a glitch experienced in voting time, because of aspirants’ pictures, the e-voting went on without generating credibility problem for the whole process.

    “It should be noted that about 130 had already voted before the e-voting platform was refreshed to allow for the upload of candidates’ pictures. All in all, it was a free, fair and peaceful election so far. Its outcome was generally accepted by everyone.”

    Others elected included Vice President;  Ayotola Akinfela; General Secretary; Lawrence Adekunle; Public Relations Officer; Samson Adelowo; Financial Secretary- Toheed Obashile; Oluwadamilola Olamibo (Treasurer); Olaoluwa Ayiloge (Welfare Director);  David Kuduyo (Social Director); Akinlawon Olisa (Sports Director) and Kayode Fajembola (Assistant General Secretary).

  • New dawn at the prisons

    New dawn at the prisons

    The old, dreary order at the prisons is giving way as over 400 vehicles and farm tools have been provided for the penitentiaries, reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU.

    ‘The challenges faced over the years by the service, according to the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd) who commissioned the operational vehicles and farm implements in Abuja range from poor and old dilapidating infrastructure, prisons congestion, urban encroachment, poor budgetary provisions, and misappropriation of funds, among others’

    Life is usually miserable at the prisons. It is a shame that inmates have got used to overcrowded cells. Food is drab, and the general idea of a place of reformation is largely a joke. Even for the workers, there is pretty little to lift the spirits. Tools of work are in deficits; even vans to take inmates to court are in very short supply. This has left prison administrators in a fix and often appealing for help, wherever they can get it, and whoever can provide it.

    This gloomy atmosphere is lifting. Over 400 operational vehicles and farm implements have been provided for the prisons. It is a new dawn for workers as inmates.

    Modern prison service in Nigeria dates back to 1861 when western-type prison system was established in the country. The declaration of Lagos as a colony in the same year the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) was formed into two tiers, Federal and Local native authority system, until the abolition of the native authority tier of government in 1968. With this abolition of the system, the Prison Services then merged to form the present Nigeria Prisons Service.

    The vision of the Prison Service in Nigeria which seeks lasting change in offender’s attitudes, values and behaviour while ensuring successful reintegration of inmates into the society is not far from the global mandate of penitentiaries, which focuses on the reformation, rehabilitation as well as the reintegration of transformed ex-inmates into the society.

    The NPS contributes substantially to the nation’s internal security for taking custody of prisoners considered dangerous to the society, while giving the rest citizens a sense of safety and security. In Nigeria, the mission and vision of the Nigeria Prisons Service has been faced with daunting challenges, which have impeded the smooth realisation of its objectives. The challenges faced over the years by the service, according to the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd) who commissioned the operational vehicles and farm implements in Abuja range from poor and old dilapidating infrastructure, prisons congestion, urban encroachment, poor budgetary provisions, and misappropriation of funds, among others.

    The merger of the Police with the Ministry of Interior makes it easier to retool the Criminal Justices System (CJS), which stands on a tripod, having two of such stands in the Ministry.

    Realising the urgency to deliver on his mandate, Minister of Interior, according to findings, sought and obtained the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to procure operational vehicles and farming implements for the Nigeria Prison Service in the last quarter of 2016, a move seen by many as a demonstration of the will and commitment of the President Buhari administration to re-write the story of past neglect of the Prison Service.

    Dambazau said, “Although a few skeptics queried the rationale behind such investments in the prisons at a time the nation’s economy is in recession, this approach is quite ingenious and applauded by many as it possesses the ace cards to setting the agenda for the sustainable reformation of prison service in Nigeria.

    “Apart from the fact that it will make available operational vehicles for transporting inmates to the courts as at when due with it attendants, importance of ensuring decongestion of the prisons, it will also assist in reducing pressure on it facilities. Moreover the tractors and other farming implements are needed to reactivate the 16 prisons farms spread across the country, which in the long run will empower the Service to produce substantial quantity of food materials needed to feed inmates. Suffice it to say that these farms could also create jobs opportunities, serve as training centres for agric students, while adding to the nation’s GDP.

    “This dream of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to embark on a journey of prisons reformation in Nigeria was made realistic, with the commissioning of over four hundred operational vehicles and farm tractors and other implements recently acquired by the Service.”

    Speaking further at the official lunch, Dambazau applauded the huge commitment of Government towards Prisons reformation.

    He assured that the vehicles will help in quick dispensation of cases as inmates will be moved to court promptly while ensuring justice for all.

    The minister said the farming implements will scale up production capacity of prison farm centres.

    He said the projection is to make maximum utilisation of available land and human resources in the production of foods for prisoners’ consumption and sale to the general public, ultimately reducing the financial burden on government.

    Dambazau also noted that the prison service is also keying into governments agenda of diversifying the economy through agriculture.

    In the areas of infrastructural decay, the minister stated that work was ongoing in several prisons across the country to rebuild dilapidated structures built over 100 years ago, while his Ministry has also signed a MOU with some state governments to relocate prisons already encroached by urban cities.

    He reiterated government’s desire to carry out a holistic reformation of the Criminal Justice System capable of delivering world class services in line with international best practices.

    Also speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Controller General (CG) of the NPS, Mr. Ja’afaru Ahmed saluted President Muhammadu Buhari for the huge investment in the Prison Service.

    He used the occasion to give account of his stewardship in office and assured his supervising Minister of his unalloyed commitment to implement every detail of the Prisons reform agenda.

    Ahmed said the vehicles and equipment will be put to maximum use to return the Service to its primacy, and that skills acquisition programme for inmates is also receiving attention.

    He said, “The step taken thus far by the Minister is quite commendable and unarguably a bold attempt to retool the Criminal Justice System which has over the years suffered poor attention.

    “The Ministry of Interior has also perfected plans to deepen collaboration with the Judiciary on speedy trial of cases. The Police, Prison and Judicial officers will also receive requisite training in this regard.

    “Security being one of the cardinal agenda of the Present administration, reforming the Criminal Justice System is of immense importance to government and requires the support of all well-meaning Nigerians.”

  • Oba Elegushi acquires new ‘toy’

    Oba Elegushi acquires new ‘toy’

    As more and more people are crashing out of the millionaires’ club, the truly rich are looking for new ways to set themselves apart from the rest. Enter the craze for the Rolls Royce. The classy brand of car, particularly the Rolls Royce Phantom series, has become the new marker for the really big boys.

    One of the royal fathers who has embraced the new trend is Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, the Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom. The dashing young monarch has a custom-made Rolls Royce Gushi, which was custom built to fit his taste and style. The snow white wonder on wheels is bulletproof and has customised number plates which make its ownership clear to anyone with a clear sight. It is a unique contraption that marks the youngest monarch in Lagos State out from other monarchs.

    Believed to cost in excess of $500,000, the car is only taken out for a spin on special occasions to complement the exuberant monarch’s royal regalia complete with designer accessories.

  • Lufthansa gets new vice-president

    Lufthansa gets new vice-president

    Lufthansa group has appointed Dr. Stefan Kreuzpaintner as  Vice-President, Sales EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Lufthansa Group Airlines.

    In this position, Mr. Kreuzpaintner will be responsible for all sales and commercial activities in the EMEA region, including Nigeria – altogether comprising 74 markets in Europe (except for the airlines’ home markets, Austria, Germany and Switzerland), the Middle East as well as Africa.

    He will be based in Frankfurt and manage the recently merged areas of Europe and Middle East/Africa for the group’s premium airlines, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa and SWISS.

    Furthermore, Kreuzpaintner and his entire sales team will represent Brussels Airlines in many markets as well as support the sales activities of Eurowings.

    In his function,  Kreuzpaintner reports to his predecessor, Heike Birlenbach, Senior Vice-President, Sales Lufthansa Hub Airlines and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Hub Frankfurt.

    Birlenbach : ”With Stefan Kreuzpaintner, we appointed an airline manager with vast experience within the Lufthansa Group, including Network Planning, Revenue Management, Distribution and Sales.

    With his qualification and dedication, we will further strengthen our premium customer approach in these key markets.

    Kreuzpainter’s close ties to our strong airline brands Austrian, Lufthansa and SWISS clearly support our commercial strategy to increase the customers’ choice and flexibility within our airline group in the future.”

  • Furore over new bank charges

    Furore over new bank charges

    There are mixed feelings over the new bank charges on cash deposits and withdrawals by the apex bank with many lauding the policy regime as appropriate and others arguing that it may further discourage financial inclusion. Bukola Aroloye in this report examines the pros and cons

    Bank customers who are used to hauling cash around had better have a rethink as they are bound to pay so much to enjoy that luxury.

    That’s exactly the import of the directive issued to banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last February, whose implementation began effectively on April 1,2017, precisely over three weeks ago.

    Memo announcing the new mandate

    TThe CBN had on February 23rd, 2017, announced the reintroduction of charges on cash deposits and withdrawals in banks, which would take effect at different dates in different parts of the country.

    In a circular announcing the charges, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, Director, Banking and Payment System Department, CBN said: “Charges for cash deposit by individuals are as follows: Less than N500,000, zero charge; from N500,000 to N1 million, 1.5 per cent; from N1 million to N5 million, two per cent charge; above N5million, 3 per cent charge.

    “Charges for cash withdrawal by individuals are as follows: Less than N500,000, zero charge; From N500,000 to N1 million, two per cent; from N1 million to N5 million, 3 per cent charge; above N5 million, 7.5 per cent charge.

    “Charges for corporate cash deposit are as follow: Less than N3 million, zero charge; from N3 million to N10 million, two per cent; from N10 million to N40 million, three per cent; above N40 million, five per cent.

    “Charges for corporate cash withdrawal are as follows: Less than N3 million, zero charge; from N3 million to N10 million, five per cent; from N10 million to N40 million, 7.5 per cent; above N40 million, 10 per cent.

    “The new charges would take effect from April 1 2017, in the existing cashless states (Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra, Rivers and the FCT).

    “The policy shall be implemented with the charges taking effect on May 1, 2017 in the following states: Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Ondo, Osun and Plateau. “The policy shall be implemented with the charges taking effect on August 1, 2017 in the following states: Edo, Katsina, Jigawa, Niger, Oyo, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Taraba and Nasarawa.

    “The policy shall be implemented with the charges taking effect on October 1, 2017 in the following states: Borno, Benue, Ekiti, Cross River, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Yobe, Sokoto and Zamfara.

    According to the CBN, income generated from the processing fees charges above the allowable cash transaction limits shall be shared between the apex bank and “the banks in the ratio of 40:60.”

    The CBN has always argued that the cash policy was introduced for a number of key reasons, including: To drive development and modernisation of the country’s payment system in line with its vision 2020 goal of being amongst the top 20 economies by the year 2020.

    The latest announcement comes despite the directive for immediate stoppage of all charges on deposits by the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, in June, 2014.

    Review of cashless policy

    The cashless policy was introduced by the CBN in 2012 to reduce the amount of cash circulating in the economy, and encourage more electronic-based transactions.

    Features of the policy include N500, 000 cash deposit and withdrawal limit  for individual bank customers, with three per cent charge on transactions above the limit; N3million deposit and withdrawal limit for corporate bank customers, with five per cent for cash transactions above the limit.

    Resounding support for policy

    Speaking with a cross-section of economic and financial experts who understand the workings of the policy they argued that the initiative was ideal for the nation, especially considering the propensity of some unscrupulous individuals to abuse the system.

    In the view of Johnson Chukwu, Managing Director /CEO, Cowry Asset Management Limited, “The imposition of penalties on cash withdrawals and deposits above N500,000.00 are meant to discourage people for continuing to transact their businesses with cash.”

    Giving further insight, he said: “The discrimination in the penal charge where deposits above N500,000.00 attract only 1.5% charge while withdrawals of amounts exceeding N500,000.00 is penalised by a charge of 7.5% must have be designed with the intention not to deter completely depositing of such funds so that they are not left outside the banking industry.”

    Expatiating, he said: “I believe that without either sanctions or incentives it will be difficult to persuade Nigerians to change their habit of transactions businesses with cash hence the imposition of penalties on cash withdrawals and deposits. Nevertheless, I will also suggest that the approach to encouraging the adoption of the cashless policy should include incentives (carrots) and not just sanctions (sticks). That way, the Central Bank will be able to attract more willing adopters of the policy.”

    The imposition of penalties on withdrawals and deposits, he further reiterated, will certainly compel people to start using alternative means of payment such as cheques, POS terminals, on-lines, etc.

    All these alternatives, he maintained, are part of the cashless policy initiatives of the CBN.

    To him, “Any policy that compels people to use banking facilities such as the penalties imposed on cash withdrawals and deposits is certainly to the advantage of financial inclusion as it will encourage more people to open and operate bank accounts. Secondly, the policy will help to improve the effectiveness of monetary policies as it will reduce the amount of cash outside the banking system.”

    Echoing similar sentiments, Sola Oni, Managing Director. Sofunix Investment and Communications Limited, said: “The question of justification of the charges rolled out as penalties for exceeding cash withdrawal limit by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is relative. If the charges are lower, they still constitute penalties. The philosophy is to discourage mass cash transaction and leverage on the use of credit or electronic card.”

    The policy, he stressed, will encourage the use of digital transfer of money and thereby boost cashless model of transaction nationwide.

    He was however quick to admit that: “Against the backdrop that many Nigerians are not computer literate, it may pose a threat to financial inclusion as digital money transfer and its allied methods require a fair knowledge of computer.

    In the short run, it may discourage financial inclusion but in the long run it would enhance it.”

    Waxing philosophical, Oni said: “There is no policy that can favour everyone. The key issue is the benefits to the overall economy.”

    While making allusion to the early days of the introduction of mobile phone, he said: “Today, many people that are not used to mobile phone by virtue of lack of education are now embracing it as a means of communication. Cashless economy reduces crime, it is faster and quite convenient. But It also has its drawbacks such as  identity theft among others.”

    Welter of criticism against the policy

    Not a few people are convinced that the new policy regime by the CBN is a well thought out initiative.

    One of those who have expressed serious misgivings against the policy is the president of the National Association of Nigerian Traders, Barrister Ken Ukaoha.

    Raising some posers, he queried: “What has changed between the last time the CBN suspended this move and now.”

    Ukaoha pointed out that banks traditionally charge commissions on transactions (COTs) on lodgments into and withdrawals from current accounts.

    Nigerian banks, he said, have with CBN’s tacit approval, been imposing on their customers similar COTs for withdrawals from savings accounts, “cash handling charges” for withdrawals of N1m and above, and other inexplicable and unjust charges.

    “So, what ‘cost of cash management’ does the CBN refer to?” he asked.

    He said the CBN’s drive to make the Nigerian economy cashless must be considered within the prism  of what foundations exist in Nigeria.

    “What is the level of literacy and acquaintance with information communication technology (ICT) among Nigerians? How many Nigerians can use electronic banking services? How many Igbo traders, Fulani herdsmen, market women, farmers, etc are knowledgeable in ICT?”

    Mrs. Uju Ogubunka, a financial and management consultant is also on the same page with Ukuoha.

    She faulted the CBN for approving the new charges for deposit money banks, saying they were not set up to impose such charges on their customers.

    “Some of us feel strongly that it is not right for banks to charge their customers,” Mrs. Ogubunka, who is also the President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, BCAN, said.

    She added that it is wrong to charge bank customers on deposits or withdrawals, especially with CBN drive to achieve financial inclusion.

    The BCAN boss, who is a former Registrar, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, said charging customers for deposits or withdrawals would actually encourage more customers not to embrace the banking culture.

    “With multiple charges, bank customers would prefer to withdraw their money and keep at home for other activities,” she said.

    Ade Olumide,  a businessman in Lagos said the timing of the policy was wrong considering the economic situation in the country.

    “The new policy is uncalled for with the present economy of the country. We are doing the right thing at the wrong time. I am a businessman and my type of business is SME and we borrow huge money from banks to carry out our  activities, this policy will have adverse effect on us,” Olumide lamented.

    Also speaking on the development, Mrs Ebere Oluchi said it would discourage customers from seeking bank facilities.

    “Personally, I believe those charges are not right, especially when CBN is talking about financial inclusion and financial literacy.

    “The importance of finance inclusion is to bring more customers into the saving culture; with reintroduction of charges, it might discourage depositors and those seeking other banking facilities,” she said.

    “It will be easy to control illicit funds that go to kidnappers, especially. To me, it is a good development,” she said.

    Amodu Adeyemi in Ikorodu said the policy was a welcome development, adding that it would reduce movement of cash.

    “It will help to check unnecessary withdrawals, people will only withdraw money when it is necessary.”

    Mrs Yemi Adenuga ex banker the reintroduction of cashless charges, which commenced April 1, 2017, in Lagos and six states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is coming too early in the life of the policy.

    “The time frame to adjust to the change is too short. Awareness should be made highlighting the benefits of the policy,”she said.

    CBN makes volte face on policy

    In a related development, the CBN at the weekend suspended its earlier directive on the implementation of cashless policy.

    In a circular released by the apex bank, it instructed banks to revert to old charges and refund customers who had been debited.

    The circular signed by Dipo Fatokun, director, banking and payments system department, CBN said the existing policy before the announcement of the new policy shall remain in place in Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra, Rivers and Abuja.

    “You will recall that a directive was issued on the nationwide implementation of the cashless policy vide our circulars with reference numbers BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/04/001 dated February 21 and BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/04/002 dated March 16,” the circular read.

    “Please note that the new withdrawal and deposit processing fee charges above the threshold, as contained in the circulars referenced above, are hereby suspended until further notice. The position of the policy shall now revert to the status quo ante.”

    “The new policy already applied effective April 1, 2017 as contained in the circulars in reference above should be reversed and the old charges be applied. All necessary refunds should be made accordingly.”