The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • Agbakoba chairs NBA Board of Trustees

    Former President of the  Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Dr.  Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) was last week at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NBA named chairman of the new Board  of Trustees constituted to reshape and rejig the lawyers’ umbrella body (NBA)

    The  NBA at the end of its 59th Annual General Conference at the weekend announced some constitutional amendments geared towards repositioning the association to meet societal responsibilities that will enable it to function to the satisfaction its members and the general public.

    First of the amendments is the change of the trustee members who have been in place for over 14 years. The NBA trustees will, henceforth, be led by human rights lawyer Agbakoba as chairman.

    Other members of the committee are former presidents of the NBA, Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN), Augustine Alegeh (SAN), a former  General Secretary of the NBA, Obafemi Adewale, and Hajia Fatima Kwaku.

    The new trustees replace the one that had been in place since 2004 T

    Profile of NBA Trustees Dr. Olisa Agbakoba

    Dr. Olisa Agbakoba ( SAN)  was born on May 29, 1953 to Chief Justice Godfrey Ubaka and Mrs Phina Agbakoba in Jos Plateau State.

    Agbakoba attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1973 to 1977, Nigerian Law School in Lagos in 1978 and London School of Economics and  Political Science from 1979 to 1980.

    He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB)  (Hons) of the University of Nigeria, Barrister at Law ( BL)  of the Nigerian Law School and Master of Laws ( LLM)  (1980) of the University of London.

    Fresh out of law school, the young Agbakoba served as a research fellow in the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs’ (NIIA),  Law and Intelligence Department. Agbakoba left NIIA after a year and formed his own law firm, Olisa Agbakoba and Associates, which specialises in commercial and maritime law. He has also been a key leader in the country’s pro-democratic movement, and is the President of AfroNet, an international NGO dedicated to furthering the human rights cause. He is also a Principal Partner and founder of Human Rights Law Services (HURILAWS), an NGO that specialises in advocacy and law.

    Aside human rights, his work in maritime law in Nigeria has been profound. He is the founder and first president of the Nigerian Shipping Chamber of Commerce (NCS).

    Olisa Agbakoba was the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association from 2006 to 2008 and a founding partner of Olisa Agbakoba and Associates, a leading maritime specialist law firm in Lagos. He is also the founder of Nigeria’s foremost human rights organisation, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO). He became known through his work in human rights and democracy movement in Nigeria. He was also the founder of United Action for Democracy and the Zambian pan-African human rights organization AfroNet. He was a defender for the Civil Rights activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa who was executed and was arrested several times because of his pro- democratic activities.

    In 1990, he was honoured with Roger Baldwin Medal for Civil Liberties. Also in 1993, he was honoured with the Human Rights Award of the German Association of Judges and in 1996 he was given the Aachen Peace Award.

    Other awards and honours include the receipt of the 15 Great Legal Practitioners of Distinction in Nigeria (1993), Vanguard’s 40 Outstanding Young Nigerians Award (1993), Fellow and award recipient, Institute of Administrative Management of Nigeria, Co-director, British Council Conference on Managing Human Rights, Abuja, Nigeria, the International Human Rights Award of the American Bar Association, in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the causes of Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Promotion of Access to Justice (1996), Dr. Kwame Nkrumah African Leadership awards in 2006 and FRA Williams Legal Practitioner of the year 2006 amongst others.

    Amongst his major publications are Federal High Court Practice Manual (published by LexisNexis, South Africa) Maritime Newsletter Volumes one and two; Manual on Election Petition in Nigeria; Maritime Cabotage in Nigeria; Bankruptcy Proceedings in Nigeria; Development Law Books (in three volumes; Towards A People Constitution in Nigeria; Transcending the Wall: A manual for Prisoners Reform. Others are: The Legal basis of the organization of African Unity Force in the Chad; Journal of International Law, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs 1981; Journal of Human Rights Law and Practice: Nigeria’s State Security (detention of persons) Decree No 2 of 1984; Exposing the Myth of Judicial Impotence with Tunde Fagbohunlu (1991), Incursions into the Legal Profession, the way out speech given at the conference on the reform of civil adjudication, Lagos, December 1995; The Statute of Limitation in Admiralty Proceedings: A Case for Fresh Initiatives in Maritime Laws and Reforms in Marine Insurance Law, among many others.

    Chief Godwin Agabi

    Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi was born on July 9 , 1946. He attended the University of Lagos(UNILAG) and Nigeria Law School. After graduating, he maintained a reputable career with many notable positions including serving as Commissioner of Finance, Cross River State; Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    From there, Agabi continued to excel and seek out new ways to serve the public good. In 2002, he became the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Federal Republic of Nigeria and the following year accepted the position of Special Adviser to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Good Governance and Ethics.

    Agabi served in this capacity until May, 2007. He was Chairman for the Board of Directors of NICON, Niger Insurance Company Limited and National Properties Limited. Between 1999 and 2000, he served his country in yet another noble capacity as the Minister of Justice.

    Currently, Agabi is Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In this position, he continues to support and serve his beloved country and remains a highly regarded and respected public figure.

    Daudu

    Joseph Bodurin Daudu, (SAN),  a prominent Nigerian Jurist, Bencher and former President of the NBA  was born on December 27, 1959 at Ogori-Magongo local government area of Kogi State, north-central Nigeria. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law ( LLB.) (Hons) from the University of Ibadan and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1980, he  attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1995[

    J.B.Daudu (SAN) began his law career in 1980, the same year he was called to the Bar. On August 2010, he was elected as President of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA), a position he held until  July 2012. He was a member of the Nigerian Body of Benchers for eight  years ( 2002 – 2010) and became a Life Bencher in 2010, the same year he was elected, president of the NBA. He is an  honourable member of the International Council of Jurists, where he served as secretary-general.

    Augustine Alegeh

    Augustine Oyarekhua  Alegeh, SAN  is the Founder  and Managing Partner of  Alegeh & Co. He is a 1985 Law graduate (LLB) of the University of Benin. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1986 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in October 1986. He won the Bola Ajibola Prize for Civil Procedure at the Bar qualifying Examination in 1986.He was appointed a Notary Public in 1995.

    He previously worked with Firm of Sadoh & Co. (Legal Practitioners) between 1986 and 1989. Following the appointment of  his  former Principal Partner of Sadoh & Co. as a Judge of the High Court in March 1989, he became Managing Partner of the Firm, which then became known as Alegeh, Agun & Co. In September 1990, the firm became known as Alegeh & Co. following the departure of the erstwhile Partner (Francis Agun) to practice in the New York Bar. He expanded the practice base of the firm and opened offices in Lagos and Abuja. He is a member of trhe Nigerian Bar Association as well as the International Bar Association. He has attended various International and local conferences.

    He was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( SAN)  in 2007 and in 2008; he obtained a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration from Kebble College, Oxford University, United Kingdom. Mr. Alegeh is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, U.K and he was the 27th President of the Nigerian Bar Association elected in July, 2014 to serve a single term of two years.

    He is actively engaged in litigation and corporate practice and has argued several landmark cases at the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Courts and Tribunals. He has also handled matters before several International Arbitration Tribunals.

    Obafemi Adewale

    Obafemi Adewale, born on August 22, 1957 at Ijurin-Ekiti, Ekiti State, is the Principal Solicitor of Obafemi Adewale & Co, a firm of Legal Practitioners with offices in Lagos, Abuja and Ado-Ekiti.

    Mr. Adewale read law at the University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife. He  graduated in 1979 with (LL.B) Hons.

    He was called to the Nigeria Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 1980 after obtaining the Barrister at Law (B.L) Certificate from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.

    Obafemi Adewale had his primary NYSC assignment at the Ministry of Justice, Kano (1980-1981) and has since then been in very active legal practice although with occasional breaks for public service. He worked with a private Law firm in Ikeja, Lagos immediately after Youth Service from 1981 until 1984 when he established Obafemi Adewale & Co.

    Obafemi has since been a very active committed member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and has been privileged to serve the association in various capacities locally and internationally.  He has been a life member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NBA since 1991.

    He was elected delegate, constitutional conference 1994/95, member,  pioneer  member of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) 1996-2000, Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekiti State 1999-2002 Hon. Commissioner for Works and Transport, Ekiti State 2002-2003, Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Governor, Ekiti State 2008-2009, Member, Body of Benchers 1999-2002,Member, Council of Legal Education 1999-2002, Member, General Council of the Bar 1999-2002, Chairman, Ekiti State Council on Prerogative of Mercy 1999-2002, Member, Ekiti State Judicial Service Commission and1999-2002, Member, Ekiti State Committee on Criminal Justice Administration 1999-2000, Member, Ekiti State Advisory Committee 1999 -2003

    ObafemiAdewale was a multiple awardwinner.

    Fatima Kwaku

    Mrs. Fatima Kwaku (MFR) was born on October 22, 1949 into the family of Agafi of Maiduguri in Borno State. She was enrolled into Hausari Junior Primary School, Maiduguri and graduated with a high grade in Primary School Certificate. She later proceeded to Provincial Girls’ Secondary School, Maiduguri in Borno State. She continued her academic pursuit in Holborn House School, Whilton Lodge, North Hampton, England; as well as Cornwall School, Penzance, England from 1961 to 1967, where she graduated and obtained her GCE “O” level.

    She also obtained Pianoforte Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 from Associated Board of the Royal School of Music London, she later proceeded to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts where she was awarded Speaking Of Verse and Prose Grades 3, 5 Bronze Medal, Silver Medal and Gold Medal. She also obtained Spoken English (Merit) from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, London, between 1961 and 1969.

    She later proceeded to the Kent College England as well as BorlandsStutors College, London from 1967 to 1970 where she obtained her GCE “A” levels. She thereafter proceeded to  Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where she bagged her Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B)  (Hons) between 1971 and 1975. She later enrolled in the Nigeria Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, where she was successfully called to Bar in 1976.

    From 1976 to 1977  she spent her service year in the Chief Magistrate Court, Bompai, as well as the Chambers of Messrs E. Noel Grey and Co, both in Kano. In 1977, she started her Private Legal Practice and opened her own Chambers, Ya Fatima Chambers along Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano. The Chambers is still operational.

    Mrs. Kwaku was appointed a Member of the Federal Judicial Service Commission on July 4, 2013 by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr.GoodluckEbele Jonathan. She was also a recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious Member of the Federal Republic; MFR.

  • Why judicial officers must embrace ICT, by Industrial Court judge

    A judge of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Nelson Ogbuanya, has urged judicial officers to keep abreast of applicable information and communications technology (ICT) innovations.

    Justice Ogbuanya said updating their ICT skills would help judges perform their duties faster and more efficiently.

    He observed, for instance, that judges with basic technology skills would be less dependent on ICT staff and secretaries for preparing judgments, which often slows the process of obtaining certified true copies (CTCs).

    The judge was one of the panel discussants on ‘Leveraging technology in justice administration, issues & challenges,” at the just ended Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference.

    Ogbuanya presented a paper on ‘Towards effective deployment of ICT infrastructure in judicial system’.

    He said: “Judges should update their ICT skills and knowledge and take charge of the ICT processes. They should not rely much on ICT staff and secretaries and should form the habit of preparing judgement orders rulings without depending much on the secretaries, which often slows down the process of obtaining CTC of court judgments, orders and rulings.”

    Referencing the conference theme, Facing the future, the judge said the future of an effective justice delivery system in the country requires integration of “traditional methods with evolving opportunities presented by the application of modern ICT facilities.”

    Ogbuanya suggested that the report of the Justice Kashim Zannah (Chief Judge of Borno State) -led NJC Judicial Information Technology Policy (JITPO) launched on July 10, 2012 should serve as a guide for how the Judiciary would leverage ICT to its advantages.

    Nevertheless, he warned the judicial system to be wary of several challenges affecting the effective deployment of ICT infrastructure in the judicial system.

    He said: “They include lack of requisite it skills, fear associated with change reforms and reluctance to embrace new way of doing things don’t been absolute technology.

    “Lack of integration of payment platform, poor funding of ICT activities and acquisitions, systems damaged by virus, easy manipulation by dishonest administrators and possibility of hackers breaking into the system.”

    Another panellist, Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, spoke on the legislative framework for admissibility of electronic evidence in Nigeria.

    He said the sector cannot escape from the reality of the digital age as cases coming before courts now take new forms and actions.

    He cited examples of computer forgery, identify theft, cybercrime, etc.

    “As lawyers, we must understand these realities and know how to apply them in our practice,” the judge said.

    Another panelist, Dr. Amanim Akpabio, cited the amendment made by the American Bar Association in 2012 to their rules, that a lawyer must be competent in delivering services which include ICT competency. He urged the Nigerian Legal System to adopt same.

    Dr. Tammy Danagogo chaired the session while Mr. Mike Mbon was the final panelist.

  • Tree planting takes off in schools 

    The Department of the Satellite Towns Development (STDD) has flagged off its 2019 annual tree planting campaign at the LEA Model Primary School Kubwa.

    The flag-off is carried out by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Permanent Secretary, Christian Ohaa who was represented by the Director Office of the permanent Secretary Mr Samuel Udor Atang.

    Ohaa advised everyone in the FCT to cultivate the habit of tree planting stressing that the tree planting Campaign is an annual deforestation/ reforestation sensitisation programme meant to create awareness in the FCT and the 36 states of the Federation.

    He said, “I rate this occasion very high because it is a proactive measure geared towards preventing imminent ecological disaster while other efforts are directed at managing already existing challenges, as the common saying goes that prevention is better than cure.”

    The permanent secretary further stressed the need for constant tree planting hence it provides oxygen which is very important to human life saving respiration.

    He said with the present climate change challenge, tree planting will help to reduce erosion, flood, drought, desertification, ozone layer depletion, and global warming.

    Ohaa emphasised and encouraged everyone to plant a tree and here by direct the satellite Towns Development to raise million seedlings for all the vegetation of the Hill tops and Hill slopes, reclamation of borrow pits and as well as flood plains to forestall annual flood disaster in the FCT.

    He urged individuals and corporate organisations to join in tree planting.

    In the same line the Director STDD Mr. Felix Nwankwo Obiora, an engineer, in his speech advised everyone to join the department in continues tree planting and campaign for better tomorrow.

    Obiora also called on all FCT residents to replace all the trees that have been cut down by planting more. He encouraged everyone to cultivate the habit of planting a tree for clean and green environment, adding that dumping garbage in the drainage should also stop to enable free flow of floodwaters in all areas.

    He called on all Nigerian especially FCT resistance to stop cutting down trees because of the huge danger of it without commensurate replanting effort, in the wake of climate change.

    “If you love your environment, plant a tree,” he said.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Director, Environment STDD Mr Olusegun Olusa said Ethiopia has a population of about 112.08 million people and they have succeeded in planting 2.6 billion indigenous trees between May and July 2019 in their bid to attain the 4 billion planting target by October 2019.

    He said Nigeria with the population of about 200 million can double that number and even do more.

    He called on both individuals, and organisations to come to STDD to collect trees for free  to plant.

    He said the department has raised and nurtured over 100,000 trees for planting.

    Mr Olusa said the department is given out all the trees for free to individual NGOs and organisations for planting just to encourage everyone to plant a tree.

    He said the following trees are available for free; Khaya senegalensis (Mahogany tree), Terminalia mentalist (Satellite tree), Delonise regia (Flame of forest/Flamboyant tree) & Zyzgium sp (Black currant tree) and Terminalia mentalise.

    He therefore called on all the FCT Resistance to join in tree planting campaign.

  • Banditry: Katsina tackles a difficult enemy

    When bandits seized Katsina State, Governor Aminu Masari’s plans pegged them back. Recent attacks, however, show the criminals are quite resilient. OGOCHUKWU IKEJE writes, with reports from AUGUSTINE OKEZIE

    The attack August 26 on Wurma, a community in Kurfi Local Government Area of State, indicates that bandits are not gentlemen, and are hardly swayed by verbal appeals or other overtures by government. In that assault, various media organs reported that armed men numbering about 100 invaded Wurma at night and went from door to door robbing residents of cash and any item of interest before abducting 49 people. That figure was provided by the district head of the community, Mustapha Muhammad, who told journalists that 12 of the 49 abductees were freed in the morning.

    The police in the state gave a different account of the attack. Fifteen women were abducted, 10 of them rescued, they said.

    The Wurma attack rubbished the proactive plans of the state governor Aminu Masari, as well as the robust tactics of the Northwest state governors to curb the menace of banditry and cattle rustling in the region. On August 1 Masari announced an amnesty by the Northwest governors for kidnappers, cattle thieves and the like if only they would lay down their arms and be of good behaviour.

    Neighbouring states of Kaduna and Zamfara are also on the boil.

    The Wurma abductors made themselves very clear: they would not give up their criminality easily.

    Before the attack, Governor Masari had reason to believe things were pretty much under control. Following our reporter’s tour of eight most hit local government areas in the state, there were indications that the attacks were on the decline and that normalcy was returning to besieged communities.

    Sixty-year-old Hamisu Batsari, a farmer and resident of a village in Batsari Local Government Area of the state, said attacks by bandits and kidnappers were thinning out.

    Hamisu, who lost four of his relations to banditry attacks, near a military checkpoint in Batsari town several months ago, told The Nation: “Alhamdulahi, our place is quiet now, we are farming as usual, we thank the governor and the security agencies for their efforts in curtailing the attacks, I’m also happy with what the local vigilante are doing as well.”

    It was at Batsari that banditry attacks assumed a more dangerous dimension with the killing of innocent farmers on their farmlands, in addition to raping of women and the displacement of several families as IDPs, It is no longer news that about 34 farmers were killed some of whose bodies were publicly buried after having been displayed at both the Emir’s palace and the government house

    Tasiu Mohammed, a 52-year-old civil servant in Jibia Local Government Area, also said the area is safe now and that activities have picked up including farming and trading

    Investigation revealed that several factors might have contributed to the upsurge in banditry attacks and kidnapping in the state, among them poverty, illiteracy, clashes between farmers and herdsmen and complicity by security operatives amongst others.

    Most of the apprehended bandits often complain that poverty contributed mostly in driving them into crime.

    Also, most banditry attacks particularly those in the villages are mainly reprisal attacks involving inter-herdsmen rivalry which often affects farmers.

    Masari said attacks were isolated. Speaking exclusively to The Nation, Masari said, “Our dear state has been witnessing a steady decline in banditry and kidnapping attacks especially in the last few months and there is a steady return to farming and normal activities in most parts of the state. We shall maintain the momentum.”

    Several questions have been asked as to what led to the decline in the spate of banditry attacks and other related crimes in the state. The turnaround could be traced to the pragmatic approach by Governor Masari.

    The Northwest governors also gave generous cash support to security operatives.

    Masari said, “Apart from the logistics, we are giving monthly allowances to army, police NSCDC, vigilante groups, running to almost N100 million every month. We also bought over 50 operational motorcycles for security personnel to chase criminals. The bandits do launch attacks on villages through motorcycles, because most of the roads are not motorable and one can only access them by motorcycle. That was why we bought the motorcycles for security operatives to enhance their patrol. The security personnel are willing to respond to all the distress call but sometimes they get difficulties in reaching the villages because the roads are not motor able.”

    Another bold step taken by the governor to rid the state of the heinous crimes is the signing into law an amended Penal Code law prescribing death sentence for kidnapping and cattle rustling in the state.

    With the law in place, rapists were also sentenced to life imprisonment in addition to fine and compensation to the victims. While signing the law, he affirmed that the law was amended particularly in areas to do with kidnapping, cattle rustling, rape and other related offences.

    Governor Masari told The Nation: “There is a great improvement in security situation in the state, the state Government have encouraged the security operatives seriously including our vigilante group and the result is what we are witnessing today, Katsina is peaceful now and the IDPs have returned to their homes.  We have lots of improvement in all areas including farming, agriculture and commercial activities. If things go like this, everything will be normal. You can visit the villages to see things for yourself.”

    It would please the governor if Wurma attackers and others behaved themselves and gave peace a chance.

  • U.S. fraud

    The report that the United States of America-based Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI) has indicted 77 Nigerians, who allegedly participated in a massive conspiracy to steal millions of dollars from victims in that country is shocking. According to the report, a 252-count U.S. grand jury unsealed by one Mr. Hanna, charged the 77 Nigerians with participating in the condemnable act. The FBI has already arrested 14 suspects within the US, and is making efforts to arrest the rest.

    We join the Federal Government of Nigeria to condemn the actions of the few individuals who are giving our nation a bad name. It is however encouraging that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has promised to join forces with FBI to deal with the menace. The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, promised that the commission will “cooperate with other stakeholders and other law enforcement agencies in this country and outside the country, like the FBI and the NCA and other law enforcement agencies in the neighbouring countries to make sure we deal with this issue.”

    The Nigerian Embassy in the United States has also rightly condemned the act, and made it clear that majority of Nigerians are law abiding citizens. In the words of the Senior Counsellor/Head of Chancery, Mr Mohammed Suleiman, on behalf of Ambassador Sylvanus Nsofor, Nigerian government is willing “to cooperate with the government of the U.S. in accordance with the laid-down universal human rights and due legal processes in the interest of our nation.” He went on: “the Embassy wishes to reaffirm that Nigerians are a generally law-abiding and hardworking people wherever they are, including in the U.S.”

    It is important that the United States and her officials do not use the misconduct of the few Nigerians to tar the majority of honest, hard working Nigerians. Clearly, by agreeing to cooperate with the US government, Nigeria has shown that it is a responsible world citizen, and we enjoin reciprocity from the other countries. For instance, the US and other countries should help Nigeria, and indeed African nations to stem corruption in their countries.

    This they can do by ensuring the reparation of stolen wealth, stashed in their domestic banks. It is important to note that when these foreign countries frustrate immediate and complete reparation of stolen wealth in their local bank vaults, they give the impression that they condone crime or even encourage it. It is also important to note that many of the economic challenges bedevilling Nigeria stem from the criminal expropriation of local resources by citizens, in connivance with foreign nationals and institutions.

    So, while praising the Federal Government and its agencies for their quick reaction to the indictment in the United States, of our nationals, we urge them to also demand for reciprocal action with respect to the millions of dollars stolen from Nigeria that are stashed in the banks of foreign countries. One of the causes of high youth unemployment and criminality in our country is the connivance of foreign nationals with our local criminals to steal and stash abroad our scarce local resources.

    Of note, while we support Nigeria’s offer to cooperate with FBI, it must be remembered that all those indicted remain suspects until they are found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. By implication, while not supporting the criminal indictment of her citizens, the country owes them consular services even where they are found guilty. Their rights as citizens must be defended, even while supporting that those found guilty of criminal activities be made to face the consequences of their action.

    After all, reciprocity is important in international relations.

  • SIFAX targets 300% increase in turnover

    SIFAX Group has unveiled a five-year strategic growth plan that will generate a 300 per cent increase in its turnover.

    Its Group Managing Director, Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye, made this known at the firm’s mid-year report presentation in Lagos.

    He said: “As a proactive company, SIFAX Group is already preparing for the future. We have an ambition of becoming a real mega business with substantial presence globally. Our first major footprints would be in Africa. We are already in some West Coast nations while efforts are on to do more. We have a five-year strategic plan that encapsulates our vision.

    “A key part of the plan is massive investment in equipment and facilities. Across our companies, more harbour cranes, reach stackers, haulage trucks, forklifts, baggage tow tractors, among others have been acquired to match our ambition as a market leader in the sectors we operate.

    “Facilities are also been expanded. For example, we have acquired two new off-dock locations in Lagos to improve cargo evacuation from the port and provide more options for our clients to clear their consignments without stress.”

    Oyinloye further said the new vision of the company necessitated a new management team, which is  driving the business, adding that the management is delivering on the mandate of Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, which is to turn the business into a big global brand.

    Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited Managing Director John Jenkins noted that the company’s container throughput for the first half of the year was 130,000TEUs while its general cargo volume was over 100,000 tons.

    “We are expecting our throughout for 2019 to be in the region of 280,000 to 290,000 TEUs on the back of an improved port access road. Already, we have crossed the 130,000 TEUs mark for the first half of the year. This figure is 275 TEUs less than what we achieved in 2018,” he noted.

    A major challenge confronted by Sifax in the first half of the year was the traffic gridlock around the ports.

    Oyinloye praised the government for awarding the contract for the road construction. He however said  a more sustainable solution of linking the ports with a functional rail system would complement the road infrastructure.

  • Exercise Swift Response: No border is closed

    The National Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and spokesman for the joint operations at the borders code named Exercise Swift Response, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah, in this encounter with MUYIWA LUCAS, explains efforts to address insecurity at the border.

    You said the objective of the Exercise Swift Response is not  to close the borders, yet goods cannot transit from neighbouring borders into the country. How do you react to this?

    Closure is not the right word to use here. There is, indeed, intensive patrol by the joint security forces of the borders and unapproved routes, which smugglers use. The exercise is also to prevent the proliferation of weapons and check the movements of illegal migrants who come in to the disadvantage of our national security and economy. The exercise is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    How long will it last?

    It will go on for some days. By the time we have got our acts together and the objective of the exercise is achieved, it will be called off. Anyone who lives in Nigeria or follows our affairs will know that, in recent times, there have been cases of insurgency, increase in kidnapping, increase in use and abuse of controlled drugs, smuggling of weapons, which contributes to general insecurity. Every responsible government will put its muscles together to address these issues for  citizens’ benefits and ensure that the safety and economic well-being of the country are preserved

    How many agencies and men are part of the operation?

    The Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), intelligence agencies and the Nigeria Police pulled their human and material resources together for the exercise. We recorded some success barely one week into the exercise. I can confirm to you that 33 illegal migrants have been arrested, 59 bags of NPK fertiliser intercepted (NPK fertiliser are used to make improvised explosive devices), over 3000 bags of rice, petroleum products and other items have been stopped from coming into the country and seized. It has been largely successful and we will keep ensuring that those whose acts and movements are unlawful around our borders are brought to their knees.

    There are complaints that there was no prior information before the exercise started and that it is affecting perishable goods. If this is true, why?

    We cannot be talking about perishable goods when national security is at stake. We did alert the public. It may not be as long as those traders would have wanted. We issued a statement announcing the commencement of the exercise. Criminals and anyone involved in unlawful activities would have loved to have a long notice and go into hiding before the operation. The idea behind our short notice is to catch them unawares.

    Do you have the manpower and technology to man the illegal routes?

    The fact that managers of national security thought it necessary to pull manpower and resources together for this exercise should tell you about the importance the government attaches to the country’s security and citizens’ well-being. Beyond the patrol, there are efforts to acquire non-intrusive equipment. Every action to achieve improved security is being taken.

    Benin Republic, for example, is reportedly lamenting the ripple effect of the exercise on its economy. What are you doing about this?

    For some reasons, it appears that some people are making too much reference to a particular country. For the avoidance of doubt, this exercise is not targeted at any country. The target is on those who take advantage of our ‘porous’ borders to perpetuate illegal acts. As we speak, the exercise is not only in the Southwest. It is going on in the Southsouth, Northwest and Northcentral geo-political regions of the country. These zones have borders with other countries. It is not solely about Seme or Benin Republic. It is about anything that will negatively affect the security and safety of Nigerians.Any country that transacts business with Nigeria and keeps to the rules should have nothing to worry about.

    How sincere are your men deployed in this operation to keep to the rules?

    I have discovered that the escapist tendency of any critic is to talk about corruption. Who is corrupt? Who is corrupting who and for what reasons? If you are an international trader and you are importing legitimate things through the approved channels and paying appropriate duties to the government, why should you worry? If any law enforcement officer attempts to take you beyond the lawful aspects of trans-border transactions, you have a right to raise the alarm. If for instance, you import 100 units of an item and declares 30, trying not to pay for 70 units, that is an illegality on its own.

    As a Service, I can tell you that Customs, under our Controller-General, Col. Hammed Alli (retd), will never spare any officer found compromising. I am sure you are aware that some officers have been dismissed for compromising their positions or conniving with economic saboteurs against national interest. Some of them might not be directly involved in the act of smuggling but maybe in the course of carrying out examination on import or export cargoes, they did not do due diligence. I think the important message being passed is that the security forces of this country see themselves as one fighting a common cause. Our differences in uniform do not inhibit our togetherness in fighting criminals and criminality. We are working jointly as a team and in the interest of the country.

    What we hope to achieve in the long run from the exercise?

    It is the desire of the Federal Government and Mr. President that we achieve self-sufficiency in food production with local industries adequately protected to grow. Nigeria is blessed with arable land and vast human resources to grow the food we need. This operation supports that drive. We should do less, and if possible, none of food importation into this country. If we continue to rely on foreign rice that we don’t even know how long its been harvested and kept in silos before shipping, what are we saying to rice farmers? Are we saying they should pack and go away? Our local rice are more nutritious. The more we patronise them, the more we support that aspect of our local industry to grow and provide job opportunities for our teeming youth population.

  • Next Level’s anti-graft battle

    President Muhammadu Buhari declared in March 2019, shortly after winning his re-election, that his second term in office was going to be tough.

    While receiving the last Federal Executive Council on congratulatory visit in Aso Rock, he had stated that his fight against corruption was going to be intense, among the administration’s three cardinal objectives.

    But doubting Thomases never believed Buhari’s declaration as they thought it was going to be business as usual.

    Especially, those who felt and claimed that Buhari was fighting corruption using double standard.

    To them, Buhari was using insecticide to fight corruption in the National Assembly, Judiciary and the larger society, while using deodorants to fight corruption in the Presidency.

    Apart from claims that Buhari was selective in the fight against corruption in his first term in office, Buhari was also said to have been put under pressure before moving against the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, over alleged contract scam.

    Even last Thursday, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, had alleged that Buhari’s government is now more enmeshed in corruption.

    He had declared that governance is now in the hands of looters, claiming that some members of the new cabinet inaugurated last week Wednesday have been involved in high profile corruption.

    While calling on Nigerians to lower their expectations for true dividends of democracy, he asked them to expect unprecedented and astronomical rise in corruption.

    He pointed out that 70 to 80 per cent of the new ministers have, at one time or the other, been the guests of anti-corruption agencies with most of them still battling corruption charges in courts.

    Frank had said, “I urge Nigerians to brace for more hardships as corruption and incompetence have been enthroned with corruption masters turned ministers to run the affairs of government in Nigeria.”

    But the Presidency’s moves in the last two weeks, have shown that the government was ready to expose anybody involved in corruption, no matter how highly placed in Buhari’s administration.

    As a starter, the Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) for the Recovery of Public Property, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, was suspended from office by President Buhari on the 14th of August, 2019.

    He was suspended due to allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, intimidation, unauthorized and malicious investigations.

    His suspension, according to the letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, will also subsist until the conclusion of ongoing probe of his academic records and financial impropriety allegations levelled against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    While the mandate of SPIP is to investigate only cases referred to it by the government, the SPIP under Obono-obla was said to have carried out unauthorized arrests, seizure of assets and prosecution.

    The Presidency was also shocked that Obono-Obla was implicated in illegal secondment of over 100 policemen to the SPIP.

    The suspended chairman was found to be engaging lawyers to file charges against suspects without recourse to the Attorney-General’s office.

    The Presidency was said to be left with the suspension option after Obono-obla refused to follow due process after the Presidency drew his attention to his excesses and made him signed an undertaking to follow the procedure.

    Shortly after Obono-obla’s suspension was made public, the news of the grilling of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, hit the air waves.

    She was said to have been probed over alleged N3 billion contract scam.

    Her offence also included alleged abuse of duty tour allowances, money laundering and stealing of government funds.

    The N3 billion was allegedly traced to her through proxy companies.

    This was said to have been linked to her when some detectives were investigating the activities of a former Minister under whom she served as Permanent Secretary.

    While about N600 million was said to have been traced to the account of one of her aides, the aide had not given any justifiable explanation for the money.

    To get to the root of the alleged scam, the EFCC was also said to have quizzed two Permanent Secretaries and three Directors of Finance.

    While the two above cases are yet to be fully resolved, the Buhari’s administration last Thursday also promised to beam its anti-corruption searchlight in more areas.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), said the anti-corruption agencies would now beam their searchlight on banks that had been aiding corrupt practices in Nigeria.

    “As bad news to the rogues within our financial system, in the next four years, the Federal Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with anti-corruption agencies, will beam searchlight on the financial institutions and non-designated financial institutions in order to make them pay dearly for the dastardly roles they played and are still playing in encouraging and deepening corruption in Nigeria.

    “From arms procurement fraud, INEC bribery case to Diezani case and several others, quantitative data available to the Federal Government abundantly shows that financial institutions are directly involved in most of the major corruption cases investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission from 2015 till date,” he said

    On the August 19, 2019 award of $9bn against Nigeria by a British court, he said “It must be placed on record that the Federal Government strongly views with serious concerns the underhand manners by which the negotiation, signing and formation of the contract was carried out by some vested interests in the past administration in connivance with their local and international conspirators all in a bid to inflict grave economic adversity on the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the good people of Nigeria.

    “As a government that has the mandate of the people, and their interests at heart, we shall not fold our arms and allow this injustice to go unpunished as all efforts, actions and steps shall be taken to bring to book all private individuals, corporate entities and government officials — home or abroad and past or present — that played direct and indirect roles in the conception, negotiation, signing, formation as well as prosecution of the purported agreement.”

    But in Nigeria, there is no step any leader will take that is not viewed with suspicion.

    It’s on record that one geopolitical zone have always suspected the other.

    So despite the current efforts to rid the country of corruption, some Nigerians still believed that there may be an underground plot as the last three major suspects, including the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, are from the southern part of the country.

    While the fight against corruption is expected to go round all sectors and geopolitical zones, what is really important is starting at a point.

    From his antecedent, Buhari is not likely to shy away from nailing any of his kinsmen involved in corruption as his main interest is for Nigeria.

    But the next four years will really show how far the President will take the antigraft battle.

    Will it be without fear or favour? Or protection of people from his area as being feared in some quarters? Only time will tell.

  • Between ASUU and FUOYE

    SIR: Recently, a piece entitled: “Again, ASUU alleges corruption, mismanagement, tyranny in FUOYE’, was published in one of the national newspapers. Unfortunately, the write-up in question attacked, without caution, the office and person of the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Kayode Soremekun.

    Thousands of informed and rational readers, expectant of a balanced that article, perhaps, would have consumed the piece. Such readers would be shocked to discover that the said article lacked the requisite perspectives from the other side.

    First, the piece misinformed the public that FUOYE’s local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities had again cried out against what the writer mischievously alleged as the “impunity and administrative recklessness” of the institution’s management. The wonder here is: Which local body of ASUU was the writer referring to? This is because at the moment, ASUU in FUOYE is in disarray. There are now, in fact, several splinter groups and some of them are so disillusioned that they have decided to cast their lot with the management while some have even decided to form a separate body, distinct from ASUU.

    Secondly, the writer of the one-sided piece claimed that the ASUU zonal body raised concerns at a press briefing about “perceived docility of the federal government in acting on the allegations of administrative recklessness earlier raised against the VC, and the failure to constitute a visitation panel to the university to “correct all ills and anomalies”. But one wonders if this writer thinks that the federal government would be so naive that it would pay attention to such unfounded lies when indeed, the VC had, in several counter press briefings, adequately replied such falsehood raised against him.

    Moreover, there have been many laughable allegations by the zonal ASUU leadership which had been proved to be mere falsehood and tissues of lies. For instance, there was the allegation that the VC bought many buildings in the capital city of Ado-Ekiti, and also got involved in pension jerk ups all of which were found to be untrue as none of these accusers has been able to come up with any evidence of such property belonging to the VC. Meanwhile, pension deductions of all staff of FUOYE are duties performed only by revenue bodies in government outside the university management’s purview.

    The writer also reminded his readers about a March 5, press briefing where ASUU purportedly raised an alarm on the VC’s alleged “rule of tyranny…other sundry allegations bordering on academic patronage, financial mismanagement, rotten state of infrastructure, and students’ welfare”. Again, here lies the insincerity and misleading nature of such claims as they (local ASUU and in cahoots with the Akure zone) had yet to produce incontrovertible evidence for such malicious allegations.

    On the issue of poor infrastructure in FUOYE, while this is not a peculiar feature to the institution, there are incontrovertible pieces of evidence that students and lecturers of the university on a daily basis laud the ingenuity of the university management in providing befitting infrastructural and learning facilities in the twin campuses of the institution. Indeed, since he assumed office, the vice chancellor can boast of having initiated, built and still building over 40 projects. Those structures are not ghosts. Rather, they dot the expansive landscape of the university for any curious eye to behold!

    An attestation to the VC’s performance is a recent award of excellence given to him by FUOYE’s Students’ Union Government in recognition of his “contributions to improved learning conditions, increased accreditation of programmes leading to numerical expansion and infrastructural development in the school.”

    On the issue raised about the acting bursar of the school, recall that former bursar of FUOYE had died suddenly in 2017, and shortly after that, the then chairman of the university council, resigned and to that extent there was a vacuum. On this note, it is instructive to appreciate that only the council is responsible for setting in motion the process of appointing a substantive bursar. And it was only recently that the federal government appointed a new chairman for the governing council.

    Pray! How does this development amount to administrative recklessness and violations of the university statutes on the part of the VC?

    We would like to advise the Zonal ASUU, Akure, to live up to expectations and emulate exemplary leaders like Professors Lai Olorode, Dipo Fashina, Attahiru Jega and Assisi Asobie who have paid their dues to the union without any damage to their respective reputations.

    • Geoffery Bakji,

    PRO, Federal University Oye-Ekiti.

  • Ending the plastic menace

    A frenzy of scientific research is going on around the world to find lasting and contributory solution to the negative impact of plastics materials (which cause litter, choking of drainage system and marine life) on the environment. A lot of technologies are being developed for recycling of plastics while other efforts are being made on other areas including how to make plastics to be bio-degradable.

    The United Nations World Environment Day celebration in 2018 was on the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

    For many stakeholders around the world including United Nations agencies,, plastics manufacturers, environmental protection agencies, concerned non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the general public, who have been worried about the negative impact of non-degradable plastic materials on the environment, solution seems to have come.

    The contributory solution, according to recent discovery, is using just 1% Oxo-Biodegradable (OBD) additive in the manufacture of plastics materials. This additive (OBD) is said to make any various plastic materials biodegrade after a short period of time.

    A number of countries in Europe, Latin America, South Asia, Middle East and Africa are already using OBD in tackling the menace of plastics that have escaped collection and therefore polluting the environment.

    According to the Oxo-biodegradable Plastics Associations (OPA), UK, website www.biodeg.org the use of ODB in plastic manufacturing can actually be a contributory solution to the global menace.

    The OPA said that the problems caused by plastic litter in the environment has compelled governments, manufacturers and brand owners to rethink the way plastic is produced, used and their end of life..

    “Many are now looking for products and technologies that are inexpensive, non-disruptive to manufacture, and can   be   re-used and re-cycled at the end of their useful life.

    The need for Oxo-biodegradable (OBD) plastics is indeed obvious. Thousands of tons of plastic waste is escaping collection, getting into the world’s environment every day, and unless treated with just a 1% inclusion of Oxo-biodegradable Additive will remain there for decades.

    Oxo-biodegradable plastics have been independently tested and found ultimately bio-degradable on land or in the sea.

    Perry Higgs, a Senior Scientist at Symphony Environmental Limited, UK, the leading producer of Oxo-biodegradable Additives branded d2w, says the use of Oxo-biodegradable additive creates a faster and more complete degradation which leads to bio-degradation.

    He was speaking at a one-day Symposium on the menace of plastic waste, recently held in Accra Ghana, attended by the Ghana Plastics Manufacturers Association (GPMA), the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Services Providers Association (ESPA), etc.

    The President of GMPA, Mr. Ebbo Botwe was said to have advocated for the use of Oxo-biodegradable (ODB) additives in Ghana to help reduce the menace of plastic waste in the Ghana environment – at least to serve as a mitigation measure to the concerns to many stakeholders in the country.

    In fact, he was said to have disclosed that the association has provided about 7,000 special plastic waste bins to help curb the indiscriminate dumping of waste in the environment.

    Information available, (https://www.symphonyenvironmental.com/solutions/oxo-biodegradable-plastic/) shows that UK-based Symphony Environmental Limited is a World leader in the development of additives to make ordinary plastic biodegradable and also has a range branded d2p which are protective technologies which enhance plastic products.

    Symphony’s technologies are sold into nearly 100 countries around the world, with applications in retail, medical and manufacturing industries with a focus on the protection of both the environmental and human health.

    Symphony is a member of The Oxo-biodegradable Plastics Association (www.biodeg.org) (OPA), the Society for the Chemical Industry (UK), and the Pacific Basin Environmental Council.

    There are four main features of the d2w Oxo-biodegradable technology:

    • Oxo-biodegradable Plastic facilitates the ultimate biodegradation of plastics on land or in seawater by bacteria, fungi or algae, within a reasonable time, so as to cause the plastic to cease to exist as such, far sooner than ordinary plastics, without causing any toxicity;
    • Meets a number of relevant international standards;
    • Has same characteristics in terms of appearance, strength flexibility and functionality as normal plastic
    • Does not just fragment and create micro-plastics, as the treated material becomes a biodegradable food source for the microbes found in these environments.

    So far, 23 countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirate, Brazil, Argentina, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Togo, Benin, Mauritius and Pakistan have taken regulatory actions to make the production and/or importation and the use of Bio-Degradable Plastics mandatory.

    Indeed many countries around the world have realized that they cannot realistically collect all the plastic or indeed impose the restriction and or ban plastic, considering its usefulness in terms of cost, durability and economic impacts on economies.

    Furthermore legislating in favour of the use of Oxo-biodegradable additives helps to support the local plastics manufacturing industry, thus securing the jobs and livelihoods of tens of thousands of people employed in this sector worldwide.

    Oxo-biodegradable technology would certainly be an excellent solution for Nigeria, especially for the significant plastics industry we have and those Government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Environment, which has scheduled a national workshop in Abuja on 12th September, 2019 on the need to develop a National Plastics Life Cycle Management Policy for the country.

    During the tenure of the Nigerian 8th National Assembly, a bill was introduced in the two houses on how to address the concerns of Nigerians on the issue of plastics wastes – and the best ways to handle the issue. The Plastics Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) had advocated for a win-win solution in tackling the issue.

    The Oxo-biodegradable plastics technology is an additional and very attractive option which will be proposed and recommend in Nigeria. Giving consideration to the significant importance of plastics in socio-economic life of the people, especially as over 600 plastics firms in Nigeria have 350,000 employees on their payroll, it will be difficult to dispense of such jobs.

    The best and most pragmatic option remains to increase the infrastructure  for the collection and recycling of Plastics and at the same time make it mandatory for the use of Oxo-biodegradable additives, which will then help to mitigate the menace of plastic waste that escapes collection and ends up  polluting the country.

    MAN, being a representative body of all manufacturers in Nigeria and a custodian of making Nigeria an industrialized nation in the face of lean resources, should lead the discussions with the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry & Investments (FMTII) and Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) to enact laws or regulations in line with other countries that have adopted the Oxo-degradable technology.