The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • Task force kills terrorists

    The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) said on Monday that several Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists were killed last Saturday and their weapons destroyed in parts of Borno, Chad and Niger Republic.

    It disclosed this in a statement by its spokesman Col. Timothy Antigha.

    The task force said the equipment destroyed included weapons, ammunition and logistics at Tumbum Rego, adding that plans by the terrorists to detonate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at Layi Koura in Nguigmi, Niger Republic, were foiled.

    “Air interdictions conducted by MNJTF and national Air Task Forces successfully attacked and killed several fighters and knocked out equipment last Saturday, as they prepared to launch an offensive on troops’ location.

    Read Also: Troops neutralise two terrorists in Borno

    “Battle damage assessment has indicated that the air interdiction had a devastating impact, as pockets of ISWAP build up and logistics hidden under trees in Tumbum Rego have been ruined.

    “ISWAP assets in Mallam Zuberu and Alagarno were also targeted and neutralised. Similarly, IEDs planted by ISWAP operatives in Layi Koura area of Nguigmi in Niger Republic were discovered and defused by troops.

    “In the past couple of weeks, ISWAP suicide bombers have struck at Kaiga-Kindjiria, a rural community in the Republic of Chad, as well as Gubio in Borno State in an effort to revamp its dream of establishing a caliphate in parts of northern Nigeria and other areas of the Lake Chad Basin.

    “This blow by the MNJTF will further plunge the leadership and followership of ISWAP into more despair,” said Antigha.

  • Workers arraigned for ‘stealing’ employer’s N2m

    Two employees of a laboratory company, Clina-Lancet Nigeria Ltd, Ikechukwu Duru and Oluwole Olalekan, were on Sunday arraigned at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly stealing N2million from their employer.

    Duru, 33, of 1, Onasanya Mogaji Close, Agboyi, Ketu, Lagos and Olalekan, 33, of 36, Agbole Street, Sunrise Lagoon, Ijeshatedo, Lagos are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing preferred against them by the police before Magistrate Mrs. Are Temitope Bimbola.

    Prosecuting Inspector Ingobo Emby alleged that the defendants committed the offence on July 17.

    He said the incident occurred at 3A, Babatunde Jose Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Read Also: Nanny ‘steals’ employer’s foreign currency

    Emby alleged that the defendants collected N2million on behalf of their employer and converted the company’s money to their use.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Bimbola granted them N500,000 bail each, with two sureties each in the like sum.

    She said one of the sureties must be a relation, show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addressed verified.

    The case continues on September 27.

  • Court remands three for alleged robbery

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday remanded three men at the Kirikiri Prisons for alleged robbery and assault.

    The accused, Taye Onafowokan, 23, Ayomide Ayobami, 22 and Leke Adebanjo, 20, whose addresses were not provided, are being charged with attempted robbery, assault and armed robbery.

    Prosecuting Inspector Victor Eruada said the accused committed the offences on April 10, at Ikosi, Ketu bus stop, Lagos.

    He alleged that Onafowokan, Ayobami and Adebanjo, armed with guns, robbed Ndubuisi Aguiyi of a Sunny phone valued at N15, 000.

    Read Also: Suspects arrested for ‘one-chance robbery’

    Eruada alleged that the accused also collected a Nokia phone valued at N8,500, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, power bank valued at N4,500 and a bag valued at N4,200 from Aguyi.

    The prosecutor added that the three men had assaulted Stanley Aghanwa and robbed him of an Itel phone valued at N23,000 and N24,500 cash.

    He said the offences contravened sections 298, 173 and 297 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Chief Magistrate Mrs. M. I. Dan-Oni remanded the accused in prison and ordered that the case file be sent to the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

    She adjourned the case till September 30.

  • Two arraigned for ‘threatening to kill’

    Two men, Ismail Sanni, 35, and Goriola Junaid, 39, were on Monday arraigned at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly threatening to kill the Chairman of Ferry Side, Ejalonibu, Ebute-Ero car park, Alhaji Mutairu Oke.

    They were also alleged to have maliciously damaged his properties valued at N2million.

    The defendants, of no fixed address, are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage, stealing, threatening to kill and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace before Magistrate Mrs. M. A. Agbaje.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Tope Adegsie told the court that the duo and others at large committed the offences on August 30.

    He said the incident occurred at about 5pm, at Ferry Side, Ejalonibu, Ebute-Ero, Lagos Island.

    Read Also: Lawyer, two others arraigned for allegedly defrauding woman

    Adegsie alleged that the defendants damaged the office apartment of the complainant valued at N2million.

    “The defendants stole N500,000 from the complainant’s three bank accounts through the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards. They also stole his tax clearance, voter’s card and driving licence.

    “The defendants stabbed Monsuru Fasasi, a car park attendant to the complainant, on his right hand, back and inflicted a deep cut on his body,” he alleged.

    The prosecutor said the defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by threatening to kill the complainant.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Agbaje granted them N200,000 bail each with two sureties each in the like sum.

    She said the sureties must produce evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified.

    The case was adjourned till October 9.

  • Residents decry erratic power supply

    Residents of Olasande Street in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State have expressed displeasure to Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKDC) over erratic power supply, “despite that we pay our bills regularly.”

    They rejected the firm’s addition of Superior Papers Printing Press at Okesanya Street to their transformer, which they said has been faulty for over one year.

    At a meeting with the representative of the company, the Chairman of Olasande Residents Association, Alhaji Yunus Arasi, said residents have been experiencing poor electricity supply for the past one year, adding that putting a printing press on their transformer will make life more unbearable for them.

    Arasi also lamented oil leakage and lack of maintenance for the transformer.

    Read Also: Why Nigerians are not enjoying regular power supply, by Osinbajo

    He said: “We usually have irregular supply of power in our street and now they want to compound our problem by bringing another person from another transformer to connect to our transformer. We believe this will damage our transformer.

    “They are not just bringing someone but a printing press that will make the load too much on our transformer. Concerning the oil leakage, we have reported to EKDC for over a year, but nothing has been done. We are all customers and preference should not be given to one above another.”

    The Service Manager for EKDC in Mushin, who simply identifies himself as Engr. John, said the printing press had gone through the procedure to be on Olasandes’ transformer.

    He assured the residents that the printing press would not affect Olasandes’ power supply, saying EKDC would find a solution to their complaint.

  • Six injured as BRT buses collide in Ikorodu

    Six persons were injured on Monday after two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses collided at Asolo bus stop in Majidun, Ikorodu, Lagos.

    The accident happened around 7am, causing gridlock.

    The Nation gathered that six people were injured and were taken to hospital, but were discharged yesterday.

    It was learnt that a commercial motorcyclist (Okada rider) plying the BRT lane caused the accident.

    Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) were among the responders.

    An eyewitness, who simply identified himself as Rafiu, said the accident involved two BRT buses, adding that it was caused by a commercial motorcyclist plying the BRT lane.

    Read Also: 17 die in Kwara auto accident

    He said: “The two buses involved in the accident were on the BRT corridor. One was coming from Mile 12 and the other from Ikorodu. The accident occurred when the BRT bus coming from Mile 12 avoided hitting a commercial motorcyclist on his lane. The bus then rammed into another BRT bus and that led to the accident.”

    The source said the motorcyclist fled the scene immediately, adding that the drivers were seriously injured.

    “The other injured persons are women.”

    The Managing Director of Primero Transport Services Ltd, the operators of BRT buses, Mr. Fola Tinubu, said the accident was caused by commercial motorcyclists on BRT lane.

    He said one of the BRT buses was trying to avoid a commercial motorcyclist, who was on the BRT lane, adding that in the process it ran into another BRT bus on the opposite direction.

    Tinubu said about six people were injured, noting that something needs to be done about commercial motorcyclists on the BRT lane.

    “The way they drive on the lane is too dangerous and reckless. I don’t know if they have another life. Thank God it was only a minor injury the victims sustained.

    “The government must ensure that commercial motorcyclists stop plying BRT lanes. It must be enforced and they must be serious about it because this is about life,” he said.

  • Usoro: I’ve restored confidence of members in NBA

    THE President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Paul Usoro (SAN), has said that he succeeded in rebuilding confidence and trust of members in the association.

    Usoro spoke at the association’s Annual General Meeting held at Harbour Point, Victoria Island.

    He said: “Confidence of members was very low when we came on board last year and there were insinuations that we were going to be fraudulent. To move forward, I realised that there was a need to rekindle confidence and interest in the association.

    “The huge turnout of members at the Annual General Conference (AGC) of the association, put at over 12,000 delegates, qualified as the largest congregation of lawyers in world history. ‘’That we got 12,000 and the fact that delegates stayed through all the sessions and conference rooms packed full, showed renewed confidence of members in this administration”.

    The NBA president said that “the drastically diminished” interest in how the national officers managed the association’s fund showed the renewed confidence and trust members have in his administration’’.

    Usoro noted that his administration initiated a number of reforms that changed the face of the NBA.

    An example, he noted, is the introduction of corporate governance in running the NBA, under which the association’s financial statements are published on a quarterly basis, as well as prudence and accountability in the management of funds.

    Usoro said he would consolidate on the gains of the administration in 2018/2019 particularly restoration of insurance policy to improve members’ welfare.

    He said in 2020, the association’s attention would be on young lawyers forum and women lawyers forum as part of efforts to improve the welfare of the groups.

    Usoro expressed determination to conduct a credible and rancour-free NBA election next year, which would be generally acceptable by winners and losers as well.

    He listed other areas his administration would give attention in 2020 to include continuing legal education and disciplinary processes, adding that he would leave the association better than he met it.

  • 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.

  • Is Buhari still the messiah?

    The 2019 general elections have come and gone and, as they say, the rest is history after President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in for a second term of four years on May 29th, 2019. It has been close to 100 days since the commencement of the second term administration of President  Buhari and if we must admit a lot has changed in the polity.

     

    Appointments have been made, policy statements have been issued and as well as strategic actions have been implemented towards ensuring that Nigeria is on track in delivering its mandate to the people that voted overwhelmingly for the candidate of their choice during the presidential elections.

     

    While I must admit that the 2019 general elections were indeed a fiercely contested one that indeed brought about political tension in the country, but again, Nigerians exercised their political franchise wisely by electing President Muhammadu Buhari, a decision, in my opinion, many Nigerians would come to appreciate at the end of the day.

     

    Three critical areas have attracted my attention since President Muhammadu Buhari took over the mantle of leadership in the country for a second tenure. They are in the areas of appointments, policy initiatives, and mending fences across the country. While these areas might not sound loud in the minds of some, the truth is that for some of us conversant with what governance entails at the highest level would readily attest to how giant the present administration’s strides in these areas have been since May 29th, 2019.

     

    As a start, the President gave assurances that the present administration would hit the ground running by ensuring that critical appointments are made. And true to his words, the cabinet has been inaugurated and portfolios assigned to various ministers. This has been hailed by many political pundits that have indeed scored the President high in this regards. And I can’t help but agree with their position which has indeed reflected the desire of a government with a burning desire to ensure that its citizens are availed the best at every point in time.

     

    In my opinion, there has been a renewed commitment from the present administration towards translating the hopes and aspirations of the people into tangible realities. This can be seen in the way and manner the government has responded to national issues, and also with the way and manner it has been able to make timely decisions on sensitive matters that affect the ordinary man and woman on the streets.

     

    An excellent example of the renewed commitment of the present administration towards protecting the rights and privileges of all Nigerians regardless of their location is evident in the unfortunate incident in South Africa involving Nigerian citizens. The government response has been hailed in many quarters as phenomenal in the sense that it wasted no time in making its displeasure known to the South African authorities and also the demand for full compensation for all the victims. However, the catch for me is the way and manner the government has been able to manage the crisis that almost erupted in Nigeria. Not only were the security agencies up and doing, the government also embarked on a sensitization drive to inform Nigerians that violence has never been a replacement for dialogue and as such there was no need for attacking South African businesses in Nigeria.

     

    The setting up of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission for the engagement of Nigerians in Diaspora in the policies, projects, and participation in the development of Nigeria and to utilize the human capital and material resources of Nigerians in Diaspora towards the overall socio-economic, cultural and political development of Nigeria is indeed one area that credit must be given to the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

     

    This is indeed a brilliant one given the fact that migrant remittance to Nigeria in 2018 was 77.2% of the federal government’s budget and more than ten times the foreign direct investment flow in the dame period into Nigeria according to a report published by PWC.

     

    In the report by PWC, it estimated that migrant remittances to Nigeria could grow to $25.5 billion, $29.8 billion and $34.8 billion in 2019, 2021 and 2023 respectively. It also stated that Nigeria accounts for over a third of migrant remittance flows to Sub-Saharan Africa, and the government must engage the Diaspora.

     

    PwC, therefore, recommended the need to create platforms that increase the accessibility of crucial information for Nigerians in the Diaspora; encourage and create pooled investment vehicles, and early-stage businesses with smaller financing needs, presents an excellent opportunity for those in the Diaspora to invest through angel networks. And that platform is the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. What does this tell us? It does tell us that there is a government in place that is willing to do all within its means to see to the development of Nigeria. I stand to be corrected, what the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has done by creating the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission is a masterstroke whose positive impact would be felt from generations to generations.

     

    Another strategic area of intervention is the creation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development. The ministry charged with the responsibility of providing solutions to the plight of millions of Internally Displaced Persons as well as coordinate humanitarian affairs and social development in the country. This is indeed another masterstroke of the Muhummadu Buhari administration given the fact that the country, in the last ten years, has witnessed humanitarian crisis that has resulted in the displacement of an estimated 1.8 million people in North-East Nigeria.

     

    It is also on record that lots of work have gone into peace enforcement and peacebuilding in the country with the various initiatives embarked upon by the government. The critical security sector has also received much-needed attention with the different security strategies designed to combat terrorism and other acts of insecurity in the country.

     

    At this point, it is imperative to state empathically that President Muhammadu Buhari is indeed a leader of repute and that Nigerians were wise in their choice of him as President of this great country for another four years. The fact that in just 100 days into the life of the administration and we can lay our hands on a couple of strategic interventions buttresses the point that the next four years would indeed usher in for Nigeria greener pastures.

     

    I make no hesitation to state that President Muhammadu Buhari is indeed still the answer for our quest towards translating our hopes and aspirations into tangible realities in Nigeria. And those with contrary views should please put them forward.

     

    Oteniya wrote this from Instabul.