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Tag: Nigeria

  • Celebrating our gains at 64

    Celebrating our gains at 64

    By Zayd Ibn Isah

    As Nigeria marks its 64th year since it began the journey to nationhood as an independent country, many Nigerians would find it hard to celebrate this milestone or celebrate it with others. “There is absolutely nothing to celebrate,” they might say. And even though they would be justified in saying that, they would not be entirely truthful.

    Sometime in 2011, the former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, predicted that Nigeria would not exist beyond 2015. At the time, this generated ripples of apprehension and paranoia amongst the populace, especially with the state of the nation at the time. For some people, this dark and troubling prophecy would come to pass simply because a few other African countries had met a similar fate. To them, the disintegration of Nigeria was an inevitability.

    It has been thirteen years since Campbellʼs damning prediction and Nigeria is still very much a country—going through a difficult period, yes, but quite whole and unbroken. The journey down to this present age has been anything but easy, especially when you consider the fact that Lord Lugard did not foresee the numerous challenges associated with trying to create a modern nation out of over 300 ethnicities within 923,700 square kilometres of land. And yet, against all odds, this British vision has steadily morphed into an indubitable African reality, surviving a civil war, decades of military rule and internal threats to its integrity as a country.

    Nigeria is a miracle. Yes, it is a miracle with economic trials and security concerns and centrifugal elements, but a miracle nonetheless. And perhaps, this is why it is important for us to not buy into the doomsday prophecies of Western powers concerning the state and future of our nation. In commemorating Nigeria’s independence, it is important for us to celebrate the achievements that have brought us this far. Every milestone we have crossed as a country is an indication of the collective will, strength and grit that defines us as Nigerians: The Naija Spirit.

    It is also important to note that even the Western and European countries we admire nowadays were not always strongholds of democracy and development. The United States of America emerged through a revolution, civil war, the ugliness of slavery and racial segregation, the Great Depression, several conflicts abroad and many failed policies at home, and even now, as the greatest nation on earth, it is divided politically and ideologically. But should the United States ever be threatened by external forces, you can be rest assured that Democrats and Republicans alike will unite to ensure their country fights and does not fall.

    Read Also: Nigeria at 64: Mbah calls for unity, inclusive national economic development

    The true test of a nation lies within certain pivotal moments in its history, and as Nigerians, we need to recognize the opportunities present in our current realities. If Japan could emerge from the devastation of its losses in World War II and embark on a path of development to become a miraculous case study of a nation, Nigerians should not write off the future of their fatherland just yet. This is because our nation is in the process of renewing hopes, and there are strategies being put in place to revitalize our economy, foster steady growth, and secure a future for coming generations.

    Recently, the African Development Bank Group published a report which projected that economic growth in Nigeria is expected to increase to 3.2% in 2024 and 3.4% in 2025, due to “improved security, higher oil production, and stronger consumer demand.” The potential for Nigeria to overcome its socio-political and economic hurdles goes beyond optimistic statistics alone. Our renewed hopes for a positive turnaround in our national affairs should stem from a litany of blessings and achievements, especially the ones that have been overshadowed by negativities and taken for granted.

    For one, we are still very much a united country, and our enormous population teems with youthful exuberance and enterprise. In the last decade alone, there has been an upsurge of interest in education and self-development by many Nigerians. This has contributed to an explosion of creativity, drive and ambition amongst the youths, with many of them excelling at home and abroad in areas such as sports, music, entertainment (online content creation), literature, arts, technology and of course, academics. There are more schools, good roads, hospitals, innovation hubs and internet-based businesses sprouting up regularly.

    In every sector globally, there are Nigerians at the forefront of industry-driven progress, and with the japa mentality in full steam, Nigerians are more open to seeking opportunities abroad, so that whenever they attain success on foreign shores, they aim to re-invest in their homeland. In this age of technological development and melting borders, we should consider the fact that Nigeriaʼs hope for positive changes will be tied to the exploits of its sons and daughters abroad. Already, we have a generation of youths who are not only vocal and active about social change, but are responsible for vibrant cultural expressions that seek to positively burnish Nigeriaʼs image through food, visual entertainment, sports, music, tech and literature.

    Even if we can agree that there is little to celebrate on October 1, we should be candid enough to recognize the courageous and illogical persistence of Nigerians to take everything in stride and forge a path regardless. The average Nigerian believes that no matter how bad things might be, tomorrow still holds enough promise and potential for total transformation. The average Nigerian knows, “My story fit change anytime soon,” and it is this spirit of positivity that we need to project in order to gain an up-swell of restorative hope for our nation. If anything, it could be the very thing keeping us from fulfilling prophecies of disintegration and chaos that pessimists are quick to peddle on social media.

    Ultimately, there is much to be done by the present administration, seeing as it occupies a key position of leadership in what might be a decisive period for this country. The government needs to prioritize transparency and inclusivity in its handling of our affairs, even as it addresses the economic struggles and security concerns of its citizens. Failure to do so may lead to a breakdown in democratic values, driving Nigerians toward violence, as can be seen in the growing instability across Africa and the world at large. Now more than ever, there is an urgent need for effective governance, economic empowerment, and robust security measures to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic foundations.

    In 2024, the onus lies upon this present administration to explore ways in which it can show that current leadership is not disconnected from the realities of ordinary people who remain vital to the sustenance of the Nigerian Dream. Nigerians are a diverse spread of resilient people inhabiting a land of vast opportunities. Nigerians are hard workers and problem-solvers and dreamers, and perhaps this is the greatest gain of our journey to nationhood: that we are bound as a remarkable set of people, and given the right push and leadership, we can do great things and overcome terrifying odds together.

    As Richard Bourne notes in his book, Nigeria: A New History of a Turbulent Century (2015), “More politicians have to join with journalists and civil society in pushing for greater probity in public life, and progress is bound to be slow. But given its manifold riches, in human and physical resources, Nigeriaʼs second century could surprise the world, and Nigerians themselves, with a success story.”

    Happy Independence Day, Nigeria.

    •Isah can be reached at lawcadet1@gmail.com

  • NLC to workers: don’t give up on Nigeria

    NLC to workers: don’t give up on Nigeria

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged “downtrodden Nigerians who bear the marks or burden of broken promises, exploitation and corruption not to give up hope on their country.”

    President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero said this in a statement to workers and Nigerians on independence day on Monday. 

    The statement reads: “On the occasion of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary celebration, we congratulate all Nigerians, especially workers for their sacrifice, resilience or robust spirit in spite of serial acts of betrayal of monumental proportions by the political leadership at various times and levels.

    “We urge the downtrodden Nigerians who bear the marks or burden of these broken promises, exploitation and corruption to not give up hope on their country. 

    “In light of the fact that their sacrifice has been taken for granted for so long, they should learn to protest within the limits of the law against injustices and subversion of democratic norms, culture and values by the dominant political elite.

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    “It should be apparent to the citizenry that the leading political elite are not ready to do the right thing except they are compelled to do so.

    “In the same vein, we would like to sound a note of caution to our political elite whose pre-occupation is to circumvent the principles and practice of popular democracy that undermining our democratic institutions can no longer be business as usual.

    “The consequences of their acts of commission or omission brought us this far. It is time to turn a new leaf. Let it be the beginning of a new low.”

  • Nigeria, Ghana, Turkiye, lead global equities’ returns

    Nigeria, Ghana, Turkiye, lead global equities’ returns

    Nigerian equities rode on the back of renewed rally at the weekend to emerge the world’s second best-performing stock market, scaling up from the previous third position on the global ranking.

    Global stock data tracked by The Nation’s Market Intelligence at the weekend indicated that the African markets dominated the world’s top 10 best-performing markets, with Ghana leading with average year-to-date return of 39.8 per cent.

    Nigeria, which recorded a gain of 0.21 per cent return on a turnover of N45.9 billion last week, closed weekend with average return of 31.68 per cent, the second best-performing return globally. Turkiye, which had led the global chart earlier, placed third with average return of 29.9 per cent so far this year.

    The data included the most prominent stock markets and cut across the various tiers of advanced, emerging and frontier markets. These included United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, France, Hong Kong, Russia, India, Brazil, China, Thailand, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates (UAE). African markets included Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Ghana, Egypt and Mauritius.

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    Ghana’s GSE Composite Index indicated average return of 39.8 per cent. Nigeria’s benchmark All Share Index (ASI) trailed with average return of 31.68 per cent. Turkiye’s BIST 100 Index followed with 29.9 per cent. Egypt placed fourth with the EGX 30 Index returning 25.6 per cent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index posted average return of 21.0 per cent. United States’ twin indices S & P 500 and Nasdaq Index recorded average return of 20.6 per cent and 21.1 per cent respectively.

    Other top-10 returns included Morocco’s Casablanca Masi Index, 19.3 per cent; Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index, 19.0 per cent; India’s BSE Sens Index, 18.5 per cent and Kenya’s Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) 20 Index, which posted average return of 18.4 per cent.

    Other major gainers included Germany’s Xetra DAX, 16.1 per cent; South Africa’s JSE/FTSE ASI, with average return of 14.1 per cent and Mauritius’ SEMDEX Index, with 15.1 per cent.

    Meanwhile, United Kingdom’s FTSE All Share Index recorded average return of 7.7 per cent. France posted modest gain of 3.3 per cent. China recorded average gain of 3.8 per cent while Thailand and Saudi Arabia recorded average gain of 2.4 per cent and 3.4 per cent respectively.

    However, Russia’s RTS Index recorded the highest loss of 11.0 per cent among the tracked markets. It was followed by Qatar’s DSM 20 Index, which dropped by 2.3 per cent. United Arab Emirates’s ADX General Index declined by 1.1 per cent while Brazil’s Ibovespa slipped by 0.4 per cent.

    Nigeria’s benchmark index, the All Share Index (ASI) of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), is a common value-based index and it tracks all share prices at the Exchange, a feature shared with benchmark indices of United Kingdom, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and UAE among others. Most other indices are selective indices, tracking a basket of stocks, although mostly representative of their markets.

    Breakdown of sectoral indices showed market-wide positive outlook with average returns in many sectors significantly above the market’s benchmark average return. The NGX Oil and Gas Index led the sectors with average year-to-date return of 90.87 per cent. The NGX Industrial Goods Index followed with above average return of 41.87 per cent. The NGX Consumer Goods Index placed third with 39.56 per cent.  The NGX Insurance Index trailed with 30.95 per cent while the NGX Banking Index recorded modest gain of 4.08 per cent.

    Underlining the performance of selective fund managers, the NGX Pension Index and NGX Pension Board Index, which tracks equities specially screened for pension funds’ investments, recorded average return of 23.17 per cent and 31.29 per cent respectively. The NGX Lotus Islamic Index, which tracks stocks that comply with the principles of Islamic finance, posted above-average return of 32.16 per cent. The NGX 30 Index, which tracks the 30 largest companies at the stock market, recorded average gain of 31.29 per cent, underlining the significant capital appreciation by large-cap stocks.

    The ASI closed weekend at 98,458.68 points with aggregate market value of all quoted equities at the NGX standing at N56.578 trillion.

    Total turnover at the NGX last week stood at 3.318 billion shares worth N45.911 billion in 49,243 deals, compared with a total of 1.860 billion shares valued at N38.445 billion traded in 40,228 deals two weeks ago.

    The financial services industry led the activity chart with 1.430 billion shares valued at N23.659 billion traded in 22,745 deals; thus contributing 43.09 per cent and 51.53 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The oil and gas sector followed with 703.389 million shares worth N7.323 billion in 6,207 deals while the healthcare industry placed third with a turnover of 411.489 million shares worth N2.896 billion in 827 deals.

    The three most active stocks were Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc, Mecure Industries Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc, which altogether  accounted for 1.363 billion shares worth N9.472 billion in 4,050 deals, contributing 41.06 per cent and 20.63 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

  • Govt, banks set to get Nigeria exit money laundering grey list

    Govt, banks set to get Nigeria exit money laundering grey list

    The Federal Government  is working with commercial banks to get Nigeria exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) money laundering grey list, Head Lagos Office at Inter – Governmental Action Against Money Laundering In West Africa  (GIABA), Timothy Melaye has said.

    Nigeria’s inclusion in the list, has several implications, including limiting foreign capital inflows to the economy, banks and other critical business segments within the domestic economy.

    Melaye spoke during the sensitisation seminar for organised private sector on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) organised by GIABA in Lagos.

    According to him, Nigeria failed the last mutual evaluation conducted by FATF on the country, which prompted Nigeria to be placed on the FATF grey list.

    Part of the FATF recommendations is that banks should identify the customer and verify customer’s identity using reliable, independent source documents, data or information.

    The Nigerian banks are also expected to identify the beneficial owner, and taking reasonable measures to verify the identity of the beneficial owner, such that the financial institution is satisfied that it knows who the beneficial owner is.

    Financial institutions are also required by law, to understand the ownership and control structure of the customer, obtain information on the purpose and intended nature of the business relationship and conduct ongoing due diligence on the business relationship and scrutiny of transactions undertaken throughout the course of that relationship.

    President / Chairman, Compliance Institute Nigeria, Pattison Boleigha, described the grey list as terminology that is coined by the FATF, which is generally made up of countries from highly developed economies, to check the spate of crime and the abuse of the financial system.

    According to him, the signatories to the FITF are expected to guide countries on how to put legislation in place in their various countries to fight money laundering, terrorism financing and lately, proliferations of weapons of mass destruction.

    He said the last mutual evaluation on the 40 FATF recommendations, showed that Nigeria is not meeting the recommendations.

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    He said: “The FATF  came up with 11 outcomes that they expect to see if Nigeria  is effectively applying those 40 recommendations, and then they assess the country to know whether it is highly compliant or not compliant. The FATF has done a couple of mutual evaluations. Unfortunately, we didn’t do well, and the outcome was the reason Nigeria is still struggling with meeting up with some of the requirements”.

    He said not meeting the FATF recommendations has some dire consequences on the business environment, including  having Nigeria’s name published across the whole world as country that is not doing enough to fight financial crime, difficulties in business consummation and lack of trust from foreign investors.

     “ In addition to that, our financial system suffers a lot because correspondent banks will not want to do business or open correspondent banking relationships with our banks and other financial institutions,” he added.

    Melaye said the government of Nigeria has shown unwavering commitment to the implementation of (AML/CFT) measures in the country.

    Melaye, who represented GIABA Director-General, Edwin Harris, disclosed that money laundering and terrorism pose considerable threats to global peace and security as well as destabilising political and financial stability of any nation state.

     “Besides external resources, enormous funds are generated by terrorist networks through legal as well as illegal means, concealed and laundered using existing legal financial framework or unlawful underground networks. The terrorist networks cannot be destroyed, or even made ineffective, unless concerted efforts are made at both national and international levels to efficaciously block their financial sources. The promotion of well-regulated financial systems and services is central to any effective and comprehensive Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) regime,” he said.

     According to him, Money Laundering (ML) and the Financing of Terrorism (FT) is increasing in sophistication, inherently transnational, and increasingly linked to organised crime, posing a growing threat to consumers, business, and government alike. The global nature of economic and financial crime is such that no nation can fight the problem alone, making international cooperation and working closely with our key allies a critical part of the response.

    Melaye, said the fight against money laundering and international terrorism in recent years has highlighted a third method by which illicit funds may be transferred across borders.

    Continuing, Melaye said FATF has signalled its interest in Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML) by its publication of a report entitled “Trade Based Money Laundering” (TBML Report) in June 2006. Subsequently, in June 2008, the FATF issued its “Best Practices Paper on Trade Based Money Laundering” (FATF Best Practices Paper), providing more detail about TBML and how to prevent it”.

     “The TBML Report and the Best Practices of the FATF Reports) identify TBML as one of the three main avenues of money laundering and define TBML as the process of legitimizing the proceeds of crime by moving value through trade transactions to disguise their illicit origins,” he said.

    The involvement of the private sectors engaged in the movement of goods and services is necessary to raise awareness and understanding of ML/TF risks amongst trade associations that play an active role in facilitating transactions that could be abused specifically for ML/TF through movement of cash and of transfer of funds to indulge in laundering.

    The FATF is global body that sets the international anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CFT), and counter-proliferation financing (CPF) standards.

  • Nigeria Credit Industry awards holds in October

    Nigeria Credit Industry awards holds in October

    The National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA) chartered has announced plans to hold its 2024 Nigeria Credit Industry Awards.

    According to a statement issued by the Institute, this year’s NICA awards coincide with the Institute’s Annual Credit Managers Conference, scheduled for October 22-24, 2024, themed” Credit Grows Green Economy. ”

    The Nigeria Credit Industry Awards aims to encourage, promote and celebrate visionary and astute business and professional leaders, people who exude high reputation with humility, excellence and commitment to both their industry and the nation.

    This virtual awards ceremony creates a platform for the business community and the public to witness and appreciate the remarkable achievements of these industry leaders, and inspires the next generation of credit professionals to rise to the challenge of steering Nigeria towards greater economic success.

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    Accordingly, the Governing Council and Management of the Institute has approved nominations for the virtual investiture of the Entrepreneur of the Year for Business Expansion and Consolidation Award; The Most Astute Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Year for Business Innovativeness and Tactical Management Award; The Most Supportive Executive Director of the Year for Business Growth, Expansion and Consolidation Award.

    Others include the Asset Management Director of the Year Award; Credit Management Executive Director of the Year Award; Chief Credit Risk officer of the Year Award; Outstanding Credit Bureau Director of the Year Award; Credit Manager of the Year Award; Credit Risk Examiner of the Year Award; Eminent Credit Professional of the Year Award; Corporate Debt Recovery Professional of the Year Award; The Most Intelligent Credit and Financial Analyst of the Year Award; The Best Credit Customer of the Year Award (Nominate Your Customer).

    This award ceremony will be chaired by the President of the Institute and Chairman of Council, Mr. Andy Ojei, FICA, supported by other Governing Council members.

  • Nigeria to procure more lead detection equipment – Alake

    Nigeria to procure more lead detection equipment – Alake

    •To collaborate with UNICEF, USAID

    The Federal Government will procure more equipment for the detection of lead in communities plagued by lead poisoning, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has disclosed.

    He made the disclosure while reviewing the exhibition on the lead campaign at the Lead-Free Future event organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on the sidelines of the on-going United Nations General Assembly, in New York, United States of America (USA).

    A statement signed by the Minister’s Special Assistant (Media), Segun Tomori, in Abuja yesterday said the minister also pledged the country’s support to the global campaign against lead poisoning to save the lives of vulnerable citizens.

    Read Also: Nigeria to collaborate with UNICEF, USAID to combat lead poisoning

    He advocated for more enlightenment on the threat posed to persons in the mining of gold and other minerals, emphasising that cleaning up lead from communities will restore child and maternal health.

    He emphasised the need to factor lead reduction in the process of local value addition being championed by the Ministry.

    Welcoming the minister to the exhibition, the USAID representative, Dr. Casey Bartrem appreciated the commitment of the minister, showing rock samples retrieved from Zamfara State in Nigeria during the clean-up that followed a lead poisoning incident.

    She said the USAID hoped to collaborate with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) in reducing lead in mineral extraction and processing

  • How mentorship enhances IT career growth in UK, Nigeria – Tech expert 

    How mentorship enhances IT career growth in UK, Nigeria – Tech expert 

    A United Kingdom-based Nigerian IT expert, Adebayo Samuel, has identified mentorship as a powerful tool for career advancement in the fast-evolving Information Technology (IT) sector, with substantial impacts in both the UK and Nigeria.

    In a statement, Samuel, who has worked in several countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana, revealed that mentoring has played a pivotal role in shaping the IT landscape in both regions.

    According to him, mentorship provides invaluable guidance and structure to help professionals navigate the complexities of the IT industry.

    He explained that in the UK, the IT sector is vast, offering numerous opportunities but also presenting significant challenges, especially for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.

    Samuel, who mentors socially excluded groups through Code Your Future, noted that these challenges often stem from a lack of access to education and professional networks, which can be addressed through mentorship.

    “Mentorship has opened doors to individuals who may not have otherwise had access to the tech industry,” he stated.

    According to him, his role includes not just teaching technical skills, but also providing career guidance, interview preparation, and support in navigating workplace dynamics, which has resulted in many of his mentees securing roles in leading tech companies.

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    He said, “Through mentorship, I am also helping to create a pipeline of talent that can contribute to Nigeria’s tech industry. As more Nigerian IT professionals gain access to global opportunities, they bring back valuable experience and insights that can help advance the country’s digital economy. In this way, mentorship doesn’t just benefit individual careers-it helps elevate the entire industry, creating a more robust and competitive tech ecosystem in Nigeria.”

    He further stated that the impact of mentorship in the UK goes beyond individual careers, adding that by bringing in talent from non-traditional backgrounds, mentorship helps address skill gaps within the IT sector.

    He added that fresh perspectives and ideas foster innovation and drive the industry forward, making mentorship an essential component of the sector’s growth and diversity.

    Samuel highlighted that in Nigeria, the IT landscape presents different challenges, with many aspiring professionals facing barriers such as limited access to quality education and mentorship.

    He explained that although Nigeria’s burgeoning IT ecosystem is still developing, mentorship can serve as a critical bridge between local talent and global opportunities.

    Through his work with Bincom Global, Samuel mentors young IT professionals in Nigeria, helping them acquire skills that align with international best practices. He emphasised the need for mentorship, stating, “Many Nigerian IT professionals have the talent and drive but lack structured guidance to succeed.”

    Samuel’s international experience has been crucial in shaping his approach to mentorship. Having worked in both Africa and the UK, he draws on a unique blend of global best practices and local realities to guide his mentees. 

    He often compares the growing tech hubs in Nigeria and South Africa with the more established IT sector in the UK, helping his mentees understand the potential for growth in their regions while preparing them for success in international markets.

    The power of mentorship, according to Samuel, extends far beyond individual career advancement. He noted that it plays a critical role in shaping the future of the IT industry itself.

    He said, “Mentorship can help address challenges related to skill shortages, diversity, and inclusion, while also fostering innovation.”

    Samuel believes that through mentoring the next generation of IT professionals, he is actively contributing to a more inclusive, dynamic, and innovative tech landscape, stressing that mentorship is a tool for change.

    He, however, expressed optimism about the future, noting that mentoring will continue to shape the careers of tomorrow’s tech leaders and innovators, ensuring that the industry remains vibrant, diverse, and competitive.

  • Nigeria reaffirms commitment to OACPS, strengthens global partnerships

    Nigeria reaffirms commitment to OACPS, strengthens global partnerships

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to fostering stronger international partnerships and deepening relations with member states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) at the 79th UN General Assembly.

    Shettima, who is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the ongoing global event, stated this at a high-level OACPS meeting chaired by Angola.

    Reiterating the importance of solidarity among member states in the face of numerous global challenges, the Vice President emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to the organisation’s goals, while addressing pressing national concerns.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said: “Nigeria remains a principal partner of OACPS, championing our shared values of democracy, diaspora engagement, and development.”

    “Our presence here at the UN General Assembly allows us to amplify these priorities on the global stage and explore avenues for deeper collaboration.”

    Senator Shettima used the opportunity to address Nigeria’s recent inclusion on a high-risk jurisdiction list for anti-money laundering concerns, saying, “We’re here to set the record straight and engage in constructive dialogue with our international partners.”

    The VP reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for OACPS initiatives, including the organisation’s focus on Haiti’s ongoing crisis. While acknowledging Kenya’s contribution of 400 troops to Haiti, he highlighted Nigeria’s historical role in South-South cooperation.

    “Our technical aid corps programme, which has sent teachers and doctors to the Caribbean, exemplifies Nigeria’s commitment to uplifting fellow OACPS nations,” Vice President Shettima added.

    VP Shettima outlined Nigeria’s strategy to leverage its position as Africa’s most populous nation to advocate for OACPS interests, promote fair treatment in international financial systems, and strengthen ties with both developing and developed nations.

    “We’re representing Nigeria’s interests while also championing the collective voice of the OACPS. President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria aligns closely with the OACPS agenda. In today’s interconnected world, our success is intertwined with that of our partner nations,” VP Shettima emphasized.

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    Earlier, the Secretary-General of OACPS, Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, lauded Nigeria as “a motor of the OACPS and an important member state.”

    Chikoti noted that the meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria and expressed gratitude for the country’s significant contributions.

    The Secretary-General expressed confidence in the UN’s involvement and commitment to supporting member states facing various challenges.

    He also reiterated the importance of strengthening partnerships between OACPS member states and the European Union, focusing on crucial collaborations in areas such as environment, infrastructure, education, and business development.

  • Nigeria to host African military games for first time in November

    Nigeria to host African military games for first time in November

    Nigeria will for the first time host the African military games in November 2024, with 44 African countries competing for medals in 19 games.

    The director of sports at Defence Headquarters and chairman of the organizing committee, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, disclosed this at a press conference over the weekend in Kaduna.

    AVM Marquis listed the sporting activities to be competed for in the Armed Forces Games 2024 to include basketball, lawn tennis, golf, track and field, combat swimming, obstacle crossing, taekwondo, kickboxing, volleyball, and archery among others.

    He, however, announced plans to select athletes to represent the country at the Games, from September 23rd to 27th.

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    He noted that 1,600 athletes from various military formations across the country will compete in 19 sporting events during the games which will take place in various locations in Kaduna State.

    The chairman said, the theme of the Armed Forces Games 2024, “Enhancing Military Professionalism through Sports,” reflects the objective of using the competition to improve physical fitness and team spirit among military personnel.

    According to him, “The event will also serve as trials to pick the best athletes to represent Nigeria at the African Military Games,” he said.

    AVM Marquis further stated that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) selected Kaduna to host the games as part of efforts to boost the local economy.

    Venues like the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Murtala Square, and military facilities such as the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base will be used for the events.

  • Long, hard road to tackling drug abuse in Nigeria

    Long, hard road to tackling drug abuse in Nigeria

    Since assuming office in January 2021, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd) has not rested on his oars in his bid to tackle the unrelenting drug scourge. NICHOLAS KALU reports.

    Nigeria, a country with a population of over 200 million people, is grappling with drug abuse epidemic. The menace of drug abuse has become a major public health concern, affecting not only the health and well-being of individuals but also the social and economic fabric of the nation.  According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria has one of the highest drug abuse prevalence rates in the world. The latest figure from the National Bureau of Statistics on drug abuse indicates that about 14.3 million Nigerians, representing 14.4% of the population, use psychoactive substances, with cannabis being the most widely used. This figure was put out from a survey conducted in 2018 and the situation may have worsened since then.

    The fight against drug abuse in Nigeria is a long and winding road, fraught with challenges and obstacles. However, the NDLEA under the leadership of Brig Gen Buba Marwa has been working tirelessly to combat the scourge. Despite the various successes recorded by the agency, it appears the problem is just being scratched on the surface. There is still much to be desired in the efforts to address the drug scourge and its attendant problems in the country. Marwa has been relentless. But so have the perpetrators of the illicit business.

    Marwa’s offensive 

    Right from his first day in office on January 18, 2021, Marwa literally wielded the big stick, sending warning messages to all involved that it would no longer be business as usual. Activities at the agency seemed to have picked up with a frenzy that sharply contrasted with the lack of enthusiasm that characterised it before his coming on board.

    Since being on the saddle, evidently it has been ‘fire on the mountain’ for those involved in the illicit trade, right from the barons at the top of the chain all the way to dealers in the streets. He had declared he was going to take the war to them, and although much still needs to be done, the results of the onslaught against illegal drugs have been apparent. 

    The NDLEA boss has so far proven his mettle, matching those in the illicit drug business trick for trick and energy for energy. He immediately declared his intention to go after the assets of drug barons and traffickers as part of his offensive against them.

    Every other week Nigerians are treated to devious devices that drugs dealers employ to beat the authorities. From hiding drugs in the most unusual and ridiculous places while trying to import or export them, to attempting to distribute it among the populace, the NDLEA has been up and doing in tackling the problem. This is in spite of its funding and manpower challenges. The NDLEA has recorded several high-profile arrests of drug traffickers and secured convictions, ranging from single unit years to life imprisonment. In 2023, 3, 412 persons were convicted, out of which 15 were barons. Lots of assets, drugs and weapons have also been seized.

    Seeking collaborations

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    As the lead agency in the fight against drug abuse, the NDLEA has been at the vanguard of efforts to address the challenge, but its efforts have been bolstered by collaborations with relevant stakeholders. One of the key stakeholders the NDLEA has collaborated with is the Federal Government. The agency has worked closely with various agencies of the government to develop and implement policies and programs aimed at preventing drug abuse and treating those affected. The NDLEA has also partnered with various civil society organisations who have provided valuable support in areas such as awareness campaigns, counselling, and rehabilitation.

    In addition, the NDLEA has collaborated with international organisations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Union, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) among others. These partnerships have enabled the agency to access technical assistance, funding, and expertise to enhance its operations. The NDLEA has also engaged with religious leaders and organisations, recognising the important role they play in shaping societal values and behaviours.

    Furthermore, the NDLEA has collaborated with educational institutions to develop and implement drug abuse prevention programmes targeting students. The agency has also worked with sister security agencies like the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Customs Service and others. These collaborations have enabled the NDLEA to leverage resources, expertise and influence, to combat drug abuse more effectively. By working together, the NDLEA and its stakeholders are making significant progress in the fight against drug abuse in Nigeria. During the handing over of illicit drugs by the Customs to the agency earlier this year, Marwa had commended the synergy, saying the collaborations across board were strong warnings to drug cartels that they will continue to lose their investments in the criminal trade.

    Boosting personnel morale

    Realising that not much can be achieved if personnel are not adequately motivated; Marwa had commenced the re-engineering of the agency for optimal performance. Marwa had said he met personnel morale at its lowest ebb when he assumed office and that this had to be addressed if the efforts had to be meaningful. As a result, he had gone ahead to inaugurate a seven-member harmonisation committee to address issues affecting personnel and all forms of distortions hampering the smooth running of the agency.

    While inaugurating the committee, he had said, “The first thing is to resolve the issue of low morale. We need to develop a proper, accurate and credible seniority roll for the personnel. We have officers in the various commands whose promotion has been delayed for no just cause, whereas the vacancies are there. Others have been overtaken by their juniors; this is an error that must be addressed”.

    Since then the agency has lived up to its words of motivating staff by addressing the issues of discrepancies and appreciating their efforts. In 2023, a total of 104 personnel and 13 commands that had outstanding performances in the second half of the year were recognised and rewarded. Recently, the agency’s chairman/chief executive officer approved special promotion for eight officers of its Marine Command for their brave and professional conduct during a recent operation.

    He said the reward scheme, which would continue to be enhanced, is also part of the sweeping reforms he instituted in the past three years to motivate officers to raise their performance level.

    Public enlightenment

    One of the major challenges in the fight against drug abuse is the lack of awareness and education. Many Nigerians are not aware of the dangers of drug abuse, and some even view it as a way of life. To address this, the NDLEA has launched several awareness campaigns targeting schools, communities, and religious organisations.

    The NDLEA and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) recently agreed to work together to curb the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in communities across the country. Marwa expressed the preparedness of NDLEA to work with the council chairmen to ensure that people at the grassroots are well sensitised about the dangers of abusing illicit drugs and also provide help for those already hooked in the unhealthy habit. Since then, the effort has recorded significant gains, as commands and formations of the agency across the country, with vigour, have sustained WADA, sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities

    We will not blink first, says NDLEA

    Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse is fraught with various challenges, but it is a fight that must be won. Marwa has made it clear that the Agency will not blink first as he continues to call on the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders for their support. Many have lauded the spirit the chairman has injected into the NDLEA, and the scepticism that followed his ability to deal with the situation has made way for confidence that if the tempo is accelerated, the issue of drug abuse would be, at least, reduced to the barest minimum.

    One thing is certain, the government, civil societies and individuals and every other relevant stakeholder must be on board to address the scourge and create a safer, healthier and more productive society.